Our story
Built on a simple belief: every pet deserves our full attention.
Our story
Sarah Whitaker and James Patel met in their third year at the Royal Veterinary College in London. They graduated a year apart, moved into different practices, and kept in touch the way vets do — at CPD conferences and the occasional Tuesday-evening chat about the kind of practice they'd love to build one day.
By 2013 they had both gained years of valuable experience across a range of practices, learning a great deal along the way. But they shared a dream: to create somewhere with the time to genuinely know patients and their families, the freedom to tailor every decision to the animal in front of them, and the joy of building something that was truly their own.
They found the barn on Casterton Road during a Sunday walk. It was derelict, beautiful, and available. By spring 2014, after eighteen months of planning, building, and more forms than either of them care to remember, Hawthorn Veterinary Clinic opened its doors.
A decade later, we still believe what we believed then: that continuity of care, honest advice, and the space to actually listen are not luxuries — they are the foundations of good veterinary medicine. We are proud to be independent. We intend to stay that way.
What we stand for
Our values
Continuity of Care
You see the same vet, time after time. Your pet's history is genuinely known and carried forward — not reconstructed from notes at each visit.
Honest Advice
We tell you what we actually think. Our recommendations are guided entirely by what is right for your animal — and we'll always talk you through the options openly.
Time to Listen
Consultations aren't rushed. We book enough time to hear your concerns properly, examine thoroughly, and explain clearly. If we need longer, we take longer.
Modern Medicine
Independent doesn't mean behind the times. We invest in the latest diagnostic equipment, attend specialist CPD, and bring a referral-centre standard of care to your local practice.
The clinic
A converted 18th-century barn, warm and modern inside.
Why choose an independent vet?
Being independent gives us the freedom to do things our own way. Every clinical decision is made right here, with your pet in front of us, based solely on what is medically right and what works for you and your family. That flexibility is at the heart of how we like to practise.
You'll also find that continuity of care comes naturally in an independent setting. When you call Hawthorn, you speak to a person who knows you and knows your pet. When you walk in, there is a very good chance your vet has seen your animal before. That matters enormously — context and familiarity lead to better diagnosis and less stress for your pet.
We're also proud to be part of this community. Sarah and James live locally, their children go to local schools, and they shop in the same town as you. Being a local, independent practice means we build our reputation over years and decades, one happy patient at a time — and we wouldn't have it any other way.
Come and meet us.
We'd love to show you around and answer any questions. Registering takes just a few minutes online.