Meet Our Dairy Vets

Alistair grew up on a dairy farm in Ayrshire, Scotland and graduated from the University of Glasgow in 2016.  Once he graduated he moved over to the east coast of Scotland to Angus, where he worked in mixed practice for three and half years before joining us in our Ashburton clinic. He had always been interested in working on New Zealand farms with large grass based herds and so this role is an exciting prospect for him. He has spent his whole life in agriculture and since qualifying as a vet has worked in mixed practices. He enjoys all aspects of practice and in particular tackling unnecessary losses on the farm, as happy cows make for a happy farmer. As well as tackling new challenges every day and meeting new people along with learning about different farming systems. Outside of work he enjoys playing rugby, exploring New Zealand and taking advantage of a few beers in the sun.

Barry qualified as a veterinarian, with a special interest in dairy, at Utrecht University in the Netherlands in May 2015. Before his veterinarian degree he took a B. Comn but realised later that working in the corporate world, wouldn’t satisfy him enough. A life in the great wide open and amongst animals, especially the ones that have brought human kind so much, the cow, was a must. So when he was 27 he changed his career path to become a veterinarian. If you ask him if that was a good idea, you will get a big laugh and a definite YES ! After a year working in Deventer, The Netherlands, among high producing Holsteins, Barry moved with his family to South Africa, there he found his love for large pasture grazing herds. A great experience in a beautiful country with amazing people and animals. After nearly 4 years, future visa and work permit uncertainty made him apply for a fantastic opportunity in New Zealand. Why wouldn’t he, because in his own words: “I have to experience myself the pasture grazing dairy country par excellence!” Having recently arrived with his wife, Femke, and their three children, they are all looking forward to living in Ashburton. Barry and his family hope to learn from the area, the people and the dairy community. He is eager to meet you all soon and meanwhile will do his best to leave people, places and cows better than he finds them. If you ever need travel advice, or advice on which beer to drink, in The Netherlands or South Africa please feel free to get in contact with him as he is more than happy to have a chat.

Becks joined the Central Vets team in late 2009 as a new graduate veterinarian.  Having spent her childhood in the North Island, Papua New Guinea and Dunedin she is quick to embrace new communities.  This has definitely been the case in Ranfurly where she has taken all opportunities to partake in rural life.  In her spare time Becks enjoys a wide range of sporting activities (especially skiing), socializing with friends, Young Farmers Club and training any working pups that come her way!!  Becks lives with her partner Jason and has Colin the cat and Mint the Dog keeping her busy when not at work or sporting.

Dave is our senior vet and apart from an initial 18 months in Hokitika has spent all his working life in Ranfurly. Dave lives with Kate on a 150 acre lifestyle block that occupies his time.  Being the sole vet for most for most of this time, spare time has been precious, but he is obsessive about quail hunting with his G.W.P’s.  When quail are not allowed, ducks, geese and trout are the targets.

Diana has lived in Te Kuiti for 16 years and initially worked for us in a graduate position for three years before starting her family. Diana and her husband live on a dairy farm at Rangitoto where they milk 2000 cows alongside their wider family. She has spent her last eight years looking after the herd in between raising their three children. With her youngest child now being 15 months old she is ready to come back and use her skills outside the farm. Although she has spent a lot of time working with her own cows over the last couple of years, her real passion is with cats and dogs. She loves working with clients as well as their pets and enjoys the variety and challenge of all aspects of the job, especially surgery. Outside of work the family has a friendly cat that the children have named RockyToby. She also loves to spend time with her family and friends, read sci-fi and fantasy novels and embark on travel adventures to any destination.

Erika is a mixed animal veterinarian and holds a Bachelor of Veterinarian Science. She grew up on the West Coast of the South Island and after some time working in a mixed practice in the North Island has returned to the deep south with her husband. One of her favourite things about her role is meeting great people in her community whether it be on farm or in clinic. Outside of work she loves spending time outdoors doing things such as trail running, mountain biking and hiking.

I began working at Riverside Veterinary Services (now Vetent Riverside) in 1999 as a mixed animal practitioner. The following ten years saw an emphasis on dairy cattle practice with the growth of the dairy herd in Mid Canterbury. I helped to form the PureMilk Mastitis Consultancy for which I now work full time. I have a special interest in veterinary education, knowledge and skill transfer to other vets in the practice. I am a member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists following examination in dairy cattle medicine in 2003, an In Calf advisor, a Countdown Downunder advisor and an Accredited Vet under the Fonterra Demerit Relief Scheme. I am married to Helen, and we have two teenage children who ensure our weekends are always full! Any spare time I have is spent fishing, building something or practicing to play my old faithful Guitar.