Young vet joins New Forest practice that treated his injured horse

Hythe-based Seadown Veterinary Services, which is celebrating a century of treating animals in and around the New Forest, has welcomed 24-year-old Alex Tooley.

Alex has known several members of the Seadown team for years, including clinical director Gillies Moffatt and fellow equine vet Laura Trigg.

READ MORE: Seadown celebrates 100 years of treating animals

Alex Tooley, 24, with one of his equine patients (Image: Seadown/Richard Dunwoody)

He said: "My family started using Seadown in 2006, shortly after our horse Willard had an accident in the Forest and became trapped in a ditch.

"My first memories of Seadown are of Gillies attending regularly to treat a wound Willard had sustained to his leg.

"Over the years I can recall visits from many of the Seadown team. These were mostly for routine visits, but also for the occasional colic or lameness.

"I would often be out helping, even before I had decided I wanted to be a vet. As a child, seeing how they were able to fix the horses seemed like magic and I wanted to be able to do that too."

Alex Tooley as a boy with his pony Ned (Image: Alex Tooley)

Alex did his work experience with the small animal team several years ago.

He said: "I really enjoyed it. It showed me the behind-the-scenes side of veterinary work that I hadn't been exposed to before.

"Towards the end of my final year at university, Laura mentioned to my Mum that they might be looking to take on a new graduate. I sent over my CV and the rest is history."

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Alex grew up in Copythorne but now lives in Romsey.

"The New Forest is my home and has been a huge part of my life so, naturally my long-term connection with Seadown, their history with the area, and their wonderful, talented people made it a particularly attractive place to work."

Alex Tooley, 24, with one of his equine patients (Image: Seadown/Richard Dunwoody)

Laura added: "We have a passion for animals and always treat our patients as if they are our own.

"We also cherish our staff and our role and standing in the community. We are a family. We have a saying - once a Seadowner, always a Seadowner. It's so true."

READ MORE: Seadown vet helps elderly horse recover from two major injuries in ten months

Seadown is based at Hythe but also has surgeries at Totton and Lymington.

The oldest member of the team is client advisor Maggie Bond, who is 78 but shows no sign of slowing down. She said: "I just love working here. It's a vocation, not a job."