Spinal Surgery team
Sebastien Behr
DVM DipECVN MRCVS
RCVS and European Specialist in Veterinary Neurology
Sebastien graduated from the Veterinary School of Toulouse, France in 2001. In the same year he presented a veterinary thesis on 'Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins in the Dog', which received an award for 'best thesis of the year' from the French Companion Animal Veterinary Association and the University of Medicine Paul Sabatier of Toulouse. The following year he performed an internship at Fregis small animal hospital in Paris, the largest private small animal hospital in France, followed by a three year residency in Neurology and Neurosurgery in the same hospital from 2002 to 2005. During his residency he focused his research on cerebrospinal fluid analysis and inflammatory non-infectious diseases of the central nervous system. Sebastien was awarded the Diploma of the European College of Veterinary Neurology in 2006 and the following year he was recognised as an RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Neurology.
Sebastien moved to the United Kingdom in 2005 to join a multidisciplinary referral centre where he worked as a neurologist and neurosurgeon before joining Willows Referral Service as a senior clinician in March 2010. He has a special interest in idiopathic inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system, advanced neuro-imaging and brain and spinal surgery.
Sebastien is associate editor for neurology of the editorial board of the Journal of Small Animal Practice, a member of the Education Committee of the European College of Veterinary Neurology, and in addition he is an active member of the French group of study in neurology for companion animals.
Sebastien has a young family and two cats named Marcello, a domestic short hair, and Valentino, a British Blue.
Raquel Monteiro
DVM DipECVN MRCVS
European Specialist in Veterinary Neurology
Raquel graduated in 2004 from the Universidade de Tras os Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal. She then undertook an internship at the Animal Health Trust in Newmarket, during which time she completed a study on idiopathic epilepsy in the dog. Raquel then entered a three year neurology/neurosurgery residency at the University of Glasgow Veterinary School in 2006 and was awarded the European Diploma in Veterinary Neurology in 2010.
Raquel enjoys the challenges of both medical and surgical neurology and has a special interest in canine epilepsy. She particularly enjoys the rewarding nature of treating severely debilitated patients and bringing them back to full health.
Raquel is enjoying working in the multi-disciplinary team of specialists at Willows, with all the equipment and support required to offer a state-of-the-art neurology service. This environment provides the ideal opportunity for giving a first-rate service to owners and referring veterinary surgeons and, most importantly, for providing excellent levels of care for all our patients.
After being in Scotland for three years, walking became an area to 'work on' and this will no doubt continue in the nearby Warwickshire countryside. However, Raquel misses the sun and whenever she gets the opportunity she flies to warmer places!
Raquel owns a lovely middle-aged ginger cat called Wilson whose life is driven by food!
Katia Marioni-Henry
DVM PhD DipACVIM(Neurology) DipECVN MRCVS
American and European Specialist in Veterinary Neurology
Katia completed her degree in veterinary medicine at the University of Parma (Italy) in 1995, graduating with full marks. In 1999 she was awarded a PhD from the University of Turin (Italy) for her doctoral research focused on companion animal neurology and electrophysiology. She then moved to the United States and, after completing an internship at Auburn University (Auburn, AL) and residency at the University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA), in 2003 she became a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine with a subspecialty in Neurology. Katia is also a member of the European College of Veterinary Neurology. She has authored various papers on clinical neurology and has a special interest in feline neurology and neurosurgery. She held academic posts in the United States, including clinical instructor at the University of Missouri, and Assistant Professor of Neurology and Neurosurgery at the University of Tennessee. Since 2008 Katia has enjoyed being a neurology consultant for VIN (Veterinary Information Network), an American-based electronic resource for veterinarians worldwide.
In 2008 Katia moved with her family to England, and since then she has worked in two multidisciplinary referral centres in the South of England before joining Willows in 2012.
Astro, a grey tabby cat from Missouri, Glia, a black & white cat from Philadelphia and Lupe, a mongrel from Tennessee have followed Katia and her family to England and categorically refuse to take another plane flight in their lives!
Malcolm McKee
BVMS MVS DSAO MACVSc MRCVS
RCVS Specialist in Small Animal Surgery (Orthopaedics)
Malcolm graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1983 and completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the University of Pennsylvania the following year. In 1988 he received an MVS degree from the University of Melbourne after finishing a residency in small animal surgery, and the same year gained membership of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists.
Malcolm gained the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Diploma in Small Animal Surgery (Orthopaedics) in 1991 and has been a Specialist in Small Animal Orthopaedics since 1992. He received the British Small Animal Veterinary Association Simon award in 1995 for outstanding contributions in the field of veterinary surgery, and is past chairman of the British Veterinary Orthopaedic Association. Malcolm has a particular interest in joint replacements, complex fracture management and spinal surgery in the dog. He has over 50 publications in scientific journals and textbooks on numerous aspects of small animal orthopaedics and spinal surgery and has spoken at over 100 conferences and CPD meetings both in the UK and overseas.
In 1992 Malcolm and Peter Renwick founded Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service. In common they had a desire to provide a first class specialist service to dog and cat owners' and referring veterinary surgeons, and to work alongside like-minded individuals in a hospital with state-of-the-art facilities. Their dream has been realised by creating one of Europe's premier small animal veterinary hospitals. Malcolm considers himself to be fortunate to be working as part on a team of vets, nurses, receptionists and management personnel who are "committed to excellence"; excellence towards each and every patient, owner and referring veterinary surgeon.
