The staff of Piddle Valley Vets

David Holah, BVSc CertZooMed MRCVS

Head Vet/Practice Principal

David qualified from Bristol University in 2001. He has worked in Dorset ever since, at practices in Blandford, Poole, Wareham and Swanage before setting up Piddle Valley Vets in 2011.

David has worked extensively with exotic pets and achieved the RCVS certificate in zoological medicine in 2009.

David also has an interest in soft tissue surgery in all species and assists several local wildlife charities in treating and rehabilitating local native wildlife. David works closely with the RSPCA and Police, assisting with animal welfare incidents and prosecutions.

David is a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, the British Veterinary Zoological Society, the Association of Avian Veterinarians, The Fish Veterinary Society and the British Veterinary Association.

David has shared, or still shares his home, with cats, dogs, ferrets, rabbits, foreign finches, an African Grey parrot, poultry, a corn snake, tortoises, rats, fish, a wife and two children.

Natalie Down, RVN

Natalie completed her veterinary nurse qualification in January 2011. She has spent the last 6 years at a small animal practice in Poole.

It was here that she spent 3 years working alongside David gaining experience with exotic pets.

She has a keen interest in birds of prey and is looking forward to settling into her role at Piddle Valley Vets.

Natalie’s menagerie includes 2 cats, 2 ducks, a rankins dragon, a tortoise, an african grey parrot, zebra finches, guinea pigs, a tankful of tropical fish and a tame husband!

Jess Chaplin, RVN

Jess has lived in Dorset all of her life, working in different vet practices across the Dorset, Devon and Somerset. She trained at a large veterinary hospital in Devon working with small, large and equine patients. Jess finished her training at a small animal vets in Dorchester in 2010. She has a keen interest in theatre and surgical nursing and hopes to pursue further training in this field. Jess has worked with David and Natalie since November 2011 and is really enjoying the experience she is gaining with the exotic animals.

Jess has 3 cats, a Dutch rabbit and a springer spaniel. The team are yet to persuade Jess to have any reptiles, birds or tortoises (but has had them previously).

Kim Little, RVN

Kim qualified as a registered veterinary nurse in January 2009 after completing a BTEC National Diploma in Animal Care at Cannington College.

Since qualifying Kim has travelled abroad to work with the WVS (worldwide veterinary service) doing voluntary veterinary work on the island of Samos, in Greece and also with HSAM (Help the street animals of Morocco) in Morocco.

Originally a Somerset girl, Kim moved across the border to Dorset in August 2011 and joined Piddle Valley Vets in May 2012. Her areas of interest include anaesthesia, surgery, complementary therapies and exotic and wildlife care. She has completed a NVQ in business administration and hopes to qualify as an SQP, to dispense companion animal medications in July this year.

Outside of work Kim enjoys riding her horse ‘Charlie’, and is a member of the local young farmers club in Puddletown. Kim lives on a farm, sharing her home with Maine coon cat ‘Mowgli’, sheep dog in training ‘Jack’, 300 sheep, and a boyfriend who puts her to work on the tractor at weekends!

Debbie Ireland, RVN

Debbie qualified in 1989, training both in practice and at Staffordshire College of Agriculture on a part-time residential basis. Throughout her training, Debbie had worked in several practices gaining experience and then settled in practice once qualified for a respectful 19years.

Debbie has now joined Piddle Valley Vets and is looking forward to this exciting new role, particularly with the exotics.

Debbie has 3 dogs, and (tries) to keep fit doing agility with her dog ‘Bumble bee’. At home Debbie has been enjoying doing up her cottage whilst partner Paddy spends his time on the roof!