Soft Tissue Surgery team

Rob White

BSc BVetMed MRCVS CertVA DSAS (Soft Tissue) DipECVS

RCVS Specialist in Small Animal (Soft Tissue) Surgery
European Specialist in Small Animal Surgery

Rob graduated from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) in 1989. He worked in general practice for a short time before completing a residency in soft tissue surgery and anaesthesia at the RVC. Rob was Head of Soft Tissue Surgery at Davies White Veterinary Specialists from 1998 to 2004 before setting up his own referral business, providing his surgical services on a peripatetic basis to veterinary practices, referral centres and universities on a national basis.

In 2002 Rob was awarded the BSAVA Simon Award for outstanding contributions to veterinary surgery. He has held the position of Honorary Senior Lecturer in Small Animal Surgery within the Department of Clinical Veterinary Science at the University of Bristol and has been Special Professor of Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery at the University of Nottingham since 2006.

Rob is well recognised as one of the UK’s leading experts in soft tissue surgery and has extensive experience in all aspects of small animal surgery. He has developed a number of novel surgical procedures for the successful management of both respiratory and cardiovascular diseases in the dog and cat. He is committed to the pursuit of clinical excellence and highly values being a member of Willows’ multi-disciplinary team.

Rob and family have owned a variety of pets over the years, but currently have just two rescued crossbreed dogs, Wilma and Bud.

Chris Shales

MA VetMB CertSAS DipECVS MRCVS

European Specialist in Small Animal Surgery

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.

Chris is a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons and a member of the examination board for the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Certificate in Small Animal Surgery. In addition to being committed to the pursuit of clinical excellence via a multi-disciplinary approach to soft tissue surgery, Chris is particularly interested in surgical oncology and reconstructive techniques. He joined Willows in August 2009 and is delighted to be working as part of such an outstanding team with the facilities available to provide a soft tissue service that is second to none.

Chris is a keen rugby fan and still laments the passing of his playing career! He now satisfies his requirement for physical activity and excitement on a mountain bike and snow board.