Eltham Festival at Alistair Knox Park, 2011

Held at Alistair Knox Park on Sunday 13 November, Eltham hosted the Sunday-Family Day at this year's Eltham Festival. 

This was again a great Community Event with local businesses and other community groups showcasing their products and services. The Park hosted a funfair, craft market, business exhibitions, art displays, live bands, and gourmet food to choose from.

An overcast but warm day saw good numbers and the Eltham Veterinary Practice Pet Parade was again enthusiastically supported. Compare Sean from Foxtel  entertained all watchers as owners and pets strutted their stuff.

Prizes were given for Best Costumes, Best Tricks, and the dog that looks most like its' owner. Pictured are "Skinny", the Griffin Brusselloix, dresses as Bertie the Bee, who won the best dressed, and "Teddy" the Poodle cross standing on his back legs."Teddy" was the winner of the best trick category, and the pet that Looked most like its owner was "Raffy" the Cavalier King Charles - a very good likeness can be seen in the picture. A good effort to all that participated, and thanks to Eukanuba Pet Food for donating the generous prizes

Eltham Veterinary Practice also had a dedicated tent at the Eltham Festival, manned by our staff at various times during the day, including Vets, Dr Steve Pryor, and Dr Gus Braniff and nurses Julianne, Amanda, Jess, Kylie and Julia.

Visitors to our tent enjoyed our giveaways, and one lucky entrant counted our snakes exactly to win the snake count competition . We hope those who attended enjoyed the day, and look for some more novel costumes, and new tricks next year.

Senior Pet Information Night with Dr Robert Holmes, Dr Steve Pryor and Dr Gus Braniff

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As our best friends age, their needs change. Pet owners are spoilt for choice with information on how to care for pups and kittens but we often hear that there isn't as much information on how to best look after senior pets. We're consequently running a Senior Pet Information Night to answer many of the questions that elderly pet owners have.

Eltham Veterinary Practice warmly extends an open invitation to clients and friends to our Senior Pet Information Night with Dr. Robert Holmes. Dr. Holmes, a noted animal behaviourist and Radio personality will present an audio visual talk on Senior pet behaviour problems. Drs Pryor and Braniff will discuss physical changes in our older friends, and what can be done to help the transition to old age. The night will wrap up with supper and question and answer time, and there will be displays from various Senior Pet product manufacturers. 

The ‘Senior Pet Information Night' will take place at Eltham Community & Reception Centre, Cnr Pitt Street and Main Road Eltham from 7:30pm on Thursday, 20 October. RSVP is essential thanks to Eltham Veterinary Practice on 9439 8650. The evening will be free to both clients and friends and is being sponsored by Novartis Animal Health.

Paws in the Park 2011

On the Sunday, 27 March Eltham Veterinary Practice staged the 4^th 'Paws in the Park'. This year, our annual dog walk and fun day was held for the first time at Alistair Knox Park on the corner of Bridge Rd and Main Rd, Eltham.

Despite early overcast skies, numbers were up significantly up on previous years, indicating the desire amongst dog owner's to look after their pets is stronger than ever. Then the sun came out and Dr Steve Pryor took the lead as we set off along Eltham's Diamond Creek trail. A procession of dogs, adults, children, and strollers made the 3km walk from Alistair Knox Park to the Falkiner St Parkland and back.

Our aim was to promote 4 things:

1) Responsible pet ownership,

2) Keeping pets & owners healthy

3) Socialisation of dogs.

4) Having fun with your pet

(What dog doesn't want to have fun!)?

After the walk, returning attendees were greeted with a free showbag and sausage sizzle. There were several exhibitor stands to browse, and a great dog lure race for the dogs that liked to run and chase a fake rabbit!

The pet parade, compared by Dr Gus Braniff, boasted many contestants in both the ‘Best trick', and ‘Best dressed' categories. ‘Best trick' was won by the ‘Buttons' the Jack Russell with his dead dog trick (see picture below) over ‘Ooshey', the singing Bouvier and ‘Floyd' the handshaking Ridgeback. Pirate costumes dominated the ‘Best Dressed' place-getters, with Jack the Poodle-cross, just pipping ‘Mr. Darcy' the greyhound at the winning post.

The behaviour of our large crowd of canine friends was exemplary with the dogs and owners alike seeming to really enjoy themselves, judging by the wagging of tails, and smiles on faces. We look forward to running this event again next year at Alastair Knox park again and any suggestions can be emailed to us.

Paws in the Park 2011 Gallery

Survey Results

Eltham Veterinary Practice Listens to Our Clients

During September 2011, Eltham Veterinary Practice ran a client focus group with a group of our clients.

We had an independent organization run the Group, with the aim of obtaining feedback on how we can do better.

The attendees were asked about their pets, their last visit to us, our communication generally, areas we could improve, and our overall performance.

From the invaluable feedback we received, we have formulated the following action plan to be implemented in the coming 6 months:

1.     Our Dog Grooming Service will be moved upstairs. This will free up our reception area and waiting room.

2.     We will install an SMS texting system to remind you about appointments and also provide reminders for Parasite prevention etc.

3.     Our Staff will be educated on

a) Cost estimates - you've asked for a tighter range.                                     

b) Providing your choice of vets                                             

c) Making sure all reminders sent out are applicable                             

d) Handling Clients on hold: You have asked not to be automatically put on hold.

4.     We have introduced a Seniors' Wellness Plan. The total package price contains a substantial discount, and includes an Annual Vaccination, twice-yearly checkups, an annual blood and urine test, and discounts on Parasiticides, consultations, but not procedures or medications.

We value your opinions and encourage any suggestions and feedback from our clients. 

Please feel free to ring, or email julianne@elthamvet.com.au