Vets and Staff

The Vets

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  Neil Roberts

  BVSc, Cert SHP, DBR, MRCVS graduated Liverpool 1982

  Director

  Having been born and brought up in Settle Neil has been a director at Dalehead since 1987 working in the farm animal department. He has gained further specialist qualifications in sheep health and production (Cert SHP) and a diploma in bovine reproduction (DBR).

  He is the director with responsibility for drug purchasing and is always enthusiastic to work with farmers in the development of control strategies to prevent disease outbreaks through the correct, cost effective use of vaccines and other medications.

  When he isn't working Neil enjoys playing Rugby Fives, squash, cycling and running.

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  Guy Bolger

  BVSc, MRCVS, GP Cert SAP graduated Liverpool 1985

  Director

  Guy Bolger leads our Companion Animal Department. Having worked in mixed practice since 1985, Guy now focuses exclusively on small animal work, with special interest in all areas of small animal medicine and surgery. He holds the General Practitioner Certificate in Small Animal Practice.

  Guy is committed to providing the very best first opinion veterinary service to the pets and pet owners of our wide local area, from our surgeries in Settle and Bentham. This includes our own on-call out of hours emergency service to all our registered clients.

  Married with two children, Guy lives in Selside, with dogs, cats, hens and Ryeland sheep. In his spare time he enjoys fell walking, garden-making, music, and when time allows, the odd game of tennis and golf.

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  Russell Howarth

  BVSc, MRCVS graduated Bristol 1996

  Director

  Russell worked for six months in North Wales before joining Dalehead where he worked until Foot and Mouth Disease struck the area in 2001. He returned to Dalehead in 2004 where his work  is principally general cattle work with an interest in cattle fertility, especially embryo transfer which he helped to pioneer within the surgery.

   

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  Ian Illingworth

  BVM&S, Cert CHP, DBR, MRCVS, Advanced Practitioner Cattle Health and Production, graduated Edinburgh 2003

  Director

  Ian started his career at Bainbridge Vets in Hawes where he worked for two years before moving to a farm animal only practice in Wiltshire where he worked for six years. During that time he developed his interests in all areas of farm work especially cattle health and fertility. Ian has a certificate in Cattle Health and Production and believes in preventative medicine and young stock rearing for future potential.

  In his spare time Ian enjoys playing team sports, especially rugby which he has played since he was seven and in his quieter moments he also enjoys woodcarving.

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  Andrew Linney

  BVetMed, Cert.AVP, MRCVS graduated London 2010

  Director

  Andrew qualified from the RVC in 2010 and spent his first few years in a farm only practice in Somerset. In 2012 he moved North and spent four years in practice in Cumbria with Dairy, Beef and Sheep clients, in this time he completed a certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice. In 2016 with his focus on preventative medicine and disease control strategies he joined Elanco Animal Health as a Ruminant Technical Consultant, where he got the opportunity to visit farms around the UK and visit farms in America and Canada investigating transition cow management and dairy data analysis. Andrew joined the Farm Animal Department at Dalehead in January 2020. In his spare time Andrew enjoys spending time adventuring with his wife and daughter or out in the field with his two working Labradors and watching but no longer playing Rugby.

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  Karen Swindlehurst

  BVMS, MRCVS graduated Glasgow 1991

  Associate

  Karen graduated from Glasgow in 1991 and has returned to work at Dalehead Veterinary Group, having worked here previously between 1994 and 2004.

  Karen is an experienced farm vet with special interest in herd and flock planning, health schemes and herd and flock disease monitoring. She also has a strong background in companion animal work with a keen interest in the surgical aspects of the role. 

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  Rachel James

  BVMed Sci, BVM BVS, MRCVS graduated Nottingham 2020

  Rachel grew up on a beef and sheep farm near Slaidburn and has had a keen interest in farm veterinary from a young age. She spent time during her clinical rotations at university working with the vets at Dalehead and after graduating from Nottingham university in 2020 she joined the farm team here at the practice. She has already made a name for herself as an enthusiastic and capable farm vet and is keen to help move the department forward.  

  Outside of work Rachel enjoys running and walking in the countryside with her dog, baking lots of tasty cakes and runs a small flock of sheep.

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  Hollie Mackenzie

  BVSc, MRCVS graduated Bristol 2016

  Hollie joined the practice in November 2020 having relocated from a busy mixed practice in Derbyshire where she worked after graduating from Bristol in 2016. She has a keen interest in all aspets of veterinary work, particularly small animal surgery.

  Outside of work Hollie is kept busy by her Labrador and two naughty cats!

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  Megan Pearson

  BVMSci, fCMgr, MRCVS graduated Surrey 2021

  Megan graduated from the University of Surrey in 2021. She has a keen interest in all areas of small animal practice, particularly surgery.
  Outside of work, Megan enjoys fine food, good company and spending time in the countryside with the dogs.

