Companion collection - Interviews

David Doughty joined BSAVA as its Governance Consultant at the end of 2015. A physicist and engineer by training, David has been involved with a number of businesses, particularly in the IT sector, and was one of the first people in the country to become a Chartered Director. David discusses why he took on the role at BSAVA, his veterinary experiences and his aspirations at BSAVA.

Jerzy Gawor is a Polish vet who because President of FECAVA. He’s the first practitioner from eastern Europe to fill the role.

Simon Luxmoore did his MBA at Bath and is Chief Executive of the Royal Aeronautical Society. This interview follows his appointment as Chairman of the Kennel Club.

Debra Bourne is an experienced writer, editor and researcher and studied veterinary science at Cambridge.

In 2013 Nick Bexfield became Associate Professor in Small Animal Medicine and Oncology at the University of Nottingham. He is also Chair of the Scientific Programme Committee for the BSAVA Congress.

Simon became companion’s editor in 2015.

John Bonner interviews Nicola Beaney who works at the Pet Emergency Treatment Service (PETS) at Newnham Court Veterinary Hospital in Maidstone. She was one of the first to be awarded the BSAVA Small Animal Medicine Certificate.

Mathew has worked as a small animal vet since qualifying in 2007 and is now studying for a Diploma in Garden Design. How does he find the time?

Caroline Yates studied Russian at Exeter and while working as a metal trader in Moscow volunteered her language skills to the IFAW. She’s worked in animal welfare ever since.

Martin Alder is Editor of Veterinary Record and In Practice.

After a period in general practice James Anderson moved to the University of Glasgow Veterinary School where he is now responsible for direction the veterinary professional programme. He has broad clinical and research interests.

Colonel Neil Smith is President of the RCVS, Director of the Army Veterinary and Remount Services, Head of the RAVC, and the Queen’s Honorary Veterinary Surgeon.

Koen Van Rompay works as an HIV/AIDS researcher at the California National Primate Research Center and is founder of Sahaya International, a charity supporting women and children in developing countries.

Mark is President of the British Association of Homeopathic Veterinary Surgeons and has co-authored a number of books on alternative medicine.

Arlo Guthrie’s eclectic career has included everything from cake factory worker to commercial pilot and PR consultant. It was the latter that brought him to the company that set up VetNurse.co.uk and VetSurgeon.org.

Virginia McKenna is a highly successful stage and screen actress. Since starring in Born Free she has devoted herself to the Born Free Foundation.

Mark was born in Portland, Oregon, grew up in Saudi Arabia and went to vet school in Budapest. He currently runs the CPD programme at The College of Animal Welfare where he is Short Course Manager.

Mike Guilliard is one of the few practitioners to have been granted fellowship of the RCVS.

Kimberly originally studied Animal Science and Chemistry at Texas A&M University. Later she became a vet at Edinburgh and after a period in equine referral and small animal practice now works as Clinical Development Manager and in-house vet for BCF Technology.

Born in Seattle, Aimee is the Genetics and Health Information Manager at the Kennel Club.

After working as a journalist and presenter, following the death of her Samoyed dog ‘Bella’, Jill Moss went on to found the Bella Moss Foundation in 2005 to improve knowledge of MRSA and other serious infections in companion animals.

Lennon Foo grew up in Singapore and qualified from the RVC in 2004 as the first vet in his family. He now works in Devon and is Chairman of the South West Regional Committee.

Since 1994 Andrew has worked with The Donkey Sanctuary where he is Director of Veterinary Services.

Cecilia Gorrel is both a Doctor of Dental Surgery and a veterinary surgeon and as such has been very well-placed to develop veterinary dental care at her Petdent referral service.

Richard Saunders has worked in small animal, avian and exotic practice and has just completed his Training Scholarship in Zoo and Rabbit Medicine at Bristol Zoo.