Dr David Muge, BVM. PhD. MRCVS Principle Veterinary Surgeon

Dr. David Muge BVM., PhD., MRCVS, is the principle veterinary surgeon and director of the practice. After graduating from University of Nairobi with a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (BVM) degree, he won a full academic scholarship to study for a doctorate degree (PhD) at the Universities of Bristol. After graduating, David spent the next three years in academia working at both Bristol and Liverpool Universities undertaking research and dealing with students in veterinary related subjects. David became a Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (MRCVS) in 1996 after successfully sitting an entry examination.

David spent a year working for the Kenya Wildlife Service Veterinary Department in Kenya where he acquired a liking for Exotic Animal Medicine. In the UK, he worked in several veterinary surgeries across the country as well as within the London metropolis. All this experience and expertise prepared him to launch Animals Are Us Veterinary Surgery in the Autumn of 1999.

David's main goal is to establish and maintain a professional, modern and competitive domestic and exotic veterinary surgery with good value for money to clients.

Lucy Ashby, BVetMed, MRCVS, Veterinary Surgeon

Lucy qualified from the Royal Veterinary College, London and joined us soon afterwards. During her studies she completed elective modules in Cardiology, Neurology and Feline Medicine - all skills she continues to develop in practice along with a keen interest in soft-tissue surgery. Since working in practice she has also pursued training in diagnostic imaging, and particularly enjoys ultrasonography which is extremely beneficial when working up complicated internal medicine cases. Outside of work Lucy enjoys choral singing, riding and swimming; she also has a very mischievous Maine Coon cat called Leo who keeps her on her toes. 

Sean McCormack BSc (Hons), MVB, MRCVS, Veterinary Surgeon

Sean qualified from University College Dublin and came to us after working in a domestic, exotics and zoo practice in Kent. Before his veterinary degree he studied Animal Science in Essex, so has a broad base of knowledge in zoology as well as anatomy and physiology of a wide range of animal species. During vet school Sean completed Canine Behaviour and Zoo Medicine elective modules, and over the years has kept and bred a huge variety of reptiles, amphibians and other exotic pets, therefore he is well suited to develop the avian and exotics medicine side of our practice. He is a member of the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) and the British Veterinary Zoological Society (BVZS). Sean enjoys the outdoors, loves to kayak, as well as live music and socialising with friends.

Paula Bold (Practice Manager)

Paula has been with Animals Are Us since its conception and has been heavily involved with the development of the business. Prior to this she worked in another local veterinary surgery and therefore has a wealth of knowledge in Veterinary management. She is responsible for the overall running of the three branches. She is available to speak to whenever you have anything to discuss particularly those difficult insurance and financial matters. Paula has a dog called Kim, a new pup called Daisy and her hobbies include going to the theatre and playing squash.

Tina Holdsworth, Head Nurse (Registered Veterinary Nurse/A1)

As Head Nurse, Tina is responsible for the Nursing team. She started her career in Veterinary Nursing in 1997 and since then has worked in several surgeries becoming an RCVS examiner in 2006. She started with us in August and since then has proved herself to be a valuable member of the team and is responsible for all aspects of nurse training. She has a keen interest in animal behaviour and psychology and enjoys nurse training. Tina enjoys going to the cinema and socialising with family and friends. She has a little boy and also teaches swimming to the under 5’s

Louise Jackson (Registered Veterinary Nurse)

Louise is a long serving Qualified Veterinary Nurse who is a wealth of information on all aspects of veterinary nursing. She is a qualified Veterinary Nurse trainer and assists in training the nurses at the surgery. Her interest is mainly in teaching and caring for inpatients, while she spends her spare time reading and going to the cinema.

Adriana Kluska (Nurse)

Adriana came to us from a practice in Wales in April 2010 and is training to become a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN). She is a qualified marine biologist, and has always longed to work in the veterinary industry so has returned to her studies yet again. In her spare time she loves to cook as well as visiting galleries, reading and looking after her cats. She is from Poland and has been living in the UK for 9 years.

Jake Holliday (Nurse)

Jake is our trainee Veterinary Nurse, and even though he is our youngest member of staff he is extremely confident and conscientious in everything he does. Jake takes pride in making sure that clients get clear and accurate feed back from any clinical investigations undertaken at the surgery. He enjoys assisting in the theatre and has a keen interest in exotic medicine. Jake has a Yorkshire terrier called Charlie as well as many exotic pets including two iguanas, cornsnakes, bearded dragons, a tortoise and currently an orphan owl! He enjoys socialising with friends and music.

Maria Willcox (Nurse)

Maria joined us in August 2010 and is also undergoing her training to become a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN). She is enjoying her studies so much that she has also taken on an Open University course in Conservation. With what little time she has left out of work and her studies she is proud Mum to Turbo, an orphan duckling that lives at Duckingham Palace in her back garden! She has two cats called Ginge and Jonah, and enjoys painting, arts and crafts, and 1950's dressmaking.

Toni Hill

Toni joined Animals Are Us in 2002 and her customer service is second to none. Toni runs our Sunbury on Thames branch and is also responsible for ordering drugs and medical supplies for all three surgeries. Toni has an eye for detail, which is in great need when dealing with some of the complex insurance claims that we receive. Toni also arranges work placement for students from local colleges, institutions and schools as we take pride in opening our surgeries for others to learn. Toni has a German Shepherd called Macy and a tortoise called Herman. She enjoys badminton, walking and swimming.

Loraine Sheldrick

Loraine has been with us since 2006 and is our qualified first aider. She is responsible for our Feltham surgery and is very much involved in our pet insurance duties. Loraine is extremely sympathetic to clients’ needs and is always willing to assist above and beyond the call of duty. She has two dogs, two cats and four ferrets and she is interested in Spiritual healing. She loves open space.

Lisa Langley

Lisa is the receptionist in our Hayes surgery. She is the smiling helpful face of the surgery. Her job is extremely challenging and varied as you never know what might walk through the door. She also assists with accounts, medical orders and banking. She has a dog called Jessie and a cat called Sean.

 Tracey Mitchell

Tracey is one of our administration staff and puts in a lot of work behind the scenes in the day to day running of the practice, which involves lots of paperwork! She has been with Animals Are Us since September 2010. She enjoys cinema, fast cars and red wine, as well as walking the family dogs.