Gillivervet Ltd

01257 483 161

office@gillivervet.co.uk

Our Team

Dr Alison Swift

BVSc MRCVS

Clinical Director

Alison qualified from Liverpool University in 2006. She re-joined Gillivervet in September 2010, after an abscence of 2 years where she further developed her equine skills.

In her spare time Alison enjoys competing and breeding her own horses on her family run yard in Darwen. Alison also enjoys walking her dogs with her husband Garth.
Mrs Kathleen Hennessy

BVM&S MRCVS

Clinical Director

Kathleen qualified from Edinburgh in 1999 and worked at Gillivervet for 10 years before joining her now husband Simon in Scotland where she continued to work as an Equine Veterinary Surgeon for a further 6 years, completing the first 2 modules towards an Advanced Certificate in Veterinary Practice.

Kathleen has returned home to Lancashire to be closer to friends & family with 2 Border Terriers, Basil & Coriander and a Border Collie called Cal which take up most of her spare time. Kathleen enjoys all aspects of Equine Practice and has a special interest in Equine Dentistry.
Mr John C Gilliver

BVSc MRCVS

Clinical Director

Being the son of a Dairy Farmer, I have been exposed to livestock from an early age. I started riding at the age of 6 & started breeding ponies at the age of 14. I was focused on a Veterinary Career from an early age & was fortunate to graduate from The University of Liverpool with honours in 1980.

My first Veterinary employment was in North Yorkshire in a mainly large animal practice & whilst there developed a keen interest in equine stud work. I established Garwood Veterinary Practice in April 1989 as an equine facility to deal with all aspects of equine work & historically some agricultural clients.

This subsequently has developed into Gillivervet. Outside Veterinary work I am actively involved with horses, riding, breeding, showing, hunting and judging (SHBGB & CHAPS panel judge) I have served as a Council Member of the BEVA for 6 years being responsible for AI & Riding Establishments.
Dr Rachel Schneiders

BVSc (Hons) MRCVS Cert AVP

Veterinary Surgeon

Rachel graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2015 with Honours & the Zoetis prize for excellence in Equine Studies, she went straight back to the University Equine Hospital to do an externship in equine orthopaedics & soft tissue surgery. After a brief stint of charity vet work with SPANA in Morocco she started working in a busy mixed practice on the edge of the peak district. Rachel joins us after completing a year's internship at Minster Equine Veterinary Clinic.

Rachel enjoys running & mountain biking, rides her family's horses when she can & can't wait to get her first Labrador.
Dr Rebecca Price

BVSc MRCVS

Veterinary Surgeon

Becky qualified from the University of Bristol in 2016. She then carried out an internship at Towcester Equine Vets gaining experience in all aspects of equine practice. She stayed at Towcester until 0ctober 2021 before joining the team at Gillivervet. She has a particular interest in orthopaedics and poor performance.

Becky returned home to be closer to family and enjoys walking with her border terrier Hattie and travelling when she gets the chance!
Dr Joseph Winrow

BVSc MRCVS

Veterinary Surgeon

Joe graduated in 2020 & joined Gillivervet straight from university. Joe is currently on sabbatical in New Zealand & will return to Gillivervet in Feb 2023
Dr Maisie Parsons

BVSc MRCVS

Veterinary Surgeon

Maisie graduated from the University of Bristol in July 2022 and joined us at Gillivervet in August 2022. Maisie enjoys all aspects of Equine Practice, specifically having a keen interest in Equine Reproduction.

In her spare time, Maisie enjoys spending time with family and friends, walking her Jack Russell Terrier Queenie, and travelling, with her favourite place so far being Iceland.

Maisie is currently on sabbatical in Australia but will be back with us in August 2024
Dr Faye Walmsley

BVM&S MRCVS

Veterinary Surgeon

Faye graduated from The University of Edinburgh in July 2023 and joined Gillivervet in August 2023. Faye has an interest in equine internal medicine but is currently enjoying progressing in all aspects of equine practice.

Faye enjoys spending the weekend with her family and friends now that she is closer to home. In her spare time, she likes to keep active, whether that be going to the gym, running or hiking.
Dr Sarah Smallwood

BVM BVS BVMedSci MRCVS

Veterinary Surgeon

Sarah graduated from the University of Nottingham in July 2023 & joined Gillivervet in September 2023. Sarah has a keen interest in reproduction so is looking forward to the next stud season but is really enjoying the varied caseload of equine practice.

