You can get the latest news by visiting our Facebook page. You can browse and share photos, read comments from other pet owners and find out what our staff have been up to.
Autumn 2021 newsletter
Thank you all for your ongoing support and understanding as we have continued to review our Covid protocols over the summer months. Our aim has been to strike a balance between our mission to provide the best veterinary service we can for the local community against the need to protect our staff and ensure they, and all our pet owners, feel safe at our clinics.
We increased our kennel capacity back in June with some clever re-thinking of furniture/space and a little plumbing and carpentry from Bradley to make the new kennels fit! Our new kennels have given us more space to meet increased demand. In staff news, we were delighted that vet Hannah’s wedding was able to ahead in July and that many of us were able to attend the reception. Congratulations Hannah and Russell! At the end of the summer, it was also wonderful to finally hold a staff social for the first time (outside and socially distanced, of course) since Christmas 2019. With our 27 staff working various shifts and in ‘zones’ within the building (as well as across two sites), we have thoroughly appreciated a chance to meet together once more. We welcome Danielle to the nursing team. Danielle joins us as a recently qualified RVN having studied at Canterbury College. Moving to Tunbridge Wells has enabled her to be closer to her family. Within veterinary nursing, Danielle is particularly keen on dental work and in-patient care.
Summer 2021 newsletter
We opened our Pembury branch in May and have been bowled over by the support and excitement from Pembury residents. Thank you for all your messages, cards and chocolates! Our staff have been enjoying the new facilities and admiring the very green decor. Huge thanks to Barry Taylor and his fantastic team of builders.
In staff news, we saw Heather become a qualified Veterinary Nurse in April following two years of study at Plumpton College alongside work. A very well deserved congratulations, Heather! We have increased our vet team to coincide with the branch opening. Gabriella joins us having worked in a busy East London practice for 18 months. Originally from Tunbridge Wells, Gabriella undertook placements with us during her time at the RVC and we are delighted to welcome her back. She enjoys all aspects of small animal practice but has a particular interest in feline medicine. She has two rescue cats - a Birman called Jazz and a Ragdoll called Sammy. Finally, thank you for your continued patience regarding outdoor consultations. At the time of writing we are still unable to open our Southborough building due to so many staff (a number still unvaccinated) working within close confines. We are continually reviewing the situation and hope to offer a normal service as soon as possible.
Spring 2021 newsletter
At the time of writing, the building work at our new branch practice in Pembury is nearing completion – thank you so much to our wonderful builder Barry Taylor and his fantastic team. We are now on to fitting out the building with specialist equipment and are looking forward to opening in May. Please do follow us on Facebook for more up-to-date information or check notices in the windows.
To assist with our expansion and to ensure that you are able to get through on the phone more easily, we have now installed a very exciting new telephone system. We are pleased with the improved clarity this has brought to the line as well as the ability to answer calls more quickly. The staff have adjusted admirably to all the new buttons and protocols!
In staff news, we welcomed vet Sarah back from maternity leave at the end of last year. New to the receptionist team is Paige who will become our Pembury receptionist when we open. Paige is very experienced in reception work and has joined us having worked previously at Well House vets. She has fitted in wonderfully to the Dacre House ethos and is a pleasure to have on the team.
Finally, we hope you like our smart new dutch canopies - hopefully a better rainproof addition as we
all spend so much time outdoors. Thank you for your ongoing patience with being seen outside especially in the cold, rain and snow! We’re certainly glad to see the Spring and the hope of a gradual return to normality.
Winter 2020 newsletter
As we enter the winter months we want to thank you so much for your patience and cooperation as we continue to socially distance. We are working hard to keep things bearable with outdoor lighting and covered areas. Please continue to telephone in advance to pick up medication and food orders as well as making appointments. At the time of writing Bradley is in the process of installing a new telephone system which will give us the capacity to take more calls at the same time – we are very aware that it has been difficult to get through on the phone. Along with this we have employed three new receptionists so that our nurses are freed up to concentrate on nursing.
New to the receptionist team is Katie Verell who joined us from another local vets. In her spare time, she volunteers for the Riding for the Disabled and she also rides herself. Louise Stapple joined us in October having been a regular at the clinic. She enjoys spending time with family, cooking, music, going for long walks and has a Westie called Willow. Finally, Tracey Hoskin joined the team part-time in October and is thoroughly enjoying working with us in the local community. Having grown up with dogs Tracey has a soft spot for our canine customers and can sometimes be spotted on the Ridgewaye playing fields entertaining children with her puppet dog, Milo.
Pembury residents will be eager to hear that building work at our new branch is nearing completion and we are looking forward to opening in the new year! Keep an eye on our Facebook page for more up-to-date information www.facebook.com/dacrehousevets.
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...Bertie was a cat of character who gave us a huge amount of affection, lots of laughs, some worries and many memories. Thank you for looking after him during his long life, and for ensuring that his end was quick and dignified. You're a great bunch and we can't fault the care you provided to our Mr B. You also know about kindness to people too...
To all the staff at our vets. Thank you for looking after us both and all the cuddles we get from you. Love, Lily and Ruby.
Dear Bradley and everyone at the vets, thank you very much for all your care and kindness, we are so lucky to have such wonderful people to care for our pets. Tia seems to be doing fine now, thank you for seeing her and treating her so quickly. With lots of love...
Dear Bradley, Jane and all the other wonderful staff at Dacre House. Thank you so much for all the fantastic care of Amber, Buttons and Chloe over the last few years...when we have pets again (sometime in the future) we will certainly be back! We will also recommend you at every opportunity. With very many thanks and best wishes.
Thank you so much for all that you did for Ozzie - I thought we had lost him, but your expertise and genuine TLC certainly saved him.
