Ardene House Veterinary Practice




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About Us

Mervyn Drever BVM&S MRCVS A native of Orkney, Mervyn graduated from the Royal (Dick) Vet School in 1983, joining Ardene House the following year doing a mixture of farm and equine work, moving to work exclusively for equine clients in 1999. He became a Partner in 1989 and was the driving force behind the design and building of the Veterinary Hospital in Kingswells. When he has time, Mervyn enjoys hill walking, travel, refereeing rugby and an 'academic' interest in food & wine.
Graham Hunter BVM&S, GPCert(EqP), Cert EP, MRCVS Graham joined the Practice in 1990, having graduated from Edinburgh. Originally part of the mixed farm & equine practice, he has been working purely for equine clients since 1999. Graham became a partner in 1995. Having gained a GP Cert(EqP) in 2006 he added a Cert EP in 2008 and was appointed as an RCVS examiner for this certificate in 2009. Graham is married to Jules and has one son, two daughters and 2 Westies. Any spare time he has is spent mountain biking or sea kayaking.
Mark Bayliss BVMS MRCVS After graduation from Glasgow Vet School in 1993, Mark worked in a mixed practice for 9 months but soon decided that small animal practice was what he enjoyed most. He then spend 3 years in a busy North Manchester practice with a team of young vets. Married in 1995 to Catriona, they were tempted north to a quieter lifestyle in Aberdeen. Mark has been with Ardene House since 1997, becoming a partner in 2002. He has 2 daughters and spends his free time playing golf & badminton walking Fred, his Bedlington terrier.

Catherine Adams BVMS MRCVS Catherine graduated from Glasgow Vet School in 2001 and after four years in mixed practice in Ellon, joined Ardene House in April 2005 to concentrate on small animal work. She enjoys the variety of surgical and medical cases that are treated here and is a qualified acupuncturist. Catherine has a cat called Molly.
Sarah Baillie Sarah was born and grew up in Portsmouth where she worked as an equine nurse at Liphook Equine Hospital for two years and also volunteered at Pet Doctors Veterinary Clinic. She obtained a National a National Diploma in Applied Science (Animal Management) in July 2003 and moved to Aberdeen five months later. Sarah joined Ardene House in September 2004 and has completed her second year of study to become an Equine Nurse.
Lisa Bowie RVN Lisa joined us in 2008 having qualified whilst working in Connon Bridge and Turriff. She has an interest in animal behaviour and gets plenty of practice with her own menagerie of one dog and 5 cats. When she has spare time Lisa likes horse riding.
Jennifer Broom Jennifer joined the Practice in December 2009 having spent the previous year managing an alternative clothing company. She has a westie called Corbie and a moggy called Jumar. Jennifer likes to spend her spare time socializing with friends, reading, drawing and going to gigs.
Michele Campbell Having completed her HND in Animal Care, Michele joined the Kingwells team in 2001. As part of the nursing team, Michele is involved in all aspects of animal care from monitoring anaesthetics during surgery to helping run the puppy socialisation parties. She particularly likes meeting the children from local playgroups, cubs & brownies during their visits to the hospital and giving them an insight into the work we do. In her spare time Michele enjoys DIY, cooking and travel.
Wendy Carle Having previously worked at several other practices as a trainee veterinary nurse, Wendy came to work in the Ardene House farm office in 2001. She later swapped desks to the small animal reception team before being promoted to Head Receptionist in 2003. Wendy retains her interest in animal nursing and is currently studying to gain her Animal Nursing Assistant qualification. Wendy lives with her husband and Fern, their Border Terrier.
Carol Chalmers RVN Carol joined the staff at Ardene House at the end of February 2006 as a Receptionist/Animal Care Assistant having completed a course in Animal Care. She then joined our nurse training programme and passed her final exams to become an RVN in August 2009.
Allison Clark BVM&S MRCVS Allison qualified from Edinburgh University in 1983 and worked for 2 years in Aberdeenshire seeing mixed practice. She then went to Lanark and worked for 3 years for the University of Glasgow's teaching practice. Allison then returned to Aberdeenshire to work for a large pig and cattle farmer. Since then she has worked part time in Aberdeen area. She is married and has 2 daughters, 2 dogs and 2 guinea pigs.
Karen Dyce Born and bred in Aberdeen, Karen came to Ardene House in early 2009 having previously worked as a carer. Her collection of pets includes a chinchilla, hamster, fish and some Giant African Land Snails. Karen spends her spare time making greetings cards and looking after her large assortment of cacti.
Audrey Ferguson Audrey joined the small animal reception team in March 2007, having previously worked in the retail industry. She loves the contact with animals and is especially fond of meeting new puppies – all the better if they’re German Shepherds as she has her own Shepherd called Kiera. Audrey also has a very grown up teenage daughter called Amy and a very child-like husband called Steve!
Linda Forysth BA Dip M A Business Studies graduate of RGU, Linda had several accountancy and management roles in the aviation, oil & retail industries before being lured into the 'Dark Art' of practice management in 2005. When she's not organizing, enthusing or mediating at the Practice Linda enjoys running and can be found somewhere near the back of the field at local races. She also enjoys hill walking, cycling and has recently taken up kayaking. Lest anyone thing she’s some sort of health-fiend, Linda would also like to own up to a love of wine, chocolate & reading books – usually all at the same time.
Katy Hewitson BVMS MRCVS Originally from Orkney, Katy qualified from Glasgow University in 2002 and shortly after joined a mixed practice in rural Herefordshire. After two years there she decided to move to the other end of the country and spent the next three years in mixed practice in the Shetland Islands. Katy joined Ardene House in September 2007. Her main interests are sheep medicine and husbandry and in her spare time she enjoys horse riding, swimming and walking.
Jackie Horne Jackie joined the practice in April 2006 as part of the Bridge of Don reception surgery team. She had previously worked as a legal secretary before taking a career break to have family. Jackie is married to Graeme and they have two daughters and a son. Jackie is a puppy walker for the charity Guide Dogs for the Blind. She has a lovely Labrador called Dawn, 2 cats and has recently added two guinea pigs to the expanding collection of animals!
Helen Hutchison BVMS MRCVS Helen qualified from Edinburgh University in June 1996. She worked in mixed practices in the north-east of Scotland until September 1999 when she joined Ardene House. Having briefly left the practice and moved to Suffolk, she returned in March 2006 to work at the Bridge of Don surgery. Helen is also a trained veterinary acupuncturist. She is married to Gordon, a commercial pilot. Helen is currently on maternity leave having become the very proud mum of Finlay just before Christmas. They also have two crazy black Labradors called Corrie and Hogan.
Hazel Jaffray RVN Hazel has been with Ardene House since 1995, originally at Bridge of Don Surgery, then at Bon Accord Street where she became Head Nurse. Hazel moved to Kingswells as Head Nurse at the small animal Hospital in late 2005. In Feb 2007 Hazel had a daughter Amy and after Maternity Leave returned in the role of Practice Administrator. Having discovered that she missed the nursing element of her job, Hazel now combines the p/t Administrator position with that of Head Nurse.
Nicky Jamieson RVN Nicky joined the staff at Ardene House in September 2001 having previously worked as a kennel assistant. Having left us briefly to work in Elgin she rejoined Ardene House in May 2008 working firstly at Bridge of Don but is now based at Kingswells. Nicky qualified as an RVN in August 2009 and still can’t wipe the smile off her face. She lives with 2 cats, a basset hound and a bloodhound.
Joanna Lamont RVN Joanna joined Bon Accord Street in October 2007 to continue her veterinary nursing training, moving to Kingswells in September 2008. She qualified in July 2009 and enjoys all aspects of nursing. Joanna is a cat enthusiast and in her spare time she breeds and shows Ragdoll cats.
Laura Lendrum BVMS MRCVS Laura is a 2001 Glasgow Graduate, joined us as a small animal vet in August 2008. She has recently returned from living in New Zealand and is now settling into Aberdeenshire life with her husband Robbie, their dog Elmo and cats Jack and Minnie.
Denise Lindsay RVN Denise first started at Ardene House in 1996 at the Bon Accord Street branch. After leaving and working in veterinary practices in Aberdeen and London, Denise returned to Bon Accord Street in December 2006 and was promoted to Head Nurse in September 2007. Denise is now Head Nurse at the Bridge of Don surgery. As well as being a qualified Veterinary nurse, Denise is also an Assessor for student VNs. Denise has a rescued cat called Chorlton and Louis the rabbit.