Malcolm lives on a small farm with his family, three Border terriers, eight British Short Hair cats, three Pygmy goats, a couple of pigs and numerous hens and ducks. Owning so many dogs and cats gives him an appreciation of the immense importance that these animals play in the lives of so many people.
Toby Gemmill
BVSc MVM DSAS(Orth) DipECVS MRCVS
RCVS and European Specialist in Small Animal Surgery
Toby graduated from the University of Bristol in 1996. Following a number of years in mixed and small animal practice, he undertook a Residency in Small Animal Surgery at the University of Glasgow which he completed in 2004. He remained at Glasgow as an Orthopaedic Registrar, and in 2005 he gained the RCVS Diploma in Small Animal Surgery (Orthopaedics), the ECVS Diploma in Small Animal Surgery and was also awarded an MVM for research into canine elbow dysplasia. He has worked as an orthopaedic and spinal surgeon at Willows Referral Service since 2005.
Toby is currently an examiner for the RCVS Certificate in Small Animal Surgery and a member of the RCVS Small Animal Surgery Board. He has maintained active research interests in addition to handling a busy clinical caseload, and he has been awarded research prizes from BSAVA, ECVS and BVOA. Toby has authored or co-authored numerous scientific papers and conference abstracts, given presentations around the world on a wide variety of topics relating to small animal orthopaedics and spinal surgery, and has regularly contributed to local CPD meetings. He enjoys all aspects of small animal orthopaedics but has particular interests in joint replacement, management of complex fractures and spinal surgery.
Jonathan Pink
BSc BVetMed CertSAS DipECVS MRCVS
European Specialist in Small Animal Surgery
A graduate of King's College London (1992) and the Royal Veterinary College (1997), Jonathan initially worked in mixed practice in Nottinghamshire before moving to a large small animal practice in Berkshire where he gained the RCVS Certificate in Small Animal Surgery.
In 2002 Jonathan started his specialist training, embarking on a three year residency in small animal surgery at University College Dublin with periods spent at veterinary schools in Ohio, North Carolina, and Paris. During this time he was involved in all aspects of orthopaedic, soft tissue and neurosurgery. Jonathan remained at University College Dublin as a lecturer in small animal surgery and in 2006 became a diplomat of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons by examination and a European Specialist in Small Animal Surgery. In October 2006 he joined Willows Referral Service, focusing on orthopaedics and spinal surgery.
Jonathan's main interests are complex fracture management, arthroscopy and spinal disease. He has given presentations at national and international meetings on a variety of orthopaedic topics and has been an active contributor to the surgical training of students and colleagues through university teaching and continuing education courses.
"At Willows, the caring ethos and commitment to providing the highest level of care to our patients and their owners allows us to offer the best possible treatment for each animal. The combination of excellent facilities and a team of experienced and highly motivated colleagues makes Willows the ideal environment in which to work and provide the level of care each patient requires."
Stephen Clarke
BVM&S DSAS(Orth) DipECVS MRCVS
RCVS and European Specialist in Small Animal Surgery
Stephen graduated from University of Edinburgh in 1996. After a few years in both mixed and small animal practice Stephen gained the RCVS Certificate in Small Animal Surgery in 2002. In that year he started his specialist training, embarking on a three year residency in Small Animal Surgery at the University of Glasgow which he completed in 2005. In 2006 Stephen gained both the RCVS Diploma in Small Animal Surgery (Orthopaedics) and the ECVS Diploma in Small Animal Surgery. He obtained RCVS Specialist status in 2008. Subsequent to completion of his residency Stephen has spent the last five years as orthopaedic surgeon in a nationally renowned private orthopaedic referral clinic in Fife, Scotland.
Stephen has been author and co-author of a variety of publications within the field of orthopaedics, covering topics including fracture management, feline rheumatology and tibial osteotomy. He has presented his work at meetings both nationally and internationally, as well as providing CPD for both vets and nurses. Although he is enthusiastic about all areas of orthopaedics, Stephen's main areas of interest are fracture management and joint fusion, as well as revision surgery in the management of complications.
Stephen is delighted to have joined the team at Willows Referral Service in December 2010 and is looking forward to helping maintain the Willows "commitment to excellence".
Stephen Kalff
BVSc MACVSc MRCVS
Resident in Orthopaedics and Spinal Surgery
Stephen graduated from Melbourne University in Australia in 2003 and spent the next six years working in general practice and emergency hospitals in Australia and England. In 2009 he achieved membership of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists through examination in small animal surgery, and in the same year commenced a surgical internship at a busy referral hospital in Melbourne. During the internship he was actively involved in orthopaedic research, first authoring a paper due to be published in 2011 and also presenting at a major Australian conference.
While Stephen remains focused on all areas of orthopaedic and spinal disease, his main interests are surgical diseases of the stifle, reconstructive surgery and joint replacements.
Stephen joined Willows in January 2011 and is currently working towards the RCVS Diploma in Small Animal Surgery (Orthopaedics).
