Prospect House Veterinary Clinic & Hospital

20/02/2025

Well we’ve celebrated our 40th year today. (And last weekend)!
An evening with past and current members of staff, with lots of memories to share.
There were years of history here, and so lovely for stories to be exchanged.
It was both nostalgic and a time for everyone to be proud of the part they each played in the success of this practice.
Although veterinary medicine has evolved over the years, everybody there knew they had a part to play in achieving the professional standards we have today.
The baton is continually passed to those who follow through the ranks.

You’ll recognise some of our past staff members.

We also recognise that the success of Prospect House is having loyal clients, and thank everybody past and present.

19/02/2025

Two becomes three!

Having joined the practice in 1993, Peter joined Dicky and Ann as a partner in 1996.
Shortly afterward, building work was undertaken to reconfigure the room layout, improving use of space, and allowing for better working conditions.
Gone was the need to facilitate any large animal treatments, including the original room at the rear for treating sheep.
Then a few years later, there was a transition from the old patient record cards to a computerised system.
Our Llanfairfechan surgery opened in 2004, allowing easier access to clients living in closer to that area. This surgery would be managed by Jan, who is still part of our team.

This was closely followed by a further extension at the Colwyn Bay location, which incorporated areas for existing old X-ray equipment, years later to include facility for ultrasound scanning, upgrades to digital X-ray systems, and endoscopy equipment. This additional area also facilitated room for more modern dental equipment including a dental X-ray unit, and extra kennel space.
This will be displayed in posts at a later date.

11/02/2025

Today we’ll share some pictures of Prospect House in its foundation years.
The building was purchased by Dickie and Ann, and the process of adapting it to suit the needs of a surgery to include consulting rooms, operating theatre, kennels, and waiting area.
This work was undertaken with the invaluable help of Ann’s parents whose efforts left a lasting legacy.
The building was also the home of Ann and Dicky who used upstairs as their living area, and covered all their out of hours work too.
Large animal work was also part of the practice for many years, some work being undertaken at the property.
The first member of nursing staff was Claire aged 17, (photo 5) who eventually left in 1989 for pastures new but returned a few years ago having moved back to the area.
Then came Lindsey (photo 6), Tara and Rachel (photo 7).
Photo 2 and 3, the reception area as it was, and photo 4 was the original garden area.

There were no modern facilities for some time, and laundry was washed by hand for some time before a washing machine (old style) was used. For people old enough to remember, there was even a washing mangel. 😱

It’s fair to say, the transformation of the building has been over many years, but those founding years were such a huge part of the history, and should never be forgotten.

Over the coming days/weeks, we will share more pictures and background stories of the life of the practice.

07/02/2025

We appreciate we have clients who have been with us for many many years, and need no introduction to the staff at Prospect House.
They may not however, remember how we used to look as fresh faced youngsters back in the day. (Needless to say, it’s a sobering thought for those people too)!
Over the coming weeks, we will publish reminders of some past and present members of our team.
Today, we begin with those who ‘go back the furthest’.
The most recent picture (1) is taken recently, and think it’s fair to say we’ve grown older (fairly gracefully), and wiser.
Back. Peter Harlow and Jayne Gardner
Front. Diane Hildreth-Osborn and Christine Foulkes.

Pictures L-R. Peter, Diane, Jayne, Christine (recently retired).
2 social events including Jayne, Tara (who was one of the first nurses ever employed when the practice opened), and Diane.
Finally, Diane with Tara and Christine.

04/02/2025

This month, we celebrate a huge milestone in the life of Prospect House Veterinary Clinic and Hospital).
We will be sharing old photos during the coming weeks, and would invite any clients who would like to, to share any stories or memories with us too.

Pictured here are the founders of the practice, Nigel Dickinson and Ann Owen (aka Mr and Mrs Dickinson).

Fresh faced and venturing into their veterinary business career, they purchased the house which was a residential property and developed it into what it is today.

They’ve been joined along the way by many who have all taken some part in its transition to what is now, a well established part of Colwyn Bay.

