Wow, four years ago on Monday, 30 November we opened our shiny newly painted doors to the lovely people of Wimborne and their pets.
During this time, our team has expanded and we’re now three vets (currently recruiting for an additional vet), three qualified vet nurses, two animal nursing assistants, five receptionists (six when you include Barnaby when he’s back from Uni), our accounts/administration officer and Sam who’s our People Person/pretend social media guru/marketing person.
We all have the same love, desire and enthusiasm to provide our clients with the best possible care for not only the pets we see, but their owners too – building relationships is what we’re all about.
It’s been an absolute whirlwind, WINNING Best New Business 2022 and 2023, as well as overall Business of the Year 2023, Best place to work in Wimborne 2024, runner-up in Family Business of the Year 2024 in the Wimborne Business Awards AND the cherry on top of the cake was WINNING BEST NEW BUSINESS across the WHOLE OF EAST DORSET . . . as Chris would say, ‘it’s gone faster than a rat up a drainpipe, with it’s pants on fire, with a jet pack, trained by Usain Bolt!’
We asked the team some fun and quirky questions, as well as about their time with us to date – here’s what they had to say:
When did you start working at Vetsmiths?
Sam: Long before it even opened!
Kesh: It’s been 18 months now!
Emma: September 2023.
Tara: Since the very beginning.
Sarah: November 2020 – at the beginning.
Barnaby: Day 1!
Back or front of house at Vetsmiths?
Chris: Front of house
Jess: FRONT OF HOUSE IS WHERE IT’S AT! WOOOO!
Barnaby: FOH because COFFEE!
Lucy: Front of house for me – love seeing our clients when they first enter our door knowing I can make a difference to how they may feel.
Clare: I must admit to go and watch the vets operating is fascinating – their job is so different from mine!
Any stand out patient/case and why?
Sam: Recently Snoopy with an awful cut – such a brave boy and Kesh and the team have been amazing with him.
Emma: Molly and Daphers – such brave ladies.
AnitaS: Snoopy – nasty cut – brave boy.
Would you rather be able to speak every language in the world, or be able to talk to animals and they reply?
Chris: 100% being about to talk to animals and hear their reply – it would make our job a lot easier and I’ve love to get their take on the world. May not get much out of Kipster though….
Jess: Absolutely talk to animals!!!!
AnitaM: As much as I love travelling and exploring new cultures, I would still choose to speak to animals. I would love to learn more about each species and help them as much as I could from what I learnt from them.
Kesh: Talk to animals and they reply – would make my job much easier!
Would you rather come face to face with a miniature hippo or a giant cockroach – both are in a bad mood?
Lydia: Hippopotamus.
Lynsey: Hippo, love hippos.
Clare: A miniature hippo – I’m imagining a skinny pig size!
Lucy: Grumpy mini-hippo please.
What makes you yawn?
Jess: Waking up to the school run every day!
Lydia: Piriton.
AnitaS: Lack of sleep.
Chris: Health & Safety reviews.
Latest time in the day you drink a cup of coffee?
Lorna: Don’t ever let me drink a coffee after 3pm – I’ll still be awake a day later!
Chris: Never past lunchtime.
Jess: 5pm, coffee runs through my veins. It gets me through the day!
Sarah: Don’t drink coffee – prefer hot chocolate.
Do you think these questions are silly?
Jess: I think they’re very Vetsmiths!
AnitaS: No.
Sarah: Yes!
Do you Instagram your pets?
Sam: Yes, although they don’t have their own accounts. Kipster used to have her own Twitter account back in the day.
Emma: Now and again.
Jess: My Rosie is Instagram royalty, she once upon a time had her very own page.
Lydia: Albert has his own page.
Lorna: No, I’ve become quite social media phobic.
Who keeps you entertained the most at Vetsmiths?
Chris: Has to be Jess – with her own unique understanding of the world (the pink marigold dance, numbered teeth, unicorns as real animals, etc etc etc).
Jess: AnitaS – she’s a special one, a very wonderful kind of special.
Lucy: AnitaS on reception – love her accent and northern charm – alright ma duck!
What would you say to someone thinking of bringing their pet to Vetsmiths?
Lynsey: Do it, you will not be disappointed, you’ll be welcomed and you and your pet will be very well cared for.
Lydia: When would you like an appointment?
Emma: Do it – you’ll love it!
Tara: If you want the best for your pet, then come and see us. You’re not tied to us, but I can assure you you won’t want to leave.
Lucy: Bring your pet to us, it’s the friendliest practice in town, serving coffee too! The best staff in the business! And you get to see your pets on Social media!
AnitaS: Definitely come along and see for yourself what an amazing vet practice it is.
Thanks to our brilliant team for joining in with a bit of fun and giving you a tiny insight into their minds.
Here’s to going into year five!
Team Vetsmiths, you ROCK!
