for all your pets
Staff
Veterinary Surgeons
Ian Sayers Veterinary Surgeon, RCVS Certified in Zoological Medicine and Practice Partner
Ian graduated from Liverpool University in 1992 after completing the first 'Exotic Elective'. After a period in practice in North Devon he went to Tanzania to research cheetah in the Serengeti National Park.
On returning to England he worked as a locum, including a period at an RSPCA Wildlife Hospital, before settling in Paignton in 2000. Subsequently he was employed at the University of Bristol as a Clinical Fellow for nine years, where he taught students First Opinion Medicine and Surgery for dogs and cats as well as lecturing on 'Exotics'. Whilst there he helped set & run the RWAF Rabbit Referral Clinic, the UK′s first Rabbit Only Referral Service, and was supervisor for Rabbit & Zoo Medicine, and Avian residents.
He has lectured nationally and internationally and contributed to various publications, on all aspects of 'exotic' medicine and surgery. He has worked with Zoological collections in the South West and continues to be a veterinary consultant for Paignton Zoo, he is also a guest lecturer at the Royal Veterinary College in London.
In 2006 he was awarded Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Certificate in Zoological Medicine. In September 2009 he and Jim opened Abbotskerswell Veterinary Centre and South Devon Referrals.
He sees cats and dogs alongside specialising in exotic species.
Jim Carter Veterinary Surgeon, Ophthalmology Specialist and Practice Partner
Jim Carter graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 1996. After qualifying, he spent over two years in farm animal practice in East Essex, after which he gained the Royal College Certificate in Veterinary Ophthalmology in March 2000.
In August 2000, he started a clinical training scholarship in Veterinary Ophthalmology at the University of Bristol, under the tutorage of Professor Sheila Crispin and Dr David Gould, and was awarded the Royal College Diploma in Veterinary Ophthalmology in 2003. Since then, he has been running a referral practice in Exmouth, Devon and Bristol, specialising in Veterinary Ophthalmology, whilst retaining a part time Clinical Fellow status at the University of Bristol.
He was awarded his RCVS Specialist Status in Veterinary Ophthalmology in 2005, and is the only specialist in the South West. Jim joined the BVA Eye Panel in Spring 2007 and routinely assesses breeding dogs for canine health. Since September 2009, he has been running South Devon Referrals based out of Abbotskerswell Veterinary Centre.
Nursing Staff
Jo Williams Head Nurse (RVN)
Jo Williams is the Head Nurse here at Abbotskerswell Veterinary Centre. She started at Hartpury College in 2000 where she obtained a BSc (Hons) in Veterinary Nursing Science in 2004. She trained in an orthopaedic referral centre in South Wales for a couple of years, where she officially qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2007. She moved to Devon later that year to work in a first opinion practice before joining the team here in September 2009. Outside of work, you may find her on the hockey pitch, playing for Exe Ladies Hockey!
Gillian Bright Veterinary Nurse (RVN)
Gillian Bright has been nursing for fourteen years and qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2006. She has been assisting Jim Carter in Veterinary Ophthalmology since 2007 and has developed an interest in small animal anaesthesia.
Gillian has previously worked in Northern Ireland as a trainee Veterinary nurse before moving to Devon eleven years ago were she gained her experience in a general practice in Exmouth. Gilly has been with Abbotskerswell Veterinary Centre since its opening in 2009.
Jo Bol ('Bolly') Veterinary Nurse (RVN)
Jo started her nursing career in 2002 with Bicton college and qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2005. From here she went on to locum throughout the south west including work with large busy hospitals and smaller quieter ones!
Jo developed a keen interest in Exotic animals and anaesthesia, and was delighted in 2007 to embark on a 1 year locum position in the Veterinary department of Paignton Zoo where she started studying towards her Exotic Animal Nursing Certificate. It was also at the zoo where she met Ian Sayers and Jim Carter as Consultants. After her time at the Zoo, Jo went on to locum for Jim Carter′s private Ophthalmology practice for 9 months where she was approached and invited to join the team here at Abbotskerswell Veterinary Centre for its opening in September 2009. Jo went on to pass her Exotic Animal Nursing Certificate in September 2010.
Mel Barnes Veterinary Nurse (RVN)
Mel has lived in Abbotskerswell for the past 10 years, having grown up in the nearby village of Kingskerswell.
She began her nursing career at Bicton College in 2005, obtaining an FdSc in Veterinary Health Studies in 2007. She then moved on to veterinary nursing, training at a veterinary orthopaedic hospital in Exeter and qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2009. She gained experience in general practice before joining the team at Abbotskerswell in May 2010.
Front of House
Nicky Thistle Practice Manager
Nicky joined Abbotskerswell veterinary centre when it opened in September 2009. She is Practice Manager and also handles the accounts.
Nicky has three children and various animals, after raising her family she went back to work doing various jobs until she started working as practice manager in a busy veterinary practice in Exmouth. She found the job included things she could do and things she liked. With this in mind, Nicky recognised the opportunity that had arisen with the opening of Abbotskerswell Veterinary Centre and jumped at the chance to be involved.
Clare Bray Receptionist
Clare joined Abbotskerswell Veterinary Centre in June 2011 following a varied career in customer service and administration. To date her career has taken her to London, where she worked for British Airways for 3 years followed by a short stint at Morgan Stanley in Canary Wharf. Being a Devon girl originally, she is very happy to be settled back here again and thinks there is no better place to bring up 18 month old Iyla! Outside of work and family life Clare′s hobbies include mountain biking and sea kayaking.
Megan Tonkins Receptionist
Megan also joined Abbotskerswell Veterinary Centre in June 2011. She completed her A levels in English Literature, Biology and Geography in 2010 and since then has worked with horses and travelled around the world! In her spare time Megan is likely to be found on a horse or a rock climbing wall!