We are delighted to announce that Animal Orthopaedics (AO) and Animal Physio (AP) will join Sterling Group, further strengthening our leading collective of veterinary hospitals across Australia and New Zealand.
AO and AP are two animal referral service clinics based in New Zealand with a focus on orthopaedics and rehabilitation. Together, they deliver an end-to-end care pathway, combining advanced orthopaedic surgical intervention with structured post-operative rehabilitation and recovery, that bridges a vital segment of the veterinary market sitting between general practice and specialist hospital care.
AO operates two clinics in New Zealand, located in Christchurch and on the Kapiti Coast, north of Wellington. The practice provides a referral-only, outpatient surgical service, supported by diagnostic and peri-operative care, and is led by four experienced surgeons, supported by specialists in both Wellington and Christchurch, and a highly skilled nursing and administrative team.
AP delivers veterinary physiotherapy and rehabilitation services across both sites, working in close partnership with AO.
As a specialist-led group of veterinary hospitals, this partnership is a natural fit for Sterling Group, which includes established VSA brands Veterinary Specialists Aotearoa and Animal Emergency in New Zealand, and QVS brands Queensland Veterinary Specialists and Pet Emergency, in Queensland, Australia.
AO and AP share our commitment to excellence, dependability and collaboration, alongside a deep focus on clinical quality, integrity, and a team-first culture.
Kris Martin, CEO of Sterling Group, said: “What struck us most was how closely the values of the AO and AP teams align with our own, a genuine commitment to clinical excellence, a collaborative spirit, and real care for their people and their patients. They have built something special, and we are proud to welcome them to Sterling Group. Together, we look forward to creating even better outcomes for patients and the wider veterinary community across New Zealand.”
The addition of AO and AP strengthens our orthopaedics and rehabilitation capabilities, deepening the breadth of care available to patients and their families across New Zealand.
We look forward to welcoming the AO and AP teams to Sterling Group and to building a strong, collaborative partnership as we grow together.