I refer everyone to Alistair’s practice because they treat your pets as if they were their own
David Brandon … “Everyone in Alistair’s clinic is warm, friendly and caring.”
“I have been bringing my dogs to Alistair since he went into his own Practice. I have pretty much followed him around Toowoomba! I have had three dogs during this time and I would only trust Alistair and his team to look after them.
At the moment I have a King Charles Cavalier called Milo, who is getting on and having some really serious health problems. Alistair has been looking after him since he was a puppy, and
has been wonderful. He is doing everything he can to make sure Milo is comfortable and is having the best quality of life possible in view of his health issues. This is so reassuring to me, because he is a very special little dog, and all I want for him is the happiest life possible.
Everyone in Alistair’s clinic is warm, friendly and caring. They make me feel very welcome, and they always ask after Milo. They all know and love him.
They have made decisions that have been the best and most compassionate for my dogs, and they have also extended that care and kindness to me when difficult decisions have had to be made.
I refer everyone to Alistair’s practice because they treat your pets as if they were their own. I think that is the highest recommendation you can give.”
— David Brandon
Going in to the Practice is like going to visit friends. It is such a warm, happy environment
“We have known Alistair for 25 years, and he is not only our Vet, but has also become a very good friend (in fact, when I am talking to our cats, I refer to him as “Uncle Alistair” - other animal lovers will understand this, I’m sure!). Over this time we have had both cats and dogs, and Alistair and his team have looked after them all. We have so many lovely memories and stories of our association with him.
Alistair is a warm, compassionate, caring man, with a wonderful sense of humour. In our experience, he always put the interests of us and our pets in front of his own commercial interests. We particularly appreciate that he offers first class care without “over treating” or attempting to “upsell” tests, products or any other services that are unnecessary. He always comes up with practical solutions for every presenting problem, and they are ALWAYS in the best interests of our pets.
He has had to make a number of difficult calls to us, when it was clear that the most compassionate and humane course of action was to end our pets suffering. He was there at the end for three of our pets, and made a heartbreaking situation much easier.
I specifically remember the first time we had to have a dog put to sleep, Alistair was with us to help us through it. His practice nurse, Nikki came in to the clinic on that day to show us her new baby, and it actually made the situation far less traumatic than it would have otherwise been. The team gathered around us to help us deal with that situation.
On that note, the entire team at Alistair’s practice are an incredible group of professionals. They work so well together, like a well oiled machine. Going in to the Practice is like going to visit friends. It is such a warm, happy environment, and I completely understand why they have all been there long term. They share the same care and commitment to their clients and patients. I know that they treat every animal as if it were their own.”
— Sue Ayres
The environment at Rangeside Vets is so caring, and we have always felt a great deal of confidence in the team.
“I moved to Toowoomba 3 years ago with my 2 labradors, and merged my family with my husband (who had a miniature dachshund). My husband recommended Alistair, having known him for many years.
The environment at Rangeside Vets is so caring, and we have always felt a great deal of confidence in the team. Our dogs are our babies, so this is of paramount importance to us.
I have so many stories of occasions that Alistair and his staff acted well and truly above and beyond the call of duty to look after our dogs.
One time, we were on the Sunshine Coast, and we had left our labradors with a pet sitter. Late in the afternoon, our neighbour called us to say that our gate was open and our dogs were gone. We were frantic, because one of our dogs was blind. We called Alistair to let him know what had happened. Because we don’t live far from the surgery, we thought that someone might pick the dogs up and take them to him.
One of his nurses took it upon herself to get in her car and drive around the streets, looking for our dogs. I had no idea she had done this until after the fact. It was extraordinary to me that they would go to those lengths to help me find my dogs.
About 12 months after we moved to Toowoomba, our eldest dog had a cancerous growth on her hind leg. Alistair discussed all of our options with us, and we mutually decided that the most humane course of action was to keep her comfortable until it was no longer possible for her to be comfortable. Then Alistair put her to sleep. He was amazing. So kind and compassionate. It made a difficult time more bearable.
Around 3 months later our second labrador who was 8 years old, became extremely sick one Sunday morning and we had to rush her to an emergency Vet. She had heart problems and the Vet recommended a cardiologist, and ongoing treatment.
Again, Alistair talked us through all of our options in a very calm and straightforward manner. He was the voice of reason for us, always in the best interest of our dog, but always compassionate. I don’t think there is ever a really good time to get this kind of news, but having just lost a dog, this couldn’t have been a lot worse.
When our new labrador puppy had to have surgery and she couldn’t be left at home alone (she actually had to be carried outside to go to the toilet), we dropped her off to Alistair every day with her toys and a packed lunch (like daycare!), and they watched her for us. This was the case for 6 weeks, and she was so happy to go there. In fact, all of our dogs have always been really happy to go to the Vet. They are so excited when they realise where they are. It’s amazing really, a bit like a child being excited to go to the dentist! This is incredibly telling. It is a testament to how wonderful the staff are.
Alistair and his team have been amazing to us, when we were faced with terrible news and horrible decisions. More importantly, they treated our animals with the same level of kindness and compassion.”
— Karen Withers
It is the most reassuring place. When you walk in, you know that your animal will get nothing but the best care, and you will too
“For well over 15 years, Alistair and his team have been looking after our animals. During this time we have had cats and dogs, currently we have three cats and two horses. It would be lovely if Alistair’s practice also looked after large animals, so he could look after our horses. We would take them there in a heartbeat. In fact, I often threaten to leave them at his front door!
Alistair and his entire team are just wonderful. They are all so kind and compassionate, and they all have an almost overwhelming love for animals. They completely ‘get’ that their client’s animals are NOT “just pets”, but dearly loved and treasured family members, and that is exactly how they treat them.
I would describe their approach as holistic, because they problem solve to find the best solutions for your pet, as well as you as the owner. They never talk “at” you and always use language that anyone can understand, even in situations when the news they are delivering is distressing.
Alistair has had to put three of our babies to sleep as they got to the end of their lives and their conditions could no longer be managed comfortably. He has been so lovely to us every time. I have been absolutely heartbroken saying goodbye to these animals (I don’t know how many times Alistair has seen me cry), but he made the process as peaceful and respectful as it could possibly be. He gave us time alone with our pets, and was incredibly comforting after they had slipped away.
Alistair is intelligent and on the ball, and only ever does what needs to be done in any given situation. He will also happily refer you on to Specialists if the situation calls for it, because he is more concerned about the welfare of the animal than anything else. When this happens, he and his team make all the necessary arrangements (which is especially important when you are feeling upset and worried).
Alistair is extremely intelligent and on the ball, and has surrounded himself with staff who are the same. Every member of his team is knowledgeable and every record is kept meticulously up to date. The clinic itself is a warm, cosy, welcoming place, scrupulously clean, without being sterile.
There is a real sense of family there.
It is the most reassuring place. When you walk in, you know that your animal will get nothing but the best care, and you will too. And as a cat crazy person, I love to visit with Mr Darcy!”
— Annie McHugh
He never rushes us through our consultations, and he takes the time to chat.
“We have been taking our dogs to Alistair to look after since his practice was in Herries Street. Over the years, he has looked after 3 dogs for us. We have always enjoyed very friendly and personal service from Alistair. He never rushes us through our consultations, and he takes the time to chat.
We have had to have 2 of our dogs put to sleep over the years, most recently, our 16 year old dog who was suffering with a chest infection that was just not clearing up. We knew that we had to make the kindest and most humane decision for her, and Alistair euthanased her.
He was so compassionate and sincere towards us, even though I suspect those situations are difficult and distressing for him too.
The girls in the clinic are all so lovely. They deal with everything promptly and efficiently. They are all just terribly good at what they do.”
— Jenny G.
Alistair explains everything to you easily so that you know exactly what your options are in any given situation.
“I have known Alistair for around 33 years and apart from a brief period of time when he was in England, he has always been the Vet who has treated our cats. Actually, while Alistair was away we had cause to take our cat to another Vet, who was so rough it was shocking and terribly distressing.
Alistair is incredibly kind and gentle. He explains everything to you easily so that you know exactly what your options are in any given situation. This is why we have such confidence in him. All of the staff at the Clinic are wonderful and you can immediately see that they all love and care for animals.
What sticks out in my mind the most, is the cat that we lost a couple of months ago. Max was a stray cat that “adopted” us many years ago. He came to us as a poor little hungry cat, with half his fur missing. But he had the most beautiful nature, we were happy he found us.
Alistair looked after him right to the end, which came a couple of months ago. Max had diabetes and kidney problems. After caring for him through this for some time, we made the decision to end Max’s suffering.
Kristen helped Alistair put Max to sleep. They were both wonderful. Kristen cuddled Max, and both Alistair and Kristen comforted us.
This degree of kindness and care are a large part of the reason why we will always choose and recommend Alistair and his team. When you find an incredible Vet, you stay with them.”
— Judy Hall
He’s got a team of really lovely ladies in his practice who are just as professional and kind.
“We have known Alistair for 25 years. We first got a toy poodle puppy 23 years ago, and we always took her to Alistair. In the beginning, he was working at another Practice but we have followed him into his own Practice. He has simply been the nicest Vet we have ever met. He is a real gentleman and we refer everyone to him.
Alistair really knows his stuff, and he is always so interested and kind. He never rushes us out the door and he has got a team of really lovely ladies in his practice who are just as professional and kind.
Nothing is ever too much trouble for them. We are so tickled to have found him. It is reassuring that we have the backstop of such a first class Vet. We couldn’t fault him or his team. After knowing him for 25 years, we consider Alistair to be ‘one of us’ now!”
— Veronica O’Reilly