Veterinary surgeons

Chris grew up in Devon and graduated from the Royal Veterinary College, London in 1983, where he had the good fortune to be mentored by some of the finest surgeons of their day. He has had a career long passion for the practice of surgery in both soft tissue and orthopaedic disciplines. He regularly attends advanced surgery courses to enhance his knowledge and practical skills and now has an advanced practitioner qualification in small animal surgery. Chris’ first contact with Raddenstiles was as a 15-year-old schoolboy, so it was a source of great satisfaction to return as an experienced veterinary surgeon in 2000 to be the senior surgeon and clinical director. Out of work Chris can normally be found up a mountain, on or under the sea, or relaxing with his three grown up sons.

Rachel graduated from Liverpool University in 2004 with her BVSc and a BSc in veterinary conservation medicine. After three years working at a first opinion and referral practice in Cheshire, she spent 18 months working and travelling in New Zealand and Asia. Resettling in the Southwest, Rachel joined the Raddenstiles team in January 2017. Rachel relishes the variety and challenges that first opinion work brings, and is grateful for everything her patients have taught her. Outside of work, she enjoys discovering all the beautiful nooks and crannies of Devon in her campervan, along with her husband, three children and gorgeous ‘Labradinger' called Red.

Hilario graduated from the University of Cordoba, Spain in 2015. He worked in Spain for 3 years and then moved to the UK where he completed a rotating internship and an orthopaedic internship before joined Raddenstiles in summer 2021. Hilario is interested in orthopaedic and soft tissue surgery and is currently undergoing a Postgraduate Certificate in Small Animal Surgery.

In his spare time he enjoys cycling and running.

Gabi graduated from the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna. She moved to Exeter to pursue her doctorate studies investigating acupuncture in small animal medicine. After two years in small animal practice, she was selected as Fort Dodge Feline Scholar at the University of Bristol where she saw clinical cases and participated in research projects involving cats, and made friends with the resident cat blood donors.

Driven by her interest in small animal medicine, in particular feline medicine, she knuckled down to complete further qualifications in this area, and was awarded the Royal College Certificate in small animal medicine in 2011. As Gabi loves all things feline and clearly likes to study, she also sat her exams in feline medicine to become a Member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Sciences (MANZCVS) in 2013.

She is an RCVS recognised advanced practitioner in feline medicine and small animal medicine. Her main interests lie in investigating illnesses hidden away inside the body and solving these mysterious puzzles. She is keen to use her ultrasound skills to do so. Gabi has a particular passion for our elderly population. However, nothing is more joyful than seeing healthy cats year after year.

Outside work, you may find her at the beach enjoying the sea as she comes from cold Austrian mountain lakes. At home, her two cats and boys rule the house. Very appropriately, one of both her boys’ first words was ‘cat’.

After graduating from Bristol University in 2008, Christine spent five years working in Oxfordshire then Exeter before returning to Exmouth. She has spent a lot of time at Raddenstiles over the years, as it was the practice that she originally trained at under the guidance of Chris Ridge. It has given her great satisfaction and pride to be able to return as a permanent member of the team. Christine enjoys all aspects of first opinion work and intends to expand her knowledge and skills in both medicine and surgery. Outside of work she enjoys spending time in Devon with her friends and family.

Helen grew up in West Devon, and qualified from the Royal Veterinary College, London in 1999. Her first job was in mixed practice in Cornwall, then she spent a short time working in Sydney, Australia before returning to small animal work in Surrey, where she stayed in the same practice for 16 years. She moved back west to the drier side of Dartmoor, and joined the Raddenstiles team in 2019.

Helen particularly enjoys soft tissue surgery, acupuncture and building trusting relationships with pets and their people. She is also one of the OV team at the practice.

Outside of work Helen can probably be found on or around the Exe, walking her Springer Spaniel Tess, on her bike, or dinghy sailing with her husband and children.

Helen graduated with distinction in Veterinary Science from Bristol in 2008 & 1st class honours in pharmacology in 2006. She worked in mixed practice for 11 years before concentrating on small animals. She is interested in most aspects of being a vet, particularly surgery, diagnostic imaging and medicine. Helen is keen on laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery this has become a favourite.

Her spare time is occupied by her 3 horses, Ruby (ex-racer), Lilly (Ruby's daughter) and Zar who she takes eventing. Her dogs Mulberry & Bertie enjoy a snuggle on the sofa when she finally sits down!