{"id":2557,"date":"2024-11-26T10:34:29","date_gmt":"2024-11-26T00:34:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/software.covetrus.com\/apac\/?post_type=case_studies&p=2557"},"modified":"2026-08-13T12:36:39","modified_gmt":"2026-08-13T02:36:39","slug":"blue-water-veterinary-care","status":"publish","type":"case_studies","link":"https:\/\/software.covetrus.com\/apac\/veterinary-insights\/case-studies\/blue-water-veterinary-care","title":{"rendered":"A rural veterinary practice success story: Leveraging Covetrus Ascend for growth"},"content":{"rendered":"

Blue Water Veterinary Care<\/a> is a mobile, equine-focused veterinary practice located in Mackay, Queensland. It was established in 2022 by Dr Ashleigh Fisher, who has a passion for providing high-quality care for horses and companion animals in the region.<\/p>\n

As a relatively new practice in the area, Ashleigh and her team are concentrating on developing the service they offer through leading veterinary practice and by building great relationships with their clients and patients.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe hardest part about opening a new practice is getting your policies and procedures in place,\u201d says Ashleigh. \u201cWe\u2019ve experienced some pretty quick growth, and I’ve noticed that some weeks get out of control if you don’t keep an eye on things. I\u2019m working hard to keep the workload at a manageable level and also build solid foundations that will set us up for healthy growth in the future,\u201d she adds.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Covetrus Ascend<\/a> is a key element in helping Ashleigh and her team achieve these growth aspirations.<\/p>\n

Cloud-based veterinary practice management software (PMS) was needed for a quick rollout<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When evaluating options for Blue Water Veterinary Care\u2019s cloud-based vet PMS, Ashleigh had had some experience with VisionVPM<\/a> as an employee. She also found feedback on online forums\"\"about various cloud-based PMS options conflicting.<\/p>\n

However, she was particularly drawn to Covetrus Ascend<\/a> thanks to its cloud-based nature and leading ease of use. She was also looking for a solution that was able to be rolled out quickly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had heard feedback from others that it can take long time to get set up with a practice management solution, and I didn’t have the luxury of time when I was setting up,\u201d Ashleigh explains. \u201cI simply contacted Covetrus, did the demo and had a trial run in the software and loved it, so I said, \u2018Let’s go\u2019. I haven’t found the need to look at any other providers since I’ve been using Ascend.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Ashleigh adds, however, that if she had the opportunity to redo the implementation of Covetrus Ascend at her clinic, she would put more time and energy into training and getting the software set up more efficiently for her now known requirements after starting the business.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the time, I was still working full-time, I was pregnant, and I had a lot of things going on in my personal life. In hindsight, if I had to set Ascend up again I would do it in a more thorough way with more time dedicated to training. But at the time, I found the timeline was good for me,\u201d she adds.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Seamless adoption of Covetrus Ascend<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Ashleigh describes the onboarding and training process with Covetrus Ascend<\/a> as very easy. \u201cI was really happy with the onboarding. I received very good training, and all my questions were answered,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Ashleigh is very pleased with the high-quality technical support she\u2019s received from the Covetrus team since Ascend was rolled out at her clinic.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had to speak to technical support<\/a> once because I accidentally changed a setting and didn’t know how to undo it. But they’re really quick at getting back to me and supporting,\u201d she explains. \u201cI haven’t had problems though. Ascend was set up correctly and it’s been very fuss-free since then.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Overall, Ashleigh finds Covetrus Ascend easy to use and operate. \u201cI’ve set up my procedures and consult notes and I’m finding it very easy to use. The only downside is that you need internet access and sometimes, as a rural vet, you don’t always have that. That\u2019s not something you can control though,\u201d she concedes.<\/p>\n

Key value delivered from Covetrus Ascend<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Blue Water Veterinary Care team find several key elements of Covetrus Ascend<\/a> particularly valuable:<\/p>\n