Andrew Walker BVM&S MRCVS

Andrew studied at Edinburgh University and has since worked in both mixed practice and equine fields. It was the amalgamation of his equine practice, based around the Taunton area, with that of Brian Crawford’s that led to the formation of Western Counties Equine Clinic in April 2000. Areas of professional interest include Racing and Performance horses, stud work, orthopaedics and surgery. In addition he has recently gained the BEVA/BAEDT equine  dentistry qualification.

Chris Johannson BVMS CertEP BAEDT MRCVS

Chris qualified from Glasgow University in 1992 and worked in several predominantly equine practices before joining Western Counties when it was formed in 2000. He gained the RCVS Certificate in equine practice in 2002 and recently passed the prestigious BEVA/BAEDT equine dentistry exams, a qualification currently held by very few vets or equine dental technicians in the South West. Other areas of interest include racing and competition horses, surgery and diagnostics.

Anja Walker BSc BVSc MRCVS

Anja qualified from Liverpool University in 1999 and worked in equine practice in Devon and Gloucestershire before joining Western Counties in 2002 and becoming a partner in 2004. She is largely based in the clinic dealing with hospitalised cases and her interests in internal medicine, critical care and neo-natology reflect this. She is currently studying for the RCVS certificate in Veterinary anaesthesia. She also oversees nurse training and assessment as well as the in-house practice laboratory, analysing, among others, blood samples, tracheal washes and joint fluid. Interests outside work include riding and driving along with travelling and gardening.

Simon Joyner MA VetMB MRCVS 

Simon qualified from Cambridge University in 1999 and worked in a mixed practice in Northamptonshire where he was involved in setting up an equine unit before moving to Devon and joining Western Counties Equine Clinic in March 2003. Simon became a partner in the practice in 2004 following the retirement of Brian Crawford and is largely based in the North Devon and Exmoor side of the practice. His particular areas of interest include lameness diagnosis, stud work and AI, surgery and respiratory medicine. Simon is currently enrolled in the RCVS Certificate in Equine Practice. Outside work Simon enjoys sailing and surfing but with young children fears that the first Shetland pony may not be far away!

The Assistants

Simone Herbert BVSc MRCVS

Simone Herbert joined us in 2005 from a well respected equine practice in Yorkshire where she worked for several years. Before that she worked in racehorse practice in Sydney, Australia having qualified from veterinary school in Brisbane. Her particular areas of interest include ophthalmology, foal care and internal medicine while outside work she enjoys scuba diving, traveling and cooking

Simone helps to cover mainly the Mid/North Devon and Exmoor areas of the practice.

Stuart Altoft BVetMed MRCVS

Stuart graduated from London University several years ago and before he joined us in October 2005 he was working in practice in Nottinghamshire. Stuart generally works on the eastern side of the practice helping to cover the East Devon and Somerset areas. His areas of professional interest include internal medicine, dentistry and dermatology while outside work he enjoys Kick boxing!

Fiona Poole

Fiona first worked for us as a locum in 2005 before rejoining the practice on a permanent basis in April 2007. Prior to this she has worked extensively in several equine practices around the country gaining a broad base of experience in equine practice. Particular areas of interest include acupuncture and internal medicine.