About Us
Meet The Team
Directors
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.
Practice Manager
Charlotte Devonald
Practice Manager
Charlotte joined Animal Doctors in August 2020, previously working for 11 years at a practice in her home county of Pembrokeshire. Her journey in the veterinary profession began as a part time receptionist, Head Receptionist and then progressed to Practice Manager. Charlotte has one teenage daughter, a standard wire haired dachshund called Tulip, and two ponies called Junior and Missy. In her spare time, she takes her daughter all over the country to compete on her ponies and enjoys socialising with friends.
Veterinary Team
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.
Carys Norris
Veterinary Surgeon
Carys graduated from Liverpool in 2019. She grew up locally in Trebanos and is a fluent Welsh speaker. Within a week of starting at Animal Doctors, Carys had adopted Simba a stray kitten with a broken leg. In her spare time she is a girlguiding leader and enjoys rock climbing.
Veterinary Nurses
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.
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.
Emily Marsh
Student Veterinary Nurse
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
Head 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.
Victoria
Receptionist
Victoria joined the team in March 2020. She previously worked as a dental nurse but has decided to pursue her career working with animals. In her spare time, Victoria enjoys spending time with her family, friends, her two cats Oscar and Simba and her tortise Timmy.
Olivia
Receptionist
Olivia joined the team in September 2020 and is originally from Michigan, USA and moved to the UK in 2018 after graduating from University with a business degree. In her free time, Olivia enjoys hiking, traveling and spending time with her cat Dora.
Support Staff
Chris Williams
Support Staff
Chris joined Animal Doctors as a support staff in March 202. He previously owned his own carpentry business. Outside of work, Chris enjoys camping and fishing and has 4 dogs, ferrets and chickens.