A spotlight on BVA Award Winner – Axe Valley Large Animal Vets

Axe Valley Large Animal Vets in Cheddar, Somerset, was recently named best small/medium practice at the British Veterinary Association (BVA) Wellbeing Awards.

Here, director Rebecca Gay shares how the practice has improved wellbeing and talks through her top tips for building a happy team.

Q: Why did you choose a career in the veterinary profession?

?A: Having grown up on a dairy farm, I always knew I wanted to work with animals. The science behind their biology fascinated me, and veterinary medicine felt like the perfect path. I’ve progressed from being a client, to being a student, and finally, to owning our practice, where my day-one goal was to create a happy and supportive working environment. Being nominated for this award by my team - without my knowledge - shows that this aim is being achieved!

Q: What steps has your practice taken to improve colleague wellbeing?

A: The biggest improvements have been in communication - both day-to-day and across the whole practice, including vets, admin, and finance teams. We also make time to prioritise regular downtime and social events for all the team. Our lead receptionist and I have both completed mental health training, and the entire team, including new starters, has carried out DiSC profiling* with the @Veterinary Defence Society (VDS) to enhance understanding of different communication styles. * DiSC is an acronym that stands for the four main personality profiles, as described in the DiSC model: dominance (D); influence (i); steadiness (S); conscientiousness (C).

Q: What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?

A: Change can be hard for some people. Scheduled, frequent team meetings have been key to overcoming this. Previously, meetings were inconsistent, and attendance was low. Now, they’re firmly on the calendar, and we make sure calls don’t clash. We’ve added the incentive of lunch, which has significantly improved engagement too!

Q: What changes have you seen as a result?

A: The team is happier and more aware of each other’s feelings, which I attribute to the training we’ve implemented. Improved emotional awareness has strengthened the way we work together.

Q: What advice would you give to other practices looking to promote wellbeing? ?

A: Listen to your team members and follow through on your intentions. Seek help from resources like the VDS, and always gather feedback. It’s essential to know what’s working and what isn’t.

Q: What feedback have you received from clients?

A: Since receiving the award, we've had lovely comments from clients who have acknowledged that the award reflects how we care for our team. As a small independent practice, this reinforces our ability to offer a friendly, personable, and flexible service. Empowering our team to thrive in their roles ultimately leads to better care for our patients and clients.

? Congratulations to Rebecca and the team at Axe Valley Large Animal Vets for their award win. ?