Meet our team

At Blackheath Vets our professional team of vets and nurses care passionately about animals and treat every patient as a sentient being. Every member of our team is hand selected for their compassion and ability to go above and beyond for our clients. They have the skills to provide a timely diagnosis and first-class veterinary treatment.

Vets

Veterinary Surgeon

Alan

Alan qualified in Onderstepoort in South Africa and worked part time in various practices in South Africa. He ran an emergency clinic for a year and worked nights. Upon arrival in England he worked as a locum vet, whilst travelling and then worked in London for 10 years, where he managed a small animal practice in Osterley.
His interests include all aspects of medicine and surgery, he has a special interest in feline surgery and medicine. He studied dermatology earlier in his career and has gained further experience in laboratory work, radiology and laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery.

Alan usually works Wednesday to Friday. Book your appointment to see wonderful Alan.

Alan Van Heerden:

Veterinary Surgeon

Mary MRCVS

Mary hails from Ireland and qualified in 1994. She has very many years experience and knowledge in providing excellent first class care to pets both medically and surgically, making her an incredibly popular member of our permanent vet team.
Having practised in London for the vast majority of her career, Mary has also spent time in practice in her home country and also the vast countryside of Yorkshire.
Mary is a particularly experienced general practitioner with a special interest in in geriatric medicine, radiography and oncology.

Mary usually works on Monday and Tuesday. Book your appointment to see wonderful Mary.

Mary MRCVS:

Veterinary Surgeon

Seohee MRCVS PgC SAC

Seohee (pronounced sah-hee) qualified as a vet in South Korea in 2005.

She completed postgraduate clinical training at Cornell University and a general internship at a specialist animal hospital in New York. She’s been a Londoner for more than 10 years and achieved a postgraduate certificate in Small Animal Cardiology in 2021. She has vast experience in ultrasound scans and regularly receives referrals from sister clinics.

Veterinary Surgeon

Dominic MRCVS

Dominic graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2014 before joining a large 1st opinion and referral practice in his home town of Newcastle. Dominic has worked as a locum vet since 2017 and joined the Blackheath surgery in May 2020.

Dominic has interests in all surgery and medicine, particularly orthopaedics and an aim to further his qualifications in this area.

Veterinary Surgeon

Gav MRCVS

Gav graduated from The Royal Veterinary College in 2019 and for two years spent her time in a busy small animal hospital in her home county of Hertfordshire and joined our Blackheath Team in 2021. Since then she has thoroughly enjoyed working with the us and meeting our lovely clients and pets.

Gav has a keen interest in all aspects general practice, but specifically ophthalmology and dentistry. Outside of work, Gav enjoys travelling, hiking and music.

Nursing Team

Head Nurse

Lizzy

Lizzy joined the team here at Blackheath Veterinary Surgery in July 2012, and prior to that had three years experience working part time in a another veterinary surgery. Lizzy qualified as a registered veterinary nurse in 2017.

She has two cats called Thomas and Sophie, but has owned a variety of pets over the years, and would love to work with Marine Mammals in the future.

Lizzy:

Student Veterinary Nurse

Samirah

Samirah is an avid animal lover and has been a veterinary care assistant since 2018 and can often be found spending time in our wards helping to give care to all our inpatients. There’s no shortage of cuddles! Samirah hopes to train as a veterinary nurse in the future.

In her spare time, Samirah loves to practice Aromatherapy, exercise, LED therapy and trampolining!

Samirah:

Support Team

Veterinary Receptionist

Kim

Kim recently joined Blackheath Veterinary Surgery, she has 17 years experience as a veterinary receptionist & loves interacting with the clients. She has always had a German Shepherd in her life & currently owns Poppy a behaviourally challenged, (very spoiled) GSD cross Husky & Jim an FIV tabby cat courtesy of her previous practice! She is interested in dog behaviour & enjoys many crafts, travel & spending time with her grandchildren in her spare time.

Kim:

Veterinary Receptionist

Daniella

Daniella studied Wildlife Conservation and Zoo Biology at the University of Salford, and after her degree decided to spend some time in Indonesia volunteering with animal charities. Over the past few years Daniella has worked in the travel industry, but decided she would love to work with animals again. In the future Daniella would like to pursue a career in veterinary nursing.
At home Daniella has a cat called Rufus, and in her spare time enjoys running. Her favourite part of the job is meeting clients and their pets.
Veterinary Receptionist

Mia

Mia is one of our reception team, and is currently studying an environmental science degree.  She has a level 3 diploma in animal management, conservation and marine biology.  She loves all different animals and owns a few herself from rats , creasted geckos and her doggie Maggie and cat Belle. She hopes to be a wildlife conservationist in the future but loves working with a range of animals and loves working with people too.