Intern Team
Our Intern Team
Established for over 12 years Willows’ team of highly skilled interns are all fully qualified Veterinary Surgeons. Throughout their one-year rotating internship programme Willows Interns have primary case responsibility through our Out of Hours Service, working alongside dedicated Emergency Vets.
Working together with our team of multidisciplinary Specialists and Residents Willows’ Interns care for critical patients in our Intensive Care Unit.
Kayal Patel
BVM BVS MRCVS
Ophthalmology Intern
Kayal graduated from the University of Nottingham in July 2020 and began working in a first opinion practice in north west Manchester before joining the Rotating Intern team at Willows in January 2023. During his time at university and in practice, he has developed a keen interest in ophthalmology and is looking forward to furthering his skillset in this area as an Ophthalmology Intern.
Kayal has a goldendoodle named Elton and in his spare time, he enjoys exercising and is a keen golfer. Kayal also enjoys both playing and following football.
Matija Mesko
DVM MRCVS
Small Animal Surgery Intern
Matija graduated from the University of Zagreb, Croatia in 2016, during his time in university he developed an interest in surgery and volunteered at Department for Surgery University of Zagreb for two years alongside busy student life.
After graduating, Matija continued to work in a surgical role at the University before moving to the UK in 2018 to work in a busy first opinion practice in Rugby.
Wanting to gain more experience in Emergency and Critical Care, Matija successfully completed the Vets Now Cutting Edge Programme in 2020 and worked as an ECC veterinarian in Swindon before starting his path towards gaining his ECVS Diploma, completing internships at Southern Counties Veterinary Specialists and London Vet Specialists. Matija is also currently working towards a postgraduate certificate in Surgery with Harper Adams University and writing two scientific papers.
Matija enjoys all aspects of surgery from minimally invasive soft tissue surgery to complex fracture repair. In his spare time he likes to take care of his bonsai trees and aquarium, watching football and spending time outdoors on walks.
Peter Jun Lai Tse
BVetMed MRCVS
Neurology Intern
Peter graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2022 and began working in a general practice in Southampton. He then completed a rotating internship at Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists before joining Willows as a Neurology Intern.
Peter has always had a keen interest in Neurology and is actively involved in clinical studies that extend beyond this specialty.
In his free time, Peter enjoys spending time with his two dogs, Venus and Vega, who have been his companions since vet school. He is an avid climber and occasionally competes in local bouldering competitions. Additionally, he loves gardening, cooking, and taking care of his aquarium.
Elina Lice
MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon – Intern
Elina graduated from the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Latvia in 2023. Alongside her university studies she also worked as a veterinary assistant in a clinic in Riga, Latvia. After graduating, Elina independently worked as a veterinary surgeon in Soft Tissue Surgery and Emergency & Critical Care for a year before commencing a rotating internship here at Willows.
Elina has moved to the UK to continue gaining more knowledge and skills to provide the best possible care for pets, taking on a rotating internship with a further goal to specialize in Soft Tissue Surgery.
Outside of the hospital, Elina enjoys painting and reading together with her lovely rescue cat Tristana.
Emily Phillips
BVSc MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon – Intern
Emily graduated from University of Pretoria in South Africa with a bachelor of Veterinary Sciences in 2019. Following graduation, she worked in South Africa in mixed rural practice for one year before moving to the UK. Emily then worked in a first opinion general practice before moving to night work.
Emily is particularly interested in Emergency and Critical Care, but is looking forward to learning from the multidisciplinary teams at Willows.
Emily enjoys all things outdoors and will hike anywhere for a good view. Otherwise she likes to spend time at home with her two cats, Theo and Lily.
Rachel Godson
BVM BVS MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon – Intern
Rachel graduated from the University of Nottingham in 2022 before commencing work in a first opinion practice in Coventry and joining the Intern team at Willows in 2024. During her time in first practice Rachel developed a keen interest in surgery and hopes to be able to develop her skills in this area.
Outside of work, Rachel enjoys going on walks with her Border Collie, Cody, swimming and spending time with family and friends.
Pilar Camara Zurita
MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon – Intern
After graduating from the Universidad de Murcia, Spain in 2022 Pilar moved to the UK and started working in Leicester at a busy first opinion practice. There she was able to gain valuable experience and skills, as well as being part of a new graduate program.
Pilar developed a strong interest in diagnostic imaging during her university years and while it remains her main area of interest, she is very enthusiastic about learning more about all veterinary disciplines during her internship.
When not at work, Pilar enjoys travelling, outdoor activities, and playing the guitar.
Henrik Durieux
(BVCs) MVCs DVM MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon – Intern
Henry graduated from from Utrecht University in 2022 before completing a rotating internship at a specialist referral centre in the Netherlands. He then joined the Intern team here at Willows in 2024.
Henry has a particular interest in Veterinary Cardiology and in his spare time enjoys weight lifting, video games and wildlife & nature photography.
Devon Michael
BVSc MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon – Intern
Devon graduated from the University of Pretoria, South Africa in 2019 and worked in a rural mixed animal clinic before moving to the UK in 2021. Devon has previous experience working in equine care, but opted to focus on small animals and joined Willows Intern team in 2024.
Devon is particularly interested in small animal surgery, particularly laparoscopic surgery, and is passionate about antimicrobial stewardship, ensuring the effectiveness of antibiotics in the future.
Outside of work Devon enjoys rock climbing, camping, has completed two 70.3 Ironman races and hopes to complete a full Ironman in the future. He also has a 1 year old Staffy/Lab cross rescue named Finley, who has taken over his life!
Catarina Mendes Martins Coelho
DVM MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon – Intern
Catarina graduated from the University of Porto (ICBAS School of Medicine and Biochemical
Sciences), Portugal, in 2023. Alongside her studies, she undertook extracurricular and curricular internships in clinics and hospitals in Porto, and Valencia (Spain), where she developed an interest in Internal Medicine and Imaging. After graduating, Catarina worked as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine of Small Animals.
Catarina has moved to the UK and joined the Intern team here at Willows to grow her knowledge and develop more skills, whilst also studying for her Postgraduate in Internal Medicine and her goal is to specialize in one of these areas.
At home, Catarina has two dogs, Kali and Coda, and two cats, Normi and Defi. In her
spare time she enjoys playing the piano and being with friends.
