Fareham Collingwood Companion Care

Graduated: 1989, Kosice, Slovakia.

Joined the team: 2011

I graduated in Kosice, Slovakia, in 1989. I then worked in first opinion and later referral practice at the Small Animal Clinic of the Veterinary School at Kosice University. I went on to achieved my PhD investigating diagnostic approach and therapy of feline liver diseases in 2002. In the same year I started to work in small animal practice in UK, first sole charge in in Somerset and then from 2004 to 2007 for our sister practice Companion Care Vets Portsmouth. In 2007 I accepted the position of Senior Lecturer in Internal Medicine at the Small Animal Clinic of the Veterinary School in Kosice. As a part of my special training I spent 5 months as a Senior Clinical Training Scholar in Cardiopulmonary medicine at the University of Edinburgh.

Despite the fact that my special interest lies in Internal Medicine, Cardiology and Ultrasonography, I enjoy the down to the ground, “real life” of a first opinion practice and the daily contact with the clients and their pets. That was the main drive for me to decide to return back to England and to become a Joint Venture Partner with my long-time friends and colleagues Antony and more recently Alex.

I have also continued my studies and in May 2017 I achieved the ESVPS General Practitioner Certificate in Diagnostic Imaging. I will still keep in touch with Academia as a visiting lecturer in cardiology / internal medicine for the Vet School in Kosice, as well as a lecturer / invited speaker for the Slovak Veterinary Chamber training courses.

When not working I love outdoor activities and water sports.

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. Antony has 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: 2011

Joined the team: February 2016

I qualified in Romania in 2011 and then went on to work as a vet in Bucharest. Following this I moved to the United Kingdom in 2013 and started working for the Food Standard Agency. In February 2016 I joined the team and Companion Care Vets Fareham Collingwood.

I have an interest in all areas of small animal veterinary medicine but I particularly enjoy ultrasonography and radiography.

My favourite pet is a cat. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, being outdoors. Travelling, photography and extreme sports.

Graduated: 2001 - University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain

Joined the team: 2021

I was always interested in science and nature. The veterinary degree was the perfect combination. Following graduation I landed in Clitheroe, Lancashire, in the midst of the foot and mouth disease outbreak. I started working on food hygiene and the BSE scheme, and then moved into small animal practice in 2005, settling in the south of Great Britain at Companion Care Portsmouth.

In 2009 I joined partnership with Antony and Mackie at Companion Care Vets Fareham Park Gate, and in 2011 with Lubo and Antony at Companion Care Vets Fareham Collingwood.

In 2019 it was time for me to experience new ventures. Although I am no longer a partner, I still remain close to the Companion Care group, currently working part time at the Fareham Collingwood surgery.
I have a particular interest in geriatric medicine and soft tissue surgery.

At home I have a pet rabbit, and in my spare time I enjoy stargazing, playing badminton, walking in the countryside and travelling.

Graduated: June 2021 - Royal Veterinary College (RVC), London

Joined the team: August 2021 

I have always been fascinated in biology and pharmacology, and love the problem-solving aspect of veterinary medicine.   

During my studies I developed a particular interest in neurology and soft tissue surgery, so I am excited to develop these skills further in practice.  

I enjoy travelling, am a real foodie, and have recently taken up paddle boarding and surfing now I live by the sea! 

Graduated: 2020 from The University of Agriculture Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Joined the team: October 2021 

As a student I volunteered at a Zoo, equine hospital and a small animal veterinary practice. This gave me an insight into each area and I found that small animal medicine was what suited me best.

My interests lie in internal medicine, dermatology and exotics and I hope to develop my skills in all these areas.

Out of work I enjoy reading, yoga, horse riding and walk in nature with my pets.

Qualified: Sparholt College, Winchester, 2006

Joined the team: 2011

I qualified in 2006 and have a particular interest in pet nutrition and rabbit health. I am a clinical coach and therefore help to guide and tutor our student veterinary nurses through their intensive training.

After many years as Head Nurse I took on the role of Deputy Head Nurse in 2021. This has allowed me to support our team whilst also allowing me to focus on the changing needs of my family.

I enjoy the weird and wonderful that this job so often brings and love the team I work within.

Qualified: University Centre Sparsholt, Winchester, 2020

Joined the team: 2020

I graduated from University Centre Sparsholt last year after completing my Veterinary Nursing degree. Since, I have continued my studies at Sparsholt and will complete my BSc (Hons) degree later on this year. I have recently become a Clinical Coach and am looking forward to supporting the next generation of Veterinary Nurses!

I am also a council member on the BVNA (British Veterinary Nursing Association) council team.

At home I have a dog, a cat and a horse and I enjoy travelling with my partner wherever possible.

Qualified: MYF Training - December 2021

Join the team: November 2020

Growing up I had always aspired to work with animals. I started my journey training as a dog groomer, working in boarding kennels. I came to Veterinary nursing later in life, I feel I have appreciated my education and training more as a mature student, and was thrilled to qualify as a veterinary nurse in 2021. 

I particularly enjoy learning about exotic species and am currently involved in bat rehabilitation, I hope to continue to develop my knowledge in this area. I am also looking forward to commencing my role as a Clinical Coach, supporting students through their training.

Outside of work I love all things crafty, particularly crochet, and spending time with my three dogs, Norma (Chihuahua), Tilly (Yorkshire Terrier), Louie (Papillon) and also my cat, Solomon Grundy.

Joined the team: July 2012

I joined the reception team at Companion Care Vets Fareham Collingwood in July 2012. After spending time as a Student Veterinary Nurse, I returned to my roots on reception and became Reception Manager in April 2018. In September 2019 I decided to continue my Veterinary Nurse training and am now in the final year of my studies.

At home I have 2 cats and enjoys spending my free time dancing in a local dance troop.

Joined the team: May 2019

In May 2019 I joined the nursing team at Companion Care Vets Fareham Collingwood. I am currently training as a Veterinary Nurse and hope to qualify in 2022.

I enjoy nursing our hospitalised patients and feel it is very important to make their stay with us as relaxed as possible.

When I am not at work I enjoy spending time with my family, eating curry and cuddling my cat Squid!

Joined the team: 2019

I joined the practice as a weekend receptionist at the beginning of 2019. Although I came from an administrative background I had also been working as a volunteer transport coordinator for a local rabbit rescue.

In April 2019 I began supporting our nursing team as a Veterinary Care Assistant and  have more recently started training to become a Registered Veterinary Nurse.

Outside of work I enjoy writing, reading, gaming and caring for my cats and rabbits.

Joined the team: February 2020

Having previously worked for Pets at Home as part of the Support Adoption team I realised I had a passion for animal care. The role of Veterinary Care Assistant seemed just the thing to develop my skills and knowledge further.

I enjoy the daily diversity that working in a veterinary practice brings, no two days are the same, which I love!

When I’m not at work I enjoy relaxing with family and my pets.

Joined the team: March 2021

Having grown up on a farm I always had an interest in animals. I attended Usk College in Wales and in 2007 I achieved a BTEC National Diploma in Animal Management and two NVQs, one in Small Animals and one in Farming. Following this, I worked in an animal hospital as part of the night team on the critical care ward.

I hope to go on and train as a Veterinary Nurse.  As I have a keen interest in exotic species I would love to specialise in this area once qualified.

In my free time I enjoy traveling, going to gigs and spending time with my rabbits, Ajax and Athena, and my geriatric bearded dragon, Totoro.

Joined the team: November 2021

I attended Southdowns College and gained a Level 3 Animal Management extended diploma in 2013.

Following college I worked in retail however, I always had an interest in animal care and so I was thrilled to join Companion Care Vets Fareham Collingwood in 2021.

I enjoy helping animals and the fulfilment that making them better brings.

Outside of work I love to spend time with family and friends, holidays abroad and spoiling my boxer Jess.

Joined the team: July 2018

Having qualified as a veterinary nurse in 2006 I have a wealth of experience in the veterinary industry. I worked in practice until 2014 when I took a step out of the clinical side of the role and developed my skills as a claims assessor for several pet insurance companies. After 4 years working in this area I missed practice life and when an opportunity arose to join our reception team I jumped at the chance.

I became the Reception Manager in 2020 and enjoy the customer service and client support aspects of my role.

Away from work I enjoy spending time singing in a choir, swimming, doing crafts and building Lego. I also has a whole host of pets to keep me busy, these include: three cats, three dogs, budgies, finches and a tortoise!

Joined the team: December 2019

I trained in Animal Care and qualified in 2004. I previously worked as a manager at a riding school and more recently as part of the management team at Pets at Home. I have a special interest in nutrition and enjoy offering advice and support to your pets.

I enjoy horse riding and spending time doing agility with my Labrador, Jessie. I also have a mini Shetland pony called Munchie and an Arab called Scrat.

Joined the team: February 2018

I joined our reception team in February 2018 from an HR and banking background. I have a passion for animals and always wanted to work in a veterinary environment.

I love meeting and greeting our patients and am the practice resident Health Care Plan expert - I enjoy the challenge this brings to my role.

I am a lover of cats and have five at home that keep me very busy. In my free time I love nothing more than a bit of retail therapy. I also enjoys gardening and home design.

Joined the team: June 2020

I have always enjoyed working in customer facing roles and have had a variety of pets throughout my life. Currently, I have 12 pets including 2 Miniature Dachshunds.

I am an avid Motorsport fan and particularly enjoy attending Motogp and British Super Bike races with my husband.

Joined the team: 2020

After several years working in pet shop retail I decided it was time for a change. I have always been interested in the veterinary side of animal care so working as a veterinary receptionist sounded like just the thing for me!

I really enjoy meeting all the different pets that come into to see us and especially like seeing the variety in dog breeds.

When I’m not grooming my pet Chow Chow, l love doing jigsaw puzzles and playing board games.

Joined the team: June 2014

I started working at Companion Care Fareham Collingwood in June 2014. Before this I was a client here and working in Southampton Museums and Art gallery.

At home I have 4 rabbits: two lop eared, one albino Netherland dwarf and one domestic rabbit.

Joined the team:  June 2021

When I was 7 years old I loved to watch ‘Bondi Vet’, since then I’ve been fascinated by the Veterinary industry and the wonderful work they do caring for pets.

I am currently studying Animal Management at Sparsholt College and was delighted to be able to join the team at Companion Care Vets Fareham Collingwood as a part time receptionist.

I love all aspects of my role, but especially enjoy seeing all the new puppies and kittens.

Although I don’t get the opportunity to horse ride as much as I used to, I still love it when I have the chance to do it. I have a young Cockapoo called Beau, she is very cheeky and loves life!

Qualified: 1993 Berkshire College of Agriculture

Joined the team: March 2016

Having grown up with dogs and cats I knew I wanted to work with animals when I left school. Following a short spell of work experience it became clear that Veterinary nursing was my calling. After qualifying as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 1993 I worked in several small animal practices before settling in our sister surgery Companion Care Vets Fareham Park Gate in 2002.

After having a family my focus become more administrative and I joined the team in Fareham Collingwood in 2016. I gained the Veterinary Practice Administrators Certificate in 2018 and now support the team and Joint Venture Partners with the management and marketing of the practice.