Arguably, this is the toughest hurdle for most people who are thinking of starting a new practice (or even relocating an old one). Car parking is a must, visibility is always nice, the rest is down to your confidence in your builder (we have a great builder who I will introduce you to soon)

We looked at a number of sites around Whitchurch and Nantwich where I have worked for the last 20yrs and there was very little suitable. And then we found this.... 

Oooh, you like that don't you, I can tell. Yes, it's ugly, it's huge and it's available - only one of those applies to me.
This site was a originally a methodist's chapel (see picture below):
​

Time has not been kind to this building (and neither by the looks of things were the people who turned it into a green and yellow monstrosity). However, we have big dreams for it and a landlord who was willing to go along with them.
Next hurdle.... planning. Holy smokes, now that has been a hurdle!

It's not just me that wants to start an independent vet practice! My good friend Ingrid also has taken the plunge this year already. She is a very experienced veterinary dermatologist and along with Bernie, the dermatology nurse she has worked with for the last 6 years, she has opened a brand new independent veterinary dermatology referral clinic in Northwich, Cheshire.
Skin issues make up around 40% of the cases we see in general practice and can be very frustrating for owners, pets and vets to deal with. I worked with Ingrid for a number of years and she has trained me well. One of the best things I learned from her is to send her the difficult cases early! 
If you are struggling with your pets skin then you can ask for referral to see a veterinary dermatologist. It can end up costing less than trial and error by general practitioners like me.
Take a look at Ingrid & Bernie's Website for the sorts of things they can deal with:

In my 30 years of working as a vet I had only done 2 weeks as a locum before leaving my job at Leonard Brothers in March this year. In fact for the last 20 years I have pretty much only worked at Leonard Brothers and always thought locum work sounded quite stressful and unfulfilling.
However, once I'd made the decision to start PHOENIX VET PRACTICE it was clear I was going to have to locum for a period while we found a site and got it pimped up.
So it has been a really pleasant surprise to find that I have really enjoyed it. All the practices I have had the pleasure of working at have made me feel so welcome and it's great to be reminded of how universal the passion for helping pets is across the coalface of our industry.
The other benefit of locum work is exploring the towns the practices are based in. I have spent the last month working in Newport, Shropshire and found some great lunch spots (big shout out to Bobby's cafe!). Unfortunately, my time in Newport is done (not my choice) so I am looking around for another place to lay my hat for a while....

Please Help Us Save More Turtles By Training More Vets
 
Turtles are often considered flagship species for marine conservation. Wildlife Vets International is currently supporting vets and rehabilitation staff with training and advice at two Mediterranean flagship turtle rescue projects: the CRAM Foundation in Barcelona and the Archelon Rescue Centre in Athens. The Mediterranean is now recognised as a global hotspot for plastic pollution with of thousands of tonnes of plastic being dumped into the sea.
 
Can You Help Save Turtles From Deadly Ocean Plastics?
Shockingly, all the turtles that are admitted to the CRAM Foundation and the Archleon Rescue Centre have plastic in their guts. Some come in because their guts are blocked and they can’t process food. Others are entangled in marine plastics such as fishing nets and some come in with severe injuries caused, sometimes deliberately, by people.
The teams at these two marine rescue centres are passionate about helping injured turtles - but they are not specialists in turtle husbandry and medicine. We need to raise at least £15,000 to ensure we can help train staff and give them the vital veterinary skills needed to save more turtles.
 
One Donation, Twice The Impact
Last year, your generous donation helped Wildlife International Vets provide specialist veterinary expertise to vaccinate 1,500 domestic dogs in Africa against rabies and canine distemper. Thank you so much. The impact report can be read here.
 
This year our focus turns to the dangers turtles face from the rising levels of plastic in the ocean. Between 3-10 December every donation we receive via our Big Give donation page will be doubled. We have already secured £7,500 in pledged support waiting for matched donations.
 
A gift from you would be turtley awesome (desperate times call for desperate puns - I can only apologise).

If you want to know more about this incredible project and the wider impact of plastic in our Oceans please look at this document below:

Yesterday I received an anonymous threatening letter from 'CHS'. If you want to read it click on the file below.

