James Buick

James qualified from UCD Dublin in 1999. On graduation, he worked as an assistant in mixed practice for a year, moving to small animal practice for 3 years. Having then worked as a VO in DARD for 7 years, he opened a small animal clinic in Ards in 2011. He lives in Belfast.

Andy Mayne

Graduated from London 1989. Worked as mixed vet Somerset 2 years. Worked Australia 6 months. Started working at Jubilee Vet Clinic, Newtownards in 1992. Director since 1996. 100% farm animal work. Past Treasurer and President of AVSPNI. Enjoys all sport and walking his dog. Keeps a small herd of suckler cows.

Pat Hart

Pat graduated from Glasgow in 1974 followed by an internship in Pennsylvania and a dermatology certificate in 1994. She retired from small animal practice and dermatology referral work in 2020. She is Past Chair of VetNI. Pat is a registered Human Givens psychotherapist and is married with three grownup children and two grandchildren.

John Hill

Qualified Trinity College Dublin 1975. Mixed practitioner and partner in Glenburn Veterinary Surgeons, Crumlin, retired in 2015after over forty years in practice. Heavily involved in veterinary politics, Chair of NIVET (VetNI precursor), Past President of AVSPNI, NIVA and SPVS. Closely involved in forming VetNI and a past Chair, Founder Trustee of Pet Blood Bank and currently President of the British Bee Veterinary Association, President of Ulster Beekeepers Association and Chair of the Council of National Beekeeping Associations in the UK. Discovered that retirement is merely a word that, at times, means very little!!

Fiona McFarland

David McKeown

1972 Glasgow graduate. Worked in Cape Town and North Antrim. Started Knockanboy Vet Clinic in 1975 – 6 vet mixed practice. Predominantly dairy work for 25 years. Joined the Veterinary Defence Society (VDS) Board in 1989. Took on a full time role and served as part of the VDS Executive as Director of Member Services until retirement at the end of 2019. Currently a listening volunteer with Vetlife, Samaritans (listening and School’s Outreach) and Active Listening.

Shane Murray

Graduating from Glasgow University in 1997, I began my career in mixed practice before taking on locum roles across England and Australia. In 2001, I was involved in the response to the UK Foot and Mouth outbreak, gaining valuable experience under challenging conditions. In 2005, I founded Braemar Vet Clinic, a small animal practice based in Belfast, where I’ve been dedicated to providing quality care ever since. Outside of work, I enjoy running, triathlons, and playing golf.

Louise Taylor

Worked in the veterinary profession since 2000. Qualified as Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2006. Started in small animal practice helping to train student VNs, moving on to an Out Of Hours role, worked with referral cases, locum nursing and VN Education. Have also worked in research. Since 2013 involved in delivering the RVN courses at Greenmount.

Naoimh Toner

Qualified in 2003 completed Advanced Diploma in 2020. Helped to establish the second Veterinary Nursing course in NI in 2019. Completed CIT in 2023 and a PGCE in 2024. Left teaching in February 2025 continued part time in practice along with locum shifts in Vets Now. Member of the AVSPNI nurse cpd committee.

Seán E Rooney

Seán is a Bristol 2012 graduate who runs his own Equine general practice with a focus on lameness and dentistry. After a significant leg break and post op complications Seán has an acute grasp of the benefits of the tools to remain calm. He has advocated for Vet support at various Irish Equine Veterinary Association conferences and CPD events that he is also involved in.