In her spare time Sarah can be found riding, going to the gym, running or hiking and cannot wait to get a dog to take on the adventures.
Dr Bryony Fossett

BVM Sci (Hons) fCMgr MRCVS

Veterinary Surgeon

Bryony graduated from the University of Surrey in July 2023 & joined Gillivervet in September this year. Bryony has an interest in equine reproduction and internal medicine so is looking forward to getting more involved with this over time.

Having bred and shown dogs her whole life, she now lives with three Dachshunds Polly, Dollar and Peggy.

At the weekend Bryony enjoys exploring the countryside and climbing moutains with her dogs.
Miss Julie Best

Practice Manager

Julie joined the Practice in September 2005 having previously worked in Finance. She has been a client of the Practice for about 30 years.

Julie owns her own horses, which currently compete in British Eventing with her daughter Samantha. In her spare time she likes to walk her 2 dogs Teasel & Ellie.
Mrs Christine Cotton

Office Manager

Christine joined us in Febuary 2015 initially to cover maternity leave. Christine is the Office Manager and she is responsible for the day to day running of the office as well as being PA to John & Anne.

Christine has 2 horses of her own, Velvet her own large riding horse that previously competed at HOYs and the Royal International & James her daughters lead rein pony. Away from the horses Christine spends her time mainly with her husband Ian, daughter Elsie, and Beanie the sausage dog.
Miss Megan Johnson

Administrator/Stock Co-ordinator

Megan joined Gillivervet in June 2014. Megan's roles include ordering and controlling stock for the practice. You will also speak to her on the phone.

Megan owns a Welsh Sec D called Tom. Away from the horses Megan enjoys walking/hiking with her Siberian Husky Mishka, or you may find her near the sea paddleboarding or swimming.
Mrs Carly Tootell

Receptionist

Carly joined Gillivervet in Sept 2019 after spending 12 years working at Specsavers in Customer Services.

Carly is married with a 19 year old son & in her spare time likes going to the cinema and spending time with friends. Carly is thoroughly enjoying her role & clients can expect to meet her at reception when they attend the practice.
Miss Sian Birtwistle

Receptionist

Sian joined our reception team in June 2023, having previously worked as a small animal receptionist.

Outside of work she loves spending time with her mare & foal Lucy & Lyra
Miss Vicky Dawson

RVN

Vicky joined Gillivervet in March 2022 as an RVN
Miss Hollie Carline

Student Veterinary Nurse (SVN)

Hollie joined Gillivervet in April 2021, she is currently studying to become an Equine Veterinary Nurse (EVN)

Before joining us, Hollie graduated from the University of Central Lancashire studying equine science and worked as a supervisor at Knowsley Safari Park! She has been riding for 18 years and is the proud (and very biased) owner of 17.1hh, Irish Sports Horse Dave.
Miss Samantha Smith

Student Veterinary Nurse (SVN)

Sammy joined Gillivervet in April 21 as a member of the yard team, she is currently studying to become an Equine Veterinary Nurse (EVN)
Miss Hazel Kirkham

Yard Supervisor

Hazel joined Gillivervet in August 2010 and works on the yard looking after the horses. Hazel was an active pony club member until the age of 18 gaining her B test, she then went on to work with horses gaining her stage 1 and 2 riding and stable management.

Hazel has previously owned fell ponies and competed them up to county level. In her spare time she likes to bake and walk her dog Ted. Hazel has taken on wellbeing at the practice, and values everyone feeling at home in work.
Miss Molly Phillips

Groom

Molly re joined Gillivervet in June 2022 after an abscence of 2 years & is a member of the yard team. She hunts regularly with the Holcombe & The Vale of Lune & holds both her BHSAI and Pony Club B Test.
Miss Leila Nicholson

Groom

Leila joined Gillivervet in Nov 23, having previously worked on a Dairy Farm. Leila's favourite part of her role is making sure all the horses are happy & well looked after while they spend time at the practice.

Outside of work Leila loves spending time with her horse Red who is an 8 year old Welsh D x Connemara & they love going out to competitions & X Country schooling at Somerford Park.

Leila also owns a 4 year old shih-tzu cross called Maggie.
Mr Stripes Gilliver
Miss Elsie Gilliver