Introducing John, the practice manager, and Sonny, the cocker spaniel  

I like to think of myself as the Sergeant Major of the Operation: Keeping the troops well-fed and marching fit! 

I joined the Army at the age of 16 in 1997 and joined the Royal Corps of Signals where my role involved maintaining radio systems and military satellite systems. I worked and operated in countries such as Canada, Germany, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Afghanistan and Cyprus to name a few. I then transferred into the Royal Army Medical Corp in 2008 to train as a Pharmacy Technician. My key role was procurement, dispensing and supply of medicines and Management of medical Logistics both in the UK and overseas. I worked with the UKSF in Hereford as well as in Brunei Overseas, a Field Hospital in York and finally at Head Quarters Defence Medical as a training Warrant Officer.  I joined Vets4u at Ground up stage in Feb 2021 and have been here since.  

One way of giving back was to set up a programme called Vets4Vets, whereby we actively seek to support The Forces and Blue Light services community and their pets. This includes working dogs, and it has been amazing working with these groups to see where we can continually assist and support.  

I have always had dogs growing up. Although I had a working Springer Spaniel and always wanted a dog in my life, service life makes it difficult. Apart from looking after a rescue dog in Brunei called Kodi who I sadly could not bring back, the first thing I did when I retired after 23 years in service in 2021 was to get Sonny the crazy Cocker Spaniel. I have found a use for my pharmaceutical skills outside of the Military and help animals up and down the country. 

Sonny’s main job is to chew my children's toys but he loves Yak Chews and Nylabones which helps us leave the kids toys alone. He is a real forager and so gets lots of twigs and seed pods in his fur on walks, so we love the Furminator combs to help de-matt him. 

What do you think is the most important animal issue to address right now?  

I think the biggest issue facing pets nationwide is the huge growth of pet ownership during lockdown with the added pressures of National inflation. There is a real squeeze on the financial aspect of pet ownership.  

If you could be one animal, what would it be?  

Arctic Tern - This little bird travels 90,000km from pole to pole every year. I love travelling so if I could just up and fly anywhere in the world at no cost or passport required it would be amazing.