Dunfermline and Dalgety Bay

Supervisory Veterinary Surgeon

Emma-Jane graduated from Glasgow Veterinary School in 2003. She has worked in small animal practice since joining the original Ryan and Calder practice as a new graduate. Emma-Jane has a particular interest in surgery, having passed her GP certificate in small animal surgery (GPCertSAS) in 2009. She mainly enjoys soft tissue surgery, often taking internal referrals from her colleagues for more complicated cases. She will also perform some orthopaedic procedures. At home, Emma-Jane is kept busy with the hectic daily life that comes with having a young family.

Marco is originally from Italy. He graduated with honours in Messina (Italy) in November 2013. Before and after graduating, he volunteered at two small animal practices in Sicily before performing two externships: one in the USA for three months and another one in Brazil for another three months in different small animal hospitals and in a zoo. After this, he worked for two and a half years in a small animal hospital in the north of Italy. Marco moved to Scotland in November 2017, strongly motivated to learn as much as possible about surgery and ultrasound. In Italy Marco has three dogs and five cats. He enjoys spending his free time playing sports, reading and travelling.

Sandra graduated from the University of Trás-Os-Montes e Alto Douro (Portugal) in 2013, with a master's thesis about feline echocardiography. She obtained advanced training in veterinary cardiology through the European School for Advanced Veterinary Studies (ESAVS) from the University of Luxembourg. From 2013 to 2015, Sandra worked in a feline practice in Oporto, Portugal. Between 2015 and 2018, she worked in Centro Hospitalar Veterinário, a referral centre in Oporto, where she was responsible for the centre’s cardiology service. Sandra then moved to Scotland and joined the Albavet team in June 2018. Her main areas of interest are cardiology and emergency and critical care. Sandra loves outdoor activities, so she spends most of her free time exploring the amazing Scottish green areas.

Originally from Aberdeen, Louise graduated from Glasgow Veterinary School in 2006 and, after a few years in mixed practice, decided to head off travelling to Asia. Louise settled in rural Thailand for two years at a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre where she worked with elephants, primates, big cats and street dogs. She returned from the jungle and joined Albavet in 2014 where she has developed interests in medicine and dermatology. At home she has a wee ginger rescue tiger called Oliver.

Pain and acupuncture visiting specialist

Jane qualified from Glasgow University Veterinary School in 1983 and spent her early career in small animal practice. In 1992 she completed a PhD in antibiotic resistance at Liverpool University which lead to roles as a veterinary investigation officer then senior lecturer in veterinary bacteriology. From 1999 to 2001 Jane worked in general practice before setting up as a full time acupuncturist. In 2006 she was awarded the British Medical Acupuncture Society Diploma and in 2012 a post-graduate certificate from the University of Hertfordshire both in Western medical acupuncture.

Head Nurse (currently on maternity leave)

Nicole started training as a student veterinary nurse with Telford college in 2009 and had a placement with Albavet throughout her three years of study. She qualified in 2012 where she was taken on as a full time registered veterinary nurse at our Dunfermline practice. Nicole has recently become head veterinary nurse and very much enjoys her new role leading Dunfermline’s excellent nursing staff! Nicole has a three year old daughter named Skye and a six year old pug called Bertie. In her spare time, Nicole enjoys keeping fit by running and training at the gym.

Acting Head Nurse

Jess moved to the Stirling area in 2007 after living in a tiny village in the North of Scotland for the majority of her life. After deciding to follow her dream to become a vet nurse, in March 2013 she qualified from Edinburgh's Telford College with a level three diploma in veterinary nursing. Jess started working at our practice in May 2018 and has a passion for emergency and medical nursing, which is she currently studying towards a certificate in. She also has a keen interest in small furries and exotics. Jess lives with her fiancé, two rescue guinea pigs and her beautiful but crazy rescue Jack Russell, Skye, who loves walkies and cuddles from everyone she meets.

Stephanie is a registered veterinary nurse and has been with Albavet Dunfermline since she was at school - starting with work placements, then worked in the cattery at weekends, and as a student nurse. She qualified as veterinary nurse in 2011 and began working here full time. Her main interests are oncology and dental nursing. At home she has two Labradors and a cat of her own, which she spoils and loves a lot. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with friends and family and walking her beloved Labradors.

Nikki joined Albavet Kirkcaldy in January 2017. She returned to the veterinary profession in 2014 after a long break to have children and run her photography business. Prior to that, she was head nurse at a large practice in Fife. In October 2017 Nikki became a registered veterinary nurse again, thanks to the staff at Albavet for helping her with her period of supervised practice, meaning she could return to the RCVS register. She was a weekend receptionist at Kirkcaldy until February 2018, when she decided to join the team at Dunfermline as a full time veterinary nurse. When she has time to do something other than work, Nikki watches the Fife Flyers ice hockey team with her husband and two sons, the oldest of whom also plays for one of the junior hockey teams.

