Heathfield Vets - Meet the Team

HeathfieldVets have a dedicated, professional team to provide animal care

with a friendly face.

Veterinary Surgeons;

Janet Nuttall BVet Med MRCVS

Born in Middlesex but raised in Yorkshire, Jan always intended returning to the north after qualifying from the Royal Veterinary College, London in 1977. However, a position in a truly mixed practice was a rarity even in those days, and she soon found that she didn’t want to leave the East Sussex countryside and people. She became a partner in 1981 and although since then there have been many changes in the practice, the greatest asset remainsthe same: the varied mix of vets, nurses and office staff, all working together as a team to provide an excellent service. For over 20 years, she was heavily involved with English folk dance both locally and nationally, and served on the committee of Eastbourne International Folk Festival, latterly as Director. As the practice and the general pace of life became busier, a quieter location and lifestyle became more attractive, and she now lives in the East Sussex countryside taking care of a small herd of llamas. This interest led to becoming secretary of the British Camelid Society. With the aim of broadening treatment options, Jan has been involved with homeopathy for some years and is currently studying for the Veterinary Homeopathy exam.

Ian Killian BVSc MRCVS

Ian was born and raised on a game and livestock farm near the market town of Grahamstown in the then Eastern Province of South Africa. After the obligatory five and a half years of student life at the University of Pretoria Onderstepoort Veterinary Faculty, he qualified in 1989. The next move was 15 months' compulsory national service in the South African Defence Force. 12 months of that period was spent working as a vet in a rural tribal area, providing a service to the local farmers and pet owners. With that obligation completed, he returned to his hometown to work in a mixed practice for nine months before deciding to have a six-month working holiday in the UK. As the saying goes, the rest is history. He joined our practice in 1991 and became a partner in 1998. He is married to Rose-Ann and is the proud father of 2 daughters, Natalie & Jaime. They have 3 family cats, Nigel, Munchkin and Rosie. Natalie also has 2 guinea pigs. In his spare time Ian enjoys cross-country jogging and is also a fair weather cyclist, though a full time profession and a young family don’t allow too much time for these activities.

Philip Snyman BVSc MRCVS

Philip was born in South Africa. As part of his National Service, he spent two years in the Infantry Corps of the South African Defence Force, before enrolling as a Veterinary student at Onderstepoort, The University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Veterinary Science. He completed his studies in 1989 and joined a mixed rural practice in Harrismith, where he worked for three years. In 1992 he started his own practice in the Karoo, an agricultural region famous for its sheep. Most of his work was centred on sheep reproduction. This enabled him to make contact with many experts in the field.

He and his wife had the opportunity to the visit the UK for the first time in 1994. They enjoyed their experience so much that they decided to move here on a temporary basis in 1997. The temporary move became permanent and after spending seven years in another East Sussex practice, he joined the practice as a partner in 2004, after catching up with Ian Killian, his old classmate. Philip is married to Katrien, a nursery school teacher. The other member of their family, the cat Midnight, was recently put down and they are in the process of expanding the family again. Philip enjoys running and cycling in his spare time. He recently took up golfing as well, but with the lack of spare time available, the handicap will have to stay where it is for a while.

Donal O’Leary MVB Cert SCVA MRCVS

Donal joined the practice in early 2004, primarily to lead our equine work, but like all our vets he is an excellent all-rounder. He qualified as a vet in Dublin in 1995 and, after a spell with the PDSA in Birmingham, returned to the Dublin Vet School as a house physician. Since then he has worked in mixed practices in Wales, Alton and Guildford. He is very keen to maintain a strong and up to date knowledge of all things equine, and since graduating has studied on a number of specialist courses from wound management to donkey surgery and medicine. Donal has a special interest in equine dentistry and is able tocarry out most procedures. He will happily assess your horse's teeth at the time of vaccination and advise if any work is required. Donal recently qualified in Veterinary Acupuncture and uses these skills to great effect with both small animals and equines. As you would expect, he is a keen rider himself, and whilst in Wales he rode dressage. Nowadays he only has time to ride out for pleasure.

