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Vets

VET

Veterinarian & Clinic Owner

Patrick McKee

BVetMed BSc MRCVS

I knew I would be a vet the moment my wonderful collie/retriever cross Apple came out of Margaret’s surgery that afternoon, the wound in her chest repaired and the worry and anxiety of the accident now in the past. The care with which she was treated and the wonder of an open wound precision repaired stayed with me from that day. When Rebecca and I opened Ashwood in 2009 we knew it was this type of care and professionalism which we would provide for family pets. When you come with your pet to see us, you are part of our family and it is this ethos that underpins Ashwood and which I love.

Veterinarian & Clinic Owner

Rebecca McKee

BVetMed MRCVS

Flopsy had been my beautiful pet rabbit since my sixth birthday. She was only three when she suddenly stopped moving one day; I didn’t know at the time that she had a tumor inside. I was devastated when she passed away and I decided that day that I wanted to be able to fix animals. My first day of work experience was when I was at high school. It was at our local vets. It turned out to be a day of surgery, operating on a dog with a damaged eye (the other student who was with me fainted, went home and never came back!) but I loved every minute of it. I could see past the wound, to the result of the surgery and my mind was made up. The vet had transformed damage and pain into restoration and healing. Helping injured animals felt amazing. I wanted to be a vet. Now, every single day with a super team around us, we help pets and people; and our whole team cares. I’m loving it and we haven’t looked back.

Advanced Veterinary Practitioner

Niall Thompson

MVB CertAVP PGCertVPS MRCVS

I grew up working on my Grandparents dairy farm each weekend, this is where I realised my passion for animals could become a career. Enjoying science at school, it became an easy decision to work towards becoming a Veterinary Surgeon. I studied Veterinary Medicine at University College Dublin, graduating in 2014. Since then, I have worked with both farm animals and small animals. At Ashwood, I have been able to develop my interest in pets more than ever. In 2021, I completed an RCVS certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice, with a special interest in surgery. At Ashwood, learning is never finished. We are always striving for excellence, both in the care of our patients, and in how we treat each other and our local community.

Veterinarian

Bea Garcia Torresano

MRCVS

I have wanted to be a Vet since I was a little girl as my father was an avid animal lover and my grandad was a farmer in Spain. I grew up in Spain, and after graduating Complutense University of Madrid in 2016 I made the move to Northern Ireland in 2019 with my beloved rescue cat, Toulouse. My partner Conor and I love to get away on weekends whether is a quick trip to Donegal or a visit back to Madrid, we always have fun! I joined Ashwood in 2021 and I am so grateful for the friendships I have made so far and I am so glad to be a part of the big Ashwood Family.

Veterinarian

Louise King

BVM&S MRCVS

I've always wanted to be a Vet, so I worked hard to achieve my dream. I started working at Ashwood in August 2019 after working in a couple of different clinics. When I started at Ashwood I had just finished my maternity leave after having my beautiful daughter, Lucy. Since then my son, Tom, has also joined our family.

I have an Irish Red Setter called Rosie who I love taking for long walks on forest tracks.

My husband, Matt, the kids and I love exploring the forests near us & thoroughly enjoy a day out.

Veterinarian

Stuart McCaughan

BVM&S MRCVS

Ashwood is where it all started for me, so it’s a bit of a full circle to be working here now! I grew up nearby to the clinic with a Cocker Spaniel called Sid and he got a couple of injuries where we had to take him in to see Patrick here in Ashwood. I found these trips very interesting and that sparked a desire for me to have a career in Veterinary. I began to see practice in the clinic and I remember the first surgery I saw. A stone was removed from a dog’s intestine and I thought this was fantastic! The dog had come in vomiting and unable to eat and went home fixed. I was hooked!

I graduated from Glasgow University in 2021 and joined the Ashwood team in October 2023. In my spare time I like to go hiking with my wife Aimee. We recently moved house and I am enjoying being back near to where I grew up. I know the importance of the human-animal bond and my goal is to keep pets healthy and owners happy!

