Kirkcaldy and Burntisland

Clinical Director

Tom joined Albavet as clinical director in September 2018. He is an Australian vet who’s been in the UK since 2003, previously owning and managing a practice down in Cumbria for 12 years. His role of clinical director is to assist in the development of our veterinary team and practice standards. He is mainly based at Kirkcaldy, but is periodically at all of the branches. Outside of work Tom enjoys all sports: football, golf, Aussie rules (like Gaelic football but much better). Please feel free to say g’day!

Head Vet

Louise who joins us from a similar position at Batchelor Davidson and Watson in Edinburgh. Having grown up on beef and sheep farm in rural Lancashire, Louise set her sights on being a vet early on in life. She qualified from Glasgow University Veterinary School in 2012 and has worked in Fiji, Lancaster, the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies Hospital for Small Animals and then locumed around the UK before settling in Scotland. Louise is particularly interested in internal medicine and laparoscopic surgery and is tasked with teaching all of the Albavet Fife team how to best perform an exciting new laparoscopic dog spay technique. When she’s not working she enjoys travelling and has a small dog called Pippin who has become a pro at train and car journeys and shares his owner's enthusiasm for travel on a more local level.

Marta joined Albavet in November 2017. She is from Portugal where she completed her Master Degree in Veterinary Science in April 2017 in Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon. She worked for a couple of months in Portugal in a small animal practice before joining Albavet. Marta loves to spend time with her six dogs and three cats, however she really misses them because they are in Portugal. She has now one cat here in Scotland, called Skye.

Jill is an experienced vet who has worked at Albavet for over 25 years. Jill enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine especially surgery.

In her spare time Jill likes to go horse riding and spend time with her family.

Christy graduated in 2011 from Glasgow, and since then has worked on small and large animal practices in the USA and the UK. Her particular interests are in animal behaviour, geriatric pet medicine and soft tissue surgery, and she really enjoys the variety of animals that walk through the door every day here at Albavet. Christy also enjoys spending time with her two elderly Terriers, Kip and Ollie, and participating in medieval re-enactment on the odd weekend.

Originally from Aberdeen, Merrin spent time studying at Glasgow and Liverpool universities before graduating in 2019. She is particularly interested in anaesthesia and internal medicine and likes to spend most of her spare time out and about exploring the local mountains, rock climbing and travelling.

Head Nurse

Sam first started working at Albavet in 2004 as a weekend receptionist, before beginning her nurse training in 2005 and qualifying in 2009. Since then, Sam has achieved a certificate in veterinary nursing of exotic species and more recently has completed a certificate in emergency and critical care.

Carol is a registered veterinary nurse with over 30 years of experience. She enjoys surgical nursing, emergency and critical care and passing on her knowledge to our student nurses here at Albavet. Outside of work Carol spends her time looking after her two ex racehorses, two dogs and a disabled rescue cat and her kitten, oh and her husband!

Claire started working at Albavet in 2002 as a cattery assistant, before undertaking her nurse training and becoming a qualified veterinary nurse in 2008. When at work she particularly enjoys the nursing of hospitalised patient’s and has recently completed a certificate in medical nursing. She has also recently completed a course on pet bereavement. Claire works part time at our Kirkcaldy hospital so she can juggle family life with two young children.

Cheryl qualified in 2008 and has been a nurse at Albavet since March 2010. Her main interest is cats and she has recently completed a certificate in feline friendly nursing. In her spare time, Cheryl is kept busy walking her dog Ricksen and looking after a very naughty cat called Masie. Cheryl also enjoys spending time with friends and family.

Lesley qualified as a veterinary nurse in 1992 and has worked at Albavet since 2014. She works at our Kirkcaldy branch on the weekends as our night nurse. Her main role is to look after the inpatients.

Dawn started working at our Kirkcaldy hospital in 2000, where she currently works part time due to having a young family. Dawn enjoys nurse consultations, especially weight loss clinics! She has recently achieved a certificate in weight loss and a consulting certificate.

Alan joined Albavet Veterinary Surgeons in Kirkcaldy at the end of 2017. After a late change of career, he has started his veterinary nurse training and passed his exams during the summer in 2019.

Martin is one of our nurses, starting work at our Dunfermline branch in September 2016 after graduating from Edinburgh Napier University in July 2016 with an honours degree. He now works at our Kirkcaldy hospital and has a keen interest in medical nursing, in which he is further pursuing by studying the advanced medicine course at the MiNurse Academy. In his spare time, Martin enjoys hobbies such as hillwalking and listening to music as well as spending time with family and friends. Although not owning any pets, Martin enjoys looking after all patients under the care of the practice, and making sure that they receive a high standard of care.