Ciara had always known she’d wanted to become a veterinary nurse, so once she finished school she completed two years at college where she qualified as a veterinary nurse with a diploma. In 2016, Ciara completed an additional top-up degree in veterinary nursing, qualifying in June 2018. Ciara started her first vet nursing job at Albavet in Dunfermline in May 2018. She enjoys all aspects of nursing as every day is different, but has a particular interest in dentistry, especially nurse led dental clinics, oral hygiene and home care. She would eventually like to gain a qualification as a veterinary dental technician and be able to run nurse dental consultations at Albavet. In her spare time, Ciara likes to go for walks up Arthur’s Seat, especially when the weather is nice. She also enjoys going home to Ireland to see her family and friends, and more importantly, her Golden Labrador, Cairo.

Rachael qualified in July 2016 from Edinburgh Napier University. Since then she has worked in small animal practices in Edinburgh and Fife. She is owned by Romanian rescue dog called Rosa and two ferrets, Linus and Lily.

Student Veterinary Nurse

Frankie has been employed by Albavet in Dunfermline as a student veterinary nurse since November 2017. She will be starting the level three diploma at Oatridge College in the beginning of September 2018 and is really looking forward to getting started! Frankie is a massive fan of football and played a lot when she was younger. She loves taking her dogs, Ruby and Poppy, for walks in her spare time.

Animal Care Assistant

Trudy started working for Joe and Aileen Ryan (the previous owners of our practice in Dunfermline) in September of 1986, before qualifying as a veterinary nurse in 1992. She has enjoyed many years of working in the practice and have seen lots of interesting cases over the years. At home, Trudy is a dog mum to a young Whippet and even younger Boxer, a couple of Guinea pigs and some tropical fish. In her spare time Trudy enjoys horse riding and walking with her partner and her dogs.

Animal Care Assistant

Sammy is an animal care assistant at Albavet in Dunfermline. She has worked with us since December 2017, and you can usually find her in the dispensary or buzzing about in her maroon scrubs. If she is not in the dispensary, Sammy is usually through the back assisting with surgical procedures and caring for in patients. Sammy hopes that this job role will help her to progress her career further in the veterinary industry. When she is not at work, she enjoys going on adventures with her handsome lemon Beagle called Benji and spending time with her family.

Administrator

Patricia started work at our Dunfermline practice in 1985 and qualified as a veterinary nurse in 1991. Since then she has moved around the country, working at a dog rehoming centre and at the University of Edinburgh Veterinary School as well as in other small animal practices. After returning to our Dunfermline practice, Patricia mentored student veterinary nurses and gained her certificate in nursing exotic species. She is now the practice administrator.

Receptionist

Melanie has worked at Albavet for 21 years in a variety of roles but now covers the morning reception shift at our Dunfermline branch and deals with processing the insurance claims. At home she has two tortoises, Simon, who is about 20 years old, and Trevor, who she rescued through the practice when he was handed in as a stray. Melanie also has a cat called Dora, a hamster called Gary and a goldfish called Memo.

Receptionist

Shannon is our Saturday receptionist as well as a student veterinary nurse at Edinburgh Napier University, entering her fourth and final year. She has been with us since her first placement and has a keen interest in emergency and medical nursing. Shannon is also a bit of a crazy cat lady, sharing her home with three cats, Kitty, Kitkat and Dizzee. In her free time, Shannon plays football and trains at the gym.

Receptionist (currently on maternity leave)

Helaina has worked at Albavet since December 2008 after completing her HNC in animal care at Elmwood college. She has since gone on to qualify as an animal health adviser in 2013. Helaina lives in Dunfermline with her husband Ross, her two cats Salem and Shadow and her dog Dexter, who is rather well known in the Dalgety Bay community.

Dispensary

Claire has worked in our Dunfermline practice since 1991. She is a qualified animal nursing assistant and AMTRA SQP after completing her training at Elmwood college in Cupar. Being an SQP means that she is an animal medicines adviser and can dispense medicines for the veterinary surgeons and also administer flea and worming treatment. Claire lives with her husband and son in Dalgety Bay and loves walking in her spare time.

Receptionist

Katie is a part of the weekend reception team at Albavet Dunfermline and spends the remainder of the week studying veterinary nursing at Edinburgh Napier University. Katie has a 12 year old rescue cat called Snowy, otherwise known as Mr Fuzzles. When Katie is not studying she is road tripping up north, hanging with her friends and trying to create vegan/vegetarian masterpieces.

Receptionist

Taylor is the full time receptionist at our Dunfermline practice. She has worked at Albavet since 2015 alongside studying animal care and volunteering at a hedgehog hospital. Taylor has a rescued Jack Russell who loves her visits to Albavet! She has a great love and passion for animals and has hopes to study veterinary nursing in the future.