VET NURSES

Vet Nurses

Vet Nurse

Anna Baker

RVN & Head Veterinary Nurse

When I was young, I loved spending holidays on my friend’s farm, helping with the animals. Once, enthusiastically running to see her new puppy, I tripped and cut my head. I still have a mark but it’s a reminder of the excitement and how much I love animals too. So you could say that animals have left their mark on me in more ways than one! I think it must really come from my mum, as she is a mega animal fan and I’ve had pets ever since I can remember. Now, I just love making a difference to the lives of animals. I started out working on our reception, now I’m a veterinary nurse and I love it. I've recently trained as a cat advocate as part of our goal to make Ashwood an accredited Cat Friendly Clinic.

Vet Nurse

Kathryn McGreevy

Registered Veterinary Nurse & Pharmacy Liaison

In 2014 I joined the Ashwood team. I started a a receptionist before challenging myself to become a Veterinary Nurse.

After a couple of years training, I qualified as an RVN. Since then I've developed an interest in surgical nursing and imaging.

I rescued a stray rabbit called Steve, who not only entertains me with his weirdness, but has given me an interest in small furries and finding more ways to give them an easier veterinary experience.

Vet Nurse

Molli Berry

Registered Veterinary Nurse & Social Media and Online Engagement Architect

Growing up, my mum fostered a multitude of different animals and I learnt a lot about how to care for them from a young age. Having attended Equine college at 16 years old I still had my heart set on working with small animals one day. I moved to Australia when I was 21, worked up and down the east coast, and qualified as an Australian Veterinary Nurse. After living there for 7 years I made the long journey home with my now husband Brendan, and my rescue Collie X Kelpie, Cinder. I love creating relationships with clients and showing compassion for any animal that comes through the front door. I am so grateful to work at Ashwood as it's such a friendly, fun & knowledgeable clinic, and most of all they are all as smitten with Cinder as I am!

Vet Nurse

Laura-Marie Eakin

Registered Veterinary Nurse

As a child I always wanted to work with animals, be it as a zookeeper, vet, dog-walker, nurse... the list went on and the role of choice changed each week! After a detour into the acting world and having played a nurse on Emmerdale a few times (oh, the irony!); I decided to take the leap, follow my heart and change my career to Veterinary Nursing. After volunteering with the RSPCA in England, I moved to Northern Ireland in 2015 and began my nursing journey at Greenmount College on the Animal Nursing Assistant course. That diploma confirmed for me that Veterinary Nursing was the job I wanted and so I went on to the Veterinary Nursing diploma course in 2018 and haven't looked back since! I'm delighted to be fully qualified now and shall wear my RVN badge with pride! I joined the Ashwood family in July 2021 and I'm so thrilled and honoured to be part of such an incredible team of truly passionate and caring people.

Vet Nurse

Debbie Burden

Registered Veterinary Nurse & CertVNECC

Despite studying languages with a views to becoming a teacher, I soon knew I had to change direction completely and veer towards a career dedicated to my first love; animals!

So, at the grand age of 31, I was lucky enough to start studying veterinary nursing. Since qualifying as an RVN in 2014, I have been able to experience general practice nursing and referral nursing as well as completing my post qualification Certificate in Emergency and Critical Care last year at the age of 42.

I think I am a testament to the adage that you are never too old to do what you love!

I feel so privileged to be a part of the Ashwood family and I'm looking forward to meeting and helping more of the lovely clients and their furry family members!

Vet Nurse

Fiona Bailey

Registered Veterinary Nurse & Neonatal Specialist

For as long as I remember, animals have been my entire world. Having always wanted to work with them, being a veterinary nurse just made sense!

I feel privileged to say that I do a job I genuinely love and I am very proud to be an RVN.

At home I have a cocker spaniel called Indigo, a pug names Ravioli, a Chihuahua called Trouble and a cat called Joni Mitchell.

I have a very keen interest in neonatal nursing and am usually fostering orphaned new-born puppies & kittens for Dogs Trust, Cats Protection and many other animal charities.

I am delighted to be a part of the dedicated & inspiring team here at Ashwood.

Vet Nurse

Lisa Stewart

Student Veterinary Nurse

When I was a little girl I watched the movie 'All Dogs Go to Heaven'. Ever since then I knew that German Shepherds were the breed for me. My boys and I have a lovely black Shepherd called Riot who definitely lives up to his name & keeps us on our toes. He loves to make friends with all humans and animals and is the happiest big boy. I am so lucky to have the privilege of getting to look after all our clients and their pets as I love getting to know them all. There is nothing I enjoy more than a cuddles with the puppies and kittens and a chat with our lovely clients. After lots of studying and hard work I qualified as a Registered Veterinary Receptionist in 2021 and look forward to one day being a Registered Veterinary Nurse.

