Meet the Team - Veterinary Surgeons

Tony Kemmish BSc BVMS DBR MRCVS GPcert(DCP)

Veterinary Surgeon

Tony Kemmish essentially lives and breathes cows.  Principal of an expanding mid Devon mixed practice he spends his life immersed in the day to day intricacies of dairy farming.  He qualified from Glasgow Vet School in 2002 and headed home to the West Country and St Boniface Vets.  After 5 years as an assistant he took over the practice in 2007. 

Tony holds the general practitioners certificate in Dairy cattle practice and the Diploma in Bovine Reproduction.  He is passionate about herd fertility and its fundamental link with nutrition. One of his long term aims is to promote efficient and profitable production through educating farmers about the cost of disease - particularly poor fertility and mastitis.

In his spare time he likes to spend time with his wife and young family and their small herd of South Devon cows.

Marie Kemmish BSc (Hons) BVMS MRCVS GPcert(SAM)

Veterinary Surgeon

Marie is our Small Animal Director and just so happens to be married to Tony, so we are a true family business! She works part time here at the clinic but puts in numerous hours behind the scenes on the many and various aspects of running a veterinary practice.

She qualified from Glasgow Vet School in 2002 where she met Tony. They moved to Devon where Marie embarked on a career in mixed practice, gaining a good grounding in all areas of veterinary work.  She decided to concentrate on small animals in order to gain her General Practitioners Certificate in Small Animal Medicine. 

Marie enjoys working with dogs and cats, she has a soft spot for cats and is passionate about ensuring that their visits to the clinic are the least stressful they can be.

Marie has also developed our laparoscopic surgery service - keyhole surgery for neutering, one of the few vets in the South West to provide this technique.

Out of work Marie is Mum to Connie and Archie who keep her well and truly on her toes! She is also heavily involved in managing the village preschool.

Pets include Dora the Labrador, Raymond the cat, Wilfred the hen, 4 sheep who will soon be lambing and a small herd of South Devon cows that she shares with her mum in Somerset. After all of that there is not much time for any other hobbies but she does enjoy theatre, baking and getting out on the veggie plot!

Ben Dart BVSc MRCVS

Veterinary Surgeon

Ben joined the St Boniface team in August 2017 and works alongside Marie as the Lead Clinical Vet for the Small Animal Team. 
 
After graduating in 2008, he worked in a mixed practice for 4 years before becoming a full time small animal vet. 
 
Ben enjoys all areas of small animal practice, including surgery and medicine, with a particular interest in ultrasound scanning of the heart and abdomen, endoscopy (using a small, flexible camera to carry out internal investigations) and using stem cell injections to improve the quality of life for arthritic patients.
 
Outside of work, Ben enjoys going on adventures with his wife and young daughter, continuing to develop the family farms herd of South Devon cows and mountain biking. He has two dogs, a whippet called Herbie, who Ben rescued with a fractured leg, and a working Cocker Spaniel called Bruce, who loves nothing more than running around the farm!

Clare Smith BVSc MRCVS

Veterinary Surgeon

Clare moved to St Boniface Vets from Wolfgar, during the expansion in December 2014.  She qualified from Bristol University in 2006 and started work in a mixed practice for three and a half years in Hampshire, she then joined Wolfgar in 2009.

Clare is our lead equine vet and enjoys the variety of first opinion equine practice, from routine vaccinations to lameness investigations and wind repairs. 

Off duty, Clare is often out competing her dressage horse or training her Labrador, Mabel.

Ruth Wotton BVetMed MRCVS

Veterinary Surgeon

Having graduated from the RVC in 2008, Ruth worked in farm animal practice in Somerset and Dorset before joining St Boniface in 2010. She is passionate about working with the farmers to reduce the impact of disease on their herds, believing that a healthier herd will be more profitable and easier to manage.

Ruth is a trained DairyCo mobility mentor, so if you have a lameness problem on the farm, she is happy to work with you to find the solutions.  Being a DairyCo Mastitis Plan registered user she is keen to investigate mastitis and cell count problems; to read a recent article on targeting environmental mastitis pathogens please click the link.  Other areas of interest, involve sheep work and improving flock performance.

Because she always likes a challenge, from January 2014, Ruth enrolled on the RCVS certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice (Cattle) with the aim of providing an even higher level of service to our clients.

Outside work Ruth is a keen walker so is delighted to be working close to Dartmoor.

Danielle Priestley DVM MRCVS

Veterinary Surgeon

Danielle qualified from St. Georges University, Grenada, in 2009 after a final year at Edinburgh Vet School. She then entered mixed practice back home in Lincolnshire, predominantly doing small animal and farm work. After two years she decided to steer her career towards farm animal practice by taking a position at the University of Florida Vet School in the Food Animal Reproduction and Medicine Service (FARMS), where she worked closely with highly regarded professors and diplomats. It was here that she developed a specific interest and enthusiasm for calf rearing and replacement management which she is keen to continue here at St. Boniface Vets.

