26 | Companion Vets T T Sue Russell Top care for animal companions Companion Vets operates from their modern clinic in Hamilton-North. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Doctor Craig and Margie Brighouse, along with fellow director Dr Juliet Matthews opened their Hamilton-North purpose-designed veterinary clinic Companion Vets in November 2020. The new building was thoughtfully retro-fitted, with the vision to create a modern, comfortable and stress free environment for the animals in their care, for their owners and a light, bright and efficient space for staff to enjoy working in. Five years down the track, the building has lived up to expectations, as Margie explains. “When designing the layout, we thought about all the activities that can happen in any given day, including the often very sad and stressful end-of-life moments, so we intentionally created a room with a separate way out for owners saying good-bye to their pets.” Husband Craig, who graduated from Massey University in 1991, also agrees the facility works very well. “You know veterinary practice has become so specialised with all sorts of diagnostic equipment now standard, that we had to ensure the spaces were of a good size to cater for this and for future growth.” Looking back on his time as a vet, Craig says he finds practising more complex and more rewarding than ever. “The area of companion animal veterinary health has developed into a very specialised skillset with very modern diagnostic, surgical and dentistry procedures. “We now have the tools, understandings and ability to treat patients long-term with conditions that years ago, we wouldn’t have been able to.” Supporting the next generation of veterinarian and animal nurse practitioners is all part of the daily routine and core to the collegial culture that pervades the practice. “I enjoy it when we have vet students and newly graduated vets and nurses join our team because they have new knowledge, while I can watch and support them from my years of experience.” A separate suite for dental work is often a busy place, with highly sophisticated procedures undertaken extending the life and quality of life for pets receiving care. “As we all know, dental pain can be very debilitating and this is true for our pet companions too. “We do a lot more dentistry, for both prevention and treatment and it is great to have a dedicated space for this.” And with the growth in technologies surrounding animal care, Craig notes that pet owners now are more likely to want diagnostic procedures, such as MRI’s that were once out of reach. “Luckily we have a facility close-by when an animal requires a scan.” Long-term management of patients is becoming the trend. Conditions such as osteoarthritis are now much more treatable. Interestingly enough, Craig recently attended a seminar by a pain specialist who commented that vets tend to manage pain very well, perhaps more effectively than some doctors for humans. “With the specialisation and the advances in our industry we have patients who routinely receive insulin, heart medications and other really sophisticated treatments that once were unheard of. We’re not just the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff, by any means.” Skin treatment work is another primary activity at the clinic, along with ear problems, even knee ruptures in dogs are all handled by the team at Companion Vets. “And next week I’m undertaking a laparoscopic surgery course. We want to be able to offer this less invasive process to our clients so that their pets recover from surgery even faster than they do now,” says Craig. Margie says she enjoys managing the business, supporting the team of nine, and interacting with patients and owners. “We are proud to be an independently owned business and believe this independence allows us to act in an agile manner and provide the services that our clients want, and their pets need.” “You know pets have now definitely become a family member and this is why their owners seek a range of treatment options for them.” “As local business owners, when we started we had a lot of support from the local businesses and we have very much appreciated becoming part of this busy area. We’re very proud to be local,” says Margie. CompanionVets - Our Purpose is Pets Providing comprehensive veterinary services including medical care, surgery, dentistry, and preventative health — all delivered with compassion and experience. 46 Church Road, Pukete, Hamilton 3200 07 222 3337 info@companionvets.co.nz www.companionvets.co.nz GZ\^hiZg ndjg Vc^bVa ½h b^XgdX]^e dc i]Z CO86G id a ^c` i]Z^g jc^fjZ b^XgdX]^e cjbWZg id ndjg YZiV^ ah# I]^h ]Zaeh i]Zb id WZ fj^X`an ^YZci^ [ ^ZY VcY gZjc^iZY l^i] ndj ^ [ i]Zn ZkZg \d b^hh^c\# VÆĊô®õÆõĕ Dz ÚÂÆõĕÚÑÚ¼®ĕÚûõDz î ÚõëÆÂDz ĕûDzijûĚĊ DzÂÆĕ®Ú îĎ ¼¼ÆĎĎÚ»îÆDz»ijDz ŰůůůȅDz ććĊûĬÆÂDzhĎÆĊĎDz®ĊûĚõÂDzD DzĎô®î î Dž DzûõÆǙĕÚôÆDz ÑÆÆDz ÑûĊ Dz î ÚÑÆĕÚôÆDz ĊÆÒÚĎĕĊ®ĕÚûõ %*%- ADHIE:I lll#Vc^bVagZ\^hiZg#Xd#co \RXU KDQGV ]®ÑÆDz®ĕDz×ûôÆDzÚõ
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