About Laura

Laura Smith is an R-SQP and dispensary adviser at Cullompton branch of The Vale Veterinary Group, an independent veterinary group with four branches in rural mid-Devon serving the Culm Valley.

The Cullompton practice serves both small animal and farm animal clients and is in the heart of the community.

Laura said: “It was a real shock to win the Veterinary Practice SQP of the Year category.”

Laura said there are a number of challenges, including customers that are focused on price, clients that purchase the wrong product elsewhere and joint issues in pets.

She said: “If a client is focused on price, I try to make the point that the cheapest product may not cover all the parasite issues being experienced, therefore subsequent purchases would need to be made of additional products to achieve the same outcome – a false economy.”

The practice runs a preventative pet health plan scheme known as the ‘Premier Paws Club’, which for a monthly set price covers the pet for internal and external issues and vaccinations for the year.

Laura said: “I feel we are seeing more pets with joint issues, especially at younger ages, predominately through excess weight. This has become very apparent following so many people being home during the pandemic. I have numerous calls with owners stating that their pets are displaying signs of discomfort and lameness.

“With many owners suddenly being at home 24/7, they notice that the pet is walking awkwardly, or that they don’t jump up as often or they can’t settle and seem restless.”

She added: “On the pet side, we’ve had people who bought a flea collar for their cat from a well-known store, and the cat still has fleas three weeks on.

We looked at the packaging and the active ingredient was lemon juice. I highlighted that if they had bought a product from me three weeks before – and had taken some tips about what to do at home – they’d probably be well on the way to getting rid of the problem.”

Laura said that she likes the variety of work at the practice.

“We have a main reception desk, which has large animals on one side and small animals on the other. I can be dealing with one client and the receptionist says ‘as soon as you finish, can you speak to these clients?’ – there is so much going on all the time – it’s very varied.”

Looking ahead, Laura said that she wants to get more involved with discussion groups aimed at smallholders.

She said: “Previously, the discussion groups have been very much vet-led, with a dozen or so farmers, talking about certain topics. We’re looking especially at smallholder meetings, and to bring more of a sort of everyday role into it.

“Smallholders, typically, have four sheep or five pigs and we get a lot of customers that have goats, as well as llamas. I’m here, in practice, to run through what they should be doing.

“People see the vets and think it’s going to cost them a small fortune, but when there’s an SQP in practice, clients can come and get some advice; and we can also point out when they need to see the vet.”