Danielle is now back working part-time after the birth of her twins in September 2018. Outside of work, she enjoys playing the piano and is a keen tennis player.

Chris Just BVSc MRCVS

Veterinary Surgeon

Having graduated from the University of Bristol in 2003 Chris started out ‘James Herriot’ style as a mixed vet in North Cornwall. A job offer, as a fulltime farm vet, tempted him away from the West Country for a busy 4 year spell in and around Cheshire.

Cheshire cheese was no substitute for pasties, so the draw of the Westcountry found him back and settled in Okehampton since 2008. When heading west, once more, the desire to cross the Tamar was strong, as Chris was born in Truro and he had a wonderful childhood in West Cornwall; however, hikes on Dartmoor are slowly convincing him Devon is not too bad!

Professionally, Chris enjoys the variety farm vet work throws at him and has particular interests in calf rearing, fertility management and cattle lameness prevention. Chris was in the first cohort of trained DairyCo Mobility Mentors and sat on the NACFT (www.nacft.co.uk) committee as their vet liaison for 8 years.

Home life is dominated by taming his two young daughters and as a consequence he is developing an encyclopaedic knowledge of Peppa Pig and cake recipes. Any spare time is dedicated to rambling in the glorious Devon countryside.

Jane White BVetMed MRCVS GPCert(FelP) CVPhys(ESVPS) PGCVetEd ISFMAdvCertFB CCRT FHEA RAMP IRVAP(VP)(ICH)

Veterinary Surgeon, Veterinary Physiotherapist & Hydrotherapist

Jane is a graduate of the Royal Veterinary College and has worked in mixed practices in the Crediton area since 1990.  An injury prompted a change in career focus from large to small animal and triggered a special interest in feline medicine and rehabilitation.   She holds a GP Certificate in Feline Practice and the ISFM Advanced Certificate in Feline Behaviour. 

Shortly after joining St Boniface Vets in 2009 she attained a Certificate in Veterinary Physiotherapy and then undertook further training with the Canine Rehabilitation Institute in the USA to become a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist. Hydrotherapy qualifications were achieved with K9HS & Hawksmooor.  Jane strives to help injured animals return to function but particularly enjoys enhancing the quality of life for those affected by arthritis.  She set up the in-house rehabilitation service which offers a variety of manual and electro therapies as well as hydrotherapy and acupuncture

She is registered with both RAMP and IRVAP and is a committee member of the Bristish Veterinary Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine Association. 

Away from work she enjoys spending time with her young horse, elderly cat and two Border Collies.  Jane not only enjoys watching and playing cricket but is also an ECB qualified coach, scorer and umpire.

Alice Mahony BVSc MRCVS

Veterinary Surgeon

Alice is originally from the West coast of Ireland but moved to Bristol to undertake her Veterinary degree. She graduated from the University of Bristol in July 2020 and started working at St Boniface shortly after. Alice enjoys working as a first opinion Equine and Small Animal Vet and loves the variety they both bring. 

In her spare time, Alice does horse riding, enjoys swimming and has recently taken up rugby. She also has a cat called Bessie who is very sassy!
 

Chloe Mobbs BVetMed MRCVS

Veterinary Surgeon

Chloe officially joined the team in May 2022 having locumed with us for a while. Her career started in mixed practice after graduating from the RVC in 2014, but after a few years decided to focus on small animals. She lives on a small regenerative farm with her husband so when not vetting is generally chasing sheep or fixing fences. She loves gardening, music and a good walk or run in the Devon countryside.
 

Nina Hamilton BVSc (Hons) MRCVS

Veterinary Surgeon

Nina graduated from the University of Sydney in 2005. She is is glad to be back at St Boniface where she worked in 2014-2015 before having children. She loves all aspects of small animal medicine and surgery, especially ophthalmology. Forming bonds with both her patients and their owners is really important to Nina!
Outside of work her two children keep her on her toes, she still attempts to travel when possible and loves food - both cooking it and eating it
 

Rachel Risdon BVSc CertCHP MRCVS

Veterinary Surgeon

Rachel was brought up on an arable and pig farm. Graduating in 1997, her first job was in mixed practice in West Devon, before moving on to teach students in the farm animal practice of Bristol vet school, whilst studying for her post graduate certificate in cattle health and production. She then moved to New Zealand, to work as a dairy vet for over two years, at the internationally known Animal Health Centre, in the Waikato, where she was also involved in clinical trial work.

On returning to Britain, she set up a new branch of a farm-animal-only vet practice on the Devon/Cornwall border in August 2006.  Starting with no clients, this then grew to a nine vet practice in which around 80% of the vets’ time is spent on dairy work.

