Meet the team
Learn more about our experienced Gortlands Vets team.
Clinical directors
Dr David Beattie
BVM&S CertAVP(GSAS) MRCVS
Clinical Director and Veterinary Surgeon
David worked in practices in Scotland before returning home to Belfast in 2011. He enjoys all aspects of his role, but nothing beats the cute and quirky pets he is privileged to meet and care for every day. He and his family have a much loved rescue dog with a truly remarkable sense of direction (and a passion for sheep).
Vet team
Dr Johnny Love
BVM&S MRCVS
Senior Veterinary Surgeon
Johnny has been with us for over a decade, during which time he has enjoyed working alongside our dedicated team and seeing the practice develop. He lives with his wife and children, and has a dog called Angus and a guinea pig called Pom-Pom. Away from work, he enjoys playing tennis and getting involved with his local church.
Dr Lucy Haslam
BVM BVS MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Dr Cathryn Treanor
BVetMed MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Cathryn spent a few months with us after graduating in 2019, returning to the practice full-time in 2022. She has a keen interest in small animal dentistry and plans to complete a dentistry certificate in the near future. Outside of work, she enjoys walking her dogs, Raven and Joey, and taking care of her two cats and snake.
Dr Emily Barr
BVSc PGDip(VCP) MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
After graduating from the University of Bristol, Emily spent a few years working at a first opinion practice and completing a rotating internship and post-graduate diploma. She returned to Northern Ireland and joined our team in 2023, and has a particular interest in surgical cases. In her own time, she loves practising gymnastics and working her dog, Maddy.
Dr Lucy Magill
BVM&S MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Dr Charlotte Ferguson
BVSc,MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Dr Alex Gaston
BVMSci,MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Dr Jamie Sheppard
BVMSci,MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Nursing team
Catherine Morris
RVN
Registered Veterinary Nurse
Halle Cairns
RVN
Veterinary Nurse
As a veterinary nursing student, Halle completed her clinical placement year with Gortlands. She joined us after graduating from Scotland’s Rural University College and feels privileged to work with such a great team of vets and vet nurses. In her spare time she enjoys horse riding, keeping active and spending time with family and friends.
Susan Latimer
RVN
Veterinary Nurse
Susan joined the team in 2008, after completing her national diploma in animal management. She holds an animal nursing assistant certificate and a qualification in monitoring anaesthesia in small animals. Hailing from a farming background, she has always had dogs or cats (usually both) in her life. She currently has a lovely dog called Nessy.
Sophie McCarthy
RVN
Registered Veterinary Nurse
Andrea McGreