Vets and Staff

Farm Animal Vets

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  Neil Roberts

  BVSc, Cert SHP, DBR, MRCVS graduated Liverpool 1982

  Director

  Having been born and brought up in Settle Neil has been a director at Dalehead since 1987 working in the farm animal department. He has gained further specialist qualifications in sheep health and production (Cert SHP) and a diploma in bovine reproduction (DBR).

  He is the director with responsibility for drug purchasing and is always enthusiastic to work with farmers in the development of control strategies to prevent disease outbreaks through the correct, cost effective use of vaccines and other medications.

  When he isn't working Neil enjoys playing Rugby Fives, squash, cycling and running.

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  Russell Howarth

  BVSc, MRCVS graduated Bristol 1996

  Director

  Russell worked for six months in North Wales before joining Dalehead where he worked until Foot and Mouth Disease struck the area in 2001. He returned to Dalehead in 2004 where his work  is principally general cattle work with an interest in cattle fertility, especially embryo transfer which he helped to pioneer within the surgery.

   

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  Ian Illingworth

  BVM&S, Cert CHP, DBR, MRCVS, Advanced Practitioner Cattle Health and Production, graduated Edinburgh 2003

  Director

  Ian started his career at Bainbridge Vets in Hawes where he worked for two years before moving to a farm animal only practice in Wiltshire where he worked for six years. During that time he developed his interests in all areas of farm work especially cattle health and fertility. Ian has a certificate in Cattle Health and Production and believes in preventative medicine and young stock rearing for future potential.

  In his spare time Ian enjoys playing team sports, especially rugby which he has played since he was seven and in his quieter moments he also enjoys woodcarving.

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  Andrew Linney

  BVetMed, Cert.AVP, MRCVS graduated London 2010

  Director

  Andrew qualified from the RVC in 2010 and spent his first few years in a farm only practice in Somerset. In 2012 he moved North and spent four years in practice in Cumbria with Dairy, Beef and Sheep clients, in this time he completed a certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice. In 2016 with his focus on preventative medicine and disease control strategies he joined Elanco Animal Health as a Ruminant Technical Consultant, where he got the opportunity to visit farms around the UK and visit farms in America and Canada investigating transition cow management and dairy data analysis. Andrew joined the Farm Animal Department at Dalehead in January 2020. In his spare time Andrew enjoys spending time adventuring with his wife and daughter or out in the field with his two working Labradors and watching but no longer playing Rugby.

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  Karen Swindlehurst

  BVMS, MRCVS graduated Glasgow 1991

  Associate

  Karen graduated from Glasgow in 1991 and has returned to work at Dalehead Veterinary Group, having worked here previously between 1994 and 2004.

  Karen is an experienced farm vet with special interest in herd and flock planning, health schemes and herd and flock disease monitoring. She also has a strong background in companion animal work with a keen interest in the surgical aspects of the role. 

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  Rachel James

  BVMed Sci, BVM BVS, MRCVS graduated Nottingham 2020

  Rachel grew up on a beef and sheep farm near Slaidburn and has had a keen interest in farm veterinary from a young age. She spent time during her clinical rotations at university working with the vets at Dalehead and after graduating from Nottingham university in 2020 she joined the farm team here at the practice. She has already made a name for herself as an enthusiastic and capable farm vet and is keen to help move the department forward.  

  Outside of work Rachel enjoys running and walking in the countryside with her dog, baking lots of tasty cakes and runs a small flock of sheep.

Farm Vet Techs

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  Anna Walker

  RVN, Farm Team Leader, Vet Tech, R-SQP

  Anna joined the practice in 2014. Initially working in both the companion animal and farm departments, she now works entirely within the farm department where she focuses on her passion of promoting healthcare strategies and  helping farmers to achieve high levels of welfare and husbandry in both practical and cost effective ways.
  In her role as the Farm Team Leader Anna is responsible for co-ordinating projects and overseeing the development of the department. She has increased the range of farm laboratory services we offer, has been instrumental in setting up and running the practice's Flock Club and was awarded the prestigious honour of being named Petplan Veterinary Nurse of the Year in 2018 for her work in promoting awareness of, and helping to reduce anthelmintic resistance on local farms.

  In her spare time, Anna enjoys spending time with her young family and tending to her commercial flock.

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  Karen Gardner

  Farm Vet Tech, K-SQP

  Karen joined the practice in June 2018 working in the office environment both on front desk and in an administrative capacity. She is a local lass, growing up on her family's farm in Chapel-le-Dale, where she still enjoys helping out at lambing time. When the opportunity came up to work alongside Farm Vet Tech Anna Ashworth to progress the services offered to our farm clients she jumped at the chance. She is now a qualified Farm Vet Tech, Mobility Scorer and K-SQP.

  Karen is a keen sportswoman, playing rounders and badminton, cycling and swimming. She also enjoys hill walking in the beautiful countryside surrounding her home, as well as cooking and baking. 

Farm Vet Tech Support

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  Claire Rylatt

  Farm Vet Tech Assistant

  Claire joined the practice in December 2023. She has experience as a drover at auction marts, as a Trainee Approved TB Tester and works with her own stock. She joins the Farm Vet Tech team as it continues to expand and provide vital services to farmers and support to the vets.

  Claire is a member of Aire Valley Young Farmers Club and in her spare time, enjoys farming, horse riding and socialising with friends.

Farm Support Team

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  Ruth Parker

  Farm Animal Administrator, K-SQP

  Joined the practice in 2012. Ruth is a born and bred 'Lancashire Lass' who crossed the Yorkshire border in 2010. She has a keen interest in farming and from a young age has helped and worked on the family farm in Goosnargh, Preston, rearing beef and fat lamb. Ruth now lives on a dairy and sheep farm in High Bentham and gets stuck into the farm work at any available moment.  Ruth is an experienced veterinary receptionist having worked in a mixed animal practice in Preston for just over five years before joining Dalehead. This gives her a good all round knowledge of the workings of a veterinary practice.

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  Louise Thwaite

  Farm Animal Administrator, K-SQP

  Louise joined the practice in 2017 and came to us from an extensive background in customer care. She grew up on her family's dairy farm in Hellifield and lives with her partner on a sheep and beef farm. Louise has always been a keen farmer, especially at lambing time when she enjoys looking after poorly lambs, taking them under her wing and getting them back on their feet again!
  
  Louise is integral in providing support for the farm department, in the dispensary, booking work and organising farm visits and dealing with administration for the vets. In April 2022 she qualified as a K-SQP and is able to advise on POM-VPS products for farm and companion animals.

  In her spare time she loves walking her crazy cocker spaniel Honey, socialising with her friends and spending time with her family. 

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  Lucy Dean

  Farm and Companion Animal Administrator

  Lucy joined the Practice in 2019 initially as an Auxilliary Nursing Assistant. She is now an indispensable member of both the farm and companion animal administration teams, working on front desk at both our Settle and Bentham surgeries.

  Lucy grew up locally on her parent's farm and has a keen interest in all aspects of farming life. When not helping out on the family farm, Lucy enjoys walking her Border Collie dogs.