Meet the Team
The Independent Animal Clinic is a small family practice owned by Hetty and Adrian Hayes. The day-to-day team consists of one vet, a nurse and a veterinary care assistant. They became friends while working together in a practice as they shared the same ideology of putting the animal first. After parting ways, they stayed in touch and when Hetty decided to start her own practice, it was only natural to do that together with them.
Drs Hetty Hayes DVM MRCVS
Drs Hetty Hayes DVM MRCVS grew up in the Netherlands, where her family bred dogs and she was always teaching them tricks and training them in several dog sports. She loved cats and horses and in her spare time was either looking after and riding horses, training dogs or learning as much as possible at the local vets.
The world-renowned veterinary university in the Netherlands only took a limited number of students at that time. You needed good grades and a bit of luck to get in. At the first balloting Hetty unfortunately did not get in, so she decided to study Chemistry, to improve her chances and the following year she was accepted into vet school. After graduating in 2003, Hetty moved to the UK and has been working here since. Her main interests are soft tissue surgery but also preventative care. She also offers acupuncture for dogs and cats in the area and owns a dog school with her husband Adrian Hayes. Hetty has got 5 dogs, 3 sheep and a horse to keep her busy at home. She trains her dogs in obedience, treibball, hoopers, heelwork to music, scent work and agility and does dressage and le Trec with her horse.
Hetty will be the main vet at the practice and will be doing consultations and surgeries five days a week. This means you will be able to see the same vet and get continuity of care.
Sue Rowe VN
Sue Rowe has worked for 34 years as a veterinary nurse and has a wealth of experience. She shares her life with 6 ponies, 5 dogs, 1 house cat, 13 chickens and 2 outdoor stray cats who decided to claim Sue as their new carer. In her spare time Sue does a lot of training with her horses, teaching them tricks but also dressage. She currently has 2 young ones that need to be learned under saddle in the next few years. Sue ‘s role at the practice is very much involving the care of animals, from nail clips to helping to take bloods, to looking after them when they have been admitted for treatment, but you will also find her at reception where she can answer your questions regarding your pet’s care.
Nia Judd VN
Nia has worked in the veterinary industry as a nurse for 18 years and has a lot of experience. Hetty met Nia 6 years ago when they both worked together. She invited Nia to join the practice at the end of 2024. You will very likely meet Nia in the nurse’s consult room for nurse checks or for admissions or discharges from surgeries. Nia also helps with holding animals for blood testing, with anaesthetic monitoring and nursing of poorly animals when we have them on a drip or receiving treatment at the practice.
Nia is married and has 2 young adult children and loves kayaking and going for walks with her dog Ludo. She also owns two cats. All animals have been lovingly rehomed from her previous work place.
Abbie joined us in September 2024. She has a miniature poodle called Rufus, who she loves to take for walks and she looks after her boyfriend whenever he runs a marathon. Abbie works behind reception, where she will answer your phone calls, book your appointments and sort out your insurance claims. Abbie also helps run blood and urine tests in our in house lab.
Holly Bowen, receptionist
Holly started working behind reception in April 2025. We picked her and Raechelle out of 77 applicants. Holly has worked at an aquatics centre before joining us, but is quickly learning all things veterinary. She lives with her partner and 2 dogs: a German Shepherd and a Frenchie. Holly works behind reception, where she will answer your phone calls, book your appointments and also helps run blood and urine tests in our in house lab. Holly is responsible for our lab, keeping it clean and tidy and making sure it is stocked well.
Raechelle May, receptionist
Raechelle started working behind reception in April 2025. We picked her and Holly out of 77 applicants. Raechelle is married and has 2 young adult children. She loves gardening and spending time with her family. Sadly currently she doesn’t own any animals, but this may change in the nearby future. Raechelle works behind reception, where she will answer your phone calls, book your appointments and also helps run blood and urine tests in our in house lab. Raechelle is responsible for our medication, making sure all stock is in date and kept according to regulations.
Mokka (Mokkacelli)
Hetty fell in love with her when she came into the practice for the first time. Due to sad circumstances she had become available for a new home. As she is still young she comes to work and helps with quality control checks (especially anything that involves snacks), trains Abbie in giving proper belly rubs and often watches while we do our jobs. In between she can go out for a little walk or do some training with Hetty.
Adrian Hayes
Adrian Hayes grew up with a naughty Greyhound and lots and lots of rescue cats as his mum fostered them for a local cat rescue. He always wanted to become a vet, but as life changes well made plans, he ended up in IT and marrying one instead. Adrian works full-time as an IT manager but will occasionally help at reception answering your phone calls and making sure the computers keep running smoothly.
