Meet Our Team | Abercorn Vets

Meet the team

  • meet-the-teams-062de88a56c658

    James Thorntonsmith

    Clinical Director

    BVM&S PgDip(Conservation Medicine) PgC SAC (Small Animal Cardiology Studies) MRCVS

    James joined Abercorn in 2014 and enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine and surgery but has a particular interest in ultrasonography. In 2021 he completed a general practitioner certificate in small animal cardiology and a postgraduate certificate in the same discipline at the end of 2023. He also holds a postgraduate diploma in conservation medicine.

    With his rapidly expanding family, James no longer has much ‘spare’ time but enjoys going out for runs with one of this two dogs (his whippet is too old to keep up now) and can occasionally be persuaded by Victor to play a round of golf now and again.

  • meet-the-teams-1662de88ac18f5a

    Caitlin Loretto

    Veterinary Surgeon

    BVM&S BVSc (Zoology) MRCVS

    Caitlin joined Abercorn in August 2021, shortly after graduating from the University of Edinburgh where she also intercalated in Zoology during her vet degree. She has enjoyed settling into life at Abercorn and getting to grips with all aspects of first opinion veterinary medicine, with a particular interest in surgery. In her spare time, she plays for a local shinty team and enjoys Highland dancing as well as trying new places to eat!

  • IMG-20250109-WA0008

    Ruth Drane

    Veterinary Surgeon

    BVMS MRCVS

    Ruth joined Abercorn in October 2024 after graduating from the University of Glasgow and she is excited to meet all the lovely patients.

    She is very biased to a cocker spaniel and in her spare time she loves trail runs with her adventurous dog Blue. She can also occasionally be found on rivers Whitewater Kayaking.

  • c017dcd4-6950-443e-a7ef-626715ac637a

    Charlotte Gaunt

    Veterinary Surgeon

    BVM&S MRCVS
  • meet-the-teams-862de88a8c9f4b

    Christine Mackie

    Veterinary Surgeon

    BVMS MRCVS

    Christine graduated from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in 2017 and worked for a period down south in a small animal practice, before relocating back to Edinburgh to join the team in 2019.

    She enjoys all aspects of small animal medicine and in her spare time is a keen runner.

  • meet-the-teams-1462de88ab5c108

    Laura Fraser

    Veterinary Surgeon

    BVMS MRCVS

    After three years working in mixed practice Laura decided to specialise in small animals due to her love of treating cats and dogs.

    She joined Abercorn in 2008, and enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine! She lives in Edinburgh with her husband and her much loved cat Fudge.

  • IMG-20240903-WA0001

    Iona Yampo

    Veterinary Surgeon

    BVM&S MRCVS

    Iona has been with Abercorn since 2016 and when she is not working enjoys forcing her 2 children to hike up hills. She is kept busy by attending to her 2 elderly horses and chickens. She has a hidden talent in the arts and crafts areas and is known in the practice for her life like felt miniature staff pets.

    Her areas of interest are feline medicine and dentistry.

  • IMG-20250112-WA0001

    James Shade

    Veterinary Surgeon

    BVSc (Physiology) BVM&S MRCVS

    James graduated from Edinburgh vet school in 2015 and joined the team at Abercorn in 2023.

    He enjoys all aspects of small animal medicine and has developed a particular interest in canine internal medicine. In his spare time he enjoys hill walking, (attempts) playing piano, delving into a good book and lifting weights at the gym.

  • meet-the-teams-162de88a5e71d1

    Duncan Giles

    Veterinary Surgeon

    BVM&S MRCVS

    Duncan graduated from Edinburgh vet school in 2006 and went on to work in a mixed practice in Fife for six years, while also working with wildlife patients from seals to buzzards with the SSPCA.

    Since, he has worked exclusively in small animal practices and joined the team in 2015. He also works as the Scotland area manager for Christians Against Poverty.

  • Eilish Busby

    Veterinary Surgeon

    BVMS MRCVS
  • meet-the-teams-1062de88a98d6f5

    Rachel Sibbald

    Head Nurse

    RVN C&G CertVNES NCert(Anaesthesia) GradCert AVN(Anaesthesia)

    Rachel completed the certificate in nursing of exotic species in 2016 and since then has been our rabbit advocate at the practice helping us maintain the RWAF Silver rabbit friendly status. Since then, she has completed the NCert in anaesthesia and the Graduate Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Nursing of Anaesthesia. In 2021, Rachel was named Burgess Rabbit Nurse of the year and she is currently studying towards a Masters in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia.

  • IMG-20250111-WA0001

    Kimie Kwong

    Senior Veterinary Nurse

    RVN Cert VNECC

    Kimie joined the family in 2018. Since then she gained a Certificate of Veterinary Nursing in Emergency & Critical Care and became a fear free certified professional. She has a keen interest in clinical animal behaviour and is waiting for an opening of a Post Graduate Certifate so she can help the animals to enjoy their visit to the vet a little more.
    In her spare time, she enjoys training her 3 years old German Shepard who is dog reactive and her 5 years old Malshi who loves untieing everyone’s shoe laces.

