Neil Roberts BVSc, Cert SHP, DBR, MRCVS graduated Liverpool 1982

Having been born and brought up in Settle Neil has been a partner at Dalehead since 1987 working mainly 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 partner with the most 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.

Michael Davis BVSc, Cert SAO, MRCVS graduated Liverpool 1984

Michael graduated from Liverpool in 1984 beginning life as a vet in a mixed practice in Bridlington where he worked for two years. Following this he worked in an Equine practice in Warwickshire and in Richmond, Australia before joining Dalehead Veterinary Group in 1989. His special interests are in general orthopaedic surgery and dentistry. which he is keen to develop within the practice. Michael has a particular interest in racing and performance horse work with emphasis on both surgical and medical treatment of poor performance. He enjoys horse racing and trotting. His hobbies include rugby and running flocks of Texel and Beletex sheep.

John Marriott B Vet Med, MRCVS graduated London 1985.

Joined us as a new graduate staying on to later become a partner in the business. His main interests are in cattle fertility and herd and flock planning. In his spare time John enjoys walking, cycling and skiing. He has one cat - Harry, a very large ginger tom with attitude!

Guy Bolger BVSc, GP Cert SA, MRCVS graduated Liverpool 1985

Graduated Liverpool 1985 and since then has worked in mixed veterinary practice, joining Dalehead in 1990. He has a lot of large animal veterinary experience, both with farm animals and horses. In recent years he has concentrated increasingly on small animal work and in 2004 gained the General Practitioner Certificate in Small Animal Practice. Guy is married with two children, dogs, cats and guinea pigs and lives in Austwick. Away from work he enjoys fell walking, gardening, music, plays five a side football, coaches a junior rugby team at North Ribblesdale and when time allows plays the odd game of tennis and golf.

Michael Bradley BVSc, MRCVS graduated Liverpool 1990

Michael graduated from Liverpool in 1990 beginning his career in Halifax at Hird and Partners. In 1992 he moved to Kingsway Veterinary Group in Skipton where he continued his Equine work until joining Dalehead in 1993. Michael is interested in stud work and Equine infectious diseases, and out of work enjoys snowboarding, windsurfing and swimming.

Russell Howarth BVSc, MRCVS graduated Bristol 1996

Graduated Bristol 1996, worked six months in North Wales and then worked for Dalehead until Foot and Mouth Disease in 2001. He returned to Dalehead in 2004.‘My work principally is general cattle work with an interest in cattle fertility, especially embryo transfer. Hopefully within the next twelve months we will be able to perform embryo transfers at Dalehead.

Having recently acquired Interherd I am eager to develop a greater awareness of ‘unseen' problems on farms, in particular with regards to mastitis and fertility.'

Juliette Edmonds BVSc, MRCVS graduated Liverpool 2004

Juliette graduated from Liverpool University in 2004 where she completed elective studies in Equine medicine, orthopaedics and pathology. She spent a year as an intern at the equine referral hospital of The Minster Equine Veterinary Clinic in York. Juliette is interested in Equine medicine and has recently completed courses in ophthalmology, foal medicine and dentistry. She particularly enjoys wound care and management and overseas the running of the equine clinic at Rathmell, including in-patient care and lameness investigations. She also undertakes all the anaesthesia at the clinic. Outside of work Juliette has a horse and enjoys riding in her spare time, she also enjoys skiing, walking and playing squash.

Joe Mackinder BVSc, MRCVS graduated Liverpool 2005

Joe qualified from Liverpool in 2005. Whilst at university Joe did an elective at Liverpool Equine Hospital and then spent 5 weeks in a specialist equine practice in California. On leaving university Joe came to work for Dalehead. His special interest is performance horse medicine including respiratory/ cardiovascular medicine and surgery. Out of work Joe enjoys walking, badminton, squash, scuba diving and skiing.

Helen Lyon BVSc MRCVS qualified Liverpool July 2005.

After spending two years in a busy mixed practice, Helen joined Dalehead in 2007 to concentrate solely on companion animal work. She is based at the Settle surgery full time and is interested in all aspects of small animal medicine and surgery. She has recently attended courses on emergency medicine and critical care and ultrasonography.

Helen has two cats and outside work enjoys walking, skiing, climbing and watersports.

Catherine graduated in 2004 from the Royal Veterinary College, London beginning her career at Deben Valley Equine Veterinary Clinic in Suffolk where she has worked for four years. Her interests lie in the diagnosis and treatment of lameness, dentistry and stud work. Much of Catherine’s continued professional development (CPD) has been directed towards the challenge of diagnosing and treating injuries in the sport horse.

Within her previous practice Catherine has had responsibility for all the orthopaedic and poor-performance work-ups, with many cases which would previously have needed referral being treated by Catherine at the clinic. She has also been involved with developing the clinic’s artificial insemination program and has completed courses in reproductive management and advanced artificial insemination techniques, completing a study into the reproductive efficiency of the Suffolk Horse - a critically endangered breed.

Catherine has been involved with horses all her life, from Welsh Ponies to working Suffolk Punches, and currently has a horse, Edward, who loves to jump when 'mum' has time! She describes herself as ‘a proper country girl’ having worked all her spare time on farms in her native Suffolk from her early teens, with pigs, cattle and sheep. Out of work, aside from riding she particularly enjoys hill walking with her dogs, rock climbing and photography.

Billy graduated from Liverpool in 2007 with the clinical prize in equine studies (Barrie Edwards Prize in Equine Studies) for the highest overall equine marks in the final year. His clinical interests include lameness/diagnostics (imaging, ultrasound, radiography), orthopaedics, airway disease, TB racing injuries/disease and clinical pathology

Billy has recently finished a one year internship at Minster Equine Clinic, York, with the ability to perform lameness investigations, anaesthesia, medicine workups and routine/general practice equine care. His plans for the future include obtaining a certificate in Equine General Practice and hopefully, with the knowledge and experience gained from the internship we will soon be utilising new innovative treatment options for wounds, tendons and ligament injuries using platelet rich plasma (PrP).

Out of work Billy enjoys running, mountain biking, music, reading, working out(going to gym/fitness) most outdoor activities/sports.

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 running with her dog Timmy, a rescued Border terrier cross and socialising with her friends.

Kate Soldado – Equine Co-ordinator: Joined us in May 2006 having recently moved to the area. Kate began work on front desk but has quickly moved into the role of equine co-ordinator being responsible for arranging visits and booking operations into the Equine Therapy Clinic at Rathmell as well as dealing with administrative issues such as insurance claims, health plans and vaccination reminders. She has two horses; Granjero and Columbo and has ridden for most of her life.

Karen Aspinall – Bentham Branch Receptionist: Joined in August 2006. Karen is the dedicated branch receptionist at Bentham providing excellent customer service and veterinary support. Being relatively new to the Bentham area, Karen has been quick to make a whole host of friends, and not surprisingly as she is a bright and cheery person who is always happy to help - we couldn’t manage without her. She has a tricoloured collie dog named Poppy, an escape artist who loves causing mayhem.

Leanne Baird - Equine Nurse: Leanne joined Dalehead in October 2006 as equine nurse and is in charge of the day to day running of the Equine clinic. Leanne studied at Myerscough College, completing a National Diploma in Equine Studies, NVQ level 2 in horse care and Higher National Diploma in Equine Science and Stud and Breeding. After leaving college Leanne worked as a groom on a stud yard for 3 years and is now a qualified Artificial Insemination Technician. In her spare time Leanne enjoys riding, competing in various equine disciplines and spending time with friends.