Meet the Team

David Holah, BVSc, CertZooMed, MRCVS

Head Vet and Practice Principal

David qualified from Bristol Veterinary School in 2001, his first job gave him experience of both farm and small animal veterinary work. He soon realised that his passion was with the small animal aspect of veterinary medicine and in particular exotic animals. David followed this passion and continued his studies taking a post graduate certificate in exotic medicine and became one of the few vets to hold this qualification in the UK.

David established Piddle Valley Vets in 2011, converting the old village GP surgery into a state of the art veterinary practice, seeing first opinion cases as well as accepting referrals from local practices for exotic cases. He had a vision of creating an independent practice offering excellent veterinary care with a personalised approach for every client. Piddle Valley vets has grown over the intervening years from a one vet practice to a four vet practice we have today.

Away from his working life David enjoys spending time with his family of the two and four legged variety, supporting his beloved premiership rugby club wasps and mountain biking.

Anna Howard, BSc Hons, BVetMed, MRCVS

Assistant Vet

Anna graduated with an honours degree in Animal Biology from Stirling University in 2006. After travelling and working with wildlife in South America, she enrolled at the Royal Veterinary College and qualified as a vet in 2014.

Initially settling in Devon as a mixed vet covering farm, equine and small animals, Anna joined the Piddle Valley Vets team in 2019, keen to be part of a strong independent practice.

In her spare time, Anna is an avid reader and enjoys painting, playing piano and being bossed around by her cats Daisy and Boog.

Lise van der Elst, BSc, DVM, MRCVS

Assistant Vet

Lise is from South Africa and worked as a vet nurse for over a decade in both private practice and non-profit animal welfare hospitals around Cape Town. After completing a BSc in applied biology, ecology, and evolution in 2016, she moved to Hungary to begin her veterinary medicine degree.

She has always been passionate about small animal medicine and working with exotics and wildlife. After graduating in February 2024 from UVMB, she moved to the UK to be part of the Piddle Valley Vets team.

When not at work, Lise has been enjoying exploring and hiking the Dorset coast and countryside with her dog, Mila. She also likes to crochet and bake, usually with the help of her cat, m.e, who is a big fan of unguarded skeins of wool.

Dan Lardner, BVetMed, MRCVS

Assistant Vet

Dan joined us in November 2024 as the fourth member of the veterinary team. He graduated from the RVC in June 2022, after spending the last year of his course working in a small animal hospital in Aylesbury. This final year steered him away from mixed practice to focus purely on small animal, much to the relief of local cattle. Dan grew up in Hemel Hempstead but moved to Dorset after graduating for obvious reasons.

Whilst enjoying previous job roles Dan wanted to work closely with a tight knit team of professionals, hence applying to Piddle Valley Vets.

In his spare time Dan runs and cycles, paints plastic models, and attempts to look after his partners horse, Florence.

Katie Barnett, MSc, ACPAT Cat A

Chartered Physiotherapist

Katie graduated with her first degree from Manchester university in 2001. Initially her career was as a chartered physiotherapist in the NHS. Before long her lifelong affinity with animals took her back to university again, this time to study a masters in veterinary physiotherapy at The Royal Veterinary College.

Once she graduated she set up her own physiotherapy practice and for many years treated a variety of human, horse and small animal clients as Newland Physiotherapy Practice. In 2012 Katie started physiotherapy clinics at Piddle Valley vets treating dogs, cats and rabbits at the surgery.

Following the arrival of three lively boys Katie wound up Newland Physiotherapy Practice and worked solely at Piddle Valley vets.

Julie Head Nurse

Veterinary Nurse RVN

Julie qualified as a registered veterinary nurse in 2006 whilst working at a small animal practice in Poole. Shortly after qualifying Julie was promoted to Head Nurse, a role which she thoroughly enjoyed. Julie joined Piddle Valley Vets in 2015 and since working here has developed a keen interest in exotic animals.

Outside of work, much of Julie’s time is taken up looking after her three children and variety of animals.

Hattie

Veterinary Nurse RVN

Hattie graduated from Hartpury University in Summer 2022 with a BSc(Hons) in Veterinary Nursing Science and started at Piddle Valley Vets shortly after.

Hattie worked at a 24 hour emergency hospital as a student.

Outside of work Hattie enjoys looking after her horse, reading and making art, specifically animal portraiture.

At home, Hattie has a horse called Shammy and a crazy springer spaniel called Philo.

Jess

Veterinary Nurse RVN

Jess completed her RVN training at a large veterinary hospital in Devon, working with small, large and equine patients. Jess has worked at Piddle Valley Vets before having some time off to raise a family and she has now rejoined the team.

Nic

Veterinary Nurse RVN

Nic graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in July 2023. She has recently moved down south and joined the Piddle Valley Vets team. Nic has a keen interest in nurse consults and wound management. Nic is also excited to learn more about exotic species. She has a love for terrier breeds and greyhounds and may be found cuddling them at any opportunity.

Outside of work Nic enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading and going to live events. She also loves going on long walks with her two dogs, Bailey and Phoebe.

Lily

Receptionist

Lily joined the reception team in 2023. Outside of work Lily enjoys the spending time in the outdoors including walking and camping and spending time with her family and dog Stanley.