Vet Nurse

Laura Reid

Student Veterinary Nurse

I have always been a huge animal lover. I grew up with everything from cats and dogs to guinea pigs, gerbils, hamsters and toads, and I now have two cats and a dog (and two kids!) of my own. But after studying archaeology, and later conservation, at university I ended up working in an office environment for 15 years. I finally took the risk and left to pursue my dream job, studying to become an animal nursing assistant before coming to Ashwood to be a student nurse. I can’t tell you how happy I am to be part of the team! Getting to work with the loveliest bunch of professional, intelligent people is a dream come true!

Client Care

CLIENT CARE

Client Care

Kelly Brown

I had always wanted Pugs since as early as I can remember, though it wasn't until I moved to my own house that it happened. Imagine my delight when a gorgeous little fawn puppy arrived making my dream come true. Max brought us such joy. I already knew that more would follow. Sadly we had to let Max go a couple of years ago and we miss him dearly. We’ve still got two dogs, a cat and two kids so life’s pretty busy in our house! Being part of the Ashwood team is something I love (and you’ll really make my day if you bring in a pug to see us!)

Client Care

Penny Wright

I have always loved animals from a very young age, though for many years we never had any pets at home. I would always look forward to the weekend where I would stay with my nana to feed her ducks and look after her Labradors called Gemma and Holly, who I adored. In January 2022 I finally had a dream come true of having my very own fox red Labrador puppy called Sadie, she is the love of my life and there is no one else I’d rather curl up in bed with or jump into rivers after! I feel so fortunate to be able to work in a profession which is so close to my heart, but also with a team that is so devoted, caring and professional.

Client Care

Lauren McCullough

I grew up in a house that rescued animals so I have had a love for them from a very young age. My first dog was an Italian Spinone called True and he was the love of my life. He was a rescue dog and I truly believe that I didn’t rescue him, he rescued me. My husband and I sadly lost our 2 year old Golden Retriever, but have recently welcomed a rescue Sheltie into our family to join our rescue cat, Fog, and they continue to keep us on our toes with their shenanigans. I have found such joy working alongside my Ashwood Family and all the wonderful pets I get to see daily. I think it’s a wonderful thing when you find fulfillment in what you do, and I certainly find that here at Ashwood (mostly because of the puppy snuggles – it’s a perk of the job!)

Join Our Team

Join Our Team at Ashwood

We’re always open to hearing from passionate vets, nurses and support team specialists who want to join our practice.

We’re a small animal practice working with companion animals and exotics. That means all of the team enjoys a varied caseload and lots of opportunities to gain interesting experience.

We care about building a strong, trusting relationship with our clients, which leads to great job satisfaction. We’re a close-knit team who all chip in together to ensure that we hit the highest standards – and have fun while we do so!

If you’re interested in joining the team, get in touch for an informal, confidential chat.

Email Niall at recruitment@ashwoodvets.com

Current Vacancies

Veterinary Surgeon (date added 15/04/2024)

We are a friendly, modern, independent practice in Belfast and fully owned by our team, meaning we will always stay independent.
We offer a highly personal service to our clients and patients, and we are proud to have a practice where kindness and encouragement are our constant endeavour and where profanity and bad language are not used. We have a truly fantastic and nurturing team and CPD is strongly encouraged. We have plans for new premises in the pipeline as well.
At Ashwood, teamwork is an essential component of our day. We want a colleague who is passionate about being part of a team. By this we mean caring for both patients and clients from a supportive environment where the team cares for each other.
Our nurses take a leading role in shaping each day, liaising with the vets on the variety of cases that come through our doors. We offer orthopaedic and laparoscopic small animal surgery.A vet with an interest in ultrasonography would be beneficial, but not essential.

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There is also opportunity for a vet who prefers consulting, or for someone who is keen to develop medically or surgically.
We want a colleague who is thoughtful, action-orientated and resourceful, as well as committed to personal growth, excellence, team building, kindness and encouragement. If this is you, and you are interested in us, we would love you to apply .
Please email Niall at recruitment@ashwoodvets.com for an application pack. Or call Patrick on 07980725235 for an initial chat.