Vets4Pets Hamilton

I graduated from Glasgow Vet School in 2003 and after a spell in small animal and equine work in the East Midlands have worked exclusively in small animal practice for the last 1 years . Having grown up in Lanarkshire, I moved back closer to home in 2007. Having worked in both permanent and locum positions in practices all over Central Scotland I am happy to have set up in Hamilton. I enjoy all aspects of small animal practice and have a particular interest in medicine cases and dentistry. I have worked for Vets4Pets since June 2016 when I was employed as Lead Vet for the opening of Vets4Pets in Falkirk. I enjoyed the challenge of starting this new business and thoroughly enjoy having my own practice in Hamilton and meeting all the new pets and their owners coming through our doors. I have a Labrador called Luna whom you may see around the practice from time to time . I also have 3 cats called Rocky, Rambo and Jess and a Russian hamster named Murray (after the tennis player - although this may need to become Sir Murray!).

I graduated from Glasgow Vet School in 2017 and joined the Vets4Pets Hamilton team straight afterwards. My husband Brian also joined the team in 2018 which has been great as we all have strengths in different areas and enjoy learning from each other (and we don’t fall out too often!). I really enjoy working in such a busy practice with a variety of patients and cases, and I love bonding with our patients and their owners. I have a particular interest in emergency and critical care but enjoy all aspects of first opinion practice. Outside of work, I love going out riding on my horse Wilson. It’s great for just switching off and relaxing! I also enjoy being lazy at home, watching TV with my cat called Mouse (long story but it started as a semi-joke and the name stuck!). I also love marine fish and have a large mixed reef tank that I can spend hours watching. In the free time that me and Brian have together we enjoy going out for meals as neither of us are great cooks...!

Since graduating from Glasgow University I have developed a keen interest in all aspects of surgery. I reserve a special interest for orthopaedic surgery, particularly focusing on operations to stabilise the knee joint after cruciate ligament injury and for “floating knee caps” (patellar luxation).

I qualified as a veterinary nurse from Edinburgh College in 2016. Since then I have worked in two busy hospitals which I loved. I have just returned to work after having my little boy and I am very happy to be a part of the Hamilton Vets4Pets team. I have a 2 year old miniature pinscher called Vinnie who I have had from a pup and totally adore. I am interested in exotics and love seeing all the small furries in practice. I hope to further my skills in the future and complete an exotics nursing course.

I’ve known I wanted to be a veterinary nurse from a young age and so I spent my entire school career working towards that goal. The hard work paid off – after 4 difficult years at Edinburgh Napier University I graduated with an honours degree in Animal Nursing. Through my training I have worked in many different veterinary practices, including a charity hospital. All of these have helped me gain skills and knowledge to be the best veterinary nurse I can be. Over the years I’ve owned many pets, from hamsters to bearded dragons, and have loved them all dearly - but since losing my much loved Neapolitan mastiff (Kelsie) in 2017, I’m left with just my two bunnies, Flopsy and Steve, who I love very much. My life outside of work is less than exciting and mainly consists of spending time with my family and my better half and very occasionally picking up my guitar. I’m so excited to be working with Vets4Pets. They allow me to use my nursing skills to their full potential so I can continue to enhance my clinical skills and knowledge.

I qualified as a Veterinary Care Assistant in May 2013 in Dumfries. I have worked in several practices and thoroughly enjoy my job. I have now been given the opportunity to progress to become a qualified Veterinary Nurse. I’m thoroughly enjoying my course and can’t wait to finally be qualified. Out of work I have a rescue greyhound called Brady. My parents also have 2 rescue greyhounds called Sue and Storm. As I still live at home I spend a lot of my time with these 3 dogs at the parks and doing various rescue events with them.

I have been part of the Vets4Pets family since March 2016, and I can honestly say I have the best job in the world! I enjoy meeting all of our clients, old & new, and of course the most rewarding part is making our patients feel better. At home I live with my two dogs, Bali & Aspen, who are both Japanese Spitz. They are my best friends so when I am not at work, we try to go on as many wonderful adventures around Scotland’s country parks as we can. Bali was unfortunately diagnosed with kidney issues early on her life, so is quite a regular at the practice to see her auntie Julie, who keeps her as happy & healthy as possible. I am also a very horsey person, so I try to get down to the stables when I do have some free time! If I could be any pet, I would be a cat – mainly so that I could watch my owner go off to work on a rainy Monday morning while I was snuggled up on the sofa!

For the 10 years before I started at Vets4Pets I worked at Dogs Trust but came to the decision to to try something new – it had to be animal related though as that’s what I love doing! I have thoroughly enjoyed working at the Hamilton practice and watching it grow as we meet all our new clients and patients and get to know them all. I have 3 rescue dogs – an elderly Jack Russell called Bobby, a Golden Retriever called Tim and a young Retriever cross called Finlay. In my spare time we go away to the caravan a lot where we do a lot of walking and going to the beach as that’s the dogs' favourite place.

In December of 2018 I was given the opportunity to join the practice as a Client Care Advisor and take part in an apprenticeship working towards an SCQF Level 6 qualification in Business and Administration. I thoroughly appreciate the opportunity to further my education and qualifications while also being able to work in such a lovely practice with some amazing colleagues, clients and patients! Outside of work I am involved with the Army Cadet Force detachment in Hamilton where I have progressed through the ranks for over 3 years to where I am now. My favourite military subjects include drill & turnout, military knowledge and first aid. Like Brian I also enjoy target shooting and have competed in national competitions shooting .22, 5.56mm and 7.62mm rifles.