About Us
Meet The Team
Veterinary Team
Dr Jan Kaufhold
Veterinary Surgeon
Jan graduated as a vet from Ludwig Maximillians University Munich in 1996. The University of Bern awarded him his doctorate for his research into insulin resistance in 1999. The next few years he worked in mixed practices in Wales and New Zealand. He moved to Swansea with his wife Andrea in 2005. Back then he worked for the PDSA, first as Veterinary Surgeon in Swansea, then as Senior Veterinary Surgeon he took over leadership of the PetAid Hospital in Cardiff.
In 2011 he opened up Animal Doctors, a small animal veterinary practice in the heart of the community of Clydach.
He has a GP Certificate in Small Animal Practice and enjoys all aspects of first opinion Veterinary Practice with an interest in soft tissue and orthopaedic surgery, as well as cardiology.
Outside of work, he likes exploring the Welsh countryside with his children Julian and Joscelyn, either by foot or bike, so give them a wave when you see them out and about.
Dr Andrea Rauprich-Kaufhold
Veterinary Surgeon
Fulfilling her childhood dream, Andrea graduated in 1996 from LMU Munich. In 1999 she was awarded her doctorate by the university of Bern for her research into neonate development. The next few years were taken up by working in practices in Wales and New Zealand.
She has a GP Certificate in Small Animal Surgery.
Now settled in the Swansea Valley with her husband Jan and her 2 children Julian and Joscelyn, she supports the local community in her role as Rotarian.
You will also see her fundraising for the ‘Little Angels’, an orphanage in Ruhija, Uganda that she has been supporting since 2015.
Jessica Whitehouse
Veterinary Surgeon
Jessica joined Animal Doctors in September 2014 having graduated with honours from the Royal Veterinary College, London in July 2014. Prior to this she graduated from University of Bristol with a degree in Veterinary Pathogenesis, which fuelled her desire to pursue a career in Veterinary Medicine. Jessica’s interests include dermatology, immunology and pathology. She soon hopes to obtain a qualification in Veterinary Acupuncture. When she is not at the practice she enjoys spending time with family, baking, clay pigeon shooting and travelling the world with friends.
Mario Vastano
Veterinary Surgeon
Mario joined us in May 2018 . He qualified as a veterinary surgeon in 2011.He spent 2 years working with farm animals in Italy then came to the UK to improve his knowledge with small animals . He previously worked in practice at Llanelli and Cardiff before joining us.His field of interest is internal medicine especially feline.He is currently studying for his Small Animal Medicine Certificate.
Mario has a soft spot for cats and has 2 of his own . His freetime is taken up with riding his motorbike and watching movies.
Debs Lemonheigh
Practice Manager
Debs joined the practice in August 2013. She came to us with 6 years previous reception and admin experience with the NHS. She took on the role of Practice Manager in April 2018 and is enjoying the challenge.
She has two daughters and two Cockerpoos. She enjoys travelling, family time and dog walking and is always happy to do the odd fundraiser.
Veterinary Nurses
Sam Elgersma
Head Veterinary Nurse
Sam qualified in 2004 whilst working in Devon. She moved to Wales in 2014 to enjoy a quiet mountain farming life with her husband and 2 young boys. Whilst enjoying the rural way of life, she also enjoys the busy and often challenging bustle of a veterinary clinic and freely chooses to divide her mad life between the two. She leads a fantastic team of nurses here at Animal Doctors.
Rhian Owen
Deputy Head Veterinary Nurse
Rhian has worked in the Veterinary industry since 2003; she previously worked in practices in Newbury, Swindon and at Campbell’s in Swansea for 11 years as Head Nurse. Interests in work include feline nursing dental care and nurse training. Outside of work, she enjoys time spent with her cats, socialising with friends and gardening.
Stacey Walters
Veterinary Nurse
Stacey Joined Animal Doctors as a student in October 2011,and qualified as an RVN in May 2014. She is particularly interested in wound management and surgery.
She has one dog, a cheeky Cairn Terrier named Tommy
Outside of work she plays rugby for Morriston Ladies and has recently started Olympic Weightlifting.
Kelly Pickrell
Veterinary Nurse
Kelly qualified as a veterinary nurse in 2006 from Hartpury College and joined us here at Animal Doctors in 2012. She helps run our very successful Weight Management Club, whilst having interests in nutrition and all laboratory work. Kelly is happily married with a young son and daughter. Outside of work she enjoys photography and has a keen interest in nature conservation and wildlife rescue.
Anna Tankard
Veterinary Nurse
Anna joined us in November 2017. She previously worked in the Pembroke area where she was Senior Veterinary Nurse and later progressed to Veterinary Practice Manager.
Anna has one daughter and is a keen horse rider.
Kirsten Blackwell
Student Veterinary Nurse
Kirsten joined Animal Doctors back in October 2015 and went on to study a BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing Degree at Warwickshire College that year. She is now finishing off her qualification at Pencoed College, hoping to be a fully qualified RVN by July 2019.
She has two dogs, a Springer Spaniel called Hercules and a Chihuahua called Holly, who she rescued Christmas 2017. In her spare time she enjoys CrossFit & Olympic Weightlifting lifting at SA1.
Natasha Lloyd
Student Veterinary Nurse
Natasha is a Student Veterinary Nurse, who is following her passion of working with animals after completing a Psychology degree. She joined Animal Doctors in May 2017 and is enjoying working as part of such a rewarding team. When she has spare time, she enjoys going to see theatre shows, spending time with friends, and being a slave to her two cats and tortoise.
Ailish Copp
Student Veterinary Nurse
Ailish previously studied an Animal Science Degree and is currently studying a Veterinary Nursing Degree here at Animal Doctors. She will be with us until May 2019.
She’s an avid crafter with sewing and enjoys going to concerts. She also has two cats and a dog.
Emily Marsh
Student Veterinary Care Assistant
Emily is our Student Veterinary Care Assistant who joined our team in July 2017. She is currently studying the Veterinary Care Assistant course. Emily loves to spend time with her family, boyfriend and two black cats Monty and Smithers.
Reception Team
Emma McKeown
Receptionist
Emma joined the team in December 2014. She has a degree in Hospitality Management and comes from a background within the hospitality industry where she worked as a receptionist. When she does have spare time, Emma enjoys keeping fit and spending time with family and friends.
Angela Jones
Receptionist
Angela joined us in February 2019. She came to us with previous NHS experience and is loving being part of the team at Animal Doctors.She has two children and enjoys going to the cinema and socializing with family and friends.Angela has had a superb start to her role on reception .
Well done Angela !