vet clinic sustainability

This is the fourth episode in the sustainability series and today we’re with Sophie Kennedy of The Strand Veterinarian in Parnell, Auckland, New Zealand.

Sophie is the dedicated receptionist at The Strand Veterinarian who’s just recently been charged with the responsibility of project managing the clinic’s sustainability initiatives.

As you’ll hear – unlike many clinics where reception duties form part of a vet nurse’s responsibilities, at The Strand Veterinarian, Sophie’s sole focus is customer and support staff care.   

If you haven’t listened to episode 30 yet I recommend you do – that’s where Dr Megan Alderson of The Strand Veterinarian shares some of her goals, as well as trials and tribulations towards having a healthy and sustainable workforce.   

Sophie's 8 Vet Clinic Sustainability baby steps anyone can take

1. Turn off the lights when you don’t need them on.   
2. Bring your lunch in a recyclable container.  
3. Use a recyclable coffee cup or stainless steel water bottle rather than keep buying 750ml bottles of water.   
4. Switch to compostable dog pooh bags and courier bags.   
5. Where possible go paperless – email information to clients.   If you must print, then use sustainable paper.
6. Apply pressure to your suppliers to improve their packaging.
7. Ask who else at your clinic is interested in being more sustainable – see what pickup you get.
8. If you’re in a retail complex see whether you can join forces with other businesses – maybe share collection bins and/or encourage them to join your efforts.

LINKS SOPHIE MENTIONED

The Strand Veterinarian's PPE recycling is through TerraCycle .  You can get zero-waste boxes.

Soft plastic recycling - The Strand Veterinarian takes their own bags weekly to the local places that do it like Countdown and Pack'N'Save and its through https://www.recycling.kiwi.nz/

Companion Animal Vacancy at Vet Marlborough - contact Julie South or Tania Bruce for more info.

Resources mentioned in this episode can be found at VetStaff - Podcast.

How to get more bang for your recruitment advertising buck
This is what VetStaff is really good at so if you'd like to stretch your recruitment dollar, please get in touch with Julie because this is something VetStaff can help you with.

How to shine online as a good employer
If you’d like to shine online as a good employer to attract the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic please get in touch with Julie because this is something VetClinicJobs can help you with.

Revive Your Drive - daily 2-minute videos for employers and employees to revive their drives at work and at home.

Sustainable Vet Clinic Practice - CeeJay Donovan of Massey Vets in Palmerston North - chats about her 6 in 6  - six easy to implement sustainable practices she implemented at Massey Vets in six months and the differences she noticed.

For international listeners that’s the on-campus clinic of the Veterinary Science Faculty of New Zealand’s Massey University.

CeeJay has a Bachelor of Veterinary Technology from Massey, a Certificate in Science and Technology from Massey as well as a Certificate in Captive Wild Animal Management from Unitec in Auckland.  

If you’ve listened to the previous two episodes on sustainability, you’ll have heard CeeJay’s name mentioned a few times – especially in relation to the social media initiatives she’s kicked off Sustainable Vet Practice – NZ communities on both FB and Insta – so go follow and connect there.

We also talked about some of her big picture goals such as 

• finding a way to compost cat poop without exposing the environment to toxoplasma; 
•  is there a way you can capture and reuse your anaesthetic gas, 
• and what’s she doing in regard to responsible antimicrobial disposal.

 As you’ll hear her say more than once – one person can make a difference!

LINKS MENTIONED IN TODAY'S EPISODE:

it’s critical that vets with visas can get into NZ without having to play the MIQ lottery game of chance – you can sign it at Get2VetsNZ at Facebook or via tinyurl.com/get2vetsnz -  thanks heaps!

Stay tuned right to the end - if you’re interested you can listen into the after we wrapped everything up chat that CeeJay and I had.

Sustainable Vet Practice - NZ - Facebook
Sustainable Vet Practice - NZ - Instagram

VetStaff
leading veterinary sector recruitment in New Zealand | veterinarians | locums | nurses

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Companion Animal Vacancy at Vet Marlborough - contact Julie South or Tania Bruce for more info.

Resources mentioned in this episode can be found at VetStaff - Podcast.

