rathgael veterinary clinic a veterinary practice in Bangor, Co Down

Introducing Our Practice Team

Everyone at our practice is committed to providing you with the very best in pet healthcare. Our veterinary team bring a wealth of experience to the practice and have individually obtained high standards of professional qualification.

Mr Richard Kelly: Veterinary Surgeon; MVB MRCVS; Richard is the boss. He qualified from UCD, Dublin in 1980. He has been consumed with a passion for Veterinary Dentistry. He is keen to educate all our clients on the importance of preventative dental care. His work involves advising clients on different types of dental care available, ultrasonic scaling and polishing for dirty teeth, endodontics for damaged teeth, extraction for diseased roots and orthodontics for mal-aligned teeth. He has recently been to USA, Amsterdam and Nice to expand his knowledge and to learn from world leaders in this subject. His knowledge is invaluable to his staff and he receives referrals from all over Ireland. Richard keeps his own dogs, cats and horses. He enjoys getting out and about on the horse in the winter months.

Mrs Jane Reilly: Veterinary Surgeon; BVSc MRCVS; Jane qualified from Liverpool University in 1991. She worked in Greater Manchester, Scotland, Strabane and Castlewellan before moving back home to Bangor in 2005, when she started work at Rathgael. She loves being home in Bangor and close to her family and friends. Jane loves her job and is keen to pursue new treatments and surgeries available.The Royal College insist that all vets gain Continued Professional Development and this is fully supported at Rathgael Veterinary Clinic. She is regularly invited to do talks at local primary and sceondary schools and she enjoys sharing her experiences with the children. Jane has a rescued pup call Bosco, and 3 guinea pigs, Connie, Honey and Crunchie. Jane's main job is being a mum but she loves to get to work to forget about the washing! In her spare time Jane plays water polo for Donegall Diamonds. She also likes Open Water swimming, running, hill climbing, surfing etc etc. Jane is a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Bangor where she teaches Sunday School.

Mrs Jenny Patterson: Veterinary Surgeon; BVM&S MRCVS; Jenny Patterson qualified from the Dick Veterinary College in Edinburgh in 1978. She has been working part-time at Rathgael since 2004. She enjoys all aspects of veterinary practice and is a valuable member of the team. She is married to a Veterinary Pathologist and they live in the country with an assortment of pets, including chickens, geese, canaries, 5 dogs and a cat.

Mrs Pat Graham: Veterinary Nurse + NVQ Assessor; RVN D33/34 MBVNA; Pat has been at Rathgael since the beginning. She was one of the first veterinary nurses to qualify in Northern Ireland. She has 2 Italian Spinones and 4 cats at home. Pat has bred many litters of different breeds including Newfoundlands and Shih Tzu's. Pat's duties as a Granny now mean that she only works for us part-time.

Mrs Dawn Campbell: Head Veterinary Nurse; RVN + A1 NVQ Assessor MBVNA; Dawn joined the practice in 1990 as trainee nurse and became professionally qualifed in 1993. In 2005 she qualified as an NVQ assessor and thoroughly enjoys using her experience to train nurses. In 2008 she became Head Nurse. Dawn has 4 pets: Rosie a mad Jack Russell; Pebbles and Rockzy her senior cats; and (pictured above) the new addition to the family 4 month old Lily. Her other job is Mum to 2 children

Mrs Kirsty Walker: Veterinary Nurse; RVN MBVNA; Kirsty has been with the practice for 10 and 1/2 years. She was married to Gary in April 2010. Kirsty has 2 cats and 2 dogs and loves to walk the dogs to work in fair weather. Kirsty deals with our insurance claims very efficiently. She loves nursing and is a highly skilled staff member.

Mrs Karen Westlake: Receptionist; Karen has been a member of staff at Rathgael Veterinary Clinic for ten years. She currently takes responsibility for the accounts and assists behind the desk when things get hectic. Karen is married and has two children, she also has a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel which she adores.

Ms Lynsey Irvine: Veterinary Assistant; Lynsey has been working as a veterinary assistant for 8 years and has been with us for 5 years. She keeps us all happy with her infectious laugh and great sense of humour. Lynsey has 3 dogs, 4 cats, 5 chickens and 3 fish at home. She enjoys living the good life and produces her own fruit, veg and eggs. Lynsey has recently got engaged and we are all happy and excited for her.

Mrs Sara Templeton: Receptionist; Sara is a part-time member of Rathgael. She is a fun loving and caring member of staff. Sara is married and has 3 children. Her life revolves around her family and her animals. Sara is involved in helping run the monthly puppy parties and is always happy to give advice. Sara and her daughter are keen to adopt and foster sick and un-wanted animals and have both had great success with hand-rearing kittens and rehoming.

Mrs Bridget Davidson: Animal Nursing Assistant, Animal Behaviourist; Bridget has many job-titles! She is an animal nursing assistant but is also a qualified animal behaviourist. She is attending a course at Liverpool University to broaden her knowledge of animal behaviour problems. Bridget has set up a hedgehog rescue and rehabilitation centre at the practice and she is dedicated to helping sick and injured hedgehogs. She has been assisting with teaching an Animal Management course at Bangor Academy. Bridget also keeps us all happy with her melodious singing and banter! Bridget won the Northern Ireland Animal Nursing Assisitant of the Year 2010, we are very proud of her achievement. Bridget likes to spend time with her family, horses and pets when she is not at work.

Mrs Yvonne Gilmour: Receptionist; Yvonne is a part time member of staff. She loves her job, enjoys chatting to the clients and and being mummy to the younger members of staff. Yvonne has two daughters, and two grandchildren whom she adores. Yvonne enjoys seeing her grandchildren and her elderly mother.

Miss Rachel Kinnaird: Veterinary Surgeon; BVSc MRCVS; Rachel is the newest member of our team. She qualified from Liverpool University in 2009. Rachel is up at 6am every morning to sort out her numerous horses and dogs. Every minute of her day revolves around animals and this is shown in her passion for her work.

Miss Lisa Bibby: Veterinary Assistant; Lisa is the newest member of the team. She loves animals and has two Springer Spaniels at home. Lisa is a valuable member of the team and she is training with a view to starting her VN qualifications next year.

Opening Times

Mon - Fri: 8.30am until 7.00pm
Saturday: 8.30am until 12 noon

All consultations are by appointment

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