History

The practice has been established since 1837. We aim to provide a modern, high standard of veterinary care combined with the traditional service expected of such a long established local practice.

The surgery can trace its origins back to 1837 when John Willett a farrier founded a small forge next to the Three Tuns Pub on London Road. At that time most veterinary work was performed by the farriers. By the 1850's the forge was so successful that it had moved to larger premises next to the Candle Factory at the junction of the High Street and Kingston Road (known locally as 'Willett's field'). John's son Albert followed his father into the family business, and after the Veterinary Surgeons Act of 1881, Albert was allowed to style himself as a 'Veterinary Practitioner'. In 1883 he took over the town's main veterinary surgery at 70 (later to be 86) High Street. The premises consisted of a Georgian house down a narrow yard, with beyond it a forge and treatment stables. Albert and his wife produced 5 children 3 of which followed their father's footsteps into the profession.

The first of Albert's sons, Frederick joined his father in the practice in 1888. With his energy and charm the practice rapidly grew with branch forges appearing at Walton on Thames, Chertsey and Sunbury. Frederick was a pioneer in the treatment of pet animals (which up to then had been ignored) and Queen Victoria and other members of the

Royal Family were recorded as clients. Frederick's younger brother Albert Ernest also joined the practice on his father's retirement. The other son John Willett followed an illustrious veterinary career in London.

Frederick's son Rex joined his father in 1927 becoming the fourth generation of the family to work in the practice. Due to the decline of the working horse the branch forges had to be closed in the early 1930's and only the Walton surgery remained for pets to be attended. With the subsequent growth in companion animal work after the War, Rex took the step of opening in 1948 a branch surgery in Feltham - which was notable as the first surgery to be opened as a pet surgery rather than a forge. In 1951 Carl Boyde joined Rex Willett and Joan Chaplin in the practice, an association that was to last 47 years.

The decline of the working horse and agriculture in the area, meant that pet animals were becoming the bulk of the practice's workload. Branch surgeries were opened at Chertsey and Addlestone. By the early 1970's The buildings at Staines were becoming dilapidated and the lease was due to expire, so in 1976 the practice left its home of over 90 years and moved to a former doctor's surgery in Kingston Road. The practice was by now 'Boyde & Partners'. Over the last 24 years the practice has grown further with a major expansion to provide 3 operating theatres and 4 consulting rooms.

In December 1998 the decision was made for the practice to become a dedicated pet animal practice. To mark this the Staines surgery was renamed WILLETT HOUSE in recognition of the family that had founded the practice in 1837 and been so instrumental in its past. In a ceremony in May 1999 John Willett (great-great-grandson of John Willett the farrier) formally renamed the building. We are now known as Willett House Veterinary Surgeons.