Rob Foale: Consultant Medicine Specialist

BSc BVetMed DSAM DipECVIM-Ca MRCVS

• Honorary Associate Professor of Small Animal Internal Medicine, University of Nottingham.
• Diplomate, Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons / European College in Small Animal Medicine.
• European Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine

Head of Internal Medicine

Rob is a well-known Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine and also has a passionate interest in Oncology (cancer medicine). He is author of a textbook of Veterinary Oncology.

Hi, I am Rob Foale, the Head of the Internal Medicine service here at Dick White Referrals. I have been a Veterinary Surgeon since 1996 but I have focused solely on small animal medicine since 2000. I qualified from the Royal Veterinary College, University of London in 1996 having previously completed a BSc in Physiology and Pharmacology at King's College, London in 1992. After a four-year period in mixed general practice I joined the medicine service at The University of Cambridge Veterinary School as a resident in small animal medicine and I completed this programme in 2003. I obtained my RCVS Diploma in Small Animal Medicine in 2003, my ECVIM Diploma in 2005 and I am a Recognised European Specialist in Internal Medicine.

My main clinical interests are medical oncology (the medical treatment of cancer), endocrinology (hormone disturbances and their cause), haematology (blood disorders) and immune-mediated diseases. In addition to my clinical work here I also have several active research projects with colleagues in centres in Cambridge, Nottingham, Singapore and Egypt! Specifically, I am working to try and develop a novel gene-therapy approach to the treatment of canine diabetes mellitus, to identify any genetic loci that make certain breeds of dog more prone to developing lymphoma and also to see if we can identify the hormones and genetic basis for some breeds of dog being much more likely than others to put on weight. In addition to this research output, I teach the small animal part of the undergraduate endocrinology course at the University of Nottingham Veterinary School and I have also published a textbook on the management of cancer in cats and dogs in 2009, which is now on sale around the world. Within the Veterinary profession, I am a member of the American Veterinary Cancer Society (VCS), The European Society of veterinary Oncology (ESVOnc), the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) and the Small Animal Medicine Society (SAMSoc).

Away from work I own two working English springer spaniels called Maggie and Olive who mean a great deal to me, so I completely understand quite how much happiness dogs bring to our lives but also how distressing it is to find that our own dogs need serious medical care. I always try to treat every patient as if they were my own and I will always do all I can to try to make them better.

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Simon Tappin: Consultant Medicine Specialist

MA VetMB DipECVIM-Ca CertSAM MRCVS

• Honorary Associate Professor of Small Animal Internal Medicine, University of Nottingham
• Diplomate, European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
• European & RCVS-Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Medicine (Internal Medicine)

Simon is a well-known Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine and has a particular interest in Critical Care medicine and Interventional Radiology.

Hi, I'm Simon Tappin one of the internal medicine consultants at Dick White Referrals. I trained at the University of Cambridge, where I was taught by my colleagues Dick White, Rob Foale and Butty Villiers. After qualifying in 2002, I spend two years in small animal practice before taking up a residency in small animal medicine and intensive care at the University of Bristol.

During my residency I completed the Royal College certificate in Small Animal Medicine and gained the European Diploma in Veterinary Internal Medicine. I am an active member of the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) and am part of the editorial board for their Companion journal and a sit on the Kennel club/BSAVA scientific panel.

I have an interest in all areas of small animal medicine but particularly enjoy the challenge of looking after our more critically ill patients. I have also been instrumental in developing the Interventional Radiology service at Dick White Referrals. Interventional Radiology allows minimally invasive techniques and employment of bio-materials to effectively and comfortably treat many conditions for which previously more invasive surgery would be needed. I enjoy teaching and have lectured widely in the UK and in Europe on a variety of subjects, including my passions of emergency medicine and interventional radiology. My current research interests are investigating the prevalence of the multi drug resistance gene within the UK and the implications this has on disease aetiology.

Away from work I have a very active Border collie, Ellie, with whom I enjoy walking and, when time allows (!), participating with in agility competitions.

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Jon Wray: Consultant Medicine Specialist

BVSc DSAM CertVC MRCVS

• Honorary Associate Professor of Small Animal Internal Medicine, University of Nottingham
• Diplomate, Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in Small Animal Medicine
• RCVS-Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Medicine (Internal Medicine)

Jon is a well-known Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine and is also pursuing second board-certification as a Cardiology Specialist, which has not been achieved by any other Veterinary Surgeon in the UK.

I graduated from Bristol University Veterinary School in 1996 and then worked in mixed animal (predominantly dairy, beef and small animal) practice in Bath and Northeast Somerset for two and a half years. I then returned to Bristol to complete a three-year Residency training in Small Animal Medicine before moving to Willows Referral Service in the West Midlands to develop an Internal Medicine Referral service alongside existing disciplines. I was subsequently appointed first as a clinician then as Head of the Small Animal Medicine Unit at the Animal Health Trust, Newmarket before pursuing a post as Clinical Fellow in Cardiorespiratory Medicine at the University of Bristol. Over this time I have gained the RCVS Certificate, Diploma and Specialist Recognition in Small Animal Internal Medicine and the Certificate in Cardiology (which is my first veterinary 'love') and am currently pursuing the RCVS Diploma in Cardiology also. I have thus worked in first opinion practice, academia, private referral practice and the charitable sector and have developed a very broad range of experience in doing so. It has also been my privilege to work with and learn from some of the finest veterinary talent in the world, but nowhere moreso than my colleagues at Dick White Referrals. Our team approach and compassionate and dedicated patient care is truly unsurpassed in its success and allows me to give the care to my patients that they deserve.