Irene Logan Irene is part of our reception team at the Bridge of Don surgery. She has worked at Ardene House for 15 years, having previously worked at our Bon Accord Street surgery. Irene is a qualified Pet Insurance Advisor. Irene is owned by 2 mad Labradors – Robbie and Louie – who are always up to mischief!
David Lucas Originally from Wiltshire, David worked in a variety of jobs including watercress harvesting, agricultural engineering, building & as an electrician. David has also built and renovated several houses in his spare time. All of these skills came in very handy when he joined Ardene House in 1997 as practice handyman.
Lesley MacDonald BVM&S MRCVS Lesley joined Ardene house in January 1998, six months after her graduation from Edinburgh Vet School. After a short time in small animal and mixed practice, she joined the equine team. Lesley has two dogs, Penny and Phoebe who often keep her company on her calls. She likes horse riding, sailing and ski-ing, when she can find the time. Lesley got married in November 2007 to Dave, who is also a vet.
Clare Matthews Clare Matthews came to Ardene House in June 2008 as a part time Small Animal receptionist but now also works in the Farm Office from time to time. Before joining Ardene House, Clare worked as a Scuba Diving Instructor and Ski Instructor in various countries around the globe. She also enjoys the outdoors and loves being back in Scotland. She has a well behaved Jack Russell called Chalky, a quiet 15 year old horse called Locket and a not so well behaved husband called Andy.
Donna McTavish Donna joined the Bon Accord Street practice in 1992 and moved to Kingswells in 1997, when the practice opened, as a receptionist. She is also a qualified Pet Insurance Advisor for PetPlan. Donna combines part-time work with being a full-time mum to her son Ross and her cat Denzil.
Andrew Millar BVMS MRCVS Andrew qualified as a veterinary surgeon from Glasgow University in 1992. Prior to working at Ardene House, he gained experience in several mixed practices in the West of Scotland and the North of England. Andrew has a particular interest in cattle and sheep. He is interested in improving the health of both the individual animal and the herd/flock/ He is married with two children and enjoys living and working in Aberdeenshire.
Maureen Morrison Having worked for several local companies in accounts roles, Maureen joined Ardene House in August 2009. When she's not looking after her two grown up sons and not very grown up husband she enjoys walking and cycling.
Kelly Morrow RVN Having joined Ardene House in 2003 as a trainee veterinary, Kelly qualified in 2007 and moved to the Kingswells site the same year. She has a keen interest in animal behaviour and has gained a qualification in Arthritis Care. Outside work, Kelly likes spending time with her niece and nephew.
Lindsay Nicol Lindsay joined the farm office team in August 2007. After leaving school she attended Clinterty College where she obtained an HNC in Equine Management. She later went on to work in a riding school and passed her Assistant Instructor exam and continued to teach for four years. Before joining Ardene House, Lindsay spent 2 years working for a Show Jumper as a groom. Lindsay spends most of her spare time riding and competing with her horse Paras and letting her two Jack Russells, Nacho and Pepper, get up to mischief.
Alice Ratcliffe BVMS MRCVS Alice qualified from Glasgow Vet School in 2007 and joined the equine team at Ardene House the day after her graduation! She specialised in horses throughout university travelling to the Cook Islands & California to further her knowledge as well as spending time in Newmarket. Alice is a qualified riding instructor and has a collection of nags which she likes to compete on when she has time, as well as training youngsters that her and her family have bred. Alice is usually accompanied on her calls by Alfie, a Brittany spaniel.
Pauline Reid Paulene joined Ardene House in December 2006 at the Bridge of Don branch as an Animal Care Assistant having studied attained an HND at Aberdeen College. Pauline gained a lot of her experience through various kennels and practices and has two cats and a rather stroppy Border terrier.
Denise Rostron Having been a volunteer since the early 1980's, Denise became a member of the nursing team early 90s. Denise works at the Bridge of Don surgery as a pet health counsellor and also has an interest in pet nutrition and diets and herbal remedies. She is also our Bereavement counsellor. Denise has a collection of Old English sheepdogs, ferrets and guinea pigs and has been involved with the Old English sheepdog rescue for 25 years
Ruth Scott BMV&S MRCVS Ruth was born and grew up in Angus. She qualified from Edinburgh vet school and spent 3 years working in a small animal practice in Yorkshire before returning to her native Scotland. In her spare time Ruth enjoys walking her dog, playing squash amd reading although since she became the proud mum of Callum in 2008 she’s had rather less time for these activities!
