Chris and Sam are the husband-and-wife team behind Snowy Veterinary Centre, a proudly independent veterinary practice in the heart of Medway. Both grew up locally; Chris was born in Chatham and Sam moved to the Medway Towns during primary school. Their paths crossed throughout the school years and through mutual friends, it wasn’t until their twenties that they really connected. That reunion would set the foundations for the journey that led to building the practice they run today.
A Lifelong Interest in Animals
Chris’s passion for animals started early. From the age of six, he spent his weekends helping his grandad, who trained greyhounds, an experience that sparked a lasting appreciation for the breed and a lifelong commitment to animal care. Chris also grew up surrounded by Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, so there’s rarely been a time without a dog or two in the picture. While becoming a vet had always been his goal, the path wasn’t straightforward! After not being accepted to vet school straight out of A levels, Chris completed a degree in Zoology and a Master’s in Wild Animal Biology before reapplying successfully to the Royal Veterinary College in Hertfordshire. Around that time, Chris and Sam reconnected, and Sam supported him through four demanding years on the accelerated veterinary course. During those years, the pair also adopted two rescue cats, Betty and Elmo, who still play a big part in family life.
From Experience to Independence
After qualifying, Chris and Sam stayed in Hertfordshire for five years. They got married, welcomed two children and Chris gained valuable experience in small animal practice. When they eventually returned to Medway, Chris worked in several local practices before later accepting a Clinical Director role back in Hertfordshire, a position that required frequent long commutes across the Dartford Crossing. Managing a busy practice gave him vital experience in leadership, clinical decision-making, and team development, all skills that became instrumental when the couple started thinking about running their own veterinary practice The idea for Snowy Veterinary Centre began to take shape during that time. Chris and Sam wanted to create a truly independent practice that reflected their own values, one that focused on high-quality care, genuine client relationships and a personal touch.
Bringing Snowy Veterinary Centre to Life
Turning that idea into reality took time and persistence. Over the past few years, Chris and Sam have spent countless hours finding the right location, designing the layout, and refining every detail, from building plans to equipment choices and clinical workflows. Even now, as the finishing touches are being added, they’re still fine-tuning everything to make sure the practice runs smoothly from day one.
Along the way, their family also welcomed another member of the family, Colin, a black Labrador who joined them in 2018 and quickly became a key part of daily life (and quality control for all things treat-related).
Looking Ahead
As opening day approaches, Chris and Sam are excited to finally welcome clients and their pets into Snowy Veterinary Centre. Their aim is to provide a friendly, approachable, and professional service built around the community they know so well. Every decision, from the design of the waiting room to the choice of medical stock, has been made with that goal in mind.
Snowy Veterinary Centre is more than a new veterinary practice, it’s the result of years of hard work, experience, and commitment to animal care. For Chris and Sam, it’s a way to give something back to the area where they both grew up and to build a practice that puts pets and people first. Register your pets today using the link at the top right of the page and be part of the next chapter of the Snowy Veterinary Centre story.
