We’re delighted to present our vet of the month, Dr Duncan Winckworth, from the Boulevard Animal Clinic in Bloemfontein.
Chinese philosopher, Lao Tzu, said that a “journey of a thousand miles begins with one step”. Dr Duncan’s journey to becoming a vet started at the age of 15, when he decided to step into the wonderful world of caring for ill and injured animals.
In this article, we dive into a few interesting Q&As to learn more about his journey and what made him decide to become a vet, or as we see it, a real-life hero to thousands of furry friends in need 😊.
Q: Where were you born?
A: “I was born in King William’s Town, in the Eastern Cape.”
Q: Did you always know you wanted to become a vet?
A: “I wanted to be a vet from about the age of 15 as I enjoy working with animals and wanted more knowledge about them.”
Q: Where did you do your internship?
A: “I visited our local vet in Benoni, Dr Dick Etherington, who was a friend of the family and I also spent my holidays visiting Benoni Vet Hospital where he was a partner.”
Q: Do you have pets? If so, tell us about your pets.
A: “I live in a house with 10 dogs – 8 Huskies and 2 Labrador Retrievers. They are all rescues although I got both labbies when they were puppies.”
Q: Where do you usually go for holidays?
A: “I love to travel around the country on holidays, going to both the mountains and coast. They are equally good for the soul.”
Q: When was your vet practice established?
A: “We started the Boulevard Animal Clinic in 2006. It is a satellite practice to Bloemfontein Veterinary Hospital which was established in 1965 by Drs Thomas Theron and Sarel de Beer who I joined in 1990.”
Q: Where is the vet practice based?
A: “We’re based in the suburb Langenhoven Park, Bloemfontein.”
Q: Which type of conditions/cases do you treat?
A: “Boulevard Animal Clinic is a companion animal practice and we will treat most of the ‘run of the mill’ kind of problems including caesareans on Guinea Pigs. Treating any sickness or injury that comes along and referring to specialists whenever it is necessary, and if the client agrees.”
Concluding remarks by Dr Winckworth…
“Treat your pets as part of the family, let them be with you whenever possible and feed them the best quality food you can afford. Remember dogs do what you let them do, cats do whatever they want to.” Well said, Dr Winckworth! 😊
He further believes that pet insurance is becoming an increasingly valuable tool, giving pet owners the peace of mind in knowing that they are covered in the event of unexpected veterinary expenses – allowing pet parents to be guided by what is best for their pets and not what is best for their wallets.
Sincere thanks to Dr Winckworth for answering our questions and allowing us to feature his practice here. We appreciate you and all the other vets and para-veterinary professionals around the country who care for our pets in times of need.
You can reach Boulevard Animal Clinic on 051 446 1006, or visit them at 31 Elias Motsoaledi St, Langenhoven Park, Bloemfontein.
Dr Winckworth (right) and Eldone, an employee at the Boulevard Animal Hospital (left).
