20 | ARC Vets T T Karen Phelps Vet specialists celebrate first decade ARC Vets’ growth has been rapid since starting with its first hospital on Auckland’s North Shore. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT reddogrehab.co.nz Specialty products to assist dogs with mobility issues and problems. Red Dog Rehabilitation provides high quality products to aid injured dogs from initial injury back to full mobility. We also assist those with degenerative and arthritic conditions to keep moving safely. Help’em up Harness Assisi loop tPEMF Boots & Socks Carpal Supports Walkin’ Wheels Wheelchair Life Jackets Harnesses Car Safety info@reddogrehab.co.nz Need Help? Op�mus Healthcare is New Zealand’s first compounding pharmacy that specialises in animal remedies. General Medical Classes covered are but not limited to: • Hypertension • Diabetes • Cardiovascular • Pain Management • Oncology • Dermatology • Anxiety • Depression OPTIMUS O p t i m u s H e a l t h c a r e 2 0 2 5 L i m i t e d 4 Walls Road, Penrose, Auckland | 09 580 0915 pharmacist@optimushealth.co.nz | optimushealth.co.nz • Respiratory • Anti-infectives • Urinary Health This year ARC Vets celebrates its tenth anniversary, a milestone that reflects a decade of pioneering specialist veterinary care in New Zealand. Founded in 2016 by Karl Mathis and Fiona Park, the practice has grown from a single hospital into a network of leading specialist and emergency veterinary hospitals. “From the very beginning our focus has been on accessibility,” says Karl. “We wanted to ensure that specialist-level care for pets is available to those who need and want it, working closely with referring veterinarians to support the best possible outcomes.” Both Kiwis, Karl and Fiona met at veterinary school and pursued extensive postgraduate training overseas. Karl initially worked in large animal practice at Te Puke and Fiona in small animal care on Auckland’s North Shore. He completed a small animal internship in Queensland, followed by further training at the University of Guelph in Canada and in surgery in Toronto before securing a residency in Sydney. Fiona specialised in small animal internal medicine, gaining experience in Canada at the University of Guelph before completing her residency there. Today both are registered specialists in their respective fields, a distinction held by very few veterinarians in New Zealand. The team currently includes 18 specialists across seven disciplines including surgery, internal medicine, oncology, neurology, dermatology, critical care and diagnostic imaging. An ophthalmology service will start in August this year. Alongside this, ARC Vets is also helping shape the future of the profession offering structured externships for final-year veterinary students through a formal relationship with Massey University and training New Zealand’s next generation of specialists through accredited residency programmes. ARC Vets’ growth has been rapid since starting with its first hospital on Auckland’s North Shore. The couple are now supported by a team of around 170 dedicated professionals and in July 2023 opened a second Auckland hospital in Freemans Bay. A third hospital in Wellington is underway and scheduled to open in late 2027. ARC Vets boasts New Zealand’s only veterinaryspecific MRI at its Freemans Bay hospital, with a second planned for the Wellington site, alongside CT scanners at all locations to support advanced diagnostic capabilities. This advanced diagnostic imaging and interventions, in addition to cutting-edge surgical techniques such as laparoscopy, thoracoscopy and arthroscopy, further enhance ARC Vets’ comprehensive offering. Karl says this approach ensures pets receive the highest quality treatment while keeping owners informed and supported throughout the process. The practice also provides a 24/7 emergency service that is available without referral, ensuring urgent veterinary care is accessible at all times. Specialist treatment, critical care and emergency services are delivered through a highly collaborative, multidisciplinary approach, says Karl, ensuring each patient receives a comprehensive and tailored treatment plan. Every team member works closely across disciplines to optimise outcomes. ARC Vets has also introduced fixed pricing for common surgical procedures, helping make specialist care more predictable for pet owners. Every procedure is performed by a registered veterinary specialist, with post-operative monitoring, expert pain management and personalised recovery care.
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