Catherine Darragh BVet Med MRCVS

Catherine joined the practice in September 2009 as our newest veterinary surgeon. She graduated from the Royal Veterinary College, London and is looking forward to being a mixed animal vet at the surgery. Her particular interests are small animal surgery, equine medicine and large animal herd health. Outside of the practice Catherine enjoys cycling, swimming and playing tennis. As and when she has time, she also likes travelling and painting. At home she has her beloved Dalmatian, Smartie Pants and her guinea pig Wayne, who has a larger than life personality! Catherine is also a keen horse rider and her ambition is to learn how to play polo well.

Nurses:

Laura Walker - RVN

Laura joined the practice in July 2000 qualifying as a veterinary nurse in the summer of 2004, and has recently been promoted to Head Nurse.

Amongst her busy schedule, Laura is also very interested in dog training and behaviour and organises the puppy parties, an important part of training young dogs to be sociable pets. She has also trained as a Pet Health Counsellor so is able to give advice on nutrition for your pets. In her spare time Laura enjoys walking and training her two dogs, and going out with friends.

Anna Evans - RVN

Anna Joined the practice in November 2005, qualifying as a Veterinary Nurse in July 2008. Recently promoted to Deputy Head Nurse, Anna has a special interest in nurse clinics (especially thyroid and renal clinics) and helps to organise the puppy socialisation parties. Before starting her career as a veterinary nurse, Anna attended a 2 year National Diploma in Animal Management at Plumpton College and worked part time at her local racing greyhound kennels for 3 years. At home she has a lively black and white cat called Lola, who gets treated like the princess she is! In her free time, Anna likes to go to the cinema or enjoy a cosy night in with a film. She also enjoys spending time with her family.

Zoe Catt - RVN

Zoe joined the practice in 1997 as a Saturday girl on reception. She moved on to the nursing team in 2000 and started veterinary nurse training, qualifying in 2004. Soon after, she was promoted to Head Nurse, adding the Assessor training certificate to her qualifications. This allows her to assist us with the training of our student nurses. Zoe left at the end of 2008 on maternity leave and returned in the summer of 2009 as a part- time veterinary nurse. Zoe takes part in the daily rota with the other nurses, including the out of hours rota. She assesses the trainee portfolios and teaches them the practical nursing skills they need to learn during their training. Zoe lives with Ed in Windmill Hill along with their daughter Florence. They also have a working Springer Spaniel called Purdy, who, despite starting life as an outdoor dog is now often found lying beside Flo’s cot babysitting! In Zoe’s spare time she enjoys gardening; growing a wide range of fruit and vegetables in the back garden.

Jessica Boniface

Jessica joined the practice as a trainee veterinary nurse in Sept 2009. She hopes to start college at Plumpton in Sept 2010 to formerly begin her training, on a day release basis.

Jessica grew up on a farm in Chiddingly, so has always spent time surrounded by a variety of animals. She has two dogs at home and loves to ride her Mum's horse 'Steady Eddy' and her Aunt's mare, when whe wants a more challenging ride!

Jessica spent a year travelling in Thailand and Australia, working on a farm 5 hours away from Sydney for six months. Whilst she thought she would know what she was doing from her farm upbringing, she found things in Australia are done very differently - more laid back and relaxed!

Kelly Chapman

Kelly started working for the practice in August 2007. She is training on a day release basis at Plumpton College. She completed the Animal Nursing Assistant course in 2008, being awarded student of the year for her efforts. She passed the first year of her Veterinary Nursing qualification this Summer and is currently studying hard for her last year, hoping to qualify in the Summer of 2010.

At work Kelly enjoys most tasks, especially operating duties. She also enjoys the fact that this practice works with large animals as well, so is able to go out on visits with vets to farms and stables too.

