Hi, I am the youngest member of the Academy Team and have worked here since 2004. I started work as a trainee nurse after qualifying in 2006 they never quite got rid of me and I gained the head nurse post. I am newly married, so most of my spare time is spent cleaning up after my husband. On the rare occasion I do get time to myself I can usually be found walking my border terrier “Lola” or helping my father with the cattle on his local beef farm.
Miss Kirstyn Howle - Nursing Assistant
I joined the practice in 2000 as a receptionist as Tracy’s sidekick but soon realised that I was more interested in hands on work with the animals and became a member of the nursing team in 2002.
I have a couple of crazy boxer dogs, “Lottie and Phoenix” and can be found walking them along the beautiful Portpatrick coastline in all weathers. Aside from my dogs I enjoy horse riding and travelling having been to Australia twice, most recently with my partner Martin.
Ms Fiona Milven - Nursing Auxiliary
I am the oldest and least easily harrassed member of the nursing team. I came to the practice in 2003 on a college placement and enjoyed it so much I’m still here! I live locally and most of my time is spent keeping tabs on my two sons and partner Rodney.
I also enjoy walking my dog Kelly, gardening and socialising. A lot.
Having graduated from Glasgow University in 1999, I worked in Fife for a year before joining the team in Stranraer, bringing me back to my roots having been brought up on a local farm outside Portwilliam. My work is very mixed with the practice but I do have a special interest in Equine Medicine and Surgery and have enjoyed overseeing the growth of this area of the practice. I always keep a cool head, my finger on the pulse, and never get over-excited.
I live a few miles outside Stranraer with wife Gael and daughters Charlotte and Phoebe; although my bosses like to work me very hard I still manage to be a keen, and occasionally useful, player with Newton Stewart Rugby Club. Other than rugby I enjoy the odd alcoholic beverage, fast cars and have recently become the proud owner of “Bob” cat.
Alistair “Big Mac” McClelland B.V.M.S., M.R.C.V.S
I joined the practice following a spell working in central Scotland in 2003, this brought me back into familiar territory as my family have a hill sheep and beef farm in the local area. I enjoy doing a variety of work which includes all aspects of farm and companion animal duties but have a specific interest in sheep medicine. In my spare time I enjoy watching sport, socialising with friends and tending to the few animals that I keep at home including Hermione the saddleback pig. All accomplished with the help of my long- suffering companion Kirsty.
We offer in house blood testing to check, for example, your pets organ function e.g. for diabetics or kidney disease. This means results are generally available the same day.
We offer modern anaesthetic and surgical equipment for a wide range of surgical procedures.
We offer up to date flexible endoscope “camera” which can be used to look at inaccessible parts of your pets body hence avoiding unnecessary surgery.
Sector ultrasound scanner, again to get the most information on your pets condition in a non-invasive fashion.
X-rays
ECG (a machine to measure electricity in the heart) which can help diagnose a variety of heart conditions.
Cryo-surgery – we can freeze tissue to kill off unwanted lumps and bumps without the need to operate.
Modern kennelling and recover areas including walk-in kennels for larger pets
Incubator unit for smaller and young, critically ill animals.
Walker Miller B.V.M.S., D.B.R., M.R.C.V.S. - Senior Partner
The oldest member of the team, I graduated from Glasgow Vet School in 1976 and started my career in Shropshire, six months later I moved to Stranraer where I have been ever since. I have witnessed the practice grow from three Vets and one support staff to five Vets and five support staff. I completed a specialist qualification in bovine reproduction from Liverpool Vet School in 1980 following a two year modular course.
Together with my wife Yvonne we have been heavily involved in showing and breeding Boxer dogs for thirty years. During this time we have enjoyed a great deal of success and accolades such as top UK kennel, top breeder and numerous top dogs, including Crufts success most recently with top Boxer puppy in 2008.
I also enjoy playing golf and assisting my wife with looking after her two horses which she enjoys putting through their paces on the show jumping field.
Alan “Flatey” Cochrane B.V.M.S., M.R.C.V.S - Partner
I arrived at the practice from Glasgow Vet School in 1986 having most recently worked on the family dairy farm in Ayrshire, and a bit of catalogue modeling
Initially most of my working day was spent with large animals, but more recently I now concentrate in small animals and particularly enjoy orthopaedic surgery and exotic pet medicine. When not keeping my four children, wife Jo and dog Scruffy entertained I can be found relaxing in front of my aquaria where I have an entertaining collection of tropical marine fish. Aternatively I can (very occasionally) be found looking at their wild cousins whilst scuba diving on holiday.
Stephen Raphael B.V.M.S., M.R.C.V.S - Partner
Following a childhood spent on my parents Ayrshire dairy farm, I came to the practice straight from University in 1998 with the intention of working for a short time before travelling the world. Instead I met my wife Christine and have been here ever since!
I became a partner in 2003 and my professional interests mainly concern farm animals although I enjoy subjects varying from dairy cattle fertility to small animal cardiology and poultry medicine.
When my wife, two daughters, two dogs and cat are not keeping me out of mischief then I can be found round the back of my house looking after my few “coos”, and several ponies, on the adjoining small-holding.
