Our Berwick Team
HEATHER BOYLE
Clinical Director
BVM&S, CertAVP(SAM), MRCVSAfter graduating in 2007, Heather worked in Sunderland and Aberdeenshire before joining Galedin in 2010. Her main interests are in small animal medicine, and in 2016 she achieved her certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice. She is the go-to person in practice for challenging or frustrating cases. She is very sporty and spends her spare time running with her dogs, surfing or travelling.
KIRSTY MORRISON
Clinical Director
BVM&S, MRCVSKirsty qualified from Edinburgh University in 2014 and worked in a small animal practice near Manchester before joining Galedin in 2018. She has a particular interest in medical cases and is currently studying towards her BSAVA Small Animal Medicine Certificate. In her spare time, Kirsty enjoys walking and canicross with her pointer Ludo, boxing and baking.
RICHARD GOMERSALL
Small Animal Director
BVM&S, MRCVSRichard graduated from the Dick Vet in 2000 – his third degree after studying marine zoology and parasitology, both at Bangor University, after which he also gained a Masters degree in tropical medicine research! He is very skilled at soft tissue surgery, traumatic wound management and oncology. When he’s not collecting degrees, he loves getting out with his family and three dogs.
CATH OWEN
Senior Veterinary Surgeon
MRCVSCath has been with us since 2009 and forms an integral part of our small animal team.
JONATHAN HUNDAL
Veterinary Surgeon
BVM&S, MRCVSJonny graduated as a veterinary surgeon from Edinburgh University in 2015 before joining Galedin in 2020. He has a keen interest in surgery, particularly orthopaedics but is also partial to seeing exotic pets. In his spare time he enjoys rock climbing and hill walking but is up for most adrenaline filled outdoor activities.
EMILY MATHER
Senior Veterinary Surgeon
BVetMed, MRCVSEmily qualified from Royal Veterinary College in 2015 and after a whole three days off started at Galedin! She is particularly interested in sheep and flock health planning although she also enjoys small animal work. Her favourite part of the job is drinking tea and catching up on the craic with the farmers. Outside of work she helps out on the farm at home and has her own small flock of Hampshire Down ewes.
FIONA ROSS
Veterinary Surgeon
BVM&S, MRCVSFiona graduated from the Dick Vet in 2011, and started out as a mixed vet on the west coast before joining Galedin, spending five years in our Duns practice. Since having children she now works at Berwick doing small animal practice. When not working she can usually be found at home on the farm or walking one of her Labs.
KATIE RUSSELL
Veterinary Surgeon
Katie graduated from Edinburgh vet school in 2022. Originally from Northern Ireland, she fell in love with the Scottish Borders and is enjoying working with both farm animals and pets. She has a particular interest in animal behaviour. In her spare time she can be found playing rugby or riding her horse Pedro. She also has a cuddly cat called Deimos who she enjoys getting home to each day.
NEVENKA VESLIGAJ
Veterinary Surgeon
BVMS, PGCertSAOpthal, MRCVSNevenka joined the team in 2019. She has a postgraduate certificate in small animal ophthalmology and holds RCVS advanced practitioner status. She sees ophthalmology cases from within our group and also from other vets in the local area. She is mum to three Jack Russells and a Labrador, Collie cross, and before becoming a vet she used to be an archaeologist!
CHRIS GIBBS
Veterinary Surgeon
MRCVSChris graduated from the University of Cambridge in 1989. After 8 years in a mixed farm, equine and small animal practice in Lincolnshire, he moved to Birmingham, where he spent the next 25 years in small animal practice (18 years at PDSA and then 7 years in a private practice). In early 2023 he moved up to Northumberland, joining us in Berwick. He enjoys all aspects of veterinary practice, but particularly surgery. He owns a 10 year old Border Terrier, Sorrel and two 8 month old cats (brothers), Walter and Cuthbert. In his spare time, he can often be found walking or ice skating.
