VetsOne: 34 Years of Evolution - Amanda
What does 34 years of loyalty to one veterinary clinic tell you? When Amanda started at VetsOne in 1990 as the last on-the-job trained veterinary nurse, she couldn't have imagined she'd still be there today—now as operations manager, leading a team through floods, growth, and transformation.
In this episode, Amanda shares what generosity of thought and generosity of time actually look like in daily practice. You'll hear the real story of what happened during the 2023 cyclone when Jason couldn't cross the washed-out bridges and Amanda had to "man the ship" for a week. You'll discover how the team evolved from yelling down hallways in the old building to implementing comprehensive protocols across multiple floors in their modern facility.
What you'll hear:
- How VetsOne's three directors made significant changes when they took ownership—starting with raising veterinary nurse wages above industry average
- The impact of Lincoln Institute training on team communication, with modules on social styles helping team members understand why "drivers are blunt" and "amiables struggle with decisions"
- What it means when a clinic asks "what is the how?" and genuinely wants team input on protocols
- The transition to Fear Free practices with dedicated cat-only spaces—waiting room, consult room, and hospital
- Why clients have stayed with VetsOne for 35+ years and know staff by first name
- How Mental Health Awareness Week became a team-driven initiative
- What keeps a diverse team—from 21-year-olds to experienced professionals, from local Kiwis to Irish and Malaysian vets—genuinely connected
About living in Hawke's Bay: Amanda describes the Sunny Hawke's Bay lifestyle—vineyards, cycling tracks, beaches at Waimarama and Ocean Beach, and those spectacular sunrises over the river that make 5am dog walks worthwhile even in winter.
About VetsOne's current opportunity: VetsOne is looking for a small animal veterinarian with leadership potential or experience. Someone who wants to work where operational systems genuinely support rather than constrain the clinical team, and where "who you are" matters more than just "what you are."
Veterinary Voices is brought to you by VetClinicJobs - Build your employer brand. Do your own recruitment. Better.
Resources
Position details: https://vetclinicjobs.com/VetsOne
Contact for recruitment support: tania@vetclinicjobs.com
About This Series
This is part of the VetsOne's Employer of Choice series on Veterinary Voices. When you hear multiple team members sharing genuine stories about what it's actually like to work somewhere—that's employer brand marketing in action. It's why VetsOne attracts veterinary professionals who genuinely want to be there, not just people responding to generic job ads.
Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.
The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Ruthie's Table 4
For more than 30 years The River Cafe in London, has been the home-from-home of artists, architects, designers, actors, collectors, writers, activists, and politicians. Michael Caine, Glenn Close, JJ Abrams, Steve McQueen, Victoria and David Beckham, and Lily Allen, are just some of the people who love to call The River Cafe home. On River Cafe Table 4, Rogers sits down with her customers—who have become friends—to talk about food memories. Table 4 explores how food impacts every aspect of our lives. “Foods is politics, food is cultural, food is how you express love, food is about your heritage, it defines who you and who you want to be,” says Rogers. Each week, Rogers invites her guest to reminisce about family suppers and first dates, what they cook, how they eat when performing, the restaurants they choose, and what food they seek when they need comfort. And to punctuate each episode of Table 4, guests such as Ralph Fiennes, Emily Blunt, and Alfonso Cuarón, read their favourite recipe from one of the best-selling River Cafe cookbooks. Table 4 itself, is situated near The River Cafe’s open kitchen, close to the bright pink wood-fired oven and next to the glossy yellow pass, where Ruthie oversees the restaurant. You are invited to take a seat at this intimate table and join the conversation. For more information, recipes, and ingredients, go to https://shoptherivercafe.co.uk/ Web: https://rivercafe.co.uk/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/therivercafelondon/ Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/therivercafelondon/ For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iheartradio app, apple podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.