Humanimals’ founder voted ‘Vet of the Year’ by customers
DR Alistair Newbould, from Dunedin’s Humanimals, has been voted ‘‘Vet of the Year’’ in the national Petplan Veterinary Awards 2018.
Petplan, which provides pet insurance, launched the Veterinary Awards in 2016. There are other professional awards, but this is the only one voted for by customers.
Winning it is great recognition for the vet, who founded the South Dunedin clinic 30 years ago.
‘‘I was very pleased when I was put forward for it,’’ Dr Newbould says. ‘‘There’s the customer side of things and the work you do there, and then there’s the professional side of things. It’s certainly nice to receive.’’
Last year Humanimals became one of only three veterinary practices in New Zealand with the BESTPRACTICE Hospital Standards accreditation.
When he originally opened the clinic in 1989, it was with a focus on customer service, and that has remained core to what Humanimals does. As Dr Newbould says, ‘‘without customers you don’t have work’’.
That’s why he views the ‘‘Vet of the Year’’ award as recognition of the clinic’s commitment to its customers.
‘‘It’s just being there, available all the time,’’ he says. ‘‘My family really do put up with an awful lot of nonsense for the sake of that commitment. So there’s the home support, and then all the work that goes on in the practice. The support staff, the nurses, the receptionists, the vets — they’re all part of this place, and that’s what allows me to do my job here.’’
After many years in the profession, Dr Newbould still loves the variety his job offers, saying that it is always challenging and every day is different.
The practice will be open throughout the summer holidays, with a phone that is manned by staff 24 hours a day.