John Burns Blog - 16th March 2010 - Crufts Part 2; Corporate veterinary practice

John Burns' Blog

Crufts Part 2; Corporate veterinary practice;

Crufts
The very first dog I saw when walking towards the NEC from the hotel was a young Bernese. I don’t know if it was making for the show ring or the Discover Dogs section but its back-end was all over the place- obviously a candidate for severe hip problems in a year or two. Just the thing that Jemima Harrison has been highlighting.

A number of our stand visitors refused to believe that our Penlan Farm Range of moist food was made with ingredients which we grow and harvest ourselves. It is wise to have a degree of scepticism when so many companies mislead the public or fail to honour claims about their quality of product and service. (See yesterday’s blog.) If anyone disbelieves what we’re doing they are welcome to come and see for themselves. Bring wellies.

Corporate veterinary practice
I met a young veterinary nurse who works for a 27 surgery strong corporate veterinary group practice called Pet Doctors. Actually, she doesn’t any more. Pet Doctors has been bought by CVS which is a bigger corporate owner with 65 group practices and 197 separate surgeries. Early in my career, a veterinary surgeon was forbidden from working for an employer who was not a vet. I think the rationale was that this had the potential to influence the professional decisions and independence of the vet. Of course, in those days, vets weren’t allowed to advertise or market their businesses. It was called “touting” and was seen as being unprofessional conduct and an improper way of attracting the clients of another vet. All very quaint and old-fashioned now.

A bit over the top
On the River Walk this morning I met Jennie walking to work. She had on a great head scarf so I asked her if she was cold. “No, I’m a bit over the top this morning.” That’s exactly where I would expect a head scarf to be.

16th March - Crufts Part 2; Corporate veterinary practice

John Burns' Blog

Crufts Part 2; Corporate veterinary practice;

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