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Happy 1st Birthday to VIP Vets in Lagos

Published: 05/22/2009 by Nick Hain

If you look at the VIP vets practice in Lagos from the outside you will have an uncanny sense of the premises standing out a mile amongst the many surrounding new and unfinished buildings that so epitomises the fast-growing town.

That feeling of "bright lights in the wilderness" is reinforced when you meet the enthusiastic staff of the state-of-the-art vets, which celebrated its first birthday last weekend.

From the moment you step through the door you are immediately caught up in the barrage of breathlessness and benevolence which permeates above and around you like a warm and friendly all-enveloping mist.

From Emma Townsend, the 23 year-old vet nurse, 6 months from taking her final MBVA nurse exam and a VIP veteran from the beginning to Kay Vaz, surgery manageress for past 11 weeks, the energy and enthusiasm is unrelenting.

For Kay Vaz, an Algarve resident of 20 years, VIP was a complete change of scenery after 18 years working with her husband at their Lagos insurance company.

"It was a bit different to say the least but I´ve loved every minute and the job satisfaction I get is fantastic!" she said.

Emma Townsend agreed.

"I´ve learnt so much since I have been here, especially off Scott" she enthused.

So who exactly is Scott?

The man in question is none other than Scott Miller, the 34 year-old Aussie vet on ITV´s This Morning show, maker of various animal documentaries around the world and author of the successful `Puppy Parenting´ book.

When you are talking to Scott you can´t help but be caught up in his enthusiastic passion for all things animal-related and the VIP practice.

"We started VIP to provide top class vet care in the Algarve as it seemed to be a bit of a hit and miss affair in Portugal to find a good vet. We believe we do provide an excellent service. At first our clientele was near enough all-British but now its split 50/50 between the Brits and Portuguese. When that happens you know you are doing something right!" he said.

Indeed it seems VIP is getting it right with clients from Lisbon, Faro and Tavira now on their thousand-strong database.

But Scott pointed out it wasn´t only the vet care that people come to VIP for.

"At times it´s like a social club here where old friends meet and chew the fat. One of my customers even brings me a breakfast when she calls in!" he laughed.

So what made this dashing handsome blond-haired Aussie vet off the telly in London decide to open a vets practice in Lagos? Other Aussies of course!

"Couple of years ago I ran into my old mate Geoff Platt and his mate Lars Rahmquist in London, both Australian vets themselves. I had been to Lagos on holiday for 3 years in a row and when I suggested we team up and open a vets here they jumped at it!" he said.

A statement 37 year-old Lars Rahmquist, who only arrived the previous day to live in Lagos with his beloved border collie Norman, was quick to confirm.

"It took about ten minutes to decide to say yes mate! I´d been to Lagos before in 1999 for two months and loved every minute! It´s the only place in Europe I´ve been to that´s like Oz. Truly amazing place!" he said.

Lars, who has given up two single-vet practices in London´s Angel and Finsbury Park areas to come to Lagos, explained he, and the third Aussie vet in the VIP equation, Geoff Platt aged 39, became friends in 1997 in unusual circumstances.

"We met while we were pulling calves out of cows in rural South East Victoria in Oz. We got talking and found we were neighbouring vets though 150km apart! We quickly became best mates and kept in constant touch. Both of us then came to London to open single vet practices" he said.

Unfortunately Geoff himself was unable to attend the party but is due in Lagos on May 23rd to take up the VIP reins with Lars.

For the time being Lars and Geoff will be running VIP. Whys that? Where´s Scott going to be?

Scott in fact travelled back to London with his beautiful 30 year-old wife Zoë the day after the party as they are expecting their first child in June this year. So is first time dad Scott ready for fatherhood?

"I´m looking forward to being a father so much. But none of that colic stuff in the baby thanks. Oh no!" he said.

Zoë, who ran the surgery before Kay Vaz´s timely arrival, admitted to being nervous and excited about becoming a mum, had news for Scott about early morning feeds.

"I´m sure Scott won´t mind getting out of bed at 2am to feed the baby I´m sure!" she said, smiling sweetly.

Zoë herself is no stranger to telly. She, under her maiden name of Zoë Christian, presented the game show `Make Your Play´ and `The Common Room´ on ITV as well as various other productions and is currently presenting on Thomas Cook TV, a career she fully intends to resume shortly after the baby´s birth.

Whether the happy arrival is a boy or girl is immaterial to Scott, the babes´ recreational future is planned already.

"A good friend of mine is a surf instructor here in Lagos, no worries about the baby being on the water mate!" he laughed.

And off he went, meeting and greeting all those who entered through the door. Zoë was alongside him, team poetry in motion. Scott was tired after a late night caesarean operation on a cat the previous evening but you would never have known.

So, what will three Aussie men, and now a baby do and bring to Lagos? First class pet care and first class people!