Welcome to Green Vets – the new vet in York

We are the first independent veterinary surgery to open in York for over 15 years.
Green Vets brings traditional family vet values back to the city, with modern facilities and a wealth of veterinary experience.

After 17 months of COVID-secure working from the car park,  we are welcoming clients back into the surgery from 16th August 2021

However, everyone should remain cautious while the risk of respiratory viral disease remains high.

Businesses still have a legal duty to manage risks to those affected by their business. We have carried out a COVID-19 risk assessment, and continue to take reasonable steps to mitigate the risks of virus transmission. We respectfully ask our clients to help us manage this risk by following these rules:

• Only enter the building if you have an appointment and if you are not having COVID, Flu, or Cold-like symptoms
• Arrive 5 minutes before your appointment time
• Please wait in the car or outside if you are very early
• Sanitize hands before entering

We thank you for your patience and cooperation.  Your help is essential to keep our team members safe so we can continue to treat your pets.

 

 

Why a new vet in York?

Green Vets is the first independent veterinary surgery to open in York for over 15 years.

Like in many other professions, Veterinary surgeries in the UK are increasingly taken over by corporate businesses resulting in an ever declining number of independent local practices. In 2018, out of all the 15 clinics and branches in the York area, 11 were owned by the same corporate group and  2 clinics were corporate branded joint ventures. There is a planning application for yet another corporate group wanting to enter the York market. Before Green Vets opened in May 2019, there were only 2 independent veterinary businesses left.

Green Vets is bucking this trend by opening a brand new, independent veterinary surgery in Acomb. We bring traditional family vet values back to the city, with modern facilities and a wealth of veterinary experience.

Unlike the large corporate-owned clinics, Green Vets is 100% owned by Rob and Anne, a husband and wife team of experienced vets. This setup enables us to re-invest profits in the business without the need to redistribute and drain dividends to external shareholders. It also gives us the opportunity to provide the consistent personalised service that the larger practices find ever harder to deliver. At Green Vets your pet sees the same vet every time. This has enormous advantages for continuity of care.

With state of the art diagnostic and surgical facilities, on-site intensive-care hospitalisation and ample off-street parking, we offer an outstanding one-stop veterinary care experience.

Green Vets – the new independent veterinary surgery in York

 

Veterinary Surgeons

Rob Douwes GPCert(SAS) MRCVS

The founder of Green Vets is Rob Douwes, a veterinary surgeon with over 20 years of experience.

Rob has been practicing veterinary medicine since 1997, of which more than 10 years here in York. He was surgical lead and Director at Tower Vets until 2017 when the practice ceased to be an independent business.

Rob holds a post-graduate certificate in small animal surgery and has extensive experience in soft tissue and orthopedic surgery.
After a short period of working away, he has returned to York to open Green Vets in 2019.

Anne Busch CertAVP(SAM) MRCVS

In April 2019 Anne joined Green Vets as Director and Clinical Lead

After qualifying as a veterinary surgeon in 2009, Anne came to York in 2012 and has worked at Tower Veterinary Group, The Minster Veterinary Practice, and Battleflatts Veterinary Clinic. In 2017 she was awarded the RCVS Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice (CertAVP) in small animal medicine. She has an interest in ultrasonography and now has access to our new high-end referral-grade LOGIQ e ultrasound machine. She is much loved by clients and animals alike.

Rob and Anne have 2 dogs, Olivia the Border Collie who can often be seen running around Hob Moor carrying her frisby, and Lola the Jack Russel who was rescued by the RSPCA and stayed at Green Vets for a while to recover from her ordeal. More than a year later, she is still here, living her best life with Rob and Anne

Reception Staff

Joanne White

Joanne joined the practice in January 2020 and has been a veterinary receptionist for 17 years.

She has 2 dogs, Ben & Ozzy. Ozzy was adopted from the RSPCA and has kept us entertained with his antics ever since!

She also has 2 cats, Livvy & Charlie, and a few rare breed hens.

Outside of work she likes being outdoors, walking with the dogs, swimming, and fitness classes at the gym.

Michelle Ventress

Michelle joined our team in May 2022

She has previous experience as a Customer Service Advisor for microchipped pets at a local veterinary supply manufacturer. Michelle also previously worked for ten years as a Doctor’s receptionist. She only lives a stone’s throw from the practice, so she never has to leave her cat Darwin for long, and her daily commute is a doddle.

Lynn Coupland

Lynn joined the practice in early 2021. In her spare time, she enjoys days out to the coast and walking her dog Tetley.

Debra Andrew

Debbie joined Green Vets in January 2021 and is new to the veterinary industry, having previously worked predominantly in Education and HR.

She has a passion for animals, demonstrated through her voluntary work with the RSPCA and Pets As Therapy. Alfie the cat, whom she adopted from Cats Protection, and Daisy the Labrador got a new playmate when Debbie’s family adopted Mabel the Labrador from the RSPCA.

She recently moved back to Yorkshire after spending several years living overseas.

Linda Pearson

Linda joined the Green Vets reception team in June 2022.

She has 16 years experience of working in HR and customer-facing roles. Linda is also trained in children’s care, Learning, and Development. She has over 30 years experience of working with children and vulnerable people, so we feel our clients should be in safe hands.

Nursing Staff

Nena Armistead RVN

Nena joined Green Vets in December 2019. She is back to veterinary nursing after a career break and raising a family.

She has two dogs, Oara and Zoe, who accompany her to work

Jenny Panton NCert(Anaesth) RVN

Jenny joined Green Vets in March 2021 and holds a certificate in Veterinary Anaesthesia

Outside of work, she enjoys a great range of activities, mainly equine; having her own horses with whom she competes. She has a keen passion for a more natural way of horsemanship learning to understand how to better communicate with horses. She also enjoys lots of outdoor activities like walking, mountaineering, climbing, bouldering, running swimming, cycling and generally keeping fit. When not doing all this her three cats keep her very occupied.

Marshall Gibson SVN

Marshall joined green vets at the end of 2020 after previously volunteering and working with the RSPCA as an animal carer. There he adopted Churro, who he and his family initially fostered as a puppy. As well as dogs, Marshall also keeps a royal python and a leopard gecko, after he developed a childhood interest in reptiles. He is now training as an SVN.

Animal Care Assistants

Gerda Belonozko

Alice Benfield

HR Admin Staff

Lynne Vickers RVN

Lynne Joined Green Vets in September 2021 and along with being our HR administrator, she will be developing the practice into a veterinary nurse training centre.

Since qualifying as a Veterinary Nurse in 1986 Lynne has worked in many different areas of the veterinary industry including private practice, referral centres, teaching, and the pharmaceutical industry. After a few years out working for an airline, she has returned to her first love of veterinary practice.

Outside of work Lynne enjoys being outdoors and is a keen gardener and budding vegetable grower! Lynne’s pet family includes Jack Russell Barney, Staffie Max & Sweep the cat.