Chris Shepherd BSc (Hons) MSc BVM&S MRCVS Chris spent 4 years at Liverpool University where he studied for a BSc in Bioveterinary Science followed by a Masters degree in Veterinary Infectious Diseases. He then moved to Edinburgh University where he qualified as a vet in 2009 and joined Ardene House. When he’s not working he spends his time walking his dog or riding his two horses.
Kirsty Simpson Kirsty joined the Ardene House as an Equine Nursing Assistant in early 2009 having previously worked in several local yards as well as in Ireland and at Gleneagles. She is a qualified BHSAI and also has a UKCC Level 2 teaching certificate and still does some teaching in her spare time. Kirsty lives locally with her fiancé and her Newfoundands Chloe and Isla.
Brenda Stewart RVN Brenda joined the Practice in December 2000 and was promoted to Deputy Head Nurse in 2008. She organizes our popular puppy socialization classes and internal medicine referrals and is an experienced pet health counselor. Brenda is also an Assessor for the student nurses within the practice. Outside of work she enjoys participating in riding club activities with her horse Tima, hill walking and socializing. She has two cats, Bluebell and Holly.
Lili Sterling BA VetMB MRCVS Lili was born and raised in Northern Ireland. She qualified from the Cambridge Veterinary School a "long time ago" and worked mainly in small animal practices before having her children and taking a career break. She joined Ardene House in 1999 at the Bon Accord Street surgery and in September 2008 moved over to Kingswells where she enjoys consulting part-time. The rest of her time is spent looking after children, dogs, cats & ponies - and sneaking in the odd bit of therapeutic gardening.
Liz Strachan BA VetMB MRCVS Liz qualified from Cambridge University in 1993. She worked in mixed practice for about a year in Dorset, before getting married and moving to Scotland. Liz worked in mixed practice in Scotland for a few years before joining Ardene House as a small animal vet in 1997. She is married to Dave who is also a vet. Liz and Dave have 3 children, 3 cats, 2 guinea pigs, 2 tree frogs and a Border terrier called Squash.
Carly Stuart SVN Carly joined Ardene House in November 2007 as an animal care assistant/receptionist. She previously worked as a receptionist at Glenythan Vets in Ellon for two years. Carly is now training to become a VN and spends most of her spare time shopping.
Shelagh Sutherland Shelagh joined the practice in 1996 and spent a year at Bon Accord Street before moving to Kingswells. She spent a few years in Small Animal then moved to the Farm Office. She has two cats courtesy of Ardene House, one with a short leg and one with only three legs. She is studying to become an R-SQP for dispensing certain veterinary medicines. She enjoys reading, horse riding and snow boarding in her spare time.
Jenna Thomson Jenna joined the Kingswells practice in September 2003 after completing an animal care course at Aberdeen College. Initially she worked in the farm office, reception and did occasional small animal nursing. She has now joined the Large Animal department fulltime. Away from the practice her main interest is Bailey, her Irish draft horse who she enjoys hacking and doing light schooling with. She also has a Bracken, a German shepherd, Cheeko the chinchilla and a ferret called TJ.
Iain Wallace BVM&S MRCVS Iain qualified from Edinburgh University in the 1980s (a long, long time ago according to him). After working for many years in mixed practice in the North Yorkshire Moors, he headed back to his native land, working first near Stirling before moving even further north to Aberdeenshire - where he´d heard it was always sunny and hot! Iain joined the Bon Accord Street surgery in October 2006 and moved to Kingswells in September 2008 and enjoys all aspects of both small animal surgery and medicine.
Nicola Ward RVN Having joined Ardene House in 2003 as a trainee veterinary, Kelly qualified in 2007 and moved to the Kingswells site the same year. She has a keen interest in animal behaviour and has gained a qualification in Arthritis Care. Outside work, Kelly likes spending time with her niece and nephew.
Ann Wortley BVMS MRCVS Ann graduated from Glasgow University in 1996 and went to the Isle of Lewis to work in a mixed practice. In 2000 she decided to travel and spent 3 years in Australia and New Zealand working as a locum. Having had her fill of living out of a rucksack, Ann returned to the UK in 2003 to a small animal practice in Scarborough before coming to the Kingswells hospital in 2004. When she can find some spare time, Ann likes gardening and scuba diving. Another member of the Ardene 'Adopt a Cat' scheme, Ann recently acquired Bailey.