A lifetime’s dream and years of planning will become reality when Aidan and Natalie Borrill’s independent vet’s practice opens this month.

And they couldn’t be more excited.

The couple, who met while doing their six-year veterinary training at the University of Cambridge, have invested £750,000 in the purchase, renovation and extension of Forge Cottage on the outskirts of Ferndown.

Ferndown Family Vets will officially open for business on Monday February 22.

Aidan, 35, said: “We’ve always wanted to have our own practice.

“To see it take shape before our eyes has been amazing and we just can’t wait to get started.”

Natalie, 36, added: “It’s a big step for both of us but we feel so excited.”

Aidan, who was born and brought up in Sheffield, and Natalie, from Essex, set their hearts on becoming vets from an early age.

In Aidan’s case it was TV’s ‘Animal Hospital’ that first grabbed his attention while Natalie was busy dissecting owl’s pellets at the age of six.

“I can’t remember ever not wanting to be a vet and these days can’t imagine doing anything else,” said Aidan.

After qualifying at Cambridge, the couple worked in Natalie’s home county before relocating to Dorset in 2013, a year after they were married.

Both have since worked in various vet practices although Natalie switched to an advisory role with an animal health company in 2016 after sustaining injuries in a skiing accident.

They have three dogs – a Lhasa Apso called Truffle, a Lhasa Apso cross (Denali) and Bumble, a Labradoodle – and usually at least one rescue cat.

Having decided to launch a family vet’s practice in 2018, they began the search for a suitable property.

Old Forge Cottage, which dates back to 1902, was acquired in February 2020.

Planning permission for the building, and accompanying extension and car park in Wimborne Road West, was granted last October.

Aidan said: “John Christopher at Trinity Architecture and Refine Build have been excellent.

“They’ve been very open to our suggestions and we’d highly recommend them.”

Ferndown Family Vets will cater for cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs and other small family pets.

The facilities include:

• Separate areas for dogs, cats and rabbits as well as a separate consultation room
• State of the art operating suite
• Dentistry unit
• Imaging room
• In-house laboratory
• Separate, and fully soundproofed, cattery and kennelling areas

Aidan said: “Starting with a blank canvas allowed us to draw on the wealth of experience we have accumulated over our combined careers.

“We have been able to create both a building which is perfectly designed but also an ethos that will focus on keeping our patients, clients and staff happy for many years to come.”

Ferndown Family Vets is Fear Free certified.

Founded by Dr Marty Becker – also known as ‘America’s Veterinarian’ – Fear Free means everything possible has been done to prevent and alleviate fear, anxiety, and stress in pets.

In the case of Ferndown Family Vets, the colour palette chosen for wall coverings and paints is an animal friendly green, grey and blue.

Other measures selected to reduce pet anxiety include Floors For Paws, described as the world’s best flooring for dogs.

Natalie said: “We’ve looked at everything from an animal perspective.

“Our values are absolutely fundamental to the creation of Ferndown Family Vets and that includes the happiness of our patients.

“We want our practice to be a comforting and stress-free place for them to come.”

Three animal nurses have been recruited – Hayley, Kate and Sammie – while Natalie’s Mum, Deb, is on reception and her sister, Cheryl Wesley, is doing the accounts and book-keeping.

Aidan, who has been working up to 90 hours a week as a locum over the last year to help fund the new practice, said they were indebted to their families for helping achieve their dream practice.

He said: “My parents, Rob and Linda, have invested their pension in the building and all our families have been so supportive.

“It’s all a bit scary but also incredibly exciting.

“We want to become fully involved in the local community as well as provide exceptional veterinary care to Ferndown and surrounding areas.

“We love Dorset and will be here for the rest of our lives.

“February 22 can’t come soon enough.”

• ferndownfamilyvets.co.uk