The bond between people and their pets is something that is very important to Alicia Kennedy, founder of compassionate veterinary service Cherished Pets. She speaks with Jena Carr about what she liked most about living and working in the Ocean Grove and Geelong region.
What is your connection to Geelong and Ocean Grove?
My husband and I first lived in Ocean Grove in the early 1990s. We came to Geelong through his role with Alcoa and I found my place as a vet in the community. We instantly felt a deep connection to this part of the world even though we had no history or family connections.
Gerard was a surfer so that was an obvious attraction, and I just loved the country-coastal community lifestyle. Back in 2005 we chose this region as the place we wanted to settle with our young family after 10 years of moving often.
What do you like about where you live?
I’ve often said that we have the best of everything on the Bellarine: an amazing coastal lifestyle, wonderful beaches and natural beauty, with the blend of country and being able to live on acreage with farm animals, chooks and lots of animals, as a vet this was always a must.
Our region offers all the benefits of health care and services, incredible schools and yet we are only a hop, skip and a jump up the freeway to the Melbourne attractions. We love the theatre and would often spend an evening up there.
What, if anything, would you change about where you live?
It has become so much busier, and I totally understand that. If you live in a beautiful part of the world, then people are going to want to join you, and we need to share. I like that we are a welcoming community. I would change some of the development particularly with retail and larger chains appearing.
For me it detracts from the culture of why we love it here, and while its inevitable, I don’t think it is essential. A community can grow and welcome others into its beautiful space while retaining a small and thriving community culture with locally owned businesses.
Where is your favourite place to spend time?
My favourite thing to do with my family is to take our dogs for a walk along the Ocean Grove dog beach, and then to have a fish and chips picnic at one of the tables up on the foreshore, but I think my favourite place to spend time is at home.
What is something people may not know about you?
Our family lived a four year chapter in China in the early 2000s. It was an experience that opened our eyes to different cultures and ways of living, and defined our family’s ongoing love of travel and adventure.
It was also during our China chapter that I engaged in volunteering with the Jane Goodall Institute that set me on a pathway of creating a kinder planet for all living things.
What led you to creating Cherished Pets?
In my work as a vet I have developed this deep fascination and interest in the human animal bond, this magical connection we share with our pets that brings so many gifts both ways.
I wanted to create a veterinary service that was kind, accessible, socially responsible, held by the community and centred around supporting the human animal bond through all life stages.
Our guiding question is what do we need to do to keep this pet healthy, well and together with his human for as long as possible? We have evolved a unique and internationally regarded human animal bond centred veterinary service. This includes a veterinary social work service that is supported by our State Government to enable accessibility to veterinary and crisis pet care for those experiencing vulnerability.
Being socially responsible and ethical are important values, and we are proud to be the world’s first certified B Corporation Veterinary service . This month is B Corp month so it’s something to celebrate.
B Corp is a global accreditation for ethical business practice and puts us in the company of well-known brands such as Patagonia, Kathmandu, Bank Australia, Intrepid travel, and Aesop to name a few.
What do you enjoy the most about your work?
I love forming connections with pets and their people and building that caring, trusted “family vet” relationship over time, to help pets and people stay together, and healthy, through all life stages.
I am also driven and energised by my advocacy to build awareness and understanding of the vital role pets play in human health and wellbeing. Pets are an intrinsic part of a healthy community, and as such need to be considered in the public and community health domain.
Creating a human animal bond centred veterinary service that is accessible to all people, and being a voice for pets in human health and wellbeing, will be my legacy.
