Pennard Practice Ltd (TA Priory Lodge Vets)

Priory Lodge Vets is described on its website as an independent, employee-owned small animal practice and notes B‑Corp certification. It treats dogs, cats, rabbits and other small animals, and states it handles its own out‑of‑hours work so clients “see a familiar face.” Reviews most often talk about calm handling for anxious pets (including using treats and taking time), clear explanations (including using a model to explain an ear infection), and a decision-making style some owners describe as not pushing extra procedures. One recent review reports a serious adverse outcome following a routine spay and describes aftercare as “significantly poor,” which sits in clear contrast to other recent reviews praising the team’s support and communication.

Services

• •Small animal care for dogs, cats, rabbits, and other small animals (website; reviews also mention a ferret being treated).
• •Vaccinations and annual check-ups (review mentions annual check-up and vaccinations; website lists core vaccinations).
• •Ear checks / ear infection assessment (review describes an ear check and explanation of infection cause).
• •Spay surgery is referenced in a review (routine spay).
• •Out-of-hours care: the practice states it handles its own out-of-hours work so clients can see a familiar face (website).
• •Pet Health Club items listed on the website
• •Unlimited vet and nurse consultations
• •Routine flea and worm control
• •Unlimited nail clips and anal gland checks
• •Annual senior blood and urine tests
• •Blood pressure check
• •Veterinary Nurse Training facility (clinic data).

People

• •Ruth (vet or staff member; role not specified in the review): a reviewer describes her as kind and concerned while working through a cat’s “vague but concerning symptoms,” and says she explained everything carefully.
• •Dirk Brink: mentioned by name in two reviews. Owners describe him as particularly good with nervous or sensitive dogs—being “firm, kind and patient”—and giving clear explanations (including using a dog-ear model to explain an infection and its cause).
• •Reception and support staff are repeatedly mentioned for welcoming, practical help and using treats to reduce fear (e.g., giving a treat when a pet was scared; “treats at the ready”).

Reviews

Google rating: 4.7 stars from 307 reviews.

• •Communication and explanation: owners describe detailed explanations during appointments (including a physical model used to explain an ear problem).
• •Handling anxious pets: multiple reviews mention nervous dogs being managed patiently, and staff using treats and “making a fuss” to reduce stress.
• •Clinical outcomes praised in specific cases: one review describes a “very poorly” ferret returning to normal within 24 hours after treatment.
• •Not pushing procedures: one owner felt the vet considered age/diagnosis and did not push procedures that had been mentioned.
• •A serious negative report linked to surgery/aftercare: one recent 1‑star review says their young dog died following a routine spay and describes the aftercare as poor, which conflicts with other recent reviews describing supportive care and good outcomes.