Towan Veterinary Practice Is Open!
The big day is finally here!
Towan Veterinary Practice is open! What started as a dream, has finally become a reality. It’s been quite a journey, full of excitement, challenges, and more than a few surprises along the way.
Finding the Perfect Home
The creation of Towan Vets has been a huge undertaking. Some parts came together quickly, while others took far longer than expected – but every step has brought us closer to today. One of the first and most important jobs was finding the right premises, and we were thrilled when we came across a great unit on North Quay in Hayle. It offered a bright space with plenty of room to grow, along with a storeroom and a comfortable office. Being right on the edge of the estuary and the towans was a bonus, with the hope that we could enjoy a breath of fresh air on our lunch breaks.
Choosing the Right Name
Next came the challenge of choosing a name. We wanted something Cornish, simple and memorable, but finding the right fit took a lot of deliberation. Eventually, we realised the answer was right in front of us. Towan, the Cornish word for sand dune, felt perfect – and with the dunes just outside, it couldn’t be more fitting.
Bringing the Practice to Life
With the name settled, the real work began. There were exciting moments, like researching vehicles and kit, deciding on a practice management system, and watching our brand and logo come to life. We were also thrilled to recruit Jeannette, an ex-police officer who later moved into veterinary practice and has a love for all things equestrian. She has fitted in brilliantly, keen to get on with whatever job is next with a smile, and already seems to know most of the horse-owning community! At the same time, there were the less glamorous but essential parts of setting up a business, from insurance to official paperwork, and making sure everything was properly in place. The empty unit slowly transformed as we kitted it out with shelving, furniture, and office hardware, and we started filling the shelves with medicines, consumables, and equipment. Along the way, we registered with the RCVS and various suppliers, started getting used to a brand-new computer system, and learned how to use and maintain all our new equipment. And of course, there were meetings – plenty of meetings!
Out of Hours Care and Support
One of the challenges for small veterinary practices is providing out-of-hours care. With only two vets, the rota can be intense, but Joe and Sam are ready for it! To help, we’re working closely with Kernow Vets Messaging, a specialist veterinary phone answering service. They handle calls outside of our office hours and assist during particularly busy periods, contacting Joe or Sam or passing messages to the office as needed. This means that, even as a small team, your calls will always be answered.
Gratitude for Support Along the Way
Through all of this, we have been incredibly lucky to receive so much support along the way. From friends, family, colleagues, and mentors encouraging us and reassuring us that our idea wasn’t completely bonkers, to the many people patiently answering our questions, offering advice on running a veterinary practice, helping with the logo and website, and even guiding us on kit, photos and branding – we couldn’t have done it alone. What’s more, in the last week leading up to opening, some wonderful people even helped by feeding us and keeping our energy up as we tackled the final tasks. Every piece of advice, every shared experience, and every small act of help and kindness has made a huge difference - we really are very grateful.
We have a long way to go but seeing Towan Vets take shape fills us with pride. What began as an aspiration has grown into a practice anchored in the community and we can’t wait to get started!