I’ve loved animals since I was a child and grew up with several pets. My mum and I once found a litter of kittens that had been abandoned in a bin in Portugal. We raised them and found them loving homes. Looking after my pets and going with them to the vet inspired me to write in a school assignment, aged nine, that I wanted to be a vet.

I started studying veterinary medicine in Portugal in 2002, when I was 19, and I’ve worked in small animal medicine in the UK since 2012.

What drew you to Lady Dane Vets?

Stepping into clinical leadership felt like the natural next step in my career. I chose Lady Dane because the team was warm and friendly, the practice was spacious and well equipped, and it had a strong reputation.

What does a typical day look like, and what do you enjoy most?

Whether I’m in Faversham or Whitstable, I start with consults. I mostly see dogs and cats for vaccinations and other routine appointments, but there are more complex cases too, and the occasional transfer from our out-of-hours partner, Vets Now. I sometimes admit patients for hospital care or further investigation. The nursing team handles routine admissions and admits patients I’ve already seen, alongside running their own consults.

We use AI to transcribe consults at both sites, which saves me time writing up notes, especially after a longer appointment or when I’m supporting a student.

After morning consults, I review prescriptions and lab reports before joining the nurses in prep. I usually have one to four cases, depending on the site. That might mean neutering, dental work, X-rays, removing a mass or doing an ultrasound scan. I hold a certificate in ultrasound. When we have an orthopaedic vet on site in Faversham, we plan those cases together.

After surgery, I take lunch. At Faversham, I meet with our practice manager in the office, and sometimes our practice cat joins us. I also catch up on emails, admin and anything I need to talk through with colleagues.

Afternoons are usually busy with boosters, skin complaints and reviews for patients with conditions such as osteoarthritis, thyroid problems or diabetes. I also handle animal health certificates at Faversham. Between blocks of consults, I check in with the team, review notes or return calls.

Working directly with animals is still my favourite part. I see dogs and cats, small furries such as rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs and rats, and birds. Puppies and kittens always brighten my day. I enjoy getting to know our clients and working with colleagues who’ve become close friends. I also find it rewarding to mentor younger vets and oversee the clinical side of the practice.

What’s it like to work across the two practices?

Our main site in Faversham was purpose-built for mixed practice, so we have plenty of room. There’s ample parking, a large reception, separate waiting areas for dogs and cats, and two generous consult rooms, which come in handy when a Great Dane comes in. We have separate dog and cat wards, a dental and imaging suite, ultrasound, a theatre, digital X-ray, an endoscope and an in-house lab for routine testing.

Our Whitstable site is about 13 minutes down the road. It’s a little less fast-paced, close to the beach in a town known for its annual Oyster Festival. It’s fully self-contained, with a consult room, its own theatre and digital X-ray, separate cat and dog kennels, an in-house lab and a dental suite with dental X-ray. We share a rota across both sites, so there’s variety in the working week and we get to work with colleagues at both practices.

We’re a welcoming, supportive team. There’s usually someone to have a quick brew with in the staff room, and we get together outside work at different times of the year. Clients often drop by with a box of biscuits, too.

Our reception team brings decades of experience. Some colleagues have been here since the ’80s and know our clients really well. We’re also supported by our skilled nurses, a veterinary care assistant and a clinically trained practice manager.

What’s been one of your most rewarding moments at Lady Dane?

There have been many, but one that stands out is performing eyelid surgery on a lovely Labrador puppy and restoring her sight. Seeing how happy she was at her post-op check made it especially rewarding.

What advice would you give a vet thinking about stepping into leadership?

Wait until the time feels right and you feel confident in your experience. And find a practice where you truly feel at home.