Seton Butler

BVSc

seton@akovet.org

+64 21 899611

Expertise

Qualifications

2019

Professional Advisor for the Veterinary Council of New Zealand

2018

Director and Shareholder of Panacea Veterinary Software Ltd

A Veterinary Practice Management System

2007

Founder of Pet Doctors NZ Ltd

Director and Shareholder

Clinical Director

2002

Founder of Pet Drs Ltd

Wellington, NZ

1995

Founder and Principle of Kelburn Vet Centre

Wellington, NZ

1986

Bachelor of Veterinary Science

Graduate Massey University

Meet Seton

Co-Founder of AkoVet

Seton is the current Professional Advisor at the Veterinary Council of New Zealand. Seton has over thirty years of experience in the veterinary profession with an extensive back ground in veterinary business ownership. He successfully started two small animal veterinary practices and was then a founder and Clinical Director of Pet Doctors, a twenty eight clinic veterinary business, where his main focus was on developing clinical leadership and standards development within the clinical teams. Seton is also an owner in Panacea a veterinary practice management software platform. These roles have given him unique insight into veterinary business management and systems development as well as extensive knowledge of the regulatory aspects of the veterinary profession. Seton is a strong advocate for promoting animal efficiency to maximise environmental sustainability, enhance animal welfare, optimise antibiotics use that supports New Zealand’s market access and trade.

I graduated with my veterinary degree at Massey University in 1987.  I then worked for 9 years in clinical practice in Aotearoa New Zealand.
I then set out on my veterinary business journey when I founded Kelburn Vet Centre in 1995. In 2002, I opened my second veterinary clinic in Wellington.

I then collaborated with a colleague in 2007 when we jointly founded Pet Doctors NZ. we grew this business to 28 clinics in total over the next 12 years.  

During this time I taught at Massey University as an adjunct Lecturer at the School of Veterinary Science at Tāwharau Ora.

I was coincidentally attracted to veterinary software development and joined the team at Panacea. 

Following my involvement in Pet Doctors I took the role as Veterinary Advisor to VCNZ. My role here is largely advising on policy and standards issues for veterinarians.

I am committed to promoting One Welfare, recognising the interconnections between animal welfare, human well-being, and environmental sustainability.