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Veterinary Surgeons

Sarah HeathVeterinary Surgeon/Clinical Lead

Dr Sarah Heath BVSc PgCertVE DipECAWBM(BM) CCAB FHEA FRCVS RCVS Veterinary Specialist in Behavioural Medicine EBVS ® European Veterinary Specialist in Behavioural Medicine

Sarah qualified from Bristol University and spent four years in mixed general practice before setting up Behavioural Referrals Veterinary Practice in 1992. She is an RCVS and European Veterinary Specialist in Behavioural Medicine. In 2018 she was made a Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons for meritorious contributions to the profession. Sarah is an External Lecturer in small animal behavioural medicine at Liverpool University and also teaches on the veterinary undergraduate course at Surrey University. She is a Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist under the ASAB accreditation scheme. She sees clinical cases across North West England. Sarah lives in Chester with 3 cats, Sami, Louis and Didi who were hand reared at Cats Protection Warrington and came to live with Sarah in 2017.

Carrie TooleyVeterinary Surgeon

Carrie Tooley BSc BVetMed MSc PgCertVetEd FHEA CCAB MRCVS RCVS

Advanced Practitioner, Companion Animal Behaviour

Carrie qualified as a vet in 2012 from the Royal Veterinary College and spent three years in mixed general practice in Norfolk and Cornwall before deciding to pursue her interest in behavioural medicine. Since then, she has completed her MSc in Clinical Animal Behaviour at the University of Lincoln and has become a Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist under the ASAB accreditation scheme. Carrie is in the final year of her training to be a European specialist in Behavioural Medicine under the supervision of Dr Sarah Heath. Carrie still enjoys working in small animal general practice and does this as a locum vet. outside of work, touch rugby and (very slowly) doing triathlons take up the majority of Carrie’s time.

Liz BaileyVeterinary Surgeon

Dr Liz Bailey BVSc MANZCVS (Veterinary Behaviour) MRCVS

Liz graduated as a vet from the University of Liverpool in 2013 with a passion for behavioural medicine. She spent the following 4 years in mixed and small animal practice in Australia before working in a behavioural referral practice. This led her to achieve Membership of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Science (MANZCVS) in the Veterinary Behaviour Chapter by examination in 2019.

Outside of work, Liz enjoys baking and exploring the countryside with her Border Collie and 3-legged Australian Kelpie.

Elliot SmithVeterinary Surgeon

Elliot graduated from the University of Liverpool vet school in 2008 and has worked predominantly in equine practice in the North of England and Scotland. Elliot also lectured at the University of Liverpool, teaching clinical skills to vet students whilst working in the first opinion equine practice. He has since completed a certificate in equine practice, before perusing his interest in behaviour medicine, completing a masters in clinical animal behaviour at the University of Lincoln where he graduated with distinction. In his spare time, he enjoys walking his dogs, travelling and exploring new places.

Nicole WhittellVeterinary Surgeon

Nicole joined the Behavioural Referrals team in May 2022. She graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2018. She always loved animals and people and helping both, so becoming a Vet seemed like the perfect job! She has worked in small animal practice for almost 4 years, and still works in small animal practice part time. She is starting her masters degree in clinical animal behaviour in September 2022. Outside work, she enjoys going on adventures with her Labrador, Goose and sometimes Lucifur the cat joins in!

Rehabilitation Trainers

Laura FrancisHead Rehabilitation Trainer & Qualified Postgraduate Veterinary Physiotherapist

Laura Francis BSc (Hons) MNAVP MAPDT 01222

Laura graduated from the University of Chester in 2012 after receiving a first-class BSc (Hons) in Animal Behaviour and has worked for Behavioural Referrals ever since. In 2021, she qualified as a Postgraduate Veterinary Physiotherapist from Harper Adams University and is now completing her research project to complete her MSc.

Prior to working at Behavioural Referrals, Laura used to run dog training classes as part of the Kennel Club Good Citizen Scheme, as well as working in a boarding kennels for several years. Now Laura is Head of the Rehabilitation Team and is responsible for implementing and modifying individual rehabilitation programmes for dogs, as well as writing and running the Positive Puppy Training Courses. Laura also implements the practical part of our DEIP course.

Laura has a Hungarian Vizsla called Fern and a German Shorthaired Pointer called Bracken, as well as a large collection of reptiles and amphibians at home.

Laura is a graduate member of the National Association of Veterinary Physiotherapists. Laura is also a full member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, UK 01222, a registered animal training instructor under the Animal Behaviour and Training Council and the Dog Behaviour and Training Charter.

Isla SmithRehabilitation Trainer

Isla joined the Behavioural Referrals team in September 2020. She graduated from the University of Chester in 2016 after undertaking a BSc (Hons) degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare. She then went on to achieve her MSc in Clinical Animal Behaviour with the University of Edinburgh. Prior to working at Behavioural Referrals, Isla worked in small animal, and equine veterinary practices, as well as a boarding kennels where she discovered her love of large breed dogs.

Lauren SmithRehabilitation Administrator

Lauren graduated from Bangor University in 2019 with a BSc (Hons) in Zoology with Animal Behaviour. She is currently studying part-time with the University of Edinburgh for an MSc in Clinical Animal Behaviour, alongside working for Behavioural Referrals.

Prior to joining the Rehabilitation Team at Behavioural Referrals in August 2021, Lauren working in a small animal veterinary practice and has volunteered at various animal establishments with a variety of species. In her free time, Lauren is a keen gardener, enjoys walking her cocker spaniel, Wren, and cuddling up with her two feline rescues, Nova and Bella.

Administration Team

Debbie PerryPractice Manager

Debbie has been Practice Manager at Behavioural Referrals since April 2021. Previous to working with us she worked in Dorset in a 24 hour Veterinary hospital as she has been a qualified Veterinary nurse for 15years.

Outside of work Debbie likes to spend time with her family and enjoys going on long walks with her Yorkie Bonnie.

Emily JonesAdministration Supervisor

Emily has been a member of the Behavioural Referrals team since 2016. She has completed her Level 2 and 3 NVQ in Business and Administration. Emily is progressing and is now completing her Level 5 Management and Leadership diploma.

Being our office supervisor Emily supports our Practice Manager and the team in the fast paced office. Emily will be one of your first point of contacts when contacting the practice, and will be happy to help with any queries.

Helen ClancyAdministrative Assistant

Helen has been a member of the team since June 2021. She has worked in admin for the last 5 years. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her family and her furry companions which include her 2 Springadors, “Ottie” and “Barry” , 1 hamster and 9 guinea pigs. She also enjoys caravan holidays and photography.

Gemma Jones-WallaceAdministrative Assistant

Gemma joined the Behavioural Referrals team in January 2022. She finished her degree in BSc (Hons) Animal behaviour in 2021 at Liverpool John Moores University.

Outside of work Gemma enjoys exploring new places and spending time with friends. Gemma has a terrier cross, 18 years old called princess who was rescued at 4yrs old, and also has 2 fish called Jelly and Bean.

Tesni DaviesAdministrative Assistant

Tesni joined the BRVP team in January 2022. Tesni finished her degree in Canine Clinical Behaviour in 2020 at University Centre Reasheath.

Outside of work Tesni enjoys walking Olly (Dalmatian x Collie) , Playing/Watching rugby and photography.

10 Rushton Drive Upton, Chester, CH2 1RE

01244 399228

Behavioural Referrals Veterinary Practice

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