I have been Chief Examiner for the RCVS Certificate in Small Animal Medicine and I am currently Chief Examiner for the RCVS Diploma in Small Animal Medicine. As well as publishing widely in many aspects of internal medicine have taken an active role in training future specialists and in guiding candidates from general practice in their pursuit of higher veterinary qualifications. I am a passionate advocate of the need for well-structured post-graduate training of veterinary surgeons in the UK and a believer that general practice should be encouraged as a speciality in itself. I have lectured widely both in the UK and internationally in the fields of Internal Medicine, Cardiorespiratory Medicine and Education. My particular fields of interest are all aspects of cardiorespiratory medicine, swallowing disorders, use of endoscopy in diagnosis and management, endocrinology and interventional radiology. Along with my colleague Simon Tappin, I have received further in interventional radiology training in the USA and we are keen to promote this valuable new treatment method for pets in the UK.

Outside work I am kept busy spoiling our little girl Ella and very little twins Sophie and Daniel, attending as much live music, theatre and art exhibitions as practical and playing the guitar with rather more enthusiasm than skill. We are currently 'between' Greyhounds!

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Professor Dick White: Consultant Surgical Specialist

BVetMed PhD DSAS DVR FRCVS

• Special Professor of Small Animal Surgery, University of Nottingham
• Diplomate, Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, American College of Veterinary Surgeons, European College of Veterinary Surgeons in Small Animal Surgery
• Diplomate, Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in Veterinary Radiology
• RCVS-Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Surgery
• RCVS-Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Oncology (Surgical Oncology)

Founder and Practice Principal

Hello, I am Dick White - the founder and principal of our specialist centre. I am regarded as one of Europe's leading small animal soft tissue and cancer surgeons. During a 25 year university career I taught surgery to more than 1500 veterinary surgeons - this means that today about 10% of all vets working in the UK were taught how to operate by me.

I specialise in, and have wide experience of, all aspects of small animal 'soft tissue' surgery and I am an American, European and RCVS Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Surgery. I concentrate on ENT and respiratory surgery, reconstructive and abdominal surgery. I am also one of a small handful of RCVS Specialists in Veterinary Oncology in the country. I have recently been made an Honorary Member of the Veterinary Society of Surgical Oncology in recognition of the contributions I have made to the field of small animal cancer management. My primary interest in cancer management therefore lies in the surgical management of cancer but I also work closely with my colleagues here to combine surgery with other non-surgical anti-cancer treatments.

I have published many scientific papers and chapters in internationally-acknowledged textbooks; I am a founder and Past President of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons. As well as being the centre's principal clinician, I am also Special Professor of Small Animal Surgery at the University of Nottingham Veterinary School and I contribute to the undergraduate teaching programme there.

I have one cat and four dogs of my own - a wire-haired German pointer, two working Labrador retrievers and one border terrier. So more importantly than all my clinical experience, it is this that allows me to fully appreciate the huge role that animals play in our life!

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Pieter Nelissen: Soft Tissue Surgeon

DVM CertSAS MRCVS

Pieter is a Clinical Fellow in Small Animal Surgery. Having undertaken his training in Small Animal Surgery, completing his Residency in 2010, Pieter is sitting his Specialist examinations in 2013.

I qualified as a Veterinary Surgeon in 2001 from Ghent University in Belgium, after which I joined the staff at the University, completing an Internship in Small Animal Surgery. In September 2003, I joined a small animal practice in the UK, in which I was in charge of Small Animal Surgery for 3 ½ years. During this time I gained the RCVS Certificate in Small Animal Surgery. In February 2007, I joined Dick White Referrals, initially working as an Intern, a role in which I worked closely with the Specialist Small Animal Surgeons, prior to commencing a three year Residency training in Small Animal Surgery, which I completed in 2010.

In 2011, I was appointed as a Clinical Fellow in Small Animal Surgery. I spend the majority of my time in the clinic treating Soft Tissue cases but I continue to maintain my interest in Orthopaedics by spending time in the Orthopaedic clinic too. I enjoy all aspects of surgery and I am especially interested in Soft Tissue Surgery with particular focus on minimally invasive surgery.

Outside work, I enjoy mountaineering, climbing, skiing and walking. I have a lovely English Springer spaniel called 'Julie' who has had more than her fair share of surgery in her life, following various accidents and incidents but Julie continues to be a very active girl, accompanying me on our walking trips.

