Founder's Journey
My time came in 2009 to become a business owner…after all, how hard could it be, right?
I was 16 years into my veterinary career, which started with 8 years of informative mixed animal practice, and with a move to Auckland in 2005, it was time to take a leap of faith.
With support from my whanau - with special mention to my beloved dog Sydney (featured), partner Alex, my aunty Catherine, my colleague Jolene and my interior designer friend Deborah - The Strand Veterinarian became 52 square metres of “the little clinic with the BIG heart”. Style and sophistication meet functionality.
My founding philosophy was “Grow our People”,
something we are still deeply passionate about at The Strand Veterinarian to this day.
My muse, Sydney, who inspired the "why" behind The Strand Veterinarian: aroha atu, aroha mai, love received, love returned.
A Community That Helped Us Grow
Our clinic was the place you wanted to be, a warm and welcoming environment for all, four and two leggers a like. An innovative type of practice built on the essence of “aroha”, a place where love, sympathy, empathy and kindness were the air we breathed, embracing our values of dreaming big to grow.
With your help through personal referrals, Radio Live, Verve and TVNZ media opportunities, we flourished. Despite the challenges of a forced relocation in 2013, making lemonade out of lemons became our specialty. In 2015, with new business partner Dr Justine Alley beside me, we made the iconic Textile Centre our home with a designer built 300sqm2 hospital.
The Strand Veterinarian handwritten reminder postcards, some of the “little things” that created our brand essence, which was “heart”.
Sharing our story with the wider community on the cover of Verve Magazine in March 2013.
Me with my niece, Zoe, who has grown up alongside our journey shifting into The Textile Centre in 2015.
Care Without Compromise
My founding philosophy was “Grow our People”, something we are still deeply passionate about at The Strand Veterinarian to this day. As Justine and I evolved our strategic leadership skills, our team’s clinical skills, knowledge and expertise grew along with us, reaching the new era of wellbeing-centric GP practice our services provide today.
Having the “time to care” as a vet, something which is often missing in companion animal practice models today, allowed us to achieve our goals of uncompromised optimal outcomes and “better care” for both patient and their families.
Joining with Dr Justine Alley with the move into the iconic Textile Centre we became an unbeatable team.
The Challenges Behind the Success
As a business owner and practising clinician, the ride to getting there was no picnic…and with the ongoing challenges of earthquakes, climate events, pandemics, the rapidly rising cost of doing business, geopolitical unrest and ongoing economic downturns – self-compassion was the last thing on my daily checklist.
Our team, including me, were “dog” tired…and the one thing I know about veterinary professionals is that we take great care of all those around us, but have a blind spot for ourselves. Burnout, compassion fatigue, secondary trauma and the cost of caring work take their toll.
This Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction course was a life-changing experience for me, and I was grateful to share it with our team.
Turning Experience into Impact
When you walk the path of poor mental health, it can be a powerful thing to navigate your way out. To then share your wisdom, your mana whakatipu, on how to paddle your waka as a veterinarian to stay healthy and share these insights with your team is life-changing.
In 2022, I wrote the award-winning vetThrive wellbeing program, a toolbox for veterinary professionals, to better understand how imperative it is to care for themselves. VetThrive Collective podcast then recorded 18 episodes, interviewing experts from across the globe to cover the complex topics on current challenges in the medical professions.
An unforgettable moment, celebrating The Strand Veterinarian's HRNZ Wellness Program Award and HRNZ Supreme Award with the team who helped make it happen.
So What's Next For Me?
My continued path as a veterinarian is to now make wellbeing in the workplace accessible to others. Working with “Beyond The Scrubs NZ” women’s wellness retreat is the first step in my next adventure, then branching out to create transformational workshops for veterinary professionals in 2027. It is now time for me to care for the carers and be the coach and mentor, just as I was blessed to be guided by those who came before me.
I have been so grateful for the 34 years of intentional loving I have had for all the fur people, with their loved ones who accompanied them, who have come through my consult room door. I leave you in the exceptional hands of those who have joined me at The Strand Veterinarian, whose aroha runs deep, continuing my legacy of treating them as my own by stepping into their shoes and taking the time to care with love and kindness, which we all need more of.
Dr Megan Alderson
The Strand Veterinarian You Know and Love Remains Unchanged
As we look to the future, one thing remains unchanged: the dedicated team you've come to know and trust. The experienced veterinarians, nurses and support staff who care for your pets every day will continue to do so with the same compassion, expertise and commitment.
For you, our clients, you'll continue to see the familiar faces who know your pets, understand their needs and are passionate about providing the exceptional care our practice has always been known for. We look forward to continuing to care for your pets for many years to come.