BETH GUILD
Veterinary Surgeon
BVM&S MRCVSBeth graduated from the university of Edinburgh in 2021 and started work as a mixed vet in rural Wales before joining the Galedin Vets small animal team in 2022. Beth has an interest in surgery, advanced diagnostics and dermatology, but is generally looking to improve in all areas as she progresses in her career. In her spare time Beth enjoys going to the gym, hiking and wild camping.
LESLEY PUNTON
Head Nurse
RVNLesley is head nurse of our Berwick surgery. Her interests include medical nursing, radiography, infection control, senior pets and dermatology, she also has a soft spot for cats! She has beautiful twin girls, who keep her busy at home along with her JRT, Pip and cat, Bingo.
CAROLINE WHITE
Senior RVN
RVN N Cert (Anaesth)Caroline qualified in 2014 and has a keen interest in general nursing, anaesthesia – in which she has a certificate – and improving clinical standards. She is also a clinical coach to our student nurses. Caroline is a STEM Ambassador and enjoys doing nursery/school visits to chat to students about careers withing the veterinary industry. She is kept busy at home with her three sons, a Gordon setter called Flora and two tabby cats. In her spare time, she volunteers as a leader with the local scout group.
CLARE LACKENBY
Nursing Manager
RVN, Dip HE AVN, C-SQPPreviously working in the airline industry and in France, Clare joined Galedin in 2016 and became our Nursing Manager in 2023. Clare oversees and supports the Veterinary Nursing division and travels between all of our sites. She has a particular interest in consulting, positive patient outcomes and the promotion of a positive work culture. Clare enjoys being part of the Senior Leadership Team and being an active member of the board. In her spare time, she enjoys hanging out and having cuddles with her wirehaired pointer Winnie.
EMMA JEFFREY
RVN
RVN, DipVNZSEmma qualified as an RVN in 2021. She enjoys exotic animal nursing and has recently completed a diploma in nursing zoological species, and has a particular interest in rabbits. She is also working towards furthering her knowledge in rehabilitation and is currently completing a canine mobility certificate. At home she has 2 rabbits, Percy and Barney who keep her busy, and she enjoys a good hike in her spare time.
GEMMA AITCHISON
RVN
BSc(Hons), RVNGemma studied at Harper Adams University and graduated in 2020 with a BSc (Hons) degree. Originally from Bristol she moved up to the Borders at the start of 2021 and has recently completed a certificate in Emergency and Critical Care. At work her interests are in emergency care, weight clinics for pets and helping teach students. Outside of work she enjoys CrossFit, travelling, seeing family and keeping her new Labrador Fergus entertained!
JILL MURRAY
RVN
RVNJill qualified in 2022 and enjoys all aspects of nursing. She recently completed her advanced nursing certificate of wildlife nursing and is working towards avian and reptiles. She is also Recover Rescue Certified which is an internationally recognised Veterinary CPR training qualification. Jill is our CPR champion at Berwick holding training and drills for the team! At home she lives with her partner, son, dog Cassie and 3 guinea pigs, Sarah, Percy and Bill.
JULIE GRAY
RVN
RVNJulie joined the team in 1988, passing her nursing exams in 1990. She has seen a lot of changes in her time with the practice and still loves her job! She has an interest in small animal behaviour and is passionate about end of life care. She lives with her two teenage children, a lurcher, a whippet and a canary, and likes nothing better than swimming on our gorgeous beaches!
LAUREN VALLANCE
RVN
RVNLauren first joined the team in 2012, and gained her Registered Veterinary Nurse qualification after graduating from SRUC in 2018. She enjoys all aspects of being an RVN but has recently gained more of an interest in nursing exotic species. Outside of work she enjoys walking, horse riding, travelling and volunteering abroad.
JANE STURROCK
RVN
RVNJane joined the practice in the early 2000s, before qualifying as an RVN in 2009. She loves her job as there are never two same days in a row and she really enjoys all of the different aspects of animal care her job provides. At home she’s lucky enough to have a border terrier, Labrador, ponies and a hamster.
