James' 2024 Round Up

As we close out the year it is always time to reflect on what has happened, and celebrate what we have achieved. Firstly, I’d like to thank all the clients, pets and team that makes Horner Vets a reality. It really is the people and pets(!) that makes this clinic community feel so special.

In a short sentence, 2024 has been a positive year but a whirlwind of a one! Here are my top 5 highlights (and lowlights!):

The Team (& Families)
Our team has doubled in size again more vets, nurses, VCA’s and front of house joining our growing business! In addition to the new members, we got to welcome in two more babies, Catherine who had Arthur at the start of the year, and Sophie D with Alek this October. 2025 sees my wife and I welcoming in our second child too!

Our Investments
Our clinical skills and services have continued to develop at all team levels and we are focusing on achieving a consistent approach to all cases where possible. New equipment has helped us improve our services, both for anaesthetic safety and service offerings. A big hit this year has been a lab addition of an AI-powered microscope. This piece of kit has been allowing us to examine cytology in our practice, as well as increasing our access to pathologists across the world to look at samples and help us advise better.

Appointment Changes
The biggest process change we made was all vets to now have 20-minute appointments. Sounding older than I believe I look, when I graduated my first job had us with 5-minute appointments! Quite a shift and frightening looking back at the level of care, of lack of care, I could provide in a rapid rate of consults. The change, means we have more time with patients and clients, and enables us to provide the best care we can.

Healthcare Subscriptions
Our Health Care Subscription members have continued to grow. We have nearly 60% of our clients on a subscription!! Our Gold members now total over 300, which is fantastic, and enables us to see patients as often as needed without it costing the earth.

Our Challenges
Some headwinds have affected us emotionally, such as the XL-bully ban forcing the whole veterinary industry to put-to-sleep many healthy dogs, as well as case complications occurring when we least want them. It would be naive of me to claim we have been perfect through the year, but we are always trying our best.

Looking Forward to 2025!
Next year, 2025 looks to be another big year! We are excited to announce we will be expanding into the Unit next door and going to expand our services to offer hydrotherapy and physiotherapy! Meaning more people, more services, and more investment!

I hope you all have had a year with more highs than lows, and continue to enjoy being part of our community that we truly cherish.

We look forward to welcoming you in the New Year!

James