Kate dedicates 30 years to caring for Hampshire pets
A HAMPSHIRE veterinary practice is raising a toast to a dedicated team member who is celebrating a significant career milestone.
Kate Goodes has clocked up 30 years at St Peter’s Vets, which is part of the VetPartners group of veterinary practices, after joining as a trainee veterinary nurse in 1995, aged 17.
After completing her training and passing her nursing exams with flying colours, Kate’s career at St Peter’s Vets flourished and she rose through the ranks to become Head Nurse. She was promoted to Practice Manager in 2013 and now helps ensure the smooth running of St Peter’s four surgeries in Petersfield, Liss, Horndean and Farlington
Kate, who lives in Petersfield with her family and cats Leia and Remy and dog Margo, says she’s enjoyed working at the practice so much that she’s never been tempted to leave.
Kate said: “I have loved every minute I’ve been at St Peter’s Vets and it’s due to my amazing colleagues and our lovely clients and their pets that I have enjoyed such a long career here. The practice is like a family and everyone is so caring and we all look out for each other.
“I grew up surrounded by animals and they were such an important part of my childhood that I wanted to be a veterinary nurse from a very young age. I’ve always been passionate about helping pets and some of my best memories involve caring for seriously ill patients and playing a part in their recovery. I remember one dog called Toby who had been dangerously ill with diabetes and it was so heartwarming to watch him going home with his owner after he’d been so poorly. The more unusual patients tend to stick in your mind, too, and one thing I will never forget is assisting in surgery on a Lemur.
“Being Practice Manager brings different responsibilities to nursing but I’m still focused on providing the highest levels of care to patients and I do that by supporting our team members so they can be the best they can be. I’m really proud to work alongside a dedicated, skilled and caring team and it’s also really nice that we have clients who have been trusting us to care for their pets as long as I’ve worked here.
“It’s hard to believe I’ve been here for 30 years and it seems like yesterday when I came through the doors for my first day, but so much has changed over that time in terms of the facilities and equipment we have at the practice. We can do so much more to help pets when they are unwell or injured and that’s what makes this job so rewarding. It’s such a special place to work and I hope I’m here for many years to come.”
St Peter’s Vets has practices in Petersfield, Liss, Horndean and Farlington and puts the care of pets, care of people and care of each other above all else. The practice is part of VetPartners, a veterinary group led by vets which owns some of the UK and Europe’s most respected and trusted veterinary practices and associated animal healthcare businesses.