About Me
I grew up on a sheep farm in the Welsh Borders. My earliest memories involve following my father’s Collie, Moss, across the hills while the ewes were gathered. That dog taught me more about canine intelligence than any university course.
After qualifying from the Royal Veterinary College in London, I did what most of my classmates considered madness - I came back home. Set up Hayes Veterinary Practice in a converted barn and never looked back.
The Practice
Twenty-five years later, we see over 500 herding dogs annually. Border Collies mostly, but also Welsh Sheepdogs, working Kelpies, and the occasional Hunt Terrier that thinks it’s a sheepdog.
Our practice is different from your typical small animal clinic. We do farm calls at dawn, deal with injuries that happen miles from the nearest road, and understand that for many of our clients, their dogs aren’t pets - they’re essential workers.
Credentials
- BVetMed - Royal Veterinary College, London
- MRCVS - Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
- GPCert(SAM) - Certificate in Small Animal Medicine
Professional Roles
- Veterinary Advisor - International Sheep Dog Society
- On-site veterinarian at sheepdog trials across Britain
- Regular contributor to farming and veterinary publications
Why I Write
Honestly? Because I got tired of seeing the same problems that could’ve been prevented. Farmers losing good dogs to conditions we can screen for. Pet owners panicking over things that aren’t emergencies while missing signs that actually matter.
The internet is full of veterinary advice, but most of it is written by people who’ve never had to treat a dog in a lambing shed or explain to a shepherd why their best working dog needs six weeks of rest.
I write what I know. It’s not always pretty, it’s not always what people want to hear, but it’s what I’ve learned works.
Contact
Hayes Veterinary Practice Mill Lane Ledbury Herefordshire HR8 2AA
For general enquiries about articles or speaking requests, use the contact page. For actual veterinary emergencies, please call your local practice - I can’t diagnose your dog over the internet, and anyone who claims they can is lying to you.