Alistair Poole MRCVS - Veterinary Surgeon

After graduating from Glasgow in 1985, Alistair started work in a mixed practice in St Albans, met his wife Susan and soon grew to like the area. It became apparent that the technical and medical nature of small animal practice was his preferred field, whilst it had always been his intention to have his own practice. After a couple of gap winters to indulge his passion for skiing and two employments in London running branch surgeries for large groups, a property finally became available in Harpenden in 1991 and the practice opened in 1992.

Alistair’s special surgical interests are orthopaedics, corrective plastic surgery and urology. His principal medical interests are dermatology and endocrinology. He is always keen to keep up to date with the latest developments but is an absolute believer in keeping things down to earth and seeking as straightforward a solution as possible – probably a result of his northern origins!

Sue and Alistair now have two sons, George and Edward, a Cocker Spaniel called 'Peggy' and 'Josh' the cat, an ex RTA patient with one eye.

Jill Steed MRCVS - Veterinary Surgeon

Jill qualified in 1988 from the Royal Veterinary College in London and then worked briefly in a farm animal practice in Herefordshire to sample the delights of large animal work. She then spent 8 years working in a mixed practice in Hertfordshire. After having her disabled son David, she worked as a locum for various local practices, taking up regular employment in one of them after a few years. As Jill also has a daughter Katherine, she works part time and joined the practice in 2003.

Jill's principal interest is soft tissue surgery so she performs most of the neutering and growth removal. Her main medical field is ophthalmology. She is always keen to expand her knowledge and regularly attends courses and seminars.

Jill enjoys caring for her cat Groat', who is a polydactyl (8 toes on each front paw and 7 on each back), has half a tail and is always getting into mischief! Jill also owns a pony called 'George', a flock of chickens and a black Labrador called 'Fern' who often comes to the surgery, where she is always ready to greet the clients with a friendly lick!

Karen Horne MA VetMB MRCVS – Veterinary Surgeon

Karen qualified from Cambridge Vet School in 1995 and settled in London afterwards, working as a small animal vet. After starting a family and moving to Hertfordshire in 1998, she continued work part time in several local practices in St Albans, Leighton Buzzard and Shenley.

9 years and 3 children later she joined us as a regular part time member of staff. She enjoys all aspects of veterinary work but is especially interested in looking after our feline patients and has an extra qualification in this area of work.

Out of work she has a madhouse of 3 dogs, they comprise of 2 miniature wired haired dachshunds and a hooligan Gordon Setter, 5 cats, some fish, a hamster, 3 children and a husband! When she isn’t tearing her hair out over one of her family she spends time walking, cooking and generally enjoying life. Recently she has become quite involved in TICA (The International Cat Association) cat shows, both working at them as a duty vet and showing her three young Ocicat kittens.

Sarah Goodman - Practice Administrator

After leaving school Sarah worked in a Veterinary Practice in Hertfordshire as a Trainee Veterinary Nurse for 6 years. She then decided administration was her strongest suit and left veterinary practice to work within accounts, reception and sales. After gaining 4 years experience in these fields she found she was missing the 'hands on' of veterinary work and returned to practice joining us in August 2002. Sarah handles all the administration including insurance claim forms. She is also responsible for reception whilst keeping a hand in with the nursing side of the practice.

Sarah is an avid dog walker and can regularly be seen walking her mum's dog 'Poppy' a black cross breed. Sarah is normally the person who organises the surgery outings and is always ready to motivate everyone into having a good time!

Michelle Canny VN - Veterinary Nurse

Michelle qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in August 1996 and started her career working within 2 Veterinary Practices in Bedfordshire. She took a year out during 1998 to travel and work as a locum in Australia where she enjoyed caring for the various exotic animals such as lorikeets, kookaburras & blue-tongued lizards! She then returned to the UK to work as a locum in Scotland for a year.

Michelle owns a 'Heinz 57' called 'Rags' and a tabby and white 3-legged cat called 'Plugs!'

Michelle has 2 young children Ethan and Orla so currently works part time and has been happily employed with us since May 2004!

Wendy Flook VN BSc - Veterinary Nurse

Wendy began her career at De Montfort University and gained a degree in Environmental Studies. Despite her interest in the environment she decided she would be more suited to working with animals. In November 2001 Wendy began training to be a Veterinary Nurse at the surgery and qualified in 2004. She now works with us part time.

Wendy has a special interest in anaesthesia and surgical nursing so she enjoys working in theatre assisting the operating Veterinary Surgeon. Wendy ensures that you are reminded of your pet's booster vaccinations and uses her good organisational skills in other areas of administration. She has recently qualified as an assessor and is able to support the Student Veterinary Nurses in their studies.

Wendy is a real cat lover and has a black and white moggie called 'Zeek' who frequently brings home unwanted gifts for her!

Karen Gray VN - Veterinary Nurse

Karen has recently joined our team of nurses. Up until now she has worked for various practices within the Hertfordshire area.

Karen has been an avid animal lover all her life and started her nursing career in 1992 after leaving school. She qualified in 1998 and took a few years out to travel and has also worked abroad as a Veterinary Nurse as well as a voluntary charity worker for animals including caring for bears in China!

Karen loves all animals but particularly loves moggies and fosters cats for local charities, she just needs to learn to give them back! She has in fact recently fostered / newly adopted a tabby and white moggie and called him Oliver who is about 6 years old and is a very talkative boy indeed!