From Locum to Owner: Vicki’s Journey with Dignipets
Starting your own end-of-life care practice is a significant decision. It’s not just about clinical skills – it’s about understanding the emotional demands, building relationships with grieving families, and managing the practicalities of running an independent business. For many vets considering this path, the question isn’t “Can I do this?” but rather “What will this really be like day-to-day?”
Vicki found the perfect answer: try it first.
Testing the Waters
Before launching her own Dignipets practice, Vicki spent several months locuming for Dignipets Midlands. It was a decision that proved invaluable in ways she hadn’t fully anticipated.
“I knew I wanted to specialise in end-of-life care,” Vicki explains. ” “But there’s a big difference between occasionally performing euthanasia at home and dedicating your entire professional life to hospice and end-of-life work. I needed to know if this was truly the right path for me.”
The Financial Cushion
The practical benefits were immediate. Whilst preparing to establish her own Dignipets area – sorting insurance, building a website, sourcing equipment, and handling all the administrative tasks that come with starting a business – Vicki had a steady income.
“The financial aspect was crucial,” she says. “Starting a business requires investment, and there’s inevitably a period before you’re generating regular income. Locuming meant I could take the time to do things properly without the pressure of immediate financial need. I could focus on building a sustainable practice rather than rushing to get clients through the door.”
The Real Education
But the financial support, whilst welcome, wasn’t the main benefit. What Vicki gained was something far more valuable: real-world experience of what owning an end-of-life care business actually involves.
Working alongside the Dignipets Midlands team, Vicki experienced:
The emotional reality. End-of-life care is deeply rewarding, but it’s also emotionally demanding. Every appointment involves grief, difficult decisions, and families at their most vulnerable. Vicki learned how to hold space for people’s pain whilst maintaining her own emotional wellbeing.
The client relationships. Unlike traditional veterinary practice where appointments might last 15 minutes, end-of-life care involves extended conversations. Vicki discovered she genuinely loved this aspect – the time to really listen, to understand each pet’s story, to support families through their decision-making process.
The practical challenges. From navigating different home environments to managing appointment schedules that can change at a moment’s notice, Vicki saw firsthand the practical realities that textbooks and training courses don’t cover.
The profound rewards. “What surprised me most,” Vicki reflects, “was how meaningful this work is. Yes, it’s sad. But being present for these families, giving their pets a peaceful passing at home, providing support when they need it most – there’s nothing quite like it. I’d go home emotionally tired but deeply fulfilled.”
Building Confidence
By the time Vicki was ready to launch her own area, she wasn’t stepping into the unknown. She’d already proven to herself that she could do this work and, more importantly, that she wanted to.
“I felt completely prepared,” she says. “I’d seen how appointments typically unfold, how to have sensitive conversations about euthanasia, how to support someone who’s struggling with guilt or uncertainty. I’d learned which equipment worked best, how to manage my diary, even small things like what to say when I arrive at someone’s home.”
The experience also gave her realistic expectations. She knew there would be challenging days. She understood the emotional toll. She’d experienced the admin burden. And crucially, she’d discovered that despite all of this, the work brought her genuine satisfaction and purpose.
The Dignipets Locum Pathway
Vicki’s experience highlights why the locum-to-owner pathway works so well for vets joining the Dignipets network. It offers:
- Financial stability during your setup phase
- Hands-on experience before committing to your own practice
- Mentorship from established Dignipets vets
- Realistic insight into the daily life of end-of-life care
- Professional development in a specialised field
- Confidence to launch your own successful practice
Joint Venture Partner Xmas do 2025
Advice for Vets Considering End-of-Life Care
Looking back, Vicki is emphatic about the value of her locum experience.
“If you’re considering specialising in end-of-life care, I cannot recommend locuming highly enough. It’s one thing to think you’d be good at this work, quite another to actually do it and discover whether it’s the right fit for you. Those months gave me absolute certainty that this was my calling.”
She also notes that not every vet will love this work – and that’s okay.
“End-of-life care isn’t for everyone, and there’s no shame in discovering it’s not your path. Better to find out through locuming than after you’ve invested heavily in establishing your own practice. But for those of us who do love it – and I absolutely do – it’s the most meaningful work imaginable.”
Please also watch this video for more information.
Vicki’s Practice Today
Today, Vicki runs a thriving Dignipets practice in her area. She provides hospice support, home euthanasia, and bereavement services to families navigating the hardest goodbye. The experience she gained through locuming shows in every appointment.
“I go into people’s homes with confidence,” she says. “I know how to read the room, how to gauge what each family needs, when to offer guidance and when to simply be present. That only comes from experience – and I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to gain that experience before starting my own practice.”
Could This Be Your Path?
If you’re a vet considering specialising in end-of-life care, the Dignipets locum pathway might be the perfect starting point. It allows you to test the waters, gain invaluable experience, and build confidence – all whilst earning an income and preparing for your own practice.
As Vicki’s journey shows, sometimes the best way to discover if you’re meant to do this work is simply to try it.
If you are interested locuming for existing Dignipets Practices please contact [email protected]