Petplan is a pet insurance specialist, providing insurance for cats, dogs, rabbits and horses. That’s why they’re called the pet people.
In 2008 PDSA celebrates 91 years of caring for the sick and injured animals of people in need. PDSA was founded in 1917 by Maria Dickin CBE, an animal welfare pioneer.
Royal Canin diets provide precise nutritional solutions to your pet’s needs.
The RCVS is the regulatory body for veterinary surgeons in the UK. Its role is:To safeguard the health and welfare of animals committed to veterinary care through the regulation of the educational, ethical and clinical standards of the veterinary profession, thereby protecting the interests of those dependent on animals and assuring public health.To act as an impartial source of informed opinion on animal health and welfare issues and their interaction with human health.
Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) is a UK Government Department. The overarching challenge for Defra is to enable everyone to live within our environmental means. This is most clearly exemplified by the need to tackle climate change internationally and through domestic action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and secure a healthy, resilient, productive and diverse natural environment.
New Year Info. : As everyone seems to have survived Xmas more or less intact, we are now looking forward to the New Year. We will be only be closed on Thursday 1st and Friday 2nd, and of course will be available for emergencies at all times on 01776 70 3131.
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For all PDSA registered clients, Academy Vets have recently started to offer help with vet fees. If you are in receipt of Housing Benefit, or Council Tax Benefit, do contact us on 01776 703131 for more information.
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The practice has just been involved in the filming of the 3rd series of the popular Border T.V production “Vets”. Staff found this a fun and rewarding experience which hopefully gives the public a better understanding of what we do.
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New digital x-ray technology now means your pet can be radiographed and a high quality digital image obtained straight away.
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There is one episode “Vets” on Monday 29th at 8.00pm, although we don’t know which episode it is, and fear there might not be much about Academy Vets in this one. There should be more later if Tyne Tees/Border find some more money to pay for them !! (the producers, not us, unfortunately)
Serving S.W Scotland’s Animals
Watch us on the TV series ‘VETS’
We are a long established practice which provides a wide range of veterinary services for most species of animals from pets to farm animals and horses. Our aim is to provide both clients and patients with the highest levels of clinical care and although you can expect efficiency and professionalism at all times we aim to ensure this is conducted within a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.
It is with that in mind we are pleased to have been awarded Tier 2 status in the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Practice Standards Scheme for Small Animal, Equine and Farm Animals. This means we are proud to operate to the high standards the scheme demands.
SURGERY HOURS
Mon-Fri : 8.45 – 9.15a.m and 2.00-2.30 p.m
Saturday : 9.00-10.30 a.m.
APPOINTMENTS Mon- Fri 4.00-7.00 p.m
SPECIAL OFFERS Academy Vets are now offering you to buy 3 doses of wormer for your dog/cat and receive your fourth dose free.
We currently employ 5 veterinary surgeons and 5 support staff.
Mrs Heather McKie - Office Manager
I have worked as a receptionist at the surgery since 2002, having lived in the area all my life, excluding four years studying Animal Science at Stirling University and the Scottish Agricultural College, Auchincruive. I am now married to a local farmer and enjoy helping out on the farm.
Most of my free time is currently spent in the garden of my shiny new house which currently resembles a building site! I also enjoy socialising and drinking Vodka – hence my cat’s name “Smirnoff”.
Mrs Yvonne Dooley - Receptionist
Hi my name is Yvonne. I am the newest member of the practice team having started work during Aug 2008. After a former life as a childminder I have gone from coping with children’s tantrums to the vet’s tantrums. I have lived in Stranraer for many years with my husband Jed, children and two dogs - Twig and Amber. In my spare time I like to put on my leathers and get out on my motorbike!
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TANTRUMS!! US ?? I don’t think so. Well, maybe Steve occasionally, but no-one else!
6 Academy Street
Stranraer,
Telephone: 01776 703131
Fax: 01776 706896 
Hi, I am the youngest member of the Academy Team and have worked here since 2004. I started work as a trainee nurse after qualifying in 2006 they never quite got rid of me and I gained the head nurse post. I am newly married, so most of my spare time is spent cleaning up after my husband. On the rare occasion I do get time to myself I can usually be found walking my border terrier “Lola” or helping my father with the cattle on his local beef farm.
I joined the practice in 2000 as a receptionist as Tracy’s sidekick but soon realised that I was more interested in hands on work with the animals and became a member of the nursing team in 2002.
I am the oldest and least easily harrassed member of the nursing team. I came to the practice in 2003 on a college placement and enjoyed it so much I’m still here! I live locally and most of my time is spent keeping tabs on my two sons and partner Rodney.
Experienced farm vets always on hand for visits and advice/consultancy
Mobile X-ray machines to allow X-rays to be performed in walk-in area of the practice or at home in your own stable.
Hi my name is Yvonne. I am the newest member of the practice team having started work during Aug 2008. After a former life as a childminder I have gone from coping with children’s tantrums to the vet’s tantrums. I have lived in Stranraer for many years with my husband Jed, children and two dogs - Twig and Amber. In my spare time I like to put on my leathers and get out on my motorbike!