She joined St Boniface in 2015 after she and her husband, Richard, got a tenancy in Brampford Speke. They have converted a sheep and arable farm into a dairy unit and will be milking about 280 cows within a few years. Vet work, dairy farming and two small boys keeps her busy enough but she does manage a bit of swimming to keep fit.

Charlotte Fowler BVSc MRCVS

Veterinary Surgeon

Having graduated from the University of Bristol in July 2017, Charlotte chose to stay in the South West for her first experience as a farm vet.

She particularly enjoys working with dairy cows, and is keen to get involved with all aspects of farm animal work.

In her spare time, Charlotte likes being out in the Devonshire countryside; either running or walking with puppy, Twix and can be persuaded to try most sports (at least once!). 

Tilly Hough MVDr MRCVS

Veterinary Surgeon

Tilly graduated in 2019 from the University of Veterinary Medicine in Kosice, Slovakia. She joined the St Boniface Small Animal and Equine teams in December 2021.

She enjoys the variety that first opinion equine practice brings and the array of cases that comes with out of hours work.

Outside of work Tilly enjoys horse riding and long walks with her two dogs in the countryside.

Francesca Di Franco BVetMed MRCVS

Veterinary Surgeon

Francesca joined the St Boniface team in September 2022 after graduating from the Royal Veterinary College. She is the team's newest graduate and works mainly within the small animal team but also covers emergency equine cases. While Francesca has interests in diagnostic imaging and internal medicine cases, being newly qualified, she is keen to get involved in all aspects of veterinary care and provide the best for your pet!

In her spare time, Francesca is a water sports enthusiast. On her arrival to Devon, she became a member of a Beach Rescue Club on the south coast and, when she has the time, enjoys taking her paddle board out for a spin!

Phil Leighton BVM&S MRCVS

Veterinary Surgeon

Phil joined St Boniface Vets Bude Farm Practice in May 2023, having spent 28 years living and working in the Bude area. At work, Phil enjoys everything to do with cows, especially fertility management and calf health.

Phil also sits on the board of Farmcare Devon and Cornwall who have responsibility for providing all the TB testing in Devon and Cornwall, and is a member of the Cornwall TB Eradication Group.

When he’s not at work Phil enjoys cycling, and has recently completed the Ride London 100-mile event, around London and Essex for Prostate Cancer charity. He also enjoys playing golf with son, Alfie, and enjoys countless family walks around the cliffs and beaches near Bude with his family and Nellie the dog

Sylvie McElligott MVB MRCVS

Veterinary Surgeon

Sylvie moved to Crediton in 1976, after qualifying as a Veterinary Surgeon in 1970.  He became Partner of the clinic in 1982; working together with Mr Reakes. 

Following a period of 8 years, Sylvie bought the practice, until Tony became the owner in 2007.  Originally he was involved in large and small animal work, but now concentrates on the Farm and Equine side of the practice on a part-time basis.

Before becoming a veterinary surgeon Sylvie was a pilot in the Irish Army Corps.

Emily Moule BVSc MRCVS

Veterinary Surgeon

Emily joined the practice as a farm animal vet in January 2023. Emily's first experience at St. Boniface was whilst she was still at school as a work experience student. She stayed in the south west for University graduating from Bristol but then ventured north to Lancashire for her first job as a farm vet. Just over 3 years later and she is glad to be back down south and is enjoying being able to get a good pint of cider in the pub (Northerners haven't embraced cider drinking yet...). She particularly enjoys farm animal surgery and getting out on farm but also likes analysing farms' data and creating spreadsheets when in the office.

Outside of work Emily can usually be found lambing sheep at home or attempting to train her crazy collie puppy.

Amelia Chichester BVSc MRCVS

Veterinary Surgeon

Amelia joined the team at St Boniface Vets in 2023 after graduating as a Vet from Bristol University. She is originally from Devon but over the other side of the moors, in Tavistock. Having previously had a career in the NHS working in London, Bristol and Plymouth, Amelia has now decided to come and settle back in Devon.

Here at St Boniface Vets, Amelia is currently undertaking mixed practice, across Small Animal, Equine and Farm, as she has a huge interest in all creatures great and small. She is excited to meet all of our clients out on farm, in the practice or on a yard! 

Out of work, she is either walking the moors or on the beach with her wire-haired dachshund, Herman, who loves running and swimming in anything filled with water (especially the muddiest puddle going!). When she's not out exploring, you can find her curled up on the sofa with a good book or film, with one of her cats Dino, Rudie or Dinks. Amelia also enjoys exercising at the gym or riding horses around Devon.

Nathan Head BVMSci MRCVS

Veterinary Surgeon

Nathan graduated the university of Surrey school of veterinary medicine in 2021 and started work as a mixed vet in Gloucestershire. Nathan joined the practice in August 2023 as a Small Animal and Equine Vet, he is particularly interested in small animal surgery and enjoys both routine and emergency surgeries. 

When not at work Nathan spends his time riding his motorbike, gardening and taking his dog out in the local countryside.