Howard Thompson

(Hons1), BSc (Vet)(Hons1), MACVSc, MRCVSc

Raised in the Blayney District, Howard is a University of Sydney graduate [1976] completing a special research year in Parasitology [1975]. His first 5 years of clinical practice was intensive small animal practice in Perth where he developed his passion and expertise for surgery and in particular orthopaedics. Howard was admitted to the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists by examination in “Feline Medicine” in 1981.

During 1982-1987 Howard turned his hand to the production of sheep and cattle on family farms back in the Blayney District while carrying out veterinary work. In 1987 he purchased the Blayney Veterinary Hospital and set about turning it from the quiet single vet practice to the vibrant four-vet practice it is today.

Howard’s areas of expertise range widely from cattle and horse reproduction to parasitology, but his particular interest is still in the area of small animal surgery [especially orthopaedics].

Away from clinical practice Howard puts his Foot and Mouth Eradication experience [Yorkshire,UK 2001] into several Australian government committees concerning exotic diseases. His lifetime passion for sport has seen Howard move through years of football and cricket and hockey and running - to enjoying cycling and swimming these days.

Ruth Thompson

BVSc, BSc (Vet)(Hons1), MACVSc

A University of Sydney graduate of Veterinary Science [1976] with a research year in Clinical Pathology [1975] Ruth initially worked in small animal practice in Perth, then four years as a clinician in Small Animal Medicine at Perth’s Murdoch University Veterinary School. In 1981 Ruth was admitted to the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists following an examination in “Feline Medicine”.

Returning to the Blayney district in 1982 she worked for ABC radio 2CR as a broadcaster [1982-1988] while children Julia and Robert were very small. In 1988 she joined Howard in the venture of building up the Blayney Veterinary Hospital .

Ruth’s veterinary interests are broad and but she particularly enjoys the investigations into disease processes of cats and dogs, skin conditions of all species and behaviour of companion animals.

Ruth enjoys hosting final year veterinary students or "interns", to show them the challenges, excitement and the rewards of high quality veterinary medicine and surgery in a rural setting.Blayney Veterinary Hospital received the Veterinary Faculty teaching hospital award in 2008.

Apart from full time clinical practice Ruth has spent many years working on behalf of the veterinary profession in a variety of organisations for which she has received several awards. The fresh flowers in the office and the window displays are all Ruth's handiwork.

Joanne Cheney

BVSc (Hons1), BSc (Vet) (HonsII)

Joanne graduated from the University of Sydney in 1990, after completing a research year in Animal Genetics in 1987. Although brought up in Sydney, on graduation it was the attraction of the country lifestyle and rural veterinary practice which called her to Wellington, NSW. Joanne moved to Blayney in 1993, joining the Blayney Vets and marrying local Richard Cheney. Working across the species- large horses and cattle down to the smallest of exotics- feline medicine is a particular interest as is soft tissue surgery-Joanne is the main soft tissue surgeon at Blayney.

Joanne’s father was a school principal so no surprises… education is a passion- that might be preschoolers-work experience students- veterinary nurses or veterinary students. It extends to education of clients to enable them to have the best relationship with their animals that can be had. One of the best parts of practice is the relationship that builds between vet, client and animal and that you never stop learning.

Joanne loves working in and being part of the Blayney community. She is active in community groups, raising two busily boisterous young boys and tending a huge and glorious garden overlooking Blayney.

Andrew Denman

BVSc

Andrew was raised in the Mackay area of the tropical coast of Queensland and graduated from University of Queensland in 1995. Despite his love of the tropical weather Andrew moved south to a rural practice in Victoria . Then he moved overseas for some years and ,while based in the United Kingdom , his experiences were varied and exciting. Andrew married pharmacist Cara Murphy from Orange and enticed her back to Victoria. It wasn’t long before the Central Tablelands called them a little further north and Cara took over the family pharmacy in Orange in 2005 while Andrew joined the Blayney Veterinary Hospital.

Andrew works across all species carrying out dog , cat , sheep ,alpaca and horse work and his UK acquired knowledge of “exotics” like rabbits and ferrets will often be sort. Andrew is quick to point out though that cattle are his first love and his particular interest .He is accredited to use the National Cattle Vets Tail Tags for pregnancy diagnosis and is happy carrying out either manual or ultrasound pregnancy testing.

Andrew and Cara have three very young children so days away from the practice will have Andrew building cubbies, playing with Leggo and reading stories. Andrew is creating a wonderful garden at home in the Lucknow area and, if there are any hours left in his day, he will quietly slip away for some cycling.

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Meet the Nurses