How to get more bang for your recruitment advertising buck
This is what VetStaff is really good at so if you'd like to stretch your recruitment dollar, please get in touch with Julie because this is something VetStaff can help you with.

How to shine online as a good employer
If you’d like to shine online as a good employer to attract the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic please get in touch with Julie because this is something VetClinicJobs can help you with.

Revive Your Drive - daily 2-minute videos for employers and employees to revive their drives at work and at home.

Veterinarian Dr Liza Schneider is one of New Zealand’s leading authorities in holistic animal healthcare. 

In 2003 Liza established – what is today – award-winning Holistic Vets in Tauranga – located in New Zealand’s spectacular Bay of Plenty region.  

Holistic Vets is a fully integrated veterinary practice combining conventional veterinary medicine and surgery with complementary therapies.   This was the first of its kind in New Zealand. 

Liza is also the founding trustee of ARRC Wildlife Trust – that’s the Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre.  

The ARRC is a charitable trust which provides veterinary care and services to rehabilitate wildlife and has been the recipient of community awards.  

Education is a key focus of ARRC, especially of children. To help achieve this ARRC has produced a series of children’s books illustrating the human impact on wildlife and what children can do to help. 

As you’ll hear today, throughout her veterinary career, Liza has sought and applied complementary and natural therapies which are easy to learn, practical to apply, and highly effective at assisting her patients to heal. 

 She’s always believed that as a vet, it’s not simply her job to practice veterinary science, but it’s her responsibility to make sure she always gives her patients the best possible care; knowing that she’s explored every option to enhance their health. 

 Liza has served as the president of the NZ Vet Association’s Complementary Veterinary Medicine branch since 2010.

 Over the years Liza has been recognised for her work in the community, her entrepreneurship and business acumen with several awards. 

 Last year – in 2020 - she was the recipient of the New Zealand Veterinary Association’s Veterinary Impact Award which is bestowed on an individual who’s made a considerable positive impact for the veterinary profession.

Liza delights in educating, inspiring and entertaining people about sustainable healthcare and the importance of preserving our natural heritage. 

Liza’s extremely passionate about what she does and what she believes in.

LINKS FROM TODAY'S SHOW

VetStaff
leading veterinary sector recruitment in New Zealand | veterinarians | locums | nurses

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Companion Animal Vacancy at Vet Marlborough - contact Julie South or Tania Bruce for more info.

Resources mentioned in this episode can be found at VetStaff - Podcast.

How to get more bang for your recruitment advertising buck
This is what VetStaff is really good at so if you'd like to stretch your recruitment dollar, please get in touch with Julie because this is something VetStaff can help you with.

How to shine online as a good employer
If you’d like to shine online as a good employer to attract the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic please get in touch with Julie because this is something VetClinicJobs can help you with.

Revive Your Drive - daily 2-minute videos for employers and employees to revive their drives at work and at home.

Vet Clinic Sustainability - three vet panel discussion on what vet clinics can do to start or further their sustainability journey

GUESTS:

Dr Francesca Brown:
Head of Programmes and Principal Lecturer, Vet, Nursing Education and Chair, Educational Standards committee at Otago Polytech
Previous guest episodes:
Episode 28
Episode 29

Dr Rose Unsworth - Companion Animal Veterinarian
Complementary Veterinary Medicine Branch of the NZVA.  Rose has also featured twice as a guest on Paws Claws & Wet Noses:
Episode 09
Episode 21

Dr Liza Schneider - Companion Animal Veterinarian
Prinicipal and owner of award winning Holistic Vets in Tauranga.   
Liza established Holistic Vets in 2003.   
You’ll hear more about Liza’s journey next week.

Companion Animal Vacancy at Vet Marlborough - contact Julie South or Tania Bruce for more info.

Resources mentioned in this episode can be found at VetStaff - Podcast.

How to get more bang for your recruitment advertising buck
This is what VetStaff is really good at so if you'd like to stretch your recruitment dollar, please get in touch with Julie because this is something VetStaff can help you with.

How to shine online as a good employer
If you’d like to shine online as a good employer to attract the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic please get in touch with Julie because this is something VetClinicJobs can help you with.

Revive Your Drive - daily 2-minute videos for employers and employees to revive their drives at work and at home.