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Nele van den Steen: ECVIM Medicine Resident

DVM CertSAM MRCVS

• RCVS Certificate-holder in Small Animal Medicine.
• European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ECVIM)- approved Resident in specialist training

After six years of veterinary medicine studies, I graduated from Ghent University in July 2002. I moved to the UK, where I have been working in general practice from 2003 till 2005. In 2006 I completed a small animal internship at the Animal Health Trust, after which I stayed on in the Oncology department. During this period I studied for a Masters in clinical oncology at the University of Birmingham.

In 2010 I joined Dick White Referrals to complete my residency in internal medicine. I passed the first part of the diploma exam in 2010, and gained the certificate in small animal medicine in 2011.
Outside work I enjoy spending time with my family and my springer spaniel.

Aida Gomez: ECVIM Medicine Resident

DVM MRCVS

• European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ECVIM)- approved Resident in specialist training

I qualified in June 2003 from Santiago de Compostela University in Spain. In January 2004 I started a one year clinical training programme in Small Animal Surgery and Anaesthesia at the same university. For the following 4 years I was working in several private practices in Spain where I developed my interest in internal medicine. Feeling unable to fulfil my professional interests in Spain,I decided to move to the United Kingdom with the aim of undertaking a Residency in Internal Medicine. After a few months working in general practice in London, I started one year internship at the Queen's Veterinary Hospital of the University of Cambridge in November 2008.

In January 2010, I joined Dick White Referrals to start a Residency Programme approved by the ECVIM which I am already enjoying very much. I have always wanted to be able to offer the best possible service to our pets; our life is just perfect with them and they deserve the best.

Outside work I enjoy dancing tango, taking pictures of nature and of course, playing with my Spanish cats Colocini and Flaquita!

Rachel Miller: ECVIM Medicine Resident

BVSc CertVA MRCVS

• RCVS Certificate-holder in Veterinary Anaesthesia
• European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ECVIM)- approved Resident in specialist training

I qualified from the University of Liverpool in 2006. After qualifying I spent two years at the Animal health trust, firstly working as an intern and then spending a second year working within the department of anaesthesia and building my experience in internal medicine.  After this time I left to move to small animal general practice in Hertfordshire.

I worked in general practice for three years and during this time completed my RCVS Certificate in Veterinary Anaesthesia.  In September 2011 I joined Dick White Referrals to start an ECVIM residency in small animal internal medicine.  Medicine has always been my main interest and I am already enjoying being at a centre where we can provide the best possible care to our patients.

During my time in practice I have managed to acquire a very excitable Labrador called Milo and two cats who take up most of my time.  I also enjoy running and am a beginner in attempting triathlon.

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Anya Owen: Head Medicine Nurse

DipHE (AVN), RVN

• Registered Veterinary Nurse
• Diploma in Advanced Veterinary Nursing

I qualified as a veterinary nurse in July 2003, I continued to work in general practice then moved to a referral centre prior to joining Dick White Referrals in December 2006. I have the A1 assessor qualification and achieved a distinction in the RCVS Higher Educational Diploma in Advanced Veterinary Nursing in December 2010.

As the Head medicine nurse I enjoy the diversity of my job both as manager and an integral member of the nursing team. I am particularly interested in cardiopulmonary medicine, internal medicine, oncology and anaesthesia.

I have a sprocker spaniel called Roxy and outside of work I enjoy generally being active, dog walking and horse riding in the countryside, taking snowboading holidays, sailing and trying to surf when near the sea!

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Angel Thompson: Receptionist

RVN

• Receptionist

I trained in general practice in Cambridge and joined DWR shortly after qualifying in 2007.

After initially working as a night nurse, I moved to the Internal Medicine Department in 2008 where I have worked ever since. I have particular interests in critical care and emergency nursing as well as helping to co-ordinate our oncology out-patient clinic.

I own five cats named Harry, Sally, Eddie, Louis and George. My hobbies include dog walking, spending time with family and friends and reading.

Beckah Holtaway: Medicine Nurse

RVN

• Registered Veterinary Nurse

I have been working for DWR since April 2010. Prior to that, I worked in general practice for 5 years and qualified in April 2009.

I have a special interest in internal medicine, particularly endocrinology and pharmacology.

I have 5 cats: Bushki, Oscar, Archie, Pumpkin and Ruby as well as a Labrador called Nellie.

Laura Crump: Medicine Nurse

RVN

• Registered Veterinary Nurse

Hi, my name is Laura and I joined the internal medicine team at DWR in October 2010. I had worked in general practice for 4 years prior to qualifying in August 2010. I completed the Nurse's Certificate in Anaesthesia and Critical Care (accredited by the European School of Veterinary Postgraduate Studies) in November 2011 and I am currently studying towards my RCVS Diploma in Advanced Veterinary Nursing. My particular areas of interest include critical care nursing and oncology.

Outside of work I am a member of Bury St Edmunds Young Farmers and I enjoy all aspects of living in the countryside including horse riding and long walks with my two dogs, Luki and Trixie. Alongside my dogs, I also provide a home for 5 rescued cats - Widget, Leo, Smudge, Tilly and Izzy.