ANIMALS and children can be tricky to handle, but for Emily Lynam they were the perfect working combination.

Emily has been working at Warwick Town and Country Vets for 18 months and at Country Garden Child Care Centre - all while completing Year 12, a Certificate 2 in animal care and a Certificate 3 in childcare services.

Her hard work prompted Emily's Brisbane North Institute of TAFE teacher to nominate her for the Queensland Trainee of the Year Awards. Emily was one of 600 nominees and she made it to the top three, much to her surprise.

Since graduating from high school, Emily has made the move from Stanthorpe to Warwick and decided to further her studies.

"I started my Certificate4 in veterinarian nursing this year and I'm about to start my diploma in early childcare education," she said.

"I just like to keep busy."

Emily said she hoped to have a career in veterinary nursing.

"Working with kids is rewarding, but it is a routine job; working at the vets you do something different every day," she said.

"One minute you are in the clinic, the next in the paddock."

Emily said her love of animals came from growing up next to her grandfather's farm at Stanthorpe.

"Our property was connected to my grandfather's farm, which is what sparked my love for animals," she said.

"In the long run I would like to get a job at a zoo."