About Us

A modern country practice with purpose

So what it our purpose?

We are passionate about providing veterinary care that is
Personal, practical and progressive:

Personal

We work hard to build trusting relationships with you and ALL your animals. Thats what helps us provide better care

Practical

Your animals can’t tell us how they feel and so getting a diagnosis is usually the best way to understand that and guide the best treatment. In reality however, this isn’t always simple. The welfare pros vs cons may not always be favourable for investigations or procedures and can get costly.

We accept the nuance in every case and take a practical approach to reach the best outcome for patient and owner.

Progressive

We keep learning. We are always challenging ourselves to be better, keeping us with the latest knowledge, developing our skills and try new approaches.

We know we have excellent standards of care with many years of development behind us and many years to come.

Our History Timeline

  • 2004
  • 2006
  • 2010
  • 2013
  • 2020
  • 2022

2004

At the end of 2004, Luke launched Pilgrims Veterinary Practice and ran it from his home, Pilgrims Cottage, in Martin. Originally, it was an ambulatory farm practice and whilst dogs, cats and horses were occasional customers, they were very much the pets of farmers or commoners who added them to the end of visits or rounds.

The practice grew and for a couple of years managed the veterinary routine work for some of the largest organic dairies in the South, one of the biggest organic pig producers in the UK and many local dairies and beef farms.

2006

When the old village shop became available in Cranborne (2006), Luke took the plunge and together with his wife, Cordelia, they opened the surgery as a mixed practice. As the practice grew, so did the team and over the years it has evolved into a two site practice employing 5 full-time vets. None of this would have been possible without the dedication, compassion and commitment of the pilgrims team over the years and the practice strives to maintain a family feel for both staff and clients alike.

2010

With the help of Richard and Valerie at Gorse Farm, Luke and Cordelia opened the Fordingbridge surgery in 2010 which was converted from one of Richard’s old cattle sheds. This was amazing fun and enabled the practice to develop a base in the Forest itself and strengthen our relationship with the fantastic community that resides in the North West corner of the New Forest.

2013

James and Nikki joined the partnership in 2013 and the practice didn’t look back, going from strength to strength. Whilst our farm work reduced (along with many of the dairy farms in the area), our equine work flourished and the level of care we provided companion animals was one to be rivalled with the help of our growing dedicated team.

2020

It was time for Luke to relocate his family for a more coastal lifestyle. James and Nikki stayed on as Clinical Directors as the business was taken on by IVC, since which continued investment in training and equipment has kept it offering the best level of GP care available in a rapidly changing field.

2022

Alex joined us along with his loyal farm client base which has seen the farm side expand to over 200 farms, just as family pulled James back to South Africa. We’ve since taken on two TB testers and attracted two amazing mixed vets in Niall and Emma-Louise, whose values and work ethic match Pilgrims perfectly. Meanwhile, equine and small animal stay strong as we find ourselves maintaining a traditional mixed practice vibe, unique to the area.

FAQs

FAQs

Answers to our most frequently asked questions.

Meet the Team

Nikki Bentley - Clinical Director

Nikki Bentley

Nikki Bentley BSc BVetMed MRCVS Clinical Director
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Sarah Davison - Mixed Veterinarian

Sarah Davison

Sarah Davison BVSc BVM&S MRCVS Mixed Veterinarian
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Saara Harma - Equine Veterinarian

Saara Harma

Saara Harma BVSc MRCVS Equine Veterinarian
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