Soft Tissue Surgery team
Rob White
BSc BVetMed CertVA DSAS (Soft Tissue) DipECVS MRCVS
RCVS Specialist in Small Animal Surgery (Soft Tissue)
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
RCVS and 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.
Stephen Baines
MA VetMB PhD CertVR CertSAS DipECVS DipClinOnc MRCVS
RCVS and European Specialist in Small Animal Surgery
RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Oncology
Stephen qualified from Cambridge University in 1990. 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. In 2000, he completed a PhD in canine tumour biology at the University of Cambridge followed by a period as Lecturer in Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery. In 2004, he moved to the Royal Veterinary College, as Lecturer and then Senior Lecturer in Small Animal Surgery and also Head of Surgery.
Stephen is a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons and an RCVS Specialist in both Small Animal Surgery and Veterinary Oncology. He has recently completed a Master of Science degree in Comparative Clinical Oncology at the University of Birmingham. Stephen is a member of the ECVS Programme Committee, the BSAVA Scientific Committee and has also been Chairman of Examiners for the RCVS Certificate in Small Animal Surgery. He is currently a member of the editorial board of The Veterinary Record and In Practice.
Stephen has published over 45 papers in the peer-reviewed literature and has given over 75 presentations at national and international meetings. He has written over 30 continuing education articles and a dozen book chapters. He is the co-editor of the BSAVA Manual of Surgical Principles. He is a regular lecturer at national and international meetings and an enthusiastic speaker at regional and national CPD meetings. He has received clinical research prizes from ECVS, BSAVA and the RVC.
Stephen's clinical interests include all aspects of clinical oncology, wound management and 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 - this research has been supported by BSAVA Petsavers, the PetPlan Charitable Trust and RCVS Trust.
Stephen and family own three Domestic shorthaired cats, Valentino (Teeny), Benedick (Benny) and Beatrice (Bea). Teeny is a retired blood donor who has helped to save many lives and Benny will step up to fill his shoes. Bea alas is too small.
When not at work, Stephen swims, cycles and runs regularly and one day soon will finally do the triathlon that he has been putting off so far.
The building and facilities at Willows are excellent, but what makes the difference is the outstanding team of clinicians and staff who are all committed to delivering clinical excellence. Stephen is very enthusiastic about working in the practice and helping to ensure that the quality of care we provide really is the best.
