Rory’s business developed as a result of observing a need in the veterinary world for mobile vets who could perform advanced procedures thus bridging the gap between those offered by veterinary practices and referral centres.  Essentially, VetSOS customers are vets.  VetSOS helps practices expand the services they can offer their patients on a local basis.  Rather than having to invest in specialist equipment which has a lengthy return on investment, veterinary colleagues can use VetSOS services only when needed.  On a day to day basis, this means that Rory will perform a number of different procedures ranging from orthopaedic procedures such as a tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) to soft tissue surgery such as a Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) often visiting multiple sites in one day. Obviously, there are instances when animals need the specialist services of universities, but equally many advanced surgeries can be performed locally in house if the theatre facilities, staffing and aftercare are in place for such procedures. This is where Rory comes in.

As part of his commitment to excellence, Rory passionately supports providers of original innovation and will not use implants and instruments copied in the Far East that are very common in the market place. He has invested in the very best titanium drills, saws, specialist instrumentation and instruments from the leading benchmark providers in Germany and Switzerland.

He has also designed and patented his own range of implants, manufactured in the UK to human standards for the TPLO surgical procedure, and all the equipment used is sterilised every night in human standard ‘B-class ‘autoclaves.

In order to further aid his mobile surgery business, Rory has also commissioned a piece of multiplatform orthopaedic planning software – called ‘vPOP pro’ which is now used by surgeons in 45 universities and 50 countries around the world to teach and plan veterinary orthopaedic procedures.  Initially, Rory designed vPOP for his own personal use as a mobile surgeon but it proved so useful that he was persuaded by other orthopaedic veterinary surgeons to bring it to market, which he duly did in 2017.

Between his main love of surgery, and designing planning software and orthopaedic implants, Rory is a very busy man. But, as a self-confessed workaholic, Rory wouldn’t have it any other way. One day, he’ll think about easing down a gear, but he’s enjoying his work too much to take his foot off the pedal just yet.  He confesses to enjoying the variety the work offers him, although his greatest pleasure is seeing a previously lame dog running after they have fully recovered.  From the first steps of walking back into kennels, to seeing a working collie back to rounding up sheep or a much loved pet chasing a ball on the beach, it is the joy of being able to make a difference to a pet’s life which is the ultimate reward.