PINELANDERS COMMUNITY NEWS
YOUNG VETS TAKE OVER THE REINS FROM STALWART DR WHITTINGTON-JONES AT THE PINELANDS VILLAGE VETERINARY CLINIC Much loved and respected community veterinarian, Dr Whittington-Jones, has retired after 42 years of service to Pinelands and beyond, and is now enjoying time to relax, catch up on family time and enjoy his favourite hobbies. Three vets, Heather Hill, Bronwyn Leverton and Aletta Mulder, have taken over the practice, renamed "Pinelands Village Veterinary Clinic". A FITTING CONTINUATION OF VETERINARY SERVICE FROM A PINELANDS FAMILY.
The Leverton family moved to Pinelands 23 years ago, which means that sisters, Heather and Bronwyn have first hand experience of the thoroughness and care with which Dr Whitting-Jones cared for family pets. They respect his work ethic, the way he kept up to date with new medical information, and his dedication to clients and patients. The three new vets are very excited, and feel privileged to be continuing the service he started before any of them were even born!
HEATHER HILL (NEE LEVERTON)
Heather graduated in 2001, and soon after, moved to Centurion with her husband, Simon - a born and bred Pinelander. After five years in a private practice in Johannesburg they returned to Pinelands and started their family. Matthew was born in 2008 and Jaime in 2010. Heather did part-time and locum work, allowing her the flexibility to have time with her children. Now that they are in Primary School it felt like the right time to take on a new venture,
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and she is thrilled to have this opportunity to fulfil her dream of working in Pinelands. Heather's main love is working with dogs and cats, and she prefers medicine, rather than surgery. She will do the morning consultations so that she can play Mom’s taxi, do homework and have fun with the kids in the afternoon. Their family has the privilege of being owners of Pi, a fun, mischievous little cat who must be the most spoilt cat in Pinelands.
BRONWYN LEVERTON - THE SURGEON
Bronwyn: "I refute that Pi is the most spoiled cat, and so would Olive, Holly, Cat and Cadbury - my feline friends”. Bronwyn followed Heather into veterinary science. Aletta Mulder was a classmate and housemate of Bronwyn, and is now a colleague and friend. They qualified together in 2008, and neither wasted their time up in Gauteng for a second longer than they had to! Bronwyn started out at the Animal AntiCruelty League. After 3 years she moved to an afterhours clinic doing mostly
New vets in Pinelands from left: Bronwyn Leverton, Heather Hill and Aletta Mulder emergency work. Her time at both of these clinics was incredibly satisfying. For the past 2 years she has been based at Mowbray Veterinary Clinic. Her main passion is surgery, and in this Pinelands venture she will perform the surgeries and procedures when needed, whilst continuing to be based primarily at the Mowbray Clinic. She has a soft spot for injured or abandoned/ orphaned little birds and squirrels, and any other small critters so feel free to bring in any of these creatures if you find them in need of care.
ALETTA MULDER
Aletta worked at the Citivet Monte Vista Clinic for 5 years, but has been doing locum work for the past 3 years. She, like Heather, is gifted in medicine, and hopes to specialise in internal medicine. Her other passions are cats (cats and more cats) and horses… though she keeps her involvement with horses strictly a hobby. Aletta will do the bulk of the afternoon consultations. Although consultations are by appointment, all emergencies will be accommodated and prioritised.
PINELANDS VILLAGE VETERINARY CLINIC
The 3 vets aim to create their own identity and convey a ‘homely warmth’. The clinic continues to run from 22 Wisteria Avenue, and will be open from 08:00 to 18:00 on weekdays for sales. Consulting hours are extended from 08:30-12:30, and 16:00 to 18:00, by appointment. Saturday hours are 09:00 to 11:00. We look forward to welcoming you and yours to our clinic! Call 021 531 1663.
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