Our Staff
 Matthew Bowditch BVetMed.MRCVS
From a family background of Veterinary surgeons and farmers, he graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 1975. After three years in mixed practice in South Devon he settled into the Beaminster practice. The growth of the Practice from a cottage in the centre of town to a purpose built unit with modern facilities has been the fulfillment of an ambition.
Main interests in the Practice are general medicine and surgery, with a special interest in Diseases of the eye, poultry/game bird and dairy cattle medicine.
Matthew is married to Libby and has three sons, Ed, Robert and Charlie who are well grown now.
Home interests are working dogs (two springers and two Labradors) which belong to his wife when they misbehave, fly fishing and fly tying.
 Terry Girling BSc BVetMed MRCVS
Terry graduated from Leeds University in 1983 with an Honours degree in Animal Physiology and Nutrition. He then went on to the Royal Veterinary College and qualified in 1987 .
Having worked in large animal Practice initially he moved to Beaminster in 1989 to do more mixed Practice.
Interests include Acupuncture, canine rehabilitation and he is currently chairman of the Canine Hydrotherapy Association.
Married to Sarah (also a Vet) and with Tim his 6 year old son, they have four dogs, two cats , two horses, loads of chicken and a flock of sheep.
In his spare time? he enjoys falconry (and subsequently does rehabilitation work with birds of prey) fly fishing and is an enthusiastic naturalist.
He is particularly bad at DIY but his enthusiasm more than makes up for it.
 Kate Richardson BSc BVMS MRCVS
Kate graduated from Glasgow Veterinary School in July 2005 and joined the practice in August 2005. Her main field of interest lies in small animal medicine and diagnostics.
Outside work she enjoys travelling, dog walking with her “Springlie” (collie x Springer) Tilly and gardening.
Kate and her husband, Adam, became proud parents of daugher, Abi, in October 2009.
Alex McCallum BA(Hons) VetMB MRCVS.
Alex joined us in 2007 after graduating from Cambridge University. A local girl, she has returned to her roots now living in Crewkerne with her Border Collie, Harry and cat, Marnie.
Her particular interests include small animal soft tissue, surgery, medicine and imaging diagnostics.
In her spare time she regularly treads the boards in musicals and pantomimes alike with several local societies. She also enjoys a variety of sports including horse riding.
 Fiona Lord RVN
Fiona qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in 2001. She joined the Practice in 2004 and is now the Senior Nurse and an A1 NVQ assessor.
She has a particular interest in medical nursing and critical/emergency care but also plays an active role in the large animal side of the Practice.
At home she has a collection of old tractors, a traction engine , several cats and a Springer Spaniel with learning difficulties. Oh yes, she also collects American Pick Up trucks (she makes Cider not Moonshine and plays the Saxophone not the Banjo).
 Kirsty Padden-Barr VN
Originally from Nottinghamshire Kirsty trained at a small animal practice and qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in 2001. In 2002 she moved to a larger practice providing a variety of nursing clinics. Here she passed her D32/33 Assessor exams and began teaching and assessing student Veterinary Nurses. She then began working as an Emergency VN at the PDSA centre in Nottingham caring for critical patients. In 2003 Kirsty moved to Somerset with her piebald horse Badger and worked at a mixed practice as their Head VN and student assessor.
In September 2007 Kirsty married, Rob, and subsequently began working for the practice in October 2007, her main interests being student training and minor surgery.
In her spare time Kirsty enjoys reading, travelling, music/concerts and walking the latest addition to the family, retired greyhound Zack.
 Hayley Parr RVN
Hayley joined the practice 1st November 2000, she qualified in 2004. Whilst being with the practice Hayley has had an active role in setting up the hydrotherapy unit and has a particular interest in laboratory work and surgical nursing.
Hayley lives with her husband Jon, a local AI man, daugher Tegan, and Stella the collie.
In her spare time Hayley enjoys socialising, meeting up with friends and running.
 Karen Hawkins
After seriving 17 years in the Royal Navy and Police Service of Northern Ireland, love and marriage bought Karen to West Dorset where she escaped the Rat Race! Karen immediately coerced Matthew and Terry into employing her as the oldest student in veterinary nursing history, Karen says this is "definitely a change for the better, although it's the hardest I have ever worked!"
Karen completed her training as a Veterinary Nurse at the practice and qualified in 2008. She is married to Jim, a tree surgeon, and has three dogs, Rufus, Bosun, and sky, one cat, Doris, lots of chickens and sheep.
When not at work Karen likes to keep fit by running, cycling and during the shooting season, working the dogs.
