A SECURITY dog handler has given a heartfelt message to a local vet after the death of one of her rottweilers.
Sue Fowler from Kington takes her dogs to Stuart Collier, who also works in Ludlow, at Medivet in Leominster, and says she has been going to him for 15 years.
Her dog Max was recently put to sleep after he became unwell, and she has thanked Mr Collier for being kind and compassionate during the sad time.
"I want to say thank you to my vet," she told the Hereford Times. "I'm very fortunate to have Stuart Collier as my vet.
"I've heard so, so many horror stories about poor dogs suffering, but Stuart was kind and helped me to plan Max's death when it was his time."
"My dogs are my world. They look after me and I look after them," she added, explaining that Mr Collier gives them the treatment they deserve.
Mr Collier, in return, told the Hereford Times that Ms Fowler's dogs are excellently trained and that she is "amazing with them". Although as security dogs they are expected to be intimidating and "make a lot of noise", he said they have lovely temperaments because of Ms Fowler's influence.
He said he has had a "good working relationship" with Ms Fowler for 15 years, and has looked after many of her dogs, along with other colleagues at the Marches Veterinary Surgery in Leominster.
Mr Collier is now semi-retired and works two days a week in Leominster, and occasionally at the other branch in Ludlow. He is a veterinary surgeon director.
Despite living in Kington and working at a Speedy site in Newport most of the time, Ms Fowler makes the journey to Leominster to ensure her dogs can be treated by Mr Collier.
The vets' website says: "We are very fortunate to have a team who have worked together for years.
"We have extensive depth of experience and breadth of professional expertise and specialist interest in different areas of veterinary medicine.
"The overriding aim of all members of staff is to provide a professional, caring and personal service, whether we are treating a much-loved family pet or looking after the health of a large herd of cattle."
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