The link below will allow anybody who feels they’d like to send Birthday wishes to do so.

https://recocards.com/board/happy-birthday-prospect-house-106234625037

01/02/2025

OWNER LOCATED

Sadly, a deceased cat has been brought in by a kind member of the public this evening. Female, Calico ( white with black and Ginger markings), female, not chipped.
Found in the LL18 3LS area of Rhyl. (Morley Road).
Please share so we can find her owner.

29/01/2025

Continuing on from our feature story about our newly qualified Registered Veterinary Nurse Eleanor…..

Pictured with her today is Diane who qualified and registered as an RVN in August 1985.
It is perhaps, quite something to have two RVN’s with such a time span between qualification working at the same practice.

As Registered Veterinary Nurses, we take pride in what we consider ‘a vocation’, and wear our badge with pride.
Each badge has engraved on the back, our personal registration number. As you can see, Diane’s is 2137 and Eleanor’s at 34848. This denotes the number where we are in the total ever listed.

The badge depicts St Francis of Assisi, the Patron Saint of Animals, symbolising our dedication to the care of animals.
He has become symbolic of the Veterinary Nursing profession, and the logo of the British Veterinary Nursing Association.

Veterinary Nursing is a fairly young profession. The title used to be ‘Animal Nursing Auxiliary’, the first one qualifying in 1962.
There have been many changes and improvements since then, and the title Veterinary Nurse was first used in 1984.
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons non-statutory Register opened in 2007, and nurses who were already ‘listed’ with the college achieved Registered Veterinary Nurse status.

This number has grown since that time, and we at Prospect House are very proud to be an Approved Training Practice who has guided many trainee nurses to reach their qualification over many years.

29/01/2025

27/01/2025

Huge congratulations to Eleanor for flying through her final Veterinary Nursing exams and qualifying as a Registered Veterinary Nurse. Her RVN qualification is well deserved and we are very proud of her achievement.🎉🤩🩺

26/01/2025

Tabby and white male, not microchipped, found in LL29 7 area of Colwyn Bay.
If you think he may belong to you, please contact North Wales Cat Centre on 03000 12 02 69 or email on [email protected] and give us her cat ID number: 719226
Proof of ownership will be required.

23/01/2025

UPDATE…Owner located

Sadly, we have had a cat brought in deceased from near the Glyn Estate in Colwyn Bay.
Black and white female. Chipped in Sheffield so no current details available on the database. She is called Flash, and is 12 years old.

23/01/2025

UPDATE…Owner located. Thank you to all who’ve shared information.

Found Glan y Mor Road (between Deganwy and Llandudno Junction) last night. Hypothermic and generally unwell. (Not injured). Older female cat. No collar or chip.

We urgently need to contact her owners and would appreciate people sharing this post.

22/01/2025

Prospect House recently said a fond farewell to Christine, one of our nursing assistants.
Christine has taken retirement from the practice after being a valuable part of our team for 31 years.

She will be missed here, but will still be kept very busy with her family and boarding kennels.

We wish her the very best for the future, but know we will still keep in touch.

21/01/2025

🏡 LOOKING FOR HER FOREVER HOME 🏡

As much as we love seeing this little face every day, there must be someone out there for Clover? 💔

Clover is one of our longest staying cats, she's been with us for a grand total of 178 days now and despite loving her company, we just can't understand why!

Clover is a very sweet and happy-go-lucky girl. She is only around 1-2 years old so loves to play & absolutely adores to curl up in a warm lap with lots of fusses.
She loves attention and will wait at her door until someone comes to give her lots of attention and love, we just can't wait until she has a home of her own where that love can come whenever she wants ❤

Due to her loving and laid-back nature, Clover could live with other pets, providing that a gradual introduction is made. She can also live with children of any age as she really just loves everyone, no matter their age! If you can give her a head and chin tickle, then she'll be your friend ❤

If you feel that you have space in your home and family for Clover to fill, then please fill in one of our application forms below and let's get this little lady into her forever home 🏡;
https://forms.gle/vuiFZdtt4396u8vq9

20/01/2025

WATER UPDATE - Monday 20th January
We can confirm the Practice water supply is back on so normal service is resumed. We hope everyone else is getting back to normal too. Thank you for all your patience and understanding