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  Marcus Bennett

  BVetMed, Cert AVP, MRCVS

  Marcus graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2014. Following several years in general practice he joined a pharmaceutical company as their veterinary advisor. Marcus has decided to return to clinical practice as he missed dealing with patients and their owners.

  Outside of work Marcus spends most of his time looking after his daughter, 2 dogs and coaching CrossFit. 

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  Peter O'Hagan

  BVMS, Cert AVP (GSAS), MRCVS

  Pete comes from Ayrshire and qualified from Glasgow University in 2001. He then spent his first few years working in mixed practice and a busy small animal PDSA charity hospital before settling down in the Ribble Valley with his wife, three boys and a small Border Terrier.

  Pete gained a certificate in Small Animal Surgery in 2012 and a Diploma in Business Management in 2023.  Prior to joining Dalehead Pete worked in small animal practice with an additional role on the Clinical Board of a large veterinary group and has strong interest in Evidence-Based Veterinary Medicine.

  Outside of work Pete is a music enthusiast and also loves getting out in the countryside for dog walks or bike rides whenever possible.

The Nursing Staff

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  Katherine McNamee

  RVN, Head Nurse

  Katherine joined Dalehead in 2000 as a trainee nurse and after completing her training with us has risen to the role of Head Nurse. Her cheerful persona, friendly nature and enthusiasm for all things to do with veterinary nursing make her the perfect candidate for the job. Kat's main interest lies in the consultation and nurse clinic areas, building a good rapport with the clients and their animals, she also processes the companion animal insurance claims.

  Kat is a keen horsewoman and spends a good deal of her free time eventing when she not out with her labrador, Bramble.

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  Tracy Thurstan

  RVN

  Joined us as a full time qualified nurse in 2001 but after starting a family she now works three full days per week. Tracy enjoys the surgical aspect of veterinary nursing and studying behavioural problems in companion animals. She has a whole host of animals at home ranging from her dog Tally pictured here to two tortoises, Tommy and Tallulah. In her spare time, Tracy enjoys camping with her family and friends.

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  Natalie Pattinson

  RVN, CertVNECC

  Natalie joined the practice in 2017 after training and qualifying in Cumbria where she is originally from. Her main interests are theatre and medical nursing, and in July 2020 she completed a Certificate in Emergency and Critical Care Veterinary Nursing. Natalie has two cats; Edith and Squash, and a Border Collie, Floss.

  In her spare time, if not watching Formula 1 (of which she is an avid fan!), she enjoys reading and helping on her partner's sheep farm.

   

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  Glenys Sedgwick

  RVN, R-SQP

  Glenys is originally from Hawes but spent many years in the Penrith area where she did her nurse training in a mixed rural practice. She continued to work at this practice for a number of years before marrying and moving to Burton-in-Lonsdale to be with her husband who farms in this area.

  In her spare time Glen enjoys hill walking with her dog,spending time on the farm and generally being outdoors.

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  Lizzy Taylor

  Veterinary Nursing Assistant

  Lizzy has a strong background in animal care and is passionate about animal welfare. 

  In her spare time, Lizzy enjoys tending her small flock of Texel sheep, horse riding, walking with her dogs and caring for the various family pets.

Farm Vet Tech

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  Anna Walker

  RVN, Farm Team Leader, Vet Tech, R-SQP

  Anna joined the practice in 2014. Initially working in both the companion animal and farm departments, she now works entirely within the farm department where she focuses on her passion of promoting healthcare strategies and  helping farmers to achieve high levels of welfare and husbandry in both practical and cost effective ways.
  In her role as the Farm Team Leader Anna is responsible for co-ordinating projects and overseeing the development of the department. She has increased the range of farm laboratory services we offer, has been instrumental in setting up and running the practice's Flock Club and was awarded the prestigious honour of being named Petplan Veterinary Nurse of the Year in 2018 for her work in promoting awareness of, and helping to reduce anthelmintic resistance on local farms.

  In her spare time, Anna enjoys spending time with her young family and tending to her commercial flock.

Farm Vet Tech Support

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  Karen Gardner

  Farm Vet Tech Assistant, K-SQP

  Karen joined the practice in June 2018 working in the office environment both on front desk and in an administrative capacity. She is a local lass, growing up on her family's farm in Chapel-le-Dale, where she still enjoys helping out at lambing time. When the opportunity came up to work alongside Farm Vet Tech Anna Ashworth to progress the services offered to our farm clients she jumped at the chance. She is now a qualified K-SQP meaning that she can advise on farm and companion animal POM-VPS medications.

  Karen is a keen sportswoman, playing rounders and badminton, cycling and swimming. She also enjoys hill walking in the beautiful countryside surrounding her home, as well as cooking and baking. 

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  Claire Rylatt

  Farm Vet Tech Assistant

  Claire joined the practice in December 2023. She has experience as a drover at auction marts, as a Trainee Approved TB Tester and works with her own stock. She joins the Farm Vet Tech team as it continues to expand and provide vital services to farmers and support to the vets.

