March vet Dr Nick Valley hangs up his stethoscope after 26 years at Amical
A well-loved local vet has hung up his stethoscope and put away the dog treats after more than a quarter of a century looking after the area’s pets.
Dr Nick Valley has cared for animals of all shapes and sizes since moving to March for a temporary job at the town’s Amical practice in 1998.
Now after 26 years he has decided it is time to retire.
Nick was born in Iran and qualified as a doctor of veterinary medicine at the country’s Urmia University in 1987.
He worked in his homeland for seven years before emigrating to the UK in 1994.
Once in the UK he took a Master of Science degree in histopathology at the Imperial College London University in 1996 and then went on to pass his veterinary qualifications to allow him to practice in his new adopted country in 1998.
He said: “My first job as a veterinary surgeon was in fact here at Amical. The job was initially offered for six months but Dr Elaine Stuttard, the owner of Amical, but she offered me a permanent position soon after I joined.”
Two years later Nick bought the practice from Elaine when she made the difficult decision to retire, and he continued to own and run it up until 2021 when he sold it, but remained as the clinical director before finally retiring this week.
Amical Veterinary Centre in High Street, March is a purpose-built clinic designed by Elaine, who had a vision to bring an outstanding standard of veterinary care to March, Wisbech, Chatteris, and surrounding villages.
It opened its doors on Friday, August 4 1989 with television entertainer Bernie Winters and his dog Schnorbitz performing the ribbon-cutting honours.
The site was previously the Peatling and Cawdron wine shop owned and run by a French patron and so Elaine chose the practice name as it was derived from the French for amicable or friendly. This wine warehouse still exists in Amical's backyard and is used as further kennels and storage.
Sadly Elaine died in November 2020 after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Nick said: “I have tried my best to follow Elaine's legacy and attempted to carry on her vision to serve our community, clients, and their pets with our friendly vets, nurses, and staff alike.
“I have become friends with many of our loyal clients and their pets. Indeed many pets started their first vaccination with me and continued through until the end of their life and I knew and loved them as my own.
“I was always delighted to catch up with them and shared the sadness when the time came to say goodbye.
“This close relationship with our clients gave me energy to carry on and I would like to express my great gratitude and appreciation to all my beloved friends and clients for their support for Amical over the past 35 years.
“I would like to say how much I will miss you and your pets. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all your loyalty, and support and I will not forget you and this wonderful corner of the Fens as I move on to my next adventure.”
