Primary Care team

Sally Hutton

BVMS CertSAM MRCVS

General Practice Service Clinician

Sally graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1997 and has eleven years experience of working in general practice. She worked for three years in mixed practice in Dorset followed by three years in a busy small animal hospital in Sussex where she ran one of the four branch surgeries.

Sally then spent six months in Central America working with Raleigh International (a youth development charity) before returning to England and working as a locum for eighteen months. During this time, she spent seven months working at Willows.

After her period of locum work Sally worked for three years in the first opinion small animal practice at Bristol University's Veterinary School. This role involved supervising and teaching final year veterinary students in all aspects of first opinion practice, from consulting to surgery.

Sally has a particular interest in canine and feline medicine and in 2008; she gained her Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Certificate in Small Animal Medicine.

Sally is originally from the Midlands and she saw practice at Willows as a final year veterinary student. Having also worked as a locum for Willows in 2004 she is very happy to have now renewed her association with the practice by returning as a full time clinician in the general practice service.

Sally has a lovely 12 year old cross breed dog called "Tess" who has been with her since her first job in practice. In November 2008, she adopted "Bertie" - an elderly stray cat with terrible dental disease who has blossomed since having all of his rotten molar teeth extracted!

Brendan Ruban

BSc (Hons) BVSc MRCVS

General Practice Service Clinician

Brendan graduated from the University of Bristol in 2000 with an honours degree in Pharmacology and a degree in Veterinary Science.  He spent the first two years of his veterinary career in a rural, mixed practice in Nottinghamshire.  In his first job, he acquired a rescue dog, called "Alfie", a Jack Russell cross terrier, who taught him everything he ever needed to know about bad behaviour - from aggression to lack of house-training!  Alfie is now a very sweet-natured dog (most of the time).

In 2002, Brendan wanted to focus on treating solely pet animals, and so moved to a general and referral practice in the Midlands.  He stayed here for four years, before deciding to travel the world.   He spent six months travelling through south-west China, island-hopping in the Philippines, living with a local family in Guatemala and hiking in New Zealand.  He then returned to the UK and spent two years working in a small animal practice in the Midlands.  Here, he enjoyed helping to institute cat-friendly practice standards and developed a growing interest in critical care and feline medicine.

Brendan moved to Willows in February 2009.  "The presence of a skilled and highly trained team, ready access to state-of-the-art equipment and learning resources, as well as the extra time available to spend with each owner and patient make this the perfect place to work, allowing me to pursue my passion for canine and feline internal medicine."

In his spare time, Brendan has a huge appetite for all things gastronomic.  He loves to cook, grow foodstuffs, eat and dine out.  In order to keep the extra pounds off, he climbs and plays racquet sports.

Laura Shaw

BVSc MRCVS

General Practice Service Clinician

Laura graduated from Bristol Veterinary School in 2000 and spent her first 18 months in a lovely mixed practice in Surrey. This was followed by a further 18 month period in an exclusively small animal practice in Hampshire, which led to her developing an increasing interest in small animal medicine. Laura then had the opportunity to travel to and live in New Zealand where she undertook locum work in Christchurch in the South Island. This was a wonderful opportunity, as she was able to work in a variety of clinical situations, developing both her clinical and personal skills.

On her return to the UK, Laura worked in a small animal hospital in North Yorkshire. Here she managed the nursing team, in addition to carrying out her clinical responsibilities as a vet. The practice was heavily involved in the 'Petsmile' scheme which added to Laura's growing interest in preventative health issues.

Laura joined the primary care veterinary team at Willows in January 2007 but recently went on maternity leave following the birth of her baby girl.  Laura is now back on the team and keen to catch up with her old clients and make use of Willows' superb new facilities.    

Laura has a cat called Maverick (a second-hand and slightly disabled moggy!) and a dog called Goose, who is a lovable Border cross Lakeland terrier.