Sophie started her veterinary career on reception at Scarsdale Vets, where she discovered how much she enjoyed helping support clinical teams and clients alike. Now an Area Director, she shares what those early days taught her about leadership, empathy and resilience, and how they continue to shape the way she works with practice teams.
For as long as I can remember, I wanted to be a vet. I loved animals and was lucky enough to grow up with pets. When I was five, I took my poorly pet goose to Glenthorne Vets. Steve, the vet, made her better, and that cemented my belief that vets were heroes. I wanted to do that one day.
I went back to Glenthorne for work experience when I was 14, still passionate about becoming a vet, but it was becoming clear that my science and maths grades might scupper those plans. At 18, I wasn’t sure what to do, though I still wanted to work with animals. I got a job on reception at Scarsdale Vets while studying business management at the University of Derby.
I loved working on reception and helping with puppy socialisation classes. I might not have been the vet, but I loved looking after the people who loved their animals. That still felt like helping. Over the years, I also took home hand-reared animals, baby birds and plenty of waifs and strays.
I think being a veterinary receptionist is one of the most challenging yet rewarding jobs I’ve ever done. You never know what’s coming through the door, and you meet people in all sorts of situations. It taught me how much kindness matters, especially when someone is worried or frustrated. Showing them that you’re on their side and trying to help can make a real difference.
For every sad case we see, there are people who come forward to help the animals and people involved. You see the full spectrum of humanity in a veterinary practice.
After university, I spent a few years in the construction industry. I enjoyed it and worked with lovely people, but it made me realise that you spend a long time at work, and nothing sparked my passion quite like the veterinary profession.
I might not be clinical, but I still love working with animals. Even more than that, I love working with practice teams. Whatever their role, they all share that same love for what they do. It’s something unspoken, but you can feel it in every practice you’re lucky enough to walk into.
I absolutely love my practices. The people I work with are passionate and caring, and I learn something new every day. I’m lucky to have a mixed area, with small animal, farm and equine teams. It’s so rewarding to learn from each discipline.
A typical day is spent out in practice with the teams, listening to what they’re working on, what’s been coming in and any challenges I can help with. I also spend time with the leadership teams reviewing the business as a whole and making sure we get the balance right between patient welfare, team wellbeing and business performance.
My approach is to listen to and trust my teams. I think we do our best work when we challenge our thinking and ideas, and keep looking for new ways to do things.
I love how clinically driven my teams are. Their patient care is outstanding, the quality improvement projects they’ve contributed to are impressive, and they always lead with kindness and compassion. I want to champion that. Surround yourself with people who are brilliant at what they do, and you’ll learn something new every day.
I like that we’re always trying new things and asking how we can be better tomorrow than we are today. We work to find the right balance for clients, clinical care, the business and our colleagues. I love the people I work with. Everyone is so passionate about the profession, and I’m proud to be part of it.
Get involved in everything. Be curious and make the most of the amazing network around you. We have so many different practices within one group, which is a really special opportunity. Reach out, visit other teams and enjoy being part of something so diverse. You could have many different roles.