The story of Penbode
'PENBODE', North Road, Holsworthy is the home of the practice and was first used as a veterinary practice in 1880 by William Penhale when he moved here from Upcott Farmhouse in Cookbury. In 1918, Richard Penhale took over from his father and proceeded to increase the size of the practice, adding 'Horizon View' at Stratton to the now well established Holsworthy practice. In 1949, Richard's son Allin graduated as a vet and joined the practice.
By the early 1950's the practice had changed its name to 'R. H. Penhale & Son' and by 1955 the practice had six vets working for it from Holsworthy and Stratton. In 1960 as the practice was still expanding the Penhales took on new partners; Mr Hobbs and Mr Bedson at Holsworthy, Mr Richardson and Mr Rowlands at Stratton and Mr Granger at the recently acquired Bradworthy practice. In 1976 the name of the practice was changed to 'Penhale and Partners' and in 1981 the practice opened its magnificent 'Large Animal' Hospital dedicated to Mr Allin Penhale. The practice continued to grow and in 1985, there sadly being no more members of the Penhale family in the practice, the name was changed to 'Penbode Veterinary Group'. Coming right up to date the practice expanded once again in 1999 by purchasing a new surgery in Camelford.
Today Penbode Veterinary Group has become one of the biggest mixed veterinary practices in the country. We have twenty-two vets (ten partners and twelve assistants) covering all aspects of veterinary care. As well as this wealth of veterinary knowledge and expertise we have nine veterinary nurses, sixteen administration and maintenance staff and a practice manager all working to ensure that our clients receive the best possible care for their animals. The practice has four sites covering an area from Bideford to Wadebridge and from Bude to Okehampton/Launceston. The partners of PVG have committed themselves to a policy of continual improvement, both in the on going development of the staff and the constant updating/replacement of equipment to ensure that the practice remains in the forefront of modern technology and techniques. The practice is very aware of the modern day pressures that our clients are under and we strive to make sure that we do all that we can to help ease and improve those pressures. As many of our competitors will tell you our size is our strength and we are dedicated to using that strength for the benefit of our clients; wherever possible the practice looks for ways to either maintain or improve prices, but not at the expense of quality or safety. One of the advantages to being the client of a larger practice is the fact that no matter whether you are a farm client, an equine client or a client with a beautiful pet; you are no more than a phone call away from the expertise to treat your animal. We have dedicated teams of vets and nurses covering all areas of veterinary medicine ready to help you day or night, three hundred and sixty five (six) days a year.
Everyone at Penbode Veterinary Group understands the importance of your animals to you, whether they be a high yield milking cow, a top hunter or your prized hamster. We know that if you have called us for help then we must respond with the right treatment/help and medicines as quickly as possible. We believe that the bond between our clients and us is a partnership, we pledge to try and provide the best care and help at all times. All we ask in return is that our clients pay for those services on time, thus allowing us to continue improving and helping them.