CHERIE WALKER
Registered Veterinary Nurse
RVNCherie qualified as an RVN in November 2022 after joining the team at Galedin in October 2022. In work she enjoys caring for patients in wards and being a voice for those that cannot speak. She also has an interest in feline nursing and has recently done an ISFM feline friendly course. Outside of work, Cherie likes to spend time outside and with friends and family. She has 3 cats of her own, Scruff, Charlie and Dusty.
AILISH MCAWEANEY
Student Veterinary Nurse
SVNAilish is currently in the second year of her veterinary nursing diploma at the College of Animal Welfare and is loving the process. In her spare time, she enjoys walking and horse riding. In the future she hopes to travel the world and learn about conservation.
NATALIE SOUTHWOOD
Reception Team Leader
Natalie joined the practice in 2014 and enjoys all aspects of the job. She has 3 grown-up children and in her spare time enjoys visiting her daughter in Cumbria and going on long walks with her black labrador, Lex.
AMANDA MACLAREN
Deputy Practice Manager (East)
Amanda joined the team at Galedin in December 2023. Most of her working life has been split between the equine and aviation industries. She spent three years prior to joining Galedin as the Branch Coordinator for a small animal practice in Northumberland. In her spare time, Amanda likes to be outdoors as much as possible and can usually be found doing something involving horses or working on her latest DIY or renovation project.
GILLIAN MCLACHLAN
Receptionist
Gillian works on reception at our Berwick branch. She lives in Berwick with her husband and son. She loves reading, music and long walks with her black Labrador, Lexie, and her two sprockers, Stella and Thistle.
TAMARA MCFARLANE
Student Veterinary Care assistant
SVCATamara joined the team in July 2023 as an Animal Care Assistant (ACA) and is currently studying towards being a Veterinary Care assistant (VCA). Tamara enjoys caring for patients before and after surgery. In her spare time, she enjoys going to concerts, listening to music and caring for her own pets at home.
JACQUELINE BRENNAN
Credit Controller
Jacqueline joined the Practice in 2008. After spending a number of years travelling, living in Canada and Essex, she returned to Berwick with her husband and family. She has a 14 year old energetic Cocker Spaniel called Tilly and recently welcomed a new addition to the family, a gorgeous Grandson, who she loves spending as much time as possible with in Wales.
SARAH TODD
Receptionist
Sarah joined the team in 2021, after being made redundant in her previous job due to the pandemic, and is loving her new role. She is mum to three girls, and recently became a nanny for the first time with the birth of her grandson. At home she has two spaniels, one springer and one sprocker.
GILLIAN FLETCHER
Senior Finance Administrator
Gilli joined the finance team in 2018 and assists mainly in bank reconciliations, petty cash and creditors. But our Gilli is willing to turn her hand to most other finance functions, including keeping us entertained all the time!
GEORGE HADLINGTON
Credit Controller
George joined the team at Berwick in September 2022.
CAROLYN HODGSON
Receptionist
Carolyn loves her role with the team, combining her two passions, people and animals, after a varied career that has seen her take on roles from working in hospital theatres to fashion consultancy! She is a fun loving girl who loves socialising and long walks on the beach with her husband Roy, her Labrador and her two grown-up children.
LAURA BAKER
Receptionist
Originally a ‘townie’ from Cheltenham, Laura now lives in the somewhat contrasting setting of the Lammermuir hills outside of Duns. She is married to a livestock farmer, Joe, and has four dogs and a cat. She enjoys travelling after having four months away for a honeymoon.
NAOMI COXON
Receptionist
Naomi joined the Berwick reception team in 2016 and has a busy life running around after her two children, pack of dogs and ponies!
LOUISE RENTON
Cleaner
Louise has worked for Galedin for over a decade, and has seen a lot of changes and made a lot of new friends. Outside work, her interests are walking her dogs, playing lawn bowls and also looking after her granddaughter, who definitely keeps her young!
SUSAN STRACHAN
Cleaner
