Staff

Christine Fife BVM&S MRCVS, our principal veterinary surgeon, moved to Sturminster Newton in 2000 upon purchasing the Blackmore Vale Veterinary Practice.  After qualifying from Edinburgh University, she spent several years in mixed farm, small animal and specialist equine practices across the UK and abroad also setting up and running the veterinary unit of a rescue centre. This experience and depth of knowledge has facilitated the expansion of the surgery, transforming it into a local centre of excellence.

She has always been a keen horse rider, is interested in and has competed in all aspects of horse riding, from dressage, show-jumping and eventing, to endurance and driving.

Christine likes, if possible, to take a holistic view of the patient, taking the whole patient history into account, not just the disease presented. She has recently become a veterinary herbalist, is a member of the British Association of Veterinary Herbalists  (www.herbalvets.org.uk), and can also offer acupuncture for pain relief in cats and dogs. Frequent professional development courses are undertaken to consistently update her knowledge whilst also ensuring the whole team have the opportunity to improve on their knowledge.

Gilla Primrose MA BVSc Vet LFHom MRCVS is our assistant vet and qualified from Bristol in 1997.  Gilla joined us in 2007 after spending several years working in mixed practice.  She is a partner in her family run organic beef and sheep enterprise.  Gilla has a particular interest in small animal medicine and opthalmology.

Elizabeth Quance RVN, MBVNA, PHC is our senior nurse who qualified from Lynwood school of veterinary nursing, Poundbury in 2007.  She has a credit in clinical application of pheromone therapy for the management of behaviour problems in dogs and cats.   She is also a Royal Canin Pet Health councillor, runs daily nurse clinics and our Puppy Parties with the help of Carol and Katie.  She has an interest in veterinary nursing dentistry and is qualified in Merisha Canine Massage.

Carol Moore Qualified Animal Nursing Assistant, PPA joined us in 2006 when she moved to the North Dorset area and is our senior animal nursing assistant.  Carol is currently studying veterinary nursing at Lynwood School of Veterinary Nursing to further her career.

Katie Haime PPA joined us in 2007 and is our nursing assistant.  She has a BTEC national diploma in animal care from  Kingston Maurward College, Dorchester.  She is particularly interested in Springer Spaniels and rabbit health and nutrition.

Sharon Wood joined our vet surgery in Sturminster Newton, Dorset in 2008.   Sharon is our Kennel Assistant and is currently being trained in animal husbandry.