Torquay Vets4Pets

My initials also serve as my name and when pronounced in my home language, Afrikaans, this sounds near enough like 'Ardia'. By the end of 2020 I will have been practising as a vet for 18 years. I spent the first 5 years of my career practising in my home country South Africa. During this time I ran an outreach clinic for 2 years that provided veterinary treatment for animals in disadvantaged communities. At the same time I gained extensive knowledge working as a lecturer for a few years in a gold standard academic hospital in South Africa. This has provided me with a unique perspective on what is ideal for the pet versus what may be practically possible for the average pet’s owner. I believe my first responsibility is to speak on behalf of the pets I see. My second most important responsibility is to help pet owners figure out what is practically possible for them in terms of tests and treatment. I enjoy maintaining my broad experience base in small animal practice and doing so at a high standard. My interests are determined by the needs of my patients which is why I keep myself up to date on (and spend a lot of time doing) dentistry. I also have a General Practitioners Certificate in Small Animal Medicine as well as a Post-graduate certificate in Surgery which means I have undertaken further study on how to deal with more complicated medical and surgical cases. I enjoy doing ultrasound and general surgery and, as I am conscious that referral is not an option for every client, I also maintain my skills in routine orthopaedic surgery. My family and I have been living in the South West for more than 10 years. Lefienja, our dog, is a boxer-collie cross who only tolerates our cat with great personal sacrifice. The cat’s name is Mattewis - a dinky little girl with some ongoing medical needs and a propensity to swallow hair elastic. I have to two young daughters (which explains the prevalence of hair elastics) and a very tolerant wife who grew up in a vet family herself and so, fortunately, understands the need for prolonged and unsociable work hours. We are a family owned practice and my team at the practice is like part of my family. We all love the work we do and this is often reflected in the feedback we get from our clients.

I love this Vets4Pets team I have joined. They are a truly a wonderful bunch! 

I have been nursing for 15 years now and I still love it. I qualified in 2010 and as a clinical coach I have the privilege of helping and teaching student veterinary nurses.

I have always had animals and couldn’t imagine my life without them. I love dogs and horses but my husband says I’m a crazy cat lady which I would probably have to agree with. We have 2 cats; Bagheera and Finn. I love sports especially horse riding and snowboarding but unfortunately due to health reasons can no longer take part. So now I enjoy playing the piano, watching films, baking and like spending time with my friends and family. 

As soon as I left school I knew this is what I wanted to do, so I went straight into an animal nursing assistant course which helped me get my first veterinary job in Exeter! Moving from receptionist to student veterinary nurse a few years later, I then moved to Vets4Pets Torquay in 2015 to continue and later finish my training!

I have been qualified as a veterinary nurse since the beginning of 2017! This was always my dream and it is great to do it with such a wonderful team behind me! 

Working full time at Vets4pets Torquay as a veterinary nurse is great! Working so closely with clients through every step of their pets care is so satisfying and seeing the difference that I can make is so rewarding! I am also a clinical coach, helping train our future nurses. I look forward to sharing my experiences and knowledge with both clients and colleagues every day.

I currently live in Exeter with husband; my british short hair cat, Bailey; and my bengal cat, Reggie!