New Year 2019

97 Since its establishment, County Canine, alongside its sister practice County Equine, has aimed to provide a standard of care that rivals that of any private medical practice. Recently, we spoke with County’s Principal Veterinary Surgeon, Dr Marvin J. Firth MRCVS, to find out more about his work and successes. The modern world can be described as many things indeed: most obviously, it’s an age dominated by technological innovation and digital development - a world more interconnected than ever. Recently, it is also a world fascinated with health, fitness and wellness, as people become more aware of the limitations of their own body and mind in a world that never stops moving forward. This new trend certainly extends to man’s best friend, as dog owners seek the best possible care for their beloved pet. Equally, people are more eager for truly exceptional expertise, by practitioners with a drive to reinvent the industry’s best practices. Marvin Firth is, by all regards, one of these practitioners. He is a veterinarian who has sought to perfect his own skills and abilities, whilst simultaneously expanding his arsenal of talents to provide truly best in class services to his clients, as Marvin explains further. “Responding to client and patient needs, I have gained additional qualification and experience in additional therapies such as chiropractic, acupuncture, physiotherapy and class IV laser therapy. Combining eight years of veterinary medical experience alongside these therapies in 40 minutes to one-hour consultations in the home allows both the owner and patient to have a quality, consistent service which can address medical and management concerns. We work alongside the client’s primary veterinary surgeon and have access to other therapists and centres of excellence should they be required. The consistency of dealing with the same individual and building a rapport for your pet’s health is one of the most important aspects of the company.” This ties intrinsically into the firm’s overall mission, which holds the health of the patient at the very centre of its services. “County Canine’s mission is to assist in delivering good quality of life to those animals who are experiencing immobility, and pain. Equally, I endeavour to improve the performance in competitive animals. Training and keeping up to date with modern medicine have helped provide clients with the latest options, alongside the traditional values I utilise in my practice. As I endeavour to work at the highest levels, I have trained and taken further examinations become internationally approved in chiropractic and assist with education in the area.” With this thought very much in mind, Marvin takes a moment to discuss how County Canine distinguishes itself in a notoriously competitive environment. “My unique selling point is that I am an experienced veterinary surgeon, with international accreditation for chiropractic and provide an overall bespoke view towards the health of each dog - no other veterinary surgeon is doing this combination of service in London. With an increasing number of dogs in the capital and those which are ageing or undergoing surgery, there is an ever-increasing role for this service to assist in recovery or age-related change to improve quality of life.” As we come to the end of the interview, Marvin offers some insight into the future of his businesses: “I aim to promote the service even further in London so that more dogs can capitalise on the therapies and experience County Canine brings, reducing recovery time, improving quality of life and which is often covered through pet insurance. Educating vets on the benefits as well as final year students at the veterinary schools is also Experienced Care from an Expert Practitioner really important as these will be the first port of call a lot of owners will go to. Realising that a service such as County EquineCanine is available and can assist in their treatment plans (and is often covered in most policies) can be of great benefit.” Finally, the discussion moves to County Canine’s award win and how industry awards can drive small businesses to further success. “I was thrilled to have been awarded ‘Best Canine Healthcare Business of 2018’. The company has only recently been launched in the last year (alongside my other company, County Equine) and the response has been amazing. It is the first clinic and service of its kind in Central London; whereby a veterinary surgeon is combining traditional veterinary medicine alongside additional therapies to improve comfort, mobility and performance. Being innovative in this respect and providing exemplary care has been at the heart of County Canine since the very beginning.” “Ultimately, industry awards help companies to reinforce their integral aims. It recognises the hard work and dedication that individuals starting up a business in difficult times can achieve. It also assists customers and clients in believing in your service, especially when it is as innovative and new as this one is.” County Canine and Dr Marvin J.Firth have also recently won Best New Veterinary Practice 2018 in the National Veterinary Awards. Company: County Canine (trading under County Equine Ltd) Website: www.countycanine.co.uk Telephone: 0773 826 7822 WR180068