  • 2a5bc74a-c1cc-497b-b52e-1c0e76394c6d

    Shauna Malone

    Veterinary Nurse

    RVN

    Shauna started at Abercorn in 2020, carrying out all her student veterinary nurse training at the practice.
    She has since become a Fear Free certified professional and has an interest in making the vets a stress free environment for all patients. She is currently completing her postgrad certificate in medical nursing. Shauna is from the West of Ireland and has a previous degree in Zoology with Animal Behavior.

  • 083afe63-ae9f-4f42-94fe-d0b533bcdcaa

    Jessica Bell

    Veterinary Nurse

    RVN
    Jess joined Abercorn in 2023 after graduating Napier University with a degree in veterinary nursing. She completed all her placements, from 2020 onwards at Abercorn as a student and loved it so much she couldn’t wait to join the team full time!
    In practice she loves to work with all the wildlife cases, big or small, that come through the doors.
    In her spare time she enjoys long hikes in the Pentlands with her mischievous whippet, Heidi.
  • 1000047502

    Lauren Purves

    Veterinary Nurse

    RVN
    Lauren joined the team in 2023, after completing her Veterinary Nursing degree at Edinburgh Napier University. She enjoys all aspects of nursing, especially microscopy. She also loves all things cat and recently adopted her first cat Piper after she came in for her spay operation at Abercorn!
    In her spare time she loves to draw, read, crochet and go on walks.
  • 94a2abd4-81d1-49e6-9c59-a4ea135afdda

    Rachel Jones

    Veterinary Nurse

    RVN

    Rachel joined Abercorn in 2022 to start training as a veterinary nurse, and has recently qualified. Before starting her veterinary journey, Rachel worked as a zookeeper and in conservation education, both in Scotland and in different countries including Australia, Costa Rica and Canada. In her free time Rachel loves travelling, especially to go hiking and try her hand at wildlife photography.

  • 4cb20bef-a189-4f22-8105-27f6e87b7f9c

    Karra Wilson

    Veterinary Nurse

    RVN

    Karra joined Abercorn as a student in 2021 and recently graduated from Edinburgh Napier University in Autumn 2024. She enjoys all aspects of nursing and looks forward to discovering an area of interest. In her spare time she is always reading and going to gigs.

  • meet-the-teams-1862de88acef721

    Louise Rodgers

    Veterinary Nurse

    RVN C-SQP

    Louise qualified as a registered veterinary nurse in 1986. Since then she has worked all over the country including as a scientific editor of veterinary journals, a senior nurse at The Dog and Cat Home, Battersea, deputy head nurse at a veterinary hospital in Windsor and as head nurse of a large mixed practice in the north of Scotland.

    Louise holds a Bachelor of Music degree with first class honours and a post graduate Masters in Ritual Chant and Song. Her interests include stand-up comedy, storytelling and music journalism.

  • meet-the-teams-562de88a795212

    Gayle Madden

    Practice Manager

    Gayle joined the team in 2021, having previously worked in hospitality, where she got plenty of practice working with customers – only now she gets to meet their furry friends!

    She has two cats at home who keep her busy, Frank and Nancy. When she isn’t spoiling them she likes to spend her time baking lots of goodies.

  • 273A3861

    Kayleigh Robertson

    Reception Manager

    Kayleigh has worked at Abercorn since August 2020, she had been in the industry for 3yrs before this. Kayleigh is looking to further her career in the industry working with animals. She loves all animals, big and small but you will find her most likely on the floor of our reception getting pupper cuddles. She is owned at home by a spoiled dog Buster Beans, a 10yr old staffie x and Binx a very sassy but also very special cat who is 4. In her spare time she loves going to raves and spending time with family and friends.

  • meet-the-teams-2062de88adb6826

    Tara Thomas

    Reception

    Tara has worked as a veterinary receptionist since 2018, and joined Abercorn in 2021 where she has qualified as a Registered Veterinary Client Care Assistant. At home she has two sons as well as Nyka the Siberian husky and Lilly her Ragdoll

    In her spare time she enjoys exploring the beautiful countryside with Nyka, Interior design and all things fitness and food. She can often be found through in our cat ward giving out cat cuddles.

  • 04847cbd-0904-4e0c-9ef1-2109b7ba025b

    Naomi Stewart

    Reception

    Naomi joined Abercorn in October 2024. In the past Naomi has worked within a kennel environment and has a love for all animals. She has a soft spot for Malinois. She has many talents, one being she is a guitarist in a band and can be found regularly rehearsing for gigs.

  • meet-the-teams-1962de88ad47e30

    Janice Clark

    Reception

    Janice moved to East Lothian and joined Abercorn in 2017, after spending far too long living and working in London.She enjoys getting to know all of our clients and their pets.

    Her passion is dog training and for much of the summer she can be found camping in a field at agility shows with her two rescue dogs, Bert and Loke.

  • IMG-20230815-WA0004

    Alima Husain

    Reception

    Alima has been with Abercorn Vets since the summer of 2023, she loves being in the veterinary industry and has previously completed 2 years of her veterinary nursing as well as working in other veterinary practices. Alima has 5 cats who she adores and together they create fantastic Tiktoks, she also enjoys doing Henna and spends a lot of her free time going for long drives.

  • meet-the-teams-662de88a818479

    Marion Smith

    Reception

    Marion started at Abercorn in 2017, after retiring from nursing with almost 30 years of service in the NHS.

    She enjoys spending her spare time with her Cockapoo Laddie and her family.