Our History
The Dunsborough Veterinary Hospital was opened in September 1990 by husband and wife team Peter Rosher and Katherine Sargent and Receptionist/nurse the wonderful Mrs Faye Ashdown. The original premises were on Gifford Road where the Cape Naturaliste Medical Centre presently sits. The hospital then relocated to Caves Road(at what then become Bannamah Wildife Park-next to Clancy's Fish Pub) until 1993 when we shifted to our present location, the purpose built hospital in Clark Street Dunsborough.
The practice began as a traditional mixed practice with a wide spread of patients ranging from cattle and sheep, horses, dogs, cats, wildlife and even a piggery. Due to the great reduction in farming enterprise in the Dunsborough area, the practice became a companion animal practice in 2004 and Peter commenced his food animal practice in Busselton now called Cattle Veterinary Services. At this time Shamus Henry became a partner within the Veterinary Hospital, shortly followed by Merri James a few years later.
We have been very fortunate over the years to have a very stable nursing and reception staff ensuring great continuity for our clients. Although we pride ourselves on our knowledge, skills and equipment we are most proud that our practice has a warm friendly country feel about it, were we tend to know all our clients and patients very well. This allows for a less formal visit making it a far more pleasurable experience for our clients, patients and us. Often our waiting room seems to be the meeting place for the population of Dunsborough.
The Dunsborough Veterinary Hospital is fortunate to be in a town populated by people who love nothing more than to go for a walk on the beach with their dog, or curl up next to the fire with their cat, or go for a gallop through the bush with their horse. The practice performs a large amount of wildlife work where we attempt to treat and rehabilitate injured wildlife until they can be sent to a carer(often one of the staff themselves). Many of our clients are actively involved in caring for injured wildlife until they can be released back in to the wild.
As a practice we have always been involved in the community, visiting schools and having classes visit the practice, hosting work experience students and providing traineeships in veterinary nursing.
All the staff feel very privileged to be able to practice in such a beautiful town with such fantastic clients. We consider ourselves so very lucky!