Team
Meet the Heathside Veterinary team
Meet our Vets
Jeremy Giles
BVetMed MRCVS
When I set up Heathside in 1998 I had a vision of what I wanted in a veterinary surgery. I wholeheartedly believe in preventative medicine and with that aim in mind I set our my goals for Heathside.
Practicing excellent medicine and providing the best and most up to date services; with highly trained staff and modern equipment, I believe that we are one of the most progressive first opinion surgeries in Hampshire.
After over thirty years of being qualified I still enjoy coming to work, meeting owners and their pets. Whether big or small, exotic or not I still get satisfaction in treating them all. Although I love all areas of general practice I particularly enjoy lameness’s and skin health.
Dave Sewell
BVM&S BSc Cert VC MRCVS
I qualified from Edinburgh University in 2003. My main area of interest is cardiology and gained my certificate in 2011.
At Heathside we have all the facilities required to offer a full cardiology service, including dedicated ultrasound, ECG and Holter (a portable monitoring vest).
I also enjoy medicine, imaging and anaesthesia and I am currently studying toward additional post-graduate qualifications in the subject of internal medicine.
Alina Raznoveanu
MRCVS
My pivotal moment was delivering nine bulldog puppies on my own; the mum weighed 37kg before and 30kg post-partum! They were big boys and girls.
I have been qualified for nine years and have a particular interest in dentistry, dermatology and medicine.
Jennifer Kristoffersson
DVM MRCVS
Jennifer grew up in a small town in Sweden, and studied Veterinary medicine in Lithuania for 6 years. Jennifer has had pets her entire life including cats, dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs.
She now has a beautiful Border Terrier – Elsie.
Jennifer joined the Heathside Team this year after finishing her education, her favourite part of the job is learning new skills everyday. Jennifer loves to build client and patient relationships, and will always treat your pet as her own.
Thanos Kroustalis
DVM MRCVS
I graduated in 2015, from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece) and have been practising in UK as a Small Animal Clinician since 2017.
I completed a Small Animal Rotating Internship Programme with Vets Now at the Glasgow Emergency and Specialty Hospital in August 2021, working alongside Specialists in different disciplines. This was followed by the completion of a Surgical Internship at Fitzpatrick Referrals focused on orthopaedics and neurosurgery in August 2022.
I enjoy all aspects of first opinion but have a special bias towards surgery. I served in the Hellenic AirForce as a Veterinarian Aircraftman & also worked at my hometown’s municipality as a Veterinary Surgeon at the Stray Animals Office & Dog Shelter right after my graduation.
I have a dog named Irma that was previously a stray and now lives with my family back in Greece that I miss a lot. I have a soft spot for Italian Greyhounds and Border Terriers and aim to adopt one with my partner anytime soon.
Meet our nurses
Meg Tugwell
QVN
I have been working and training at Heathside since 2014 and qualified with them as a veterinary nurse in 2019. I love my job and every day is different and I am very proud to work with the team at Heathside.
I love all animals especially dogs as I have two beautiful cavaliers named Rosie and Rolo.
Gemma Tandy
QVN
I qualified as a registered veterinary nurse in January 2021 and have been with the team at Heathside since July 2021. I am passionate about patient care and in particular I am a huge advocate for our feline patients! I have a keen interest in emergency and critical care and feline nursing.
I have two cats Tyler and Max who keep me busy with their antics.
Outside of work I keep busy with lots of gardening and looking after my hundreds of house plants.
Poppy Mackean
QVN BSc
Having worked for Heathside throughout the first lockdown and returning to uni to gain my qualification as a veterinary nurse, I have some great news… Which I will let you know soon!
Nickie Veal
RVN CertVNECC
I started my journey to become a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2007 where I was an Animal Nurse Assistant for a charity vets. I moved on to train in 2010 and I Qualified in 2013.
Since I Qualified as a Veterinary Nurse, I have had the pleasure of working with lots of species including Foxes, Badgers, Snakes, Lizards and even a SEAL!
I have a passion for learning and I am currently studying for my Certificate in Emergency and Critical Care. I have already lined up my next certificate for when I have finished.
