Havant Vets4Pets

Graduated: 1998 in South Africa

Having worked as an engineer, I went on to graduated as a vet in South Africa in 1998. Following this I moved to Portsmouth. Along with Mackie, I became a Joint Venture Partner in the Portsmouth surgery in 2001. Together with the other partners, there is now a group of associated practices within the Solent area: Companion Care Vets in Portsmouth, Fareham Park Gate and Fareham Collingwood, and Vets4Pets in Waterlooville and Havant.

I have a keen interest in exotic patient care, medicine and surgery.

I often use my engineering background and can be found tinkering, building and making things, at home along with my son.

Graduated: 1998 in South Africa

Joined the Team: 2001

I graduated as a veterinary surgeon, in South Africa, in 1998 and then moved to the UK to join Antony as a Joint Venture Partner in Portsmouth in 2001. Together with the other partners, there is now a group of associated practices within the Solent area: Companion Care Vets in Portsmouth, Fareham Park Gate and Fareham Collingwood, and Vets4Pets in Waterlooville and Havant.

I spend part of the year working in South Africa treating anything from lions to helping kittens at welfare centres. My wife, Jess, who previously worked at the Fareham Park Gate surgery, may be seen doing locum cover over the summer holidays.

I have 2 dogs, Dougie (a chocolate lab) and Pumkin (a cross breed rescue) and 3 cats (Larry, Mips and Chips). I have an interest in general medicine and surgery.

Graduated: 2001 Munich, Germany

Joined the Team: 2009

After graduated in 2001 in Munich, Germany, I went on to complete a PHD in neuro micro surgery in 2005. I joined the team in 2009 and have a keen interest in ophthalmology, rabbit medicine and feline medicine.

I can often be found with my nose in a book, or doing some research in new areas of medicine. I am affectionately referred to as our 'Christipedia'.

In my down time I enjoy photography and tending to my cacti.

Graduated: 2007 in Portugal

Joined the Team: 2010

I graduated in 2007 in Portugal. After working for two years in a small animal hospital, I decided to come to the UK, to be an intern in an oncology referral centre.

I joined the Companion Care Vets Portsmouth team in 2010 and since then I have completed a Surgery and Anesthesia Post Graduate Diploma from the University Autónoma of Barcelona. I am currently working towards a Small Animal Practice certificate, focusing mainly in Internal Medicine.

I have a lovely rescue staffie, Pudding, and enjoy travelling.

Graduated: 2002 in Italy

Joined the Team: 2013

I joined the team in 2013, via the PDSA where I worked for 4 years. After graduating in 2002 in Italy, I spent some time in small animal practices in Rome and Sardinia before deciding to travel to England.

I have a keen interest in orthopaedics, love travelling and enjoy martial arts.

Graduated: 1988 in Onderstepoort, South Africa

Joined the Team: 2017

I qualified in 1988 in Onderstepoort, South Africa, and came to work in West Sussex in 1991. In 2008 I became a Joint Venture Partner in Companion Care Vets Rustington and Companion Care Vets Chichester, before selling my partnership in 2014. I then locumed in a few local Companion Care Vet practices before joining the team at Companion Care Vets Portsmouth permanently in 2017.

I have a keen interest in dermatology and feline medicine. In my spare time I enjoy hiking, photography and travelling.

I have been an enthusiastic and passionate animal lover since my childhood as I grew up in the countryside as a farm girl, surrounded by dogs, cats, horses, sheep, calves and many more. I was responsible for feeding and observing the health of our pets till I moved to study in University.

Spending my best years at university I then graduated with a master and doctor of veterinary medicine. This has given me the opportunity to fulfil my life’s ambition and combine my passion with work.

Outside of work I am a proud mother to three children and like to explore things with them. This gives me a chance to learn more every day. Horse riding and book reading are my other interests.

Graduated: South Africa 1981

Joined the team: May 2022

I graduated as a veterinary surgeon, in South Africa, in 1981. Although I’m from Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), South Africa had a better veterinary school. I moved to South Africa permanently shortly after graduating and during my career I have had my own practice, and was often found dealing with reproduction issues, but I have a keen interest and enjoy dermatology (skin).

