Loren Cribb

Dr Loren Cribb is a small animal veterinarian who’s been part of CareVets Gisborne since 2014. Originally from the South Island, she moved to Gisborne for her first new-graduate role and has chosen to build both her career and her life in the region.

“Gisborne happened to be my first new-graduate position — and I’ve been here ever since.”

Over time, Loren’s become deeply embedded in both the clinic and the local community. She’s clear that Gisborne suits people who want more than just work and home — those who enjoy being involved, getting to know people, and making the most of what a smaller centre offers.

“If you just want to go to work and go home, you’ll probably struggle. But if you like getting involved, you can get to know people really quickly here.”

Clinically, Loren’s work is hands-on and varied. CareVets Gisborne sees a high volume of trauma cases, particularly involving hunting and working dogs — animals she enjoys working with because of both the injuries they present with and the decisions those cases require.

“These are working animals, sport animals — they come with specific injuries, and they’re great cases to work through.”

Her days balance consulting and surgery, with consult lengths typically between 15 and 30 minutes. The pace is busy but controlled, with enough flexibility built in to avoid constantly chasing the clock.

“I never feel under too much pressure. There’s enough time to get everything done — and that’s really important.”

One of the strongest features of the clinic, from Loren’s perspective, is the nursing team. During emergencies and complex cases, nurses anticipate what’s needed, stay calm, and keep everything moving so vets can stay focused on the patient.

“You go to ask for something and someone’s already done it.”

That sense of shared responsibility extends across the whole clinic. When things get busy or cases take a turn, everyone steps in — from reception managing owners to the clinical team reorganising on the fly.

“Everybody pitches in. It’s all hands on deck — whether things are going well or going south.”

The clinic is well equipped for soft-tissue surgery and trauma work, and also has advanced orthopaedic equipment that is currently under-used — creating genuine opportunity for a vet with an interest in developing that skillset.

“If you like a challenge and a bit of excitement, you can definitely get it here.”

Loren has done after-hours work throughout her career and is realistic about what’s sustainable. She sees a one-in-four roster as the upper limit long-term, with plans to move closer to one-in-six as the team grows.

“One in four is the maximum for long-term sustainability. One in six makes a big difference.”

Despite the unpredictability, she enjoys the after-hours work itself — particularly the quality of cases and the depth of experience it brings.

“The after-hours work itself is enjoyable. You get really good cases.”

When it comes to fit, Loren comes back to one thing above all else: knowing the people you’re walking into a clinic with.

“The worst thing is walking into a place that’s not what you expected.”

For her, CareVets Gisborne is a place where strong teamwork, interesting clinical work, and a life outside the clinic genuinely coexist.

“You can make Gisborne as great as you want it to be.”