Jodie qualified from Napier University in 2014, and began her career here in April 2016. Jodie's favourite part of the job is nursing inpatients, as she loves the satisfaction of them going home feeling better. At home she has a black Labrador called Kudo, who's eight years old and her first ever dog. Jodie says he’s spoilt rotten, and loves swimming.

Lisa qualified as a veterinary nurse in 2012 after completing her diploma in veterinary nursing through Telford College. She began working in our Kirkcaldy hospital in 2015 and enjoys the variety of jobs nursing brings, especially taking care of inpatients and the satisfaction of nursing them back to health.

Student Veterinary Nurse

Eliese started working at Albavet in January 2017 as a veterinary care assistant after attending the practice on work experience in March 2016. Eliese has recently started her veterinary nurse training and is looking forward to the challenges that lay ahead.

Dog Groomer

Jemma has been working with Albavet for 10 years. When she first started she worked in the cattery at the weekend before advancing to become a qualified dog groomer. Jemma's interests include exploring muddy fields with her six dogs who are either training hard in agility or competing in the sport, and also freestyling to music.

Receptionist

Victoria has been with Albavet since 2005, originally starting work for Equipet as a cattery assistant, but in 2009 moved on to reception as the cattery closed. She is now working with us part time since becoming a mum in 2014. Vicky currently has two cats, Holly and Oscar, two chinchillas called Elmo and Belle, and a rabbit called Bouncer. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her children, family and friends. Vicky loves seeing her regular patients for cuddles and kisses, and getting to know new clients and their lovely pets.

Receptionist

Sophie has been working with us at Albavet since 2017 and is one of the full time receptionists in Kirkcaldy. She has a very spoilt German Shepherd dog named Luna at home, who is very energetic and needs a lot of long walks. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with family and friends.

Receptionist

Ria works at Albavet Veterinary Surgeons part time as well as working at pets at home as a small animal adviser. Her main interest is rabbit care. She has five rabbits at home, a pair called Bran and Clover, and a soon to be trio Manny, Farrah and baby Bluebell.

Head Receptionist

Jen is one of the receptionists at Kirkcaldy. She has been at our hospital since 2017 and loves welcoming all clients and making a fuss over their pets. Jen has previous experience with companion animals from another job and has completed her NC equine qualification at college.

Receptionist

Ruth has worked in the veterinary profession since 1986 and has been with Albavet for 12 years. She is part of the reception team and her main responsibility is processing insurance claims for our clients. At home Ruth lives with her golden oldie cats, Tinky and Bessie and her Tortoise, Timmy who has reached the grand old age of 50!

Receptionist

India joined the Kirkcaldy practice of Albavet as a receptionist in 2019 after finishing her degree in English Literature. She has two pets of her own, a miniature Schnauzer named Rona and a cat, Arya (who is not named after the Game of Thrones character). India spends her free-time taking Rona for long walks in her favourite place, the beach, and cuddling up with her pets, a cup of tea, and a good book. She loves hearing all the animal stories clients have to tell and looks forward to cuddles with their pets.

Receptionist

Erica joined the Kirkcaldy practice of Albavet as a part-time receptionist in November 2018, after taking an early retirement from her job as a lecturer in biological sciences. She has always had a love for animals and has owned dogs and cats all of her life. Outside of work Erica enjoys dressmaking and travelling. She also enjoys keeping fit by walking her very cuddly Cockapoo called Dusty, cycling, and going to Bannatyne Fitness Club.

Receptionist

Jill has worked for Albavet since 2009 as receptionist, firstly in Kirkcaldy but at present in Burntisland. She has two rescue dogs at home, Willow, a Staffy cross and Woodruff, a Patterdale Terrier cross. Jill also has two rescue ginger tom cats named Harris and Lewis. Away from work Jill loves long walks in the beautiful Fife countryside and exploring Scotland.

Administrator

Wendy joined Albavet in 1995 and qualified as a veterinary nurse in 2000. She now works in the accounts department, but her life is still focused around animals as she has two cats, two ducks and a very large tortoise to look after at home.

Ambulance Driver and Handyman

Adrian has worked with our team here at Albavet since 2003. He is the ambulance driver and handyman across all our practices but is based at our Kirkcaldy hospital. Adrian enjoys meeting the clients and their pets, and has seven cats of his own who help to fulfil his life.