When Kirsty first walked through the doors of Howe and Starnes, now Fairfield House Vets, it was the summer of 1995, and Kirsty, then a newly qualified vet, was equal parts nervous and determined. Little did anyone suspect that this young vet would become the backbone of the practice, nurturing not only animals but also the generations of clients and colleagues who would come to call Fairfield House their second home.
Having qualified at the Royal Veterinary College, Kirsty’s first days at Fairfield House were a baptism by fire. The rural community had its fair share of livestock emergencies and beloved family pets needing urgent care. Under the watchful eyes of the founding partners, Kirsty learned to balance textbook knowledge with the demands of real life: the late-night lambing calls, the anxious families clutching their feverish spaniels, and the unpredictable rhythm of veterinary life.
In those early years, Kirsty’s days started before dawn and often stretched well into the evening. But alongside the exhaustion was an overwhelming sense of purpose. Every vaccination, every surgery, and every word of reassurance to a worried owner became bricks in the foundation of a long and meaningful career.
As the years rolled on, Kirsty grew not just in skill but in stature. Clients began to request the “new vet,” drawn to a gentle manner and a knack for explaining the most complex diagnoses in plain, comforting language. Kirsty’s reputation for diligence and compassion spread beyond Uckfield, attracting new clients and even inspiring some local children to dream of becoming vets themselves.
Yet, it wasn’t just the medical acumen that set Kirsty apart. It was the unwavering commitment to learning and adapting. The world of veterinary medicine changed dramatically over the decades — advances in surgical techniques, digital imaging, and even the way the practice communicated with pet owners. Kirsty embraced each new development with curiosity and pragmatism, championing continuing education always looking to provide better care for patients.
Fresh graduates joined the practice, eyes wide with the same mixture of hope and apprehension that Kirsty once knew so well. Patiently, Kirsty guided them through tricky cases, encouraged them after tough losses, and celebrated every hard-won success. The practice became a place where young vets flourished, and where veterinary nurses and support staff felt empowered to grow.
When the founding partners began to retire, the team looked to Kirsty for direction. The transition was seamless: Kirsty had already earned their respect, not just for clinical skill but for the ability to listen and to foster a culture of kindness and accountability.
Fairfield House is a busy practice with a team of dedicated professionals serving a diverse clientele. As senior partner, Kirsty took on new responsibilities: overseeing business operations, guiding the practice’s strategic vision, and ensuring that the values on which Fairfield House was founded — integrity, compassion, and community — remained at the heart of everything they did.
Ask Kirsty about the most memorable moments over these three decades, and the answer is never about awards or accolades. It’s about the relationships built — with animals and their humans alike. The beautiful cards given to our staff to say thank you, the farmer who trusts no one else with his prize herd, the child whose first pet was nursed back to health by Kirsty’s steady hands.
There have been heartbreaking losses, too — pets that couldn’t be saved, and families consoled with empathy and understanding. Through it all, Kirsty has been a constant: a familiar face in times of crisis and celebration.
Now, thirty years after that nervous first day, Kirsty looks to the future with the same sense of purpose. The veterinary field faces new challenges — from changing client expectations to advances in telemedicine and the pressures of work-life balance. Kirsty is determined that Fairfield House remains a place where both animals and people are cared for, and where staff feel valued and supported.
The circle of care and community, begun all those years ago, continues to expand.
Three decades is a long time in any career — but in the world of veterinary medicine, it represents thousands of lives touched, both animal and human. Kirsty’s journey from fresh-faced graduate to senior partner is a testament to her power of commitment, resilience, and empathy.
If you ask Kirsty what advice they would give to someone just starting out, the answer is simple: “Treat every animal as if it were your own, listen more than you speak, and remember that the smallest kindness can mean the world — not just to your patients, but to your colleagues and clients as well.”
After thirty years, Kirsty has no plans to stop. There are still new things to learn, new people to help, and — most importantly — more animals who need the skill and heart of a vet who has truly made this practice their life’s work.
For Fairfield House, and for all who know Kirsty, that difference has been — and will continue to be — immeasurable.
