Where paws are in good hands

BUSINESS FEATURE

Jeremy Lebeuf

Feature Writer

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The team at Port Douglas Vets (L to R) Tyler Mous, Harry Waters, Jade Devlin, Cameron Hendricks. Image: Jeremy Lebeuf.

Access to veterinary care is now a little easier for Port Douglas residents who need a welcoming place to bring their beloved ‘fur-babies' thanks to the addition of new community vet, Port Douglas Vets, now open in Craiglie.

When two highly passionate and good friends Harry Waters and Cameron Hendricks got together they dreamed of a utopia of the veterinary world – A hospital where they care deeply about the people and the pets that walk through their door. A hospital where medical treatment is innovative and industry-leading. A hospital where giving back to the community and seeking opportunities to serve is prioritised.

Ten years on from studying veterinary science together they realised their dream was in Port Douglas, a place that kindred their backgrounds of a small-town community vibe, a place like no other to raise their families and explore.

Harry Waters, co-owner of Port Douglas Vets said the two of them have always wanted to open a veterinary hospital and over the years have refined their idea of the perfect small-town-vet-clinic.

“Working in a variety of small animal hospitals around the country from referral institutions to mixed practices has given us a wide array of experience and inspiration to draw from to create our veterinary utopia.

“The hospital offers the range and quality of service that you’d find in large, corporate clinics but with the consistency of vets and relationship-based service that is only possible in smaller clinics,” said Mr Waters.

Industry leading and innovated medical treatments while providing quality compassionate care for your pets. Image: Supplied.

Choosing Port Douglas to set up shop was an easy decision for the duo, both have spent time in the region falling in love with the community and surroundings, they felt there was a need here for a one-stop, quality veterinary facility offering consistent service.

The Port Douglas Vets have had their doggie doors open for just over three months now and the two have been blown away by the support of the community.

“The community has been extremely warm and welcoming, and all the feedback has been positive.

“Growth has been smooth and consistent - not too fast which has been great to give us the time to optimise and perfect the operational elements of the clinic,” said Mr Waters.

There is a concerning reality of most veterinary practice ownership gradually shifting to favouring the corporate/consolidated clinics losing the care and charm of solo-owned practices.

The other half of Port Douglas Vets, Cameron Hendricks said they are not just another corporate clinic, which makes them unique amongst veterinary start-ups and greatly improves the quality and consistency of our service.

“As a start-up, it gives us a unique opportunity to define our values, philosophy, and objectives of the business very early on.

“We strive to provide a high level of ethical, professional, and quality veterinary care to patients with a strong focus on the clients’ experience and relationship shared between veterinarian, patient, and client.

“A trip to the vet with a sick patient is never going to be a pleasant experience for a client, but we believe that with high-quality service, excellent communication, and a balance of empathy and professionalism the experience can be far less unpleasant.

“It’s this holistic approach to understanding the client-patient relationship as well as the patient’s condition that makes us unique among veterinary services,” said Mr Hendricks.

A veterinarian utopia, Port Douglas Vets is a community clinic founded by passionate friends. Image Supplied.

Open five days a week, Port Douglas Vets takes care of your beloved pets by offering:

• Vaccination and heartworm prevention
• Tick, flea, and worm prevention
• Wellness checks and blood tests
• Puppy Preschool
• Arthritis Management
• Dentistry
• Ultrasound and Radiography (X-Ray)
• Surgery
• Desexing
• Behavioural medicine and consultations
• Microchipping
• Nutritional advice, premium pet food, and prescription diets.

Veterinary services are an essential part of any community - particularly one with as many animals as Port Douglas and the area.

The right veterinary service that effectively balances the quality and range of services with affordability for the community is extremely important for families and their pets. Follow Port Douglas Vets here to learn more about their services and keep up to date with their community initiatives.


Port Douglas Vets is family owned and run with a strong focus on the relationship shared between veterinarian, patient, and client. Image: Supplied.

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