Our Team
Online shopping requires a hard working, reliable team to provide you with the service you deserve. We are proud of our members as they are a dedicated and enthusiastic bunch.
Here is an insight to the team that helps you keep your pets healthy.
Dr David Mullins, BSc BVsc
Co-Founder and Managing Director |
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Dr David Mullins qualified with a BSc majoring in Zoololgoy and Entomology from Rhodes University in 1974. This was followed up with his dream to become a Veterinarian and he qualified from the world renowned faculty at Onderstepoort in 1978.
"I always wanted to work with animals. My BSc gave me an insight and understanding to many problems we experience today with ticks and fleas, as well general knowledge into the understanding of animals".
Dave entered mixed practice in 1979 and became partner in a successful veterinary practise until 2005 when he resigned and founded Equine Veterinary Services.
"I realized there was a real need to supply medicines to the public at a more affordable rate and so founded Midlands Veterinary Wholesalers in 1996 – a business which is flourishing today. With the boom of the internet and the advancement of online shopping, and together with my wife Anne, we developed Vet Products Online in Januaruy of 2000. In 2007 I needed to focus on Vet Products Online and subsequently resigned as a director of MVW".
VPO, as it is affectionately known, demands much of Dr Dave's time, ensuring that the products offered are genuine and of the best quality. He also spends much time on client relationships, with them and their pets, ensuring that the customer chooses the right product.
His love for animals is well known and he is extremely active in veterinary circles, having been an external examiner for Veterinary Science as well as serving two terms as chairman of the South African Equine Association. Having competed at provincial level as a horse rider he has now moved on to breeding of Thoroughbreds and racing their progeny.
"For the love of those that cannot talk to us". |
Anne Mullins
Co Founder, Director and CEO |
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A teacher by profession, Anne traded the classroom for the computer. VPO became her life and soul from the outset. We all call it “Änne’s business” and in reality we are not too far wrong. Her way with people is special and she has that knack of connecting to clients on the internet. She is also tasked with sourcing products at the best available price which is then passed on to her customers. Anne has a good relationship with her suppliers which helps in building trust and confidence in the procurement of product.
She is of Irish decent and married David and together they have 3 children who are all qualified and earning a living abroad and in South Africa.
Throughout the years Anne has cared for numerous pets and currently there are 2 Jack Russels, a Staff- Russel and a Boer Bull. |
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Lynne Phipps
Orders and Site Manager |
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Lynne joined VPO in 2009 and immediately found her feet. She was born and raised on a farm and after school did numerous courses in computer literacy. She has a great way with clients and enjoys working on the site.
She is an accomplished horse rider and her time off is spent schooling and preparing her horse for the next show or walking the dogs on the farm. |
Dr Helen Tiffin, BVSc
Veterinarian |
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Dr Helen Tiffin qualified in 2003 and joined Equine Vet Services in 2005. She is part of the VPO team and fills in when Dr Dave is not available. Dr Helen is always there to help with client and medicine queries.
Gemma, a Jack Russel, travels on calls with her and she too, is a confident horse rider, with 3 horses of her own to school. |
Funani Hlongwane
Packaging and Dispatches |
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Funani is an enterprising, diligent staff member who has made the job her own. She has been a member of VPO since 2006. Much depends on her and her accuracy is a feature of her ability to ensure that the correct orders go off on time. Funani has a new puppy recently acquired from the SPCA. |
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Cindy Zuma
Packaging, Dispatches and Clerical. |
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Cindy is quietly spoken and enjoys the challenges of VPO. She joined VPO this year and has settled in well. Cindy is responsible for checking, packing and recording postal tracking numbers. Daily filing is another of Cindy’s many resposiblities. |
Paula Louw
Receptionist |
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Paula is usually first on the phone and has been part of the team since 2008. Her understanding of clients needs makes her invaluable to relationships VPO develops with its customers. |
Ilze Ramsey
Receptionist |
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Ilza is a book keeper by trade and part of the support team. She is there to back Paula up and direct calls to the correct line. Ilza is still in her first year with VPO and we look forward to a long and happy relationship with her. |
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Alfred Sithole
Deliveries |
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Alfred has been part of VPO from the outset and deserves much credit for his reliability in delivering product on time. This may be to the local post office, or with bigger orders, to the airport to catch the plane to some strange destination. He also is entrusted to fetch permits and deliver documents. |
Victoria Hoyi
Office and House Keeping |
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Her daily routine ensures that all staff are happy and ensures that the biscuit tins are replenished. Tori is as important to the happy running of VPO as anyone, and always has a kind, listening ear to a problem. Her baking talents ensures that the biscuit tin is always full for tea time. She has a lovely dog called Whiskey who incidentally, is also well fed. |
Nonhlanhla Hlongwane
Office Help |
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Nonhlanhla is long serving and ensures that each office station is neat and tidy. Her duties also include tending to the beautiful gardens around VPO. |
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