I look forward to meeting all of our wonderful patients and their owners.
Grace Cutler
RVN
I have been carrying out my training at Heathside since I first did work experience here in 2018. I then started my degree at The Royal Veterinary College in London, studying FdSc Veterinary nursing, then finally gaining my qualifications and graduating as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in July 2023.
I love all aspects of nursing, but particularly enjoy surgery and patient care. I also hope to complete a nursing certificate in the future.
Outside of work, I enjoy seeing friends, going to the gym and spending time with my Border Terrier called Maggie!
Millie Trace
SVN
I arrived at Heathside Veterinary Surgery in December 2021. Since joining the team I have learned a lot about the correct way to handle animals and find medicine very interesting. I love that my job allows me to combine my passion for science and animal care. Every day is different and I find it exciting that I learn something new everyday. I am super keen to begin my nursing course at Sparshalt College near Winchester this September! Outside of work, I enjoy socialising with family and friends as well as listening to music and going to the gym. As a child, I grew up with lots of different pets including ducks, rabbits, gerbils and guinea pigs. I currently have two very cuddly cockapoos, Bella and Bonnie whom I just absolutely adore.
Maddison Hibberd
SVN
I’ve been here since the start of 2023, I am a student vet nurse and I will be starting college in September which I am very excited for.
I have previously worked at a different veterinary surgery for 4 years as a nurse assistant so I am very eager to start the path of veterinary nursing.
I have 2 pets at home a dog called Mia she is a cockapoo and a cat called Milo (a maine coon cross). While I love all animals I have a particular soft spot for furry felines. I love mostly everything about this job, no day is the same and you learn something new every day which keeps you on your toes!
In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family and friends going for long morning walks with my dog, stopping to get breakfast or a coffee along the way or soaking up sunshine and relaxing with my cat in the garden.
Laura Jennings
SVN
I have recently joined the team at Heathside as an Animal Care Assistant in October 2020. I have always had a passion for animal care and am keen to progress as a Student Veterinary Nurse in the future. Growing up with cats and now 2 dogs in our family home, I understand how important it is to treat your furry friends with the utmost care and attention. Every day is different and new challenges are thrown my way, but that is what I love about my job!
Meet our support staff
Claire Howes
I joined the Heathside Team back in 2000 as the receptionist and re-joined again in 2015 after having my children, this time as a customer care manager. I consider myself extremely fortunate to be working with such a dedicated team. It is very rewarding to see so many faces returning year on year with some of their ‘golden oldies’ as well as their new pets.
I spend the majority of my spare time at my local riding school where I keep my horse Lady on livery. I can often be seen riding around the farm is all weathers which keeps me fit and active. At home my beautiful Bengal cats Stan and Ollie and my children keep me on my toes!
Jessica Head
RVN
Having completed my nursing qualification in 2006, I soon started to work at Heathside. Growing up with a range of animals at home means I have a keen interest in animal health and wellbeing, but I also enjoy supporting clients in caring for their pets.
Working at Heathside over the years has allowed me to engage in varied job roles including Head Veterinary Nurse before going on maternity leave.
Since returning to work I am now a Practice Administrator, working 2 days a week to also accommodate me being a mum to my young family.
You will find me in the offices at the surgery answering phone calls, assisting with any questions or queries and also helping to continue the development of the surgery and staff which is something I enjoy.
Cheryl York
Cheryl York is now on Maternity Leave.
Cheryl has grown up with a mix of dogs and cats in the family, combining this with her genuine care to help people. Offering good advice and helping owners in any way she can.
Everyday is enjoyable, rewarding and different working on reception.
Cheryl loves to meet new pets and their owners; she also has a great relationship with many long standing pets and clients.
Shona Barfoot
My name is Shona and I joined his side in November for 2021. I previously worked in a doctor surgery for eight years before joining the team at Heathside as a receptionist. I enjoy building client relationships and love puppy cuddles.
I enjoy taking my Vizsla Rex out on walks exploring our beautiful countryside.
Outside of work I enjoy reading, gardening and I am a keen houseplant enthusiast.