Anaesthesia and Analgesia

Alessandra graduated from the University of Perugia (Italy) in 2003, after which she worked in general veterinary practice in Italy for three years. Driven by her newly discovered passion for anaesthsia, Alessandra decided to undertake an Anaesthesia Internship at the Royal Veterinary College in London followed by a three year Residency in Anaesthesia and Analgesia at the Royal Veterinary College during which she gained her RCVS Certificate in Veterinary Anaesthesia. Alessandra then joined Willows in 2010 and became a Diplomate of the European College of Anaesthesia and Analgesia in 2012 and an RCVS Specialist in Anaesthesia in 2015.

Alessandra is particularly interested in the anaesthesia of the critically ill patient and of patients with cardiac disease. She enjoys working as part of the team of highly qualified and dedicated specialists at Willows, and helping to keep the veterinary and clinical support staff up to date with the latest anaesthetic and intensive care techniques.

Alessandra is the daughter of a dog breeder and a diplomat. She grew up mostly in Italy, but also lived in Australia and Switzerland and always with several dogs and cats. She particularly loves Dachshunds and has two wired haired ones – Sheldon and Hector which she loves walking on sunny days and spending time on the couch with them on less sunny ones. Although Alessandra misses the Italian sun and food, her family and Italian friends, she feels as though she has gained a second family at Willows!

After qualifying from the University of Warsaw in 2003, Anna worked for two and a half years as a veterinary adviser for Kolme, a large pharmaceutical company in Poland. This position enabled her to develop her knowledge in pharmacology and homotoxicology. During this time Anna attended a Management Educational Centre where she completed a one year course in law. In her spare time she worked as a volunteer at an Animal Rescue Centre.

Anna’s vocation has always been to work with small animals and to this end she decided to seek a position in a practice where she could pursue her goals.  In 2007 she joined the team at Willows, where she developed her skills in anaesthesia, critical care and pain management. In 2014 Anna gained her MSc (Master of Science) in the Clinical Management of Pain at the University of Edinburgh. Anna’s key area of interest is the provision of anaesthesia and analgesia for challenging surgical patients.

Outside the practice Anna is a theatre and opera lover. She attends ballet classes and can play both the piano and the guitar. Anna is the owner of two show dogs – an Akita and an Afghan Hound – and she is interested in becoming a dog show judge.

Kate graduated from the university of Bristol in 1995, after which she spent seven years working in a busy small animal veterinary hospital in Berkshire. Having developed an interest in anaesthesia, Kate undertook an ECVA residency in veterinary anaesthesia at University College Dublin where she attained the RCVS certificate in veterinary anaesthesia in 2004.

After taking a career break to raise two children whilst working as an anaesthesia locum, Kate has now joined Willows as a permanent member of the team. Kate has a particular interest in the anaesthesia of complex medical cases and how anaesthesia and veterinary medicine impacts the environment.

Outside of the practice, Kate enjoys spending time with her family, and growing fruit and vegetables.

Torr graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2012. Following a veterinary volunteer project in Malawi and time spent working in mixed practice in the UK, she joined Willows in 2015 as a rotating intern.

She then completed an anaesthesia internship at Willows in 2017 and in 2023 successfully became a European specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia

Torr has a keen interest in anaesthesia for interventional cardiology. She enjoys working closely with the cardiology team at Willows and hopes to gain more experience in anaesthesia for equine interventional cardiology during her residency.

Annie graduated from the University of Nottingham in 2020 with two degrees; BVMedSci (hons) and BVM BVS (hons). Since graduating and before joining Willows, she has worked in a busy first opinion hospital in Solihull, where she gained a vast amount of experience and practical skills.

Annie joined our team in 2023 and, having completed a one-year rotating internship, is now undertaking her residency in Anaesthesia and Analgesia.

In her spare time, Annie enjoys spending time with her three cats and a cheeky Bernese Mountain Dog, Murphy, as well as baking and socialising with her family and friends.

Maria graduated from University of Cordoba, Spain in 2016 and completed an MSc program at the same institution in 2017. Following her graduation she embarked on a rotating internship at the university’s veterinary teaching hospital in 2018 before going on to work a further 6 months as an emergency vet.

On leaving the university Maria worked in a first opinion practice for a short period, then joined the Hospital Clinic Veterinari of the University of Barcelona as an Anaesthesia intern. On completing her internship Maria worked as an Anaesthetist at AniCura Ars Veterinary Hospital, then moved to the UK in 2023 and completed another Anaesthesia internship at Southfields Veterinary Hospital. Maria joined the Anaesthesia team as a resident at Willows in 2024.

In her spare time Maria enjoys reading, running and spending time with her family and her senior cat, Pelusa.