Waimarino Veterinary Clinic nearly a year old

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 2, Issue 4, 26 June 1984, Page 7

Waimarino Veterinary Clinic nearly a year old

Having been in business a year, the Waimarino Veterinary Clinic in Raetihi is doing well. "We've been very successful," David Seifert, Waimarno Clinic veterinarian said. Along with Kay Avery, a nurse from Palmerston North which is also Seifert 's home town, Seifert manages the Clinic. However, since the area the clinic serves is so broad he can't specialise. The clinic's patients come from all overthe Waimarino and cover an area as far as Tangiwai to the east, Kakatahi to the south, Pipiriki to the west and Retaruke to the north. Seifert says that he enjoys the variety of his work . . . but is pretty keen on horses. He can spend as much as twothirds of a working day out on the farms looking after farm animals. By not specialising, Seifert has to spend a lot of time on farms and a lot of time in the Clinic tending to dogs, cats and other small animals. He says that a typical day for him can start a little past eight in the morning and go as late as 6.30. In the summer, he said that he can work as late as 8.30. It isn't unusual for him to see four or five cats or dogs, go to three or four farms and then come back to the clinic to see another three or four dogs and cats.

However, it's the farms which take up most of his time. He said he could spend upwards of half a day on one farm. He said that Taihape has two vets, and if an emergency is brought in and he happens to be out, Nurse Avery will do everything she can. However, if the animal is in great danger then it should be taken to Taihape if possible. He added that this situation very seldom occurs. The building the clinic is

in was put up by farmers of the Taihape Veterinary Club and was opened by Jim Bolger nearly a year ago. Seifert, a Massey graduate, has been there since it started. "It's not easy," Seifert said "but it's enjoyable." Seifert says that the Waimarino Veterinary Clinic is going very well and hopes that it will continue to do so in the future.

Mark

Russell