“This is our Mr Chops. My father-in-law Derek rescued him in 2018 as a companion after losing his wife. In 2019 Chops began to have problems urinating so was taken to visit his registered vet surgery. He was put on a course of medication which Derek struggled to administer to Chops.

The vets offered the service of Carla Finzel The District Veterinary Nurse who would come to do house visits to help with the medication. She was our saviour… myself and Michael were unable to get to Derek’s at the time the meds needed to be given. During this time Chops was up and down and then got worse but Carla was with us the whole way with the best advice and help.

She constantly accompanied me on many trips (mostly evening appointments due to my work) and even took Chops herself if she thought it was an emergency this making her work day incredibly long. All she cared about was her animal patients.

Carla got to know Chops so well that on a 3 night stay at the vets she was able to advise them of his anxiety issues and therefore everyone was so careful with him so he wasn’t too stressed at the surgery.

Eventually Choppy had to have major surgery which Carla looked into for success rates and gave us all the information we needed and when he came home she was there 2/3 sometimes 4 times a day to check his wound and administer pain relief til we were confident enough to take over. What Carla has created is a legacy to many people and their pets. Just knowing we were not alone and having someone who became so much more than a vet, a friend… is a relief I cannot describe.

Being shown how to relieve your beloved pet of any pain they are in is so much better than given instructions or following a leaflet and just hoping you don’t give the wrong dose. Which leads me to JoJo Derek’s 1st cat. Jojo suffered from diabetes and Derek was told to give him injections every day. Again Derek struggled massively with this being 90 years old and forgetful. Due to Derek not being able to cope with things he was advised the best thing would be for Jojo to be put to sleep, a decision that broke his heart. I am 100% convinced had Carla’s DVN plan been acknowledged earlier Jojo would have had many more years.”

Unfortunately many pets and their owners have suffered but thankfully she did not give up and devoted all her strength and passion into what she believes in. The devotion between humans and their beloved companions.

Wendie Butler and Michael Stevens, Chops’ Owners

“Having help probably meant that dad had more time on this planet which I am thankful for. Mr Chops was my dad’s companion after the loss of mum. Dad loved his family but Chops gave him hope and more importantly the will to get up in the mornings. Chops made an empty home more bearable. It certainly made us feel happy that dad had a companion who he could cuddle and talk to and to love. Chops made him laugh and he played with him. He was dad’s mate. 

Without the help of Carla, Chops would have definitely been euthanised and that would have finished dad for sure. 

As for Carla…she is a Wonder Woman. She became dad’s friend (also reminded him to take his own meds too) 

and he looked forward to her daily visits as she did to see him. This help added time to dad’s life and 100% saved Chops’. 

My dad, Mr Chops and our lovely DVN Carla …. a truly magic combination in our eyes. 

After dad’s passing myself and partner obviously took Mr Chops and his illness became worse. He was developing a silica stone which was the cause of the urinating problem. He was in and out of the vet surgery and in the end had to have a major operation which needed months of aftercare. Again this was provided by Carla. We were also like dad very nervous about administering his daily tablets and care of his surgical wound, but Carla stood beside us daily until she was confident we could cope doing it. 

Having someone show you how to care for your pet with post op treatment is much better than following instructions on a leaflet. 

With all the help we received during his illness our beloved Mr Chops is now a happy confident pussy cat that definitely rules the house.”