Our Team
Vets
Stuart Jefferson
I joined the practice immediately after qualifying in 1990. I have stayed with the practice since then (which must be a good sign!). Over the years I’ve developed special interests in ophthalmology and surgery, along with developing my role as a partner in the business. Outside of work I spend most of my time with my family and pursuing my main hobby, cricket.
Amanda Turnbull
I graduated from Glasgow Vet School in 1992 and then started my first job working for a small animal practice in Dundee where I stayed for 7 years. I then spent a year travelling and working in Australia before returning to Scotland to work first in the Scottish Borders and then in a practice in Fife. During this time I have become particularly interested in small animal medicine, dermatology and dentistry.
Carol Mason
I graduated from Edinburgh University in 1995 and worked in various practices before joining the Dalblair team in 2004. I enjoy our varied case load and have developed surgical interests in wounds and dentistry and my medical interests lie with care of our older patients, especially geriatric cats. Outside work, I enjoy horse riding with my two daughters and am also a keen skier. My husband Colin is a vet too and we keep a variety of animals at home including cats, dogs, ponies, hens and a small flock of Pedigree sheep!
Lorna Smith
I graduated from Glasgow University in June 2011. Shortly after I took the opportunity to move out to Australia where I worked in mixed practice in rural Victoria for 4 years. Here I gained invaluable experience. My partner and I decided to make the move back to my hometown of Ayr in March 2015. I have a keen interest in a variety of aspects of veterinary medicine, in particular neurology, animal behaviour and ultrasonography. I have also recently completed a course in acupuncture and find this very rewarding.
Eilidh Moffat
Kate Thomson
As the newest member of the Dalblair Veterinary Team, I joined in October 2017. My background is one of mixed practice since I graduated in 1999, working in Suffolk, South Wales and for the last 16 years in Stranraer. I am thoroughly enjoying now concentrating on your small animals here in Ayr! When I'm not at work I'm busy with my other job of being a farmer's wife and mum on our Beef and Sheep farm in South Ayrshire, with our 6 collie dogs and Sooty the cat (definitely the Boss!).
Debbie Findlay
Born and bred in Ayr, I qualified from Glasgow Vet School in 2001 and have thoroughly enjoyed my career as a general practice vet ever since. I'm passionate about the welfare of animals in my care and try to look after all my furry patients as if they were my own. Soft tissue surgery is something I find especially rewarding. I also have an interest in pet exports, in particular long haul exports, and I'm very happy to assist clients relocating worldwide with their pets. My family and lab/spaniel cross Abby keep me busy outside of work.
Angela O'Hara
Nurses
Linsay
I gained my Veterinary Nursing qualification from Edinburgh’s Telford College in 2001. I have worked in a variety of small and mixed practices before settling at Dalblair in 2008 and becoming Head Nurse in June 2014. I have recently completed a certificate in Companion Animal Behaviour and am building up behaviour clinics within the practice.
Louise
I qualified from Edinburgh Telford College in 2016. Before and after qualifying i have worked in both mixed and small animal practice. I enjoy all areas of Nursing especially theatre, anaesthetics and spending time with patients and clients during our Nurse Clinics. I have also taken on the role of being one of the practice Head Nurses, which i am really enjoying. In my spare time i enjoy spending time with family, friends and family pets, Kia our little Patterdale terrier, Rose our little cat and Skye our Staffordshire bull terrier. I also enjoy spending as much time as i can outdoors and try to do plenty of hill walking and the occasional horse ride.
Frankie
Originally from Bournemouth, I moved to Ayrshire in 2007. After working in practices around the country i joined the Dalblair team in May 2022. I completed my nursing qualification at Barony College and officially became a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2011. I also completed a Certificate in Feline Nursing in 2019 Over the years I’ve had cats, dogs and Guinea pigs but just now my furry residents are 2 rescue cats. Alice the 12 year old tabby and my 9 year old black cat Binx who was hand reared from just a few weeks old. In my own time I love to go out for dinner and spend time with my family, going for walks and playing in the garden with my son.
Sarah
I qualified from Barony College in 2013 and completed my practical training here at Dalblair. I left and gained more experience at other practices and have now returned to Dalblair as i love working here and we have a great team! I enjoy seeing patients within our nurse clinics and also running DVS Puppy Parties over at our Preswick Branch, its great fun. In my spare time i enjoy spending time with friends and family and going to the gym. I also completed my first half marathon last year!
Caitlin
Kadin
I have been volunteering at Dalblair for 3 years and joined the team officially in January 2019. I work closely with the nursing team behind the scenes looking after in-patients. I am currrently studying to become a Vet Nurse and carry out my practical training here at Dalblair. At home I have an 11year old Ragdoll called Louis. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with family and friends and attending the gym.
Reception & Office Staff
Claire
I joined the team in December 2015 as a receptionist. I grew up with a menagerie of furry creatures, and currently have two gerbils called Skye and Tutu. Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my husband and two children, going to live music concerts and all things Scandinavian.
Shona
I am the longest serving member of the reception team, having been with Dalblair since 1980, so I am a very familiar face to many a pet and owner! I am the insurance advisor at our Prestwick branch so if you have any questions regarding insuring your pet or putting through a claim I will happily assist you. In my spare time I enjoy walking and travelling with my husband.
Kay
I joined the team in June 2009 as a receptionist. Over the years my role developed into Administration Manager then Practice Manager. When I'm not running after my sons Freddie & Max & Border Terrier Lottie (which isn't often!) I enjoy socialising with friends, long walks with Lottie and my husband John and baking.
Jean
I joined the reception team in 2000. I have three cats called Rascal, Smokey and Sooki. In my spare time I enjoy gardening and eating out with family and friends.
Kara
I joined the reception team of Dalblair in November 2017. Having grown up always having pets I am a huge animal lover. I have a french bulldog called Benji who is quite a character! In my spare time I enjoy spending time with family and friends and enjoying long walks with Benji.
Emma
I joined the team in March 2021 as a receptionist and I work between both our Ayr and Prestwick branches. I am one of the insurance advisors so if you have any questions regarding insuring your pet or putting through a claim I am happy to assist you. I love my job and meeting all our furry clients is a big perk, even manage the odd cuddle! I have 2 young children and in my spare time I enjoy walking, climbing Munro’s and reading.
Lesley
Having worked within veterinary practice as a receptionist/auxiliary nurse for 5 and a half years, I joined Dalblair Vets in October 2021. I love my job, chatting to clients and making a fuss of our lovely furry patients. I have a little cat and Chihuahua at home, who are always up to mischief. In my spare time I enjoy long walks with my dog, socialising and weekends away with friends/family.
Jena
I joined the reception team in May 2022. At home I have my own collection of pets, my parrot Goose, dog Millie and horse Sirrah. Outside of work I enjoy spending time up at the yard with my horse, out walking with my dog or spending time with family and friends.
Jennifer
I have been working in veterinary practices as a receptionist/animal care assistant since 2004. I joined the team at Dalblair Vets in September 2022 as a receptionist. I love my job, interacting with the clients and their pets. At home I have my 2 cats Dexter and Darwin and my 2 chinchillas Jack and Victor. I spend most of my time spoiling them or reading books!