  Claire is a member of Aire Valley Young Farmers Club and in her spare time, enjoys farming, horse riding and socialising with friends.

The Office Team

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  Emma Spence

  Practice Manager

  Joined us in October 2001 as a receptionist moving into the administration side of the practice in September 2003. Emma has worked in a variety of roles giving her a good all round working knowledge of the surgery and client requirements. She enjoys all aspects of her work and is a dedicated team leader putting the needs of the practice first.

  Out of work she enjoys trail running, hill walking, gardening and socialising with her friends. She has two rescue cats, Ava Mae and Isabella, and a terrier cross, Lucy.

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  Alison Younger

  Companion Animal Co-Ordinator

  Having previously worked at the practice, Ally returned to Dalehead in 2017 and is thrilled to rejoin the team as Companion Animal Co-ordinator. 

  Ally is a real people person and is especially looking forward to meeting all of the clients as well as their lovely pets. She has an extensive background in management, customer service and companion animal nutrition.
  Born and bred in the Dales and coming from a sheep hill farming family, Ally feels like she is coming home. Queen of hobbies, outside work she enjoys dance, music, reading, sewing, walking, swimming and is passionate about all things 'foodie', loving to cook. She loves spending time with her family and friends and has an adorable house rabbit Charlie.

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  Elaine Kirkbride

  Companion Animal Administrator, C-SQP

  Elaine is a local girl and has lived in the area all of her life. She joined the practice in 2016 coming from an extensive background in customer service roles. She quickly made herself indispensable in the dispensary and currently manages the companion animal stock ordering as well as many other administrative duties such as co-ordinating the Dalehead Healthy Pet Club and processing insurance claims.
  In her spare time she enjoys travelling, yoga, zumba, and reading. 

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  Ruth Parker

  Farm Animal Administrator, K-SQP

  Joined the practice in 2012. Ruth is a born and bred 'Lancashire Lass' who crossed the Yorkshire border in 2010. She has a keen interest in farming and from a young age has helped and worked on the family farm in Goosnargh, Preston, rearing beef and fat lamb. Ruth now lives on a dairy and sheep farm in High Bentham and gets stuck into the farm work at any available moment.  Ruth is an experienced veterinary receptionist having worked in a mixed animal practice in Preston for just over five years before joining Dalehead. This gives her a good all round knowledge of the workings of a veterinary practice.

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  Louise Thwaite

  Farm Animal Administrator, K-SQP

  Louise joined the practice in 2017 and came to us from an extensive background in customer care. She grew up on her family's dairy farm in Hellifield and lives with her partner on a sheep and beef farm. Louise has always been a keen farmer, especially at lambing time when she enjoys looking after poorly lambs, taking them under her wing and getting them back on their feet again!
  
  Louise is integral in providing support for the farm department, in the dispensary, booking work and organising farm visits and dealing with administration for the vets. In April 2022 she qualified as a K-SQP and is able to advise on POM-VPS products for farm and companion animals.

  In her spare time she loves walking her crazy cocker spaniel Honey, socialising with her friends and spending time with her family. 

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  Lucy Dean

  Farm and Companion Animal Administrator

  Lucy joined the Practice in 2019 initially as an Auxilliary Nursing Assistant. She is now an indispensable member of both the farm and companion animal administration teams, working on front desk at both our Settle and Bentham surgeries.

  Lucy grew up locally on her parent's farm and has a keen interest in all aspects of farming life. When not helping out on the family farm, Lucy enjoys walking her Border Collie dogs. 

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  Harriet Robinson

  Companion Animal Administrator, C-SQP

  Harriet joined the practice in 2021 and comes from an extensive background in customer relations in the hotel sector. She grew up locally on a farm and has been working with animals from a young age so making the move to join our reception team seemed like an ideal opportunity to combine her love for animals with her client communication skills.

  In her spare time Harriet enjoys going to the gym and exercising.

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  Richard Jackson

  Companion Animal Administrator

  Rick joined the practice in June 2019 and is primarily responsible for running the Bentham branch surgery. He has lived in the area for 17 years in Low Bentham with his family and three dogs and two cats.

  In his spare time Rick enjoys reading non-fiction and playing the electric guitar in local bands.

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  Sarah-Jane Haggas

  Companion Animal Administrator

  Sarah-Jane joined the practice in 2024 and comes from a farming background. Having gained transferrable skills whilst working in the horseracing industry, Sarah-Jane aims to expand her administration and customer service skills through working at Dalehead.

  Outside of work, Sarah-Jane spends the majority of her time exercising her horse, and helping on the family farm.

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  Jessica Johnston

  Administrator

  Jessica has worked at Dalehead since September 2008 and is an integral member of the administrative team. Returning to work part time after starting a family, Jessica deals with the banking, booking the vet's work onto the system for invoicing, credit control and account queries.

  In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, swimming and running.