About

Although Vetlife is now one of the largest veterinary organisations in the South Island, it is essentially the combination of 3 vet clubs and a private practice, with a forward-looking vision.  The underlying entity is the South Canterbury Vet Club which was established in the early 1950s. As opportunities arose the Vet Club changed to a contract practice, and it developed into the Vetlife of today through purchasing other vet clinics and merging with North Otago Vet Services in 2006. Vetlife became the overarching company name in 2007, recognising the need for a non-regionalised and future-focused brand.

We have conducted clinical research across dairy, sheep and beef farming operations, with the findings published in peer-reviewed Journals and presented to local veterinary and farming groups, and at international and national conferences. We have worked on a variety of research projects which have included targeted investigations of the effects of particular dugs, validation of new diagnostic techniques, initiatives aimed at improving calf welfare, and methods to reduce antibiotic and anthelmintic use and increase farm sustainability.

Within the wider Vetlife grouping, we have also developed and implemented a continuing professional development programme aimed at both new graduate and experienced veterinarians. Through regular in person meetings and on farm practical days we provide a stimulating, clinically useful and scientifically valid programme. We cover topics which range from the clinical – such as improvements in farm sustainability through reduction in disease and increasing animal health, the development of new and existing clinical skills, practical approaches to disease outbreaks – to the non-clinical – such as strengthening the life skills needed for a successful and happy career as a working veterinarian in Aotearoa.