Directors
Directors
The Directors are committed to keeping Willett House an independent practice in an increasing corporate environment. We have seen many of our neighbours sell to corporate practice or move to corporate ownership, however, we feel that offering a bespoke practice to the local community which excels in first opinion practice but at the same time offers more advanced medical, surgical and diagnostic techniques will allow us to thrive in a corporate world.
Gerard Clarke
MVB MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Gerard Clarke
MVB MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Bio:
I qualified with a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Dublin in 1985. I worked in small, mixed, large animal and equine practice before joining Willett House as an assistant in 1990 and then returning as a partner in 1993. I work exclusively at the main branch surgery in Staines and I divide my time between consulting and surgery – both of which I enjoy. I am an extremely experienced surgeon with a special interest in soft tissue, orthopaedic and spinal surgery.I am a married father of three and I live in Surrey and enjoy spending time in South West France.
Pets:
I have 4 cats – Rodney, Rosie, Roxy & Rickey. I also have two dogs – Maggie & Albert!
Continued Professional Development:
I am currently training to be a clinical instructor mentor for Surrey University Veterinary Students.
Recent continued professional development includes:
- Cora Based Levelling Osteotomy which is a new surgical option for Cruciate disease in dogs
- Dentistry
- Interventional Radiology Summit in Barcelona
- Tibial Tuberosity Advancement
- Complicated limb deformities
- PAUL procedure for elbow medial compartment disease
Aaron Hunt
BVSc CertSAS MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Aaron Hunt
BVSc CertSAS MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon, Advanced Practitioner in Small Animal Surgery
Bio:
I graduated from Bristol University in 1995 and spent 2 years in mixed practice in Shropshire. I had a great time living a ‘James Herriot’ lifestyle treating all varieties of animals large and small. During this time I developed a strong interest in small animals and in particular surgery and made the decision to move into 100% small animal practice. I moved to south west London in 1998 and have lived and worked in the area ever since undertaking a further qualification in surgery and gaining a Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Certificate in Small Animal Surgery (CertSAS) in 2005 and Advanced Practitioner status in Surgery in 2015. I joined Willett House Vets in 2000 and became a partner in 2003. I work mainly at our Staines site; where my clinical work involves consultations, the management of hospitalised patients and performing routine and more complex soft tissue and orthopaedic surgeries. I also have a strong interest in diagnostic imaging and perform a large proportion of ultrasound scans within the practice as well as performing many x-rays and with the emergence of MRI have enjoyed offering this service to our clients. I also enjoy performing endoscopic procedures both investigative and surgical procedures having been one of the first vets in the country to perform Key-hole procedures such as laparoscopic bitch spays.
When not working I enjoy participating in sports including; tennis, squash and running as well as my time being taken up with my busy family life having four young children.
Pets:
I have had many pets over the years including numerous cats and rabbits. Currently we have three cats called Gingee, Neme and Maple.
Continued Professional Development:
I am currently studying for a further qualification in cardiology, which has allowed me to offer more advanced cardiac investigations including heart scans.
Recent continued professional development includes:
- Orthopaedic, soft tissue, thoracic and neurologic surgery
- Emergency medicine and surgery
- Ultrasonography practical courses
- MRI
- Keyhole (laprascopic) Surgery Techniques including keyhole bitch spays
- Radiography
- Rigid and Flexible endoscopy
Leigh Sobye
BVSc MRCVS
Practice Manager & Veterinary Surgeon
Leigh Sobye
BVSc MRCVS
Practice Manager & Veterinary Surgeon
Bio:
I graduated from the University of Liverpool Veterinary School in 2000 with a merit in Small Animal Studies. After which I returned to my home county of Cornwall to work as a small and farm animal vet. Although I immensely enjoyed my time in Cornwall I was keen to develop my career in companion animal practice and, after a short search, I found Willett House Veterinary Surgeons. This practice was perfect to develop my career, being steeped in history, yet progressive in its thinking and always looking to modernise in an ever-evolving profession.
During my time at Willett House I have worked at some point at every branch and know many of our loyal client base. I became a Partner in 2004 and took on the key role as Practice Manager in 2005. Despite most of my time spent managing and developing the practice I have a keen interest in small animal medicine and exotic pets (mainly lizards, tortoises, rabbits and small mammals).
I am currently Trustee of the charity “Greyhounds In Need.” which rescues Galgos (Spanish Greyhounds) from Spain and rehomes them all over Europe. In addition, I am a member of the Greyhound Forum of England.
I live with my partner Vicky (who manages our Hampton branch) and have three children Cadan, Isla and Maya. In my spare time I enjoy cycling and sailing and I am currently learning Spanish. I love to travel and have visited every continent except for Antarctica – although I will need to wait until the children are slightly older before an expedition is arranged!
Pets:
Vicky and I are always rescuing strays from the practice – in fact the practice’s cartoon Dogue de Bordeaux was based on Juno (sadly no longer with us) who we rescued when she was only 16 weeks of age. Currently we have three cats (Vader, Chewbacca and Teebo – the last one will keep you Star Wars fans guessing!), two ferrets (forest and fable), a bearded dragon (Sparky), two rats (Bifur and Bofur), a tortoise (Remus) and a small tropical fish tank.
Continued Professional Development:
My main fields of interest are business development, small animal medicine and exotic animal practice.
Recent continued professional development includes:
- Various exotic animal lectures
- Business management courses
- Laboratory medicine
- Abdominal ultrasound
- Dentistry
- Polyuria and Polydipsia in Cats and Dogs
- Small Animal Emergency Medicine
- 2-year Small Animal Medicine Course
- Canine Endocrinology
- Endoscopy
- Medicine Dispensing