Paul Watkins qualified as a veterinary surgeon in 1981, and his career has involved working in research, academia and general practice in both the UK and abroad.
He has had a long-standing fascination with the history of medicine, in its broadest sense, and has a particular interest in how the veterinary and medical professions have interacted and worked together over time. His other area of research has been the veterinary profession during World War 2.
Following a varied veterinary life, with a growing interest in its history, Bruce retired to devote his time to the subject – now going on 13 years.
Particular interests include knowing the chronology of veterinary medicine and understanding the animal-human relationship, together with identifying the people who have made veterinary history.
Robin was a veterinary surgeon in a small animal general practice for 39 years prior to retirement. He has also been a member of VHS since 1983, and our treasurer and membership secretary for over 25 years.
Robin is interested in all aspects of veterinary history, especially the early history of the profession and First World War veterinary history.
Teresa qualified from the Royal Veterinary College in 1981, initially working in mixed practice before joining her family practice.
With her family practising veterinary care for over 150 years, Teresa is particularly interested in preserving and informing others of the lives that contributed to the early years of the profession.
Prior to retirement Clare was Head of Library & Knowledge Services at RCVS Knowledge where she was responsible for the work to increase awareness of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Archive and Historical Book Collection.
Clare is happy to try and answer questions relating to the RCVS, its history, and its members.
Claire qualified as a veterinary surgeon from the Royal Veterinary College in 2010. She initially worked in small animal practice before transitioning into veterinary telemedicine and AI-driven clinical support.
Today, she works as a consultant for a remote practice providing clinical backup to primary care vets, alongside locum work in the UK. Her main professional interests include feline medicine and behaviour, cardiology and the history of veterinary medicine.
Andrew Gardiner is Professor of Veterinary Medical Humanities at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh. He spent 16 years in veterinary general practice before being awarded a Wellcome Trust Medical Humanities PhD scholarship in the Centre for the History of Science, Technology and Medicine, University of Manchester.
He then joined the teaching staff of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies as a veterinary clinical lecturer. He researches and publishes in veterinary history/humanities, veterinary education and animal welfare and ethics.
Alison qualified as a veterinary surgeon from Cambridge University and has worked in small animal practice ever since. She has a lifelong interest in pedigree dogs, their history and diseases, which, in recent years, has led her to combine clinical work with a second career in veterinary history.
She has an MA in Science, Technology and Medicine in History from King’s College London. Her PhD research explored the history of breed-related disease in pedigree dogs from 1890 to the near present. Alison is currently President of the World Association for the History of Veterinary Medicine.
Abigail has a VetMB from Cambridge University and worked in small animal practice before pursuing an academic career in history. She has a history PhD from Manchester University.
Abigail is currently Pro Vice Chancellor (Academic) at the University of Cumbria. Her previous posts include PVC / Head of College of Arts, Social Science and Humanities at the University of Lincoln, Head of Department of History at King’s College London and Lecturer in Medical History at Imperial College London.
She is also past President of the World Association for the History of Veterinary Medicine.