I came to the UK as a vet a few years back, but returned in 2022 to continue my career, and also experience the rich history found here. My wife and I can be found most weekends exploring local villages, historical sites or travelling around. My family still live in Zimbabwe so I visit home as often as I can.

My hobbies include golf, mountain biking and wood work, which I find as a great stress relief from the busy days at work.

Graduated: University of Pretoria, South Africa 2022

Joined the team: April 2023

Before moving to the UK from South Africa, I was working in a small town as a community service veterinarian. I am an all-round general practitioner but I have a particularly keen interest in small animal surgery.

When not in the practice I enjoy playing guitar, film photography, making kombucha tea, hiking and working out.

Qualified: 2011

Joined the Team: 2015

I joined the nursing team in 2015, having started my journey in 2008 I qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in 2011. I enjoy coaching our Veterinary Care Assistants and Student Veterinary Nurses and have a keen interest in anaesthesia and theatre work.

I spend most of her spare time with friends and family, and caring for my pets.

Qualified: 2018

Joined the Team: 2011

I joined the team as a receptionists and after helping out as a Veterinary Care Assistant I took the decision to move onto the nursing team shortly after. I gained my Veterinary Nursing qualification in 2018.

I like to keep my hand in with reception, so you might see me sat on the front desk every now and again, but my passion lies in providing the highest standard in inpatient care and I have helped implement positive changes for our patients.

Joined the team: February 2024

Qualified: Sparsholt College in 2014

After completing an Animal Management Course at South Downs College, I joined the veterinary industry as an Animal Veterinary Assistant (AVA). I worked in this role for three years before beginning my training to become a Registered Veterinary Nurse.

I have always enjoyed working with animals and found veterinary nursing through family. The practice I trained in helped fuel a passion, and love, for nursing that I never knew I had.

I am a clinical coach and find it extremely rewarding to help student veterinary nurses archive their goals.

My main interests lie in anaesthesia, wound management and dentistry. I would like to expand my knowledge and skills in dentistry as I move through my career.

Joined the team: December 2020

I joined the reception team at Companion Care Vets Portsmouth in December 2020. I then moved in to the nursing team as a Veterinary Care Assistance in early 2022.  I started my journey to become a qualified veterinary nurse late 2022 and I am looking forward to developing all my new skills.

Joined the team: August 2021

I've wanted to work in a vets for as long as I can remember. I Studied Level 3 Animal Management at Sparsholt College and I would love to go on to study as a Registered Veterinary Nurse. 

I have two dogs: a Staffie called Jessie and a Jack Russell Terrier called Coco. I also have two rabbits: Bella the Lionhead and Thumper the French Lop. 

Joined the Team: 2017

I joined the team in 2017 having previous experience in customer facing roles. Before this I was running the bar staff of a large night club, so find our team, clients and patients a breeze to help.

When not spending time with friends and family, I can be found supporting local charities, by running in as many fun runs as I am able to.

Joined the Team: 2018

I joined the team in 2018, having spent a few years running my own dog walking business. I have a history full of animals and have previously ridden and worked with horses, worked with Pyrenean mountain dogs and have shown them in Crufts.I have also participated in agility since 2009, and this includes weekly classes, weekend competitions and attends Kennel Club agility competitions, where I have gained a grade 7 (the highest possible).

Graduated: 2013 Sparsholt

Joined the team: 2007

I started my working life in a financial role but following the birth of my daughters I wanted to look at a change in career so in 2007, I joined the team at Companion Care Vets Portsmouth as a weekend receptionist.

When family life permitted, I moved onto the nursing team and gained my qualification in Veterinary Nursing in 2013. I returned to my roots on reception in 2014 and took on the position of Reception manager. In 2019 I became the Practice Administrator, where I gained my passion for leadership and interest in staff wellbeing. I became the practices mental health first aider in 2021 and in 2022 I gained a post graduate certificate in Veterinary Business Management and became the practice manager for both, Companion Care Vets Portsmouth and Havant Vets4Pets. 

At home I spend my time with my husband and daughters. I enjoy going to the gym and have an extremely sweet tooth (hence the gym!). I am definitely a crazy cat lady and love nothing more than curling up with one of them, whilst I indulge in reading.