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 4 dogs, 4 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.
Catherine Dodds RVN
Meet Catherine. She is our registered veterinary nurse who job shares with Sue. Catherine will be doing some consultations as well as anaesthetic monitoring in surgeries. She has a keen interest in lab work and radiology. Catherine loves Dalmatians and hopes to get a puppy in the new year.
Hayley Coope VCA
Our veterinary care assistant qualified in December 2018, but started her veterinary career working in a veterinary dispensary in 2013. Hayley shares her life with 3 dogs, 10 cats and 4 pet rats who get spoiled rotten. Hayley is interested in all aspects of veterinary work, but you will find her mostly at reception, where Hayley will answer your phone calls, book your appointments or dispense the prescriptions that the vet has put out for your pet. Hayley is also the person to talk to if you have questions regarding insurance claims.
Abbie Thurley, Receptionist
Our new receptionist is called Abbie. We picked her out of nearly 100 applicants. Abbie has a lot of reception experience, just not in a veterinary setting. Abbie has a miniature poodle called Rufus who she loves to take for walks. Abbie works at reception, where she will answer you phone calls and book your appointments, but she is also learning a bit of lab work at the moment and makes sure the clinic looks lovely and clean.
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.
