Team

Meet the Heathside Veterinary team

Meet our Vets

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Jeremy Giles

Principal Veterinary Surgeon

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.

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Dave Sewell

Veterinary Surgeon

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.

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Alina Raznoveanu

Veterinary Surgeon

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.

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Jennifer Kristoffersson

Veterinary Surgeon

DVM MRCVS

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Mario Santos

Veterinary Surgeon

DVM PgC SAS MRCVS

Certificate holder in small animal surgery. Mario graduated from University of Porto, Portugal. After working in general practice he completed his internship in a referral practice. 

Mario’s main interest is in surgery but his ultimate goal is to provide the best care for your pet. 

Meet our nurses

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Meg Tugwell

Head Veterinary Nurse

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.

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Gemma Stubbington

Deputy Head Veterinary Nurse

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.

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Poppy MacKean

Qualified Veterinary Nurse

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!

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Nicola Veal

Qualified Veterinary Nurse

QVN

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Laura Jennings

Student Veterinary Nurse

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!

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Millie Trace

Student Veterinary Nurse

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. 

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Maddison Hibberd

Student Veterinary Nurse

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. 

Meet our support staff

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Claire Howes

Practice Manager

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!

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Jessica Head

Practice Administrator

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.

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Danielle Giles

Advertising, Marketing & Social Media

Having breathed and lived Heathside since its conception in 1998 I am very proud of the surgery it has become. I thoroughly enjoy my role in advertising and marketing to promote this great veterinary business; it gives me great job satisfaction.

Heathside gave me my first taste of social media, which can be tricky at times! However we have a great following and I have got to know many clients and their pets. We encourage interaction with our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter feeds, and I love reading people’s comments.

I work alongside a great team of dedicated and caring people, and knowing we are a part of the heart of the local community is very rewarding.

Outside work I enjoy family time engaging in various sports, water sports and exploring the great outdoors. We have four fantastic kittens who were raised with us as fosters and all get on fantastically well together. Somehow I still manage to find time to go to the gym and ride my beautiful mare.

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Cheryl York

Receptionist

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.

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Shona Barfoot

Receptionist

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.