Where pets, people, and purpose meet: A New Practice Academy success story
)
Opening a veterinary practice is no small task, but for the founders of Pear Tree Vets, it was a calling grounded in passion, community, and a clear sense of purpose. After taking part in the New Practice Academy at the London Vet Show, they turned vision into reality, creating a space where pets, people, and the planet all come first. We sat down with Aisling McGrath and Katie Wain to talk about their journey, what inspired them to take the leap, and how their values continue to shape everything they do.
1. Can you tell us a bit about Pear Tree Vets what inspired its opening?
Pear Tree Vets was founded by experienced vets and local mums, Aisling McGrath and Katie Wain. They wanted to offer something different to the communities of Lillington and Cubbington: an independent practice that chooses to put pets – and the people who love them – front and centre.
"A big part of our ethos is being part of the local community, and being environmentally conscious. We both walked our dogs around the Cubbington Pear Tree for many years. This was an ancient tree, it was also "famous", having won "Tree of the Year" in 2015. Tragically, despite over 20,000 signatures on a petition to Parliament, the ancient Cubbington Pear Tree was felled by HS2 (a major rail project) in 2020. There is a chink of light at the end of this dark tunnel however, as the Pear Tree lives on, thanks to grafted cuttings from the original tree. Nature may be resilient in this case, but our world is ever fragile, and we must do whatever we can to protect it. When Aisling and Katie decided to start their own independent vet clinic, they discussed at length what our values would be. Fairness. Transparency. The best possible care at a fair price. But most importantly, we both agreed that doing our absolute best to care for our delicate environment would be key to our journey. Sustainability will be at the heart of our business - minimising single use plastic, using renewable energy where possible, reusing any single use items, recycling as much waste as possible, working with sustainable partners, being paperless where possible, and many more."
2. Where do you see your practice in the next 2–3 years? Any big plans ahead?
We are very fortunate to have a lovely building which has 5 large consult rooms. So we hope to grow as the years progress. We have designed the practice to have a completely separate cat and small pet waiting area upstairs, along with two consult rooms dedicated to these species. Our cat ward is also upstairs so well away from dogs. We want to do all we can to create an environment with as little stress as possible for our patients. We want to stay local as that is in the heart of our ethos, so we don’t plan to have any branches but we chose a property where we have a place to grow here, all together as one team.
3. How did your experience in the New Practice Academy help you tackle the setup process – from planning to launch?
It was a fantastic opportunity to not only learn about different aspects of business but also to network with other people in similar situations. We have been blown aware but the kindness, help and advice that we have been shown by other independent practice owners and those also on their journeys to opening. That support network is invaluable.
Also being able to attend BVA live and LVS together before we opened gave us a great opportunity to meet with all the reps in one place at one time. It saved us hours of going between them then and there to work out what was best for us.
4. Which element of New Practice Academy really stood out to you?
I would say the networking opportunities!
5. What advice would you give to someone looking to join New Practice Academy?
Opening a new practice is a rollercoaster, great fun but challenging times too. We have been fortunate doing it together but also having created a network of friends in similar situations or who had done it ahead of us and this has been amazingly helpful. The New Practice Academy gives you an opportunity to network and make more links.
Interested in joining the New Practice Academy 2025? Find out more here
){kind=logo}
){kind=logo}
){kind=logo}
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=logo}
)
)
){kind=logo}
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=logo}
){kind=logo}