GAMBIER VETS

It was previously the administration offices for Softwoods and the renovations to get the clinic up to speed would have been so extensive, starting with a clean slate loomed as the best option. The site at Allison Street was perfect and so the planning began.

That process, beginning with drawing up plans with the architect started just as the pandemic hit. The design work took 18 months and then the build took a further 18.

Stuart and Rebel had a vision for what their dream practice would look like – more than 20 years in the profession, they graduated in 2001, meant they had built a picture in their minds as to what would work best.

“We were able to take things from all the practices we have worked at over the years – we knew this worked really well and this is not ideal so we had put together a pretty good idea of what works and what doesn’t,” Rebel said. “We also had a lot of input from specialists and other vet friends and even some human medicos had their input as well.

“We sent out lots of emails and floor plans to really get that practical advice from people who have gone through this and set up their own practice.

“It was a collective effort to try and make it work as efficiently as possible. It is our dream practice.”

And it is still a growing practice that is still looking for more staff and with the new facility there is plenty of room for new vets and vet nurses to help juggle the overflowing workload Gambier Vets, and all South Australian vets face, in the wake of industry shortages.

When Stuart and Rebel took over there was around 15 staff and that number has already swelled to 24. “We are still advertising for staff and we have room to cater for them,” Rebel said.

Working in a regional area means the vets at Gambier Vets need to be all things to all people – there is no specialist down the road to take a referral or two. “Expectations on vets have changed significantly over the years with treatments like chemotherapy now considered the norm,” Rebel said. “We have to be an oncologist, an obstetrician, a surgeon and a general practitioner – it does add a level of pressure for country vets.”

Since opening the doors of the new Gambier Vets practice, Stuart and Rebel have not only received huge praise for their new facility from clients but also from keen observers off the street.

“We have had a few people just walk in off the street – they don’t have a pet, they just wanted to have a look,” Rebel said. “And we have had some people say it is better than their human hospital.” Being an accredited hospital and the only one in the region, is an achievement Stuart and Rebel hold dear.

It takes hard work to maintain the required standards but to be able to provide such a high quality of care for patients is important to the passionate couple.

“We do work under a lot more regulations and restrictions but with that comes a higher quality of care,” Rebel said. “It’s a privilege to be an accredited hospital and a lot goes on behind the scenes to maintain that accreditation.”

Gambier Vets offers a comprehensive, competitively priced veterinary service for all animals in the district, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.