Alex Webber
Alex joined the practice in August 2007 having been in a practice in Bournemouth for two years. She qualified as a Veterinary Nurse at our practice in 2008 and is particularly keen on laboratory work, radiography, and in-patient care.
In her spare time Alex enjoys horse riding, watching live bands and shopping. At home she has two cats, Bailey and Caffrey and Jarvis the crazy cocker spaniel!
 Stephanie Davis
Steph' joined the practice in July 2007 and is currently studying towards her Veterinary Nursing NVQ. This summer she will undertake her written and practical exams, and qualify as a Veterinary Nurse.
At home she has a British Shorthaired cat called Phoebe and Alistair-Eugene the tortoise, otherwise known as 'Mr T'. In her spare time Steph' enjoys Moto GP, plays bass guitar and is a grade 8 Saxophonist.
 Emma Stantiford VN
Emma joined the practice in 1995 having studied Animal Care at Kingston Maurward College. She qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in 2000 and subsequently became an NVQ assessor. Emma shares her time between nursing duties and working in the hydrotherapy pool.
Formerly an active member of the local Young Farmers Club and stalwart of the ladies tug of war team, her energies are now directed towards her young family, Ellie and Harry, and planning her forthcoming wedding with Fiance Gary.
In her spare time Emma enjoys baking/cooking and running.
 Ruth David Practice Manager
Started working at the practice as Receptionist for William Mackinnon in 1977 (a year before Matthew joined! ). General administration, farm accounts and Insurance claims.
Lives in Beaminster, hobbies and pastimes include, Greece, Wine, Cheese, Music, Labradors, London and Laughing !!! (in no particular order, obviously !).
Katie Sawyer hydrotherapist
Katie has always known a rural environment, being the daughter of a trout fishery keeper. Her childhood was spent living and breathing horses, dogs tending injured wildlife and fishing!
Having spent several years working in an Office environment and not really enjoying it as a career she has returned to what she loves. Katie runs and manages the Canine Physiotherapy and hydrotherapy unit and has a keen interest in animal behaviour; she is currently studying towards a certificate in this subject.
Apart from keeping her son, George in check she is a keen walker and teaches dog agility , also competing with her Springer Murphy (who is better at it than her).
Any other spare time is spent horse riding and occasionally picking up a fly rod!
 Jane Chamberlain Senior Receptionist
Jane joined the Practice in February 2007. Prior to this she was a qualified Nursery nurse and then had a twelve year break as a full time Mum, to William, Hugh and Alice. With the children now at school she decided on a career change and trained as a Veterinary receptionist, although does keep her hand in with the Nursery nursing by “looking after” her husband who is a local Policeman.
She shares her life with Flaxen a Labrador.
Joanne Verhaeg
Chartered Physiotherapist specialised in the treatment of animals (ACPAT, A)
Before treating animals, as a physiotherapist you first have to train to treat people. I did my human training at Bristol Physiotherapy School, graduating in 2005, and began my animal training with Amanda Sutton, in Winchester 2 years later. I then worked for Amanda for a couple of years. I moved to Somerset in 2000 and began working independently, and for individual vets, treating horses and dogs in Somerset and Dorset. Shortly after moving to Somerset I met ‘Girling and Bowditch’ and was impressed by their holistic and enthusiastic approach to animal care and rehabilitation, and I’ve worked with them ever since!!
I’m married to Chris (a Royal Marine) and we have a daughter Poppy, 18 months old, 3 dogs – Megan (Staffie X Springer), Daisy-Doos (Salukhi), and Jeffrey (Salukhi X ?). I also have a horse called Eric as well as a beloved Dartmoor pony called Eddie! So, life is busy, and most of my spare time is spent with my daughter and/or my animals.
When I do have time, my other interests include keeping fit, and music – particularly festivals we live very close to the Glastonbury site!!
Mary Salmons BVSc MRCVS
Mary joined the practice in August 2009 having spent a year at a large animal practice on the North Devon/Cornwall border. She studied and qualified as a Veterinary Surgeon at Bristol University in 2008 and has a special interest in farm animal medicine.
In her spare time Mary enjoys walking her collie, Diesel, visiting friends and returning home to Hertfordshire to see her family.
Amy Sanders Canine Hydrotherapist
Amy joined the practice in September 2009. She is currently with us on a part time basis as she is studying for a BSc (Hons) in Animal Behaviour.
Amy spends her spare time studying!! (she doesn't have any at the moment!) If she did, she would enjoy horse riding and walking her labrador Poppy, and Cocker Spaniel Charlie.
|