Unfortunately, being anonymous, I was left with no way of replying (there is mention of a Facebook page but I don't do Facebook). So, I thought I'd reply here. I've never written a letter to a covert organisation before so I thought I'd just picture them as a middle aged couple with a 10 year old ginger cat called 'Justin'. They share common interests such as walks in the country (wearing balaclavas), cuddling on the sofa watching 'The Great British Bake Off' (wearing balaclavas) and writing threatening letters to people in their local community (whilst wearing balaclavas). Here goes...

Dear CHS,
Thank you for your letter. Unfortunately you seem to be barking up the wrong tree. Lancroft Developments Ltd are not the developers of Leonard Brothers Veterinary Centre and, as far as I can ascertain from speaking to the builders, have nothing to do with it.
Additionally, although it is called "Leonard Brothers", I am not, and never have been, a director or owner of the business. I just work there. What I do at the practice, alongside a fantastic team of vets, nurses and receptionists, is try and make a difference to the health and welfare of thousands of pets. It is emotionally demanding work but we love it. Do you cry at work? It happens a lot at a vets. We have a very high incidence of mental health issues and a devastating amount of suicides in our profession. A high stress job with huge responsibility and long hours. We deal with some of the worst moments in people's lives, holding their hands and giving hugs as they say good bye to their best friends. With two precious young children at home I'm not getting a great deal of sleep at the moment and what I don't need is this kind...
Ah, I seem to be getting a little emotional. Let's just put this down to a misunderstanding. I hope to see you and Justin at the practice, he's getting on a little now and he really needs his blood pressure testing (all cats over the age of 8 should have it measured at least once a year).
Kind regards, Steve Leonard

Channel 5's Big Week at the Zoo gave me a lovely opportunity this last week to showcase my passion for these wonderful dogs. I have been involved with Painted Dog Conservation for a number of years who are doing an amazing job in Zimbabwe.

Wildlife Vets International, another charity I am patron of, are working in conjunction with PDC to try and reduce the threats to the dogs and other wildlife running clinics for the domestic dogs that live around the National Park.

We desperately need funding to keep up this work so if you have a soft spot for these incredible  creatures please just chuck us a couple of quid at
https://secure.thebiggive.org.uk/pledge/wildlifevetsinternational

March 23rd 2018 is 'National Puppy Day' and this year I've teamed up with pet food manufacturer Forthglade to help with their campaign #PredForPup to raise awareness of just how many puppies are being bought with little preparation for their care. Taking a on a new puppy is incredibly exciting but can also be extremely daunting. Too often it turns out to be overwhelming and as many as 1 in 10 puppies are rehomed within a month of purchase.
Some pre-purchase preparation will make a huge difference to those initial stressful months of ownership and help make this new addition to your family a go a little smoother. Owning a dog is a real privilege and, as a vet, it's a privilege to help people with this special relationship. 

This month's picture is one of my favourites I've ever taken. Most of the time you see unbelievable wildlife photos, it's because the photographer has spent weeks out in the field waiting for the magic combination of light and subject. However, I was always working, getting in front of the lens and not behind it. Occasionally I would get 5 minutes just to snap a few photos of my own and this was one of those moments. It isn't perfect, the light wasn't hitting the walrus' eyes, but it was good enough for me!

I'm treading the boards this coming month giving a number of talks. One is to the Liverpool Veterinary Students which will be fun but I also have two public talks down South that you are very welcome to come along to. Both are for very good causes and feature other speakers I am really looking forward to hearing. 

Martin and I go way back. He was responsible for most of my most favourite adventures with wildlife. He was also responsible for a few of my near death experiences in extreme environments. We are talking together in aid of the PDSA who we are both very fond of. The event is a village near Winchester and tickets are available online.

This evening is a celebration and alarm call for one of the World's most iconic animals. All species of Rhino are under threat and without concerted effort we may lose them forever in our lifetime. This evening will feature a number of key players in this fight and discuss the diverse tactics required to break the chain of supply that starts with unnecessary slaughter.

I took this photo in the west of Mongolia while filming for a series called 'Beast Legends'. We had travelled out to this amazing country in December when the temperatures were hovering around the -20 degrees centigrade mark. The ground was like iron and the wind cut through you like a icy knife. I love wild open places and this was definitely wild and so open you really got a sense of just how small you were. I 'd love to go back in the Summer and see just how different it looks.