Veterinary surgeons

Clinical Director

Karen is the clinical director at Farthings Veterinary Group. She graduated in 1996 from Cambridge University and has been here ever since. She enjoys the variety of veterinary work, getting to know clients and their animals (some of whom she has known for the whole of their lives). Her areas of interest include soft tissue and orthopaedic surgery and through continued training Karen is able to perform many procedures usually done at specialist referral practices. Nurse training has been part of Karen’s role for 20 years, ensuring the practice maintains its high standards and training practice status to enable us to continue employing and training local, enthusiastic and caring veterinary nurses. Karen also won the national award for employer of the year for apprenticeship training. When she manages to escape from work and when the dog isn’t broken she spends time walking or occasionally does agility with her mad dog Jess. She would rather travel to far flung places than ever stay still, has worked with orangutans, trekked gorillas, swam with sea lions and camped with hippos.

Fotis graduated from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece in March 2012 and started volunteering in a small animal referral practice to gain experience and enhance his skills. Soon he was offered a permanent position and continued working there until deciding to move to the UK. Here he got a temporary position in a small animal practice on the south coast to cover a maternity leave before joining Farthings Vets in September 2015. In 2018, Fotis attained a postgraduate certificate in small animal surgery and performs all sorts of advanced surgical procedures such as fracture repairs, cruciate ligament (TTA), brachycephalic, ear surgery and other orthopaedic and soft tissue surgery. On days off he challenges himself to cook new recipes for his friends and also enjoys going to the cinema.

Howard graduated from Bristol University in 2017 and joined Farthings soon after. He particularly enjoys small animal medicine. In his spare time he enjoys playing football and other sports.

Gabby joined Farthings Veterinary Group in the summer of 2017 after graduating from the Royal Veterinary College earlier that year. She enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine with a special interest in emergency and critical care. Gabby lives in Surrey with her rescue dog, Alan, who keeps her company during nights on-call.

Lauren graduated from Liverpool University in July 2018. She then went travelling around Asia for a couple of months and spent some time volunteering at an animal shelter where she did a neutering clinic. Lauren joined Farthings Vets in September 2018 and enjoys all aspects of clinical work. In her spare time she enjoys walking and playing with her crazy English Springer Spaniel or going on a run with friends.

Louise graduated in 2006 from Bristol University and joined Farthings shortly afterwards. She has a particular interest in abdominal ultrasonography and investigating the more challenging medical cases that we see. In 2011 she gained the Royal College Certificate in small animal medicine. Louise now works part-time as she has a young daughter and enjoys splitting her time between being a vet and a mum. She and her husband also share their lives with Fizz the troublesome Terrier, Guinness an elderly black cat and two friendly chickens.