Home vet nurse service comes to Nelson region

If your pet is terrified of the vet, Bonnie Buttress-Grove will bring the vet to you.

The qualified Nelson vet nurse has just launched her business ‘Vet Nurse on Wheels’ after seeing that no one in the region offered ‘at home’ pet check-ups.

“Working in vet clinics, the idea came to me when I’d see a stressed animal come through. I thought, ‘there’s got to be an easier way to do this’,” she says.

“There is one in Blenheim who does really well, so I think Nelson definitely needs this. I know there are just so many people that don’t come to the vet because it’s too stressful.”

Her service also caters for those who live remotely or can’t physically get to a vet clinic.

“I want to get to the people that can’t get to the vet, so I’m doing the whole region. I’ve been out to Dovedale to do a health check on three cats and I’m even open to going as far as Takaka,” she says.

“It would be very rare to find a cat that enjoys a ride in the car, and if they do live a bit further out it’s just so much more stressful.”

Bonnie’s services include nail trims, grooming, post-operative care, health checks, medication administration, behaviour consultations, weight loss clinics, and fluid therapy.

She can also help with the small things too - such as applying flea and worm treatments, and provides a ‘pet taxi’ if people need help transporting their pet to the vet.

However, she cannot diagnose conditions or prescribe medication in her role.

Although Bonnie works independently, she is hoping to work in harmony with vet clinics.

“It would be great if they could call on me to go and see a patient if they think it is suitable.”

Bonnie says she is “stoked” with the reaction from customers so far.

“I’ve had quite a few bookings already and seen a few pets.”

To find out more, contact [email protected] or go to her Facebook page.