Kelly has a dog named Tammy who is 2 years old and is a collie x, she is a sweet loving dog but very naughty! In her spare time Kelly likes to go to the cinema and go shopping with friends. She also enjoy being able to spend time with her family.

Vicki Farrant - RVN

Vicki comes from a local farming background, and married into another local farming family. Sadly, both had dairy herds which have now been sold, but she still enjoys working with the remaining stock on her husband’s farm.

Whilst working at a local nursing home, she bullied us into letting her start with us on a voluntary basis, was soon offered a job, began her training in 1995 and qualified as a veterinary nurse in 1997. She was soon promoted to head nurse, but took a break in late 2001 for the birth of her daughter Emily.

Vicki has now returned to work with us part time, using her qualification as a pet health counsellor, and running nurse clinics three times a week to give advice on all aspects of pet care.

Administrative Team:

Sally Clark

Sally joined the practice as a receptionist in May 1995. In 1999, she was lucky enough to be sponsored by the practice to study with the Open University for a year, gaining a Certificate in Business Management. She is now our Practice Manager. Sally grew up on a Dairy Farm on the Isle of Wight, moving to Sussex when she married her husband Matt in 1993. They share their home with 2 cats and 2 terriers, and spend much of their spare time walking the dogs in the beautiful Sussex countryside. Sally also loves gardening and cooking.

Jayne Scot-Jackson

Jayne joined the practice as a receptionist in September 2002 and is now our Senior Receptionist. She previously worked in commercial export, food distribution and latterly as a trainee veterinary nurse with another practice. In her spare time, Jayne enjoys reading, cooking, needlework and spoiling her husband and two cats!

Jan Martin

Jan has been a receptionist here since October 2003. She has lived locally for a number of years, coming to the surgery with family pets long before working here! She has two grown-up children and nine grandchildren. Jan is married to Tony and now lives in Crowborough. She enjoys long walks, as well as gardening, crosswords and handicrafts.

Jan Hartwell

Jan has been our evening receptionist since 1999 and thoroughly enjoys the work. She lives in the heart of the countryside with her husband Rob (a television editor), and has two grown-up daughters (Becky and Elli), three horses, three dogs and four cats. She is a BHS Intermediate Instructor and a Riding Club National Trainer. She competes regularly in all disciplines with her own horses, and trains other competitive riders.

Sue Evans

Sue first met her husband Paul as a pen friend during the Gulf War. They married in 1992, and have two young sons. After a four year break while the boys were babies, Sue returned to work in 2002 as one of our receptionists.

Sue has two ginger toms, Louis and Otis. Even before joining the team Sue was a regular visitor to the practice, as Louis is a bit of a fighter.

Deborah Batkin

Deb comes from a farming background - her father has been a local herdsman for most of his working life, first in Dallington, then more recently in the Herstmonceux area.

At the age of 16, Deb asked to ‘see practice’ with us during her school holidays, little knowing that she was destined to become one of our longest serving staff members. Starting with a part-time evening position in 1988, she soon transferred to full time day receptionist.

After a further 6 years she became the practice book-keeper and is currently studying for a qualification with the Institute of Book-keepers.

Deb married in May 2000 and lives in Herstmonceux with husband Richard and her two sons Thomas and Samuel. Although they have no pets at the moment, they enjoy the countryside and are keen lovers of wildlife.

Melanie Parsons

Melanie joined the practice as a part time receptionist in September 2006.

Amongst her daily duties on reception and in the office, she assists the nurses with the puppy parties.

Melanie spent most of her life in Crowborough, but now lives in Uckfield with her husband and two children They have a lively terrier, who they enjoy walking locally. Melanie also loves bowling, going to the cinema and eating out.

Sam Mason

Sam joined the practice in September 2007 as a part time receptionist, having spent time working as a hairdresser and a dog groomer. She loves the job and includes merchandising the waiting room in her list of daily tasks.

Sam lives with Russell and her two children in Hailsham. She also has two beloved Petit Bassett Grand Vendeen, with whom she is beginning to do agility.