Will graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2010 and since then has worked in multiple small animal hospitals across the UK. He undertook a rotating internship at the Willows in 2012 before going to Bristol Veterinary School to complete his three year residency in small animal surgery and a clinical masters degree (MSc). During this time he also completed his BSAVA post graduate certificate in surgery. Will successfully passed the European diploma exam to become a European Specialist in Small Animal Surgery in 2020. Will’s research interests include minimally invasive surgical techniques and he is interested in all aspects of surgery and particularly enjoys fracture management and thoracic emergency surgery.

In his spare time Will enjoys exploring the countryside with his family and two crazy Cocker Spaniels, Olive and Rocket.

Stephen qualified from Cambridge University. He held an internship position at North Carolina State University and then spent a year in general practice before taking up a Residency in Small Animal Surgery at the University of Liverpool, where he gained the RCVS Certificates in Veterinary Radiology and Small Animal Surgery. This was followed by a PhD in Canine Tumour Biology at the University of Cambridge followed by a period as Lecturer in Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery. Stephen then moved to the Royal Veterinary College, as Lecturer and then Senior Lecturer in Small Animal Surgery and Head of Surgery. He also completed a Master of Science degree in Comparative Clinical Oncology at the University of Birmingham.

Stephen is currently Head of Oncology at Willows. He is a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons and is an RCVS Specialist in both Small Animal Surgery and Veterinary Oncology. He is the only active Specialist Surgeon in the country to hold Specialist Status in these two disciplines. Stephen represents the referral clinicians in the Linnaeus group on the Clinical Board.

Stephen is a committee member of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons, the Veterinary Society for Surgical Oncology, and the Association of Veterinary Soft Tissue Surgeons, and has also been Chairman of Examiners for the RCVS Certificate in Small Animal Surgery and a member of the BSAVA Scientific Committee. Stephen is also a member of the editorial board of The Veterinary Record and is Editor in Chief of In Practice. Stephen is a non-Executive Director of the British Veterinary Association

Stephen has published over 85 papers in the peer-reviewed literature and has given over 150 presentations at regional, national and international meetings. He has written over 30 continuing education articles and a dozen book chapters. He is the editor of the BSAVA Manual of Surgical Principles. Stephen is a regular lecturer at national and international meetings. He has received clinical research prizes from the European College of Veterinary Surgeons, British Small Animal Veterinary Association and the Royal Veterinary College.

Stephen's clinical interests include all aspects of clinical oncology, reconstructive surgery, and minimally invasive surgery, particularly thoracoscopy. His clinical research interests involve tumour cell biology, biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and therapy and novel therapeutic agents for treating cancer in small animals, and this research has been supported by BSAVA Petsavers, the PetPlan Charitable Trust and RCVS Trust.

Stephen and his family own five Domestic shorthair cats and a Springer spaniel. When not at work, Stephen is a keen triathlete, and has participated in events from sprint distance to full ironman distance. He has also represented Team GB at the International Triathlon Union World Championships in Aquathlon and Long Distance Triathlon.

Chris graduated from Cambridge Veterinary School in 2000 having gained a degree in Zoology in addition to qualifying as a Veterinary Surgeon. Chris then spent two hugely enjoyable years working in general practice in Suffolk before returning to Cambridge as a Resident in Small Animal Surgery.

Following completion of his residency in 2005, Chris worked as a Clinical Surgeon in the Soft Tissue Department of Cambridge University before moving to take up a post as Clinical Fellow in the Small Animal Surgery Department at Bristol University. He has been at Willows since 2009 and as such has been at the core of the team’s commitment to the pursuit of clinical excellence via a multi-disciplinary approach to Soft Tissue Surgery.

During his time at Willows Chris has been the Director of the Surgical Residency Training Programme and the Head of the Soft Tissue Surgery service. More recently Chris has become the Clinical Director at Willows and looks forward to sharing his passion for our core values though this role.

Chris is a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons and an RCVS Specialist in Small Animal Surgery. Chris has served as a member of the written examination sub-committee for the European College, the scientific programme committee for the BSAVA Congress. as an examiner for the RCVS Certificate in Small Animal Surgery and has been a committee member of the Association of Veterinary Soft Tissue Surgeons. Chris is currently on the programme committee for the annual scientific meeting of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons (ECVS).

Chris has published numerous scientific peer reviewed papers, written several textbook chapters and is an experienced lecturer to Vets at both local, national and international level.

Chris is particularly interested in upper airway surgery, brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), portosystemic shunts, and surgical oncology. He is also a member of the interventional radiography group at Willows.

Chris is a keen rugby fan, landscape gardener, walker and mountain biker. Recent restrictions on his free time have led him to dust off his running shoes and explore the world of HIIT workouts – with mixed success! Chris and his family share their house with Hattie, a fantastic Labrador who was successfully treated at Willows for a liver shunt!

Having graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2000, Lara spent several years in mixed practice before embarking on a career in small animal surgery. During her time in small animal practice she achieved the general practitioner certificates in small animal surgery and small animal medicine.  She joined the University of Liverpool in 2013 to undertake a rotating internship followed by a residency in small animal surgery and in 2014 completed the CertAVP in general small animal surgery. Lara successfully passed the European diploma exam to become a European Specialist in Small Animal Surgery in 2019.

Lara is actively involved in reviewing soft tissue surgery articles in scientific journals and is a member of the ECVS multiple choice question sub-committee for the ECVS examination. She has published several papers in scientific peer reviewed journals and delivered lectures and webinars locally and at an international level.

Lara enjoys all aspects of soft tissue surgery and enjoys working in an experienced and dedicated multidisciplinary team at Willows to provide the highest standard of care for her patients.

Lara enjoys participating in high intensity fitness classes at the gym. She also enjoys walking including mountain hiking with her husband and two dogs and travelling in her spare time.

Erika graduated from the University of Toulouse in France in 2014. After moving to the UK she worked in general practice for two years and completed a small animal rotating Internship at the Royal Veterinary College and a surgical Internship at a Specialist referral hospital in Surrey, focusing on soft tissue surgery and surgical oncology.

Erika joined the Willows team as a Resident in Small Animal Surgery in July 2018 and completed her residency in July 2021.  She is currently involved in research projects on brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, soft tissue sarcomas, and antebrachial deformities. Erika is currently working towards a European Diploma in Veterinary Surgery.

In her spare time, she enjoys cycling, running, and walking.

Kine graduated from the University of Nottingham Veterinary School in 2015 with a strong interest in small animal surgery. Since graduating, Kine has spent a few years in General Practice and completed both a rotating internship at Dick White Referrals and a surgical internship at Fitzpatrick Referrals before joining Willows surgical team in July '20 as a Resident in Small Animal Surgery.

Outside of work Kine loves travelling, and when that is not possible, she take great pleasure in spending time outdoors on long walks.

Luis graduated from the University of Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro in Portugal in 2011. He then spent seven years working in Portugal and Ireland as a general practitioner. In 2019, Luis first joined the Willows team as a rotating internship, followed by a surgical internship at Highcroft Veterinary Referrals.

In 2020, Luis obtained the general practitioner certificate in small animal surgery and he is currently working towards a European Diploma in Veterinary Surgery. He is particularly interested in soft tissue and orthopaedic surgery. Luis is currently working on various research projects, including cruciate ligament surgery, brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome and antebrachial deformities

Luis has two cats, Misha and Yoda, and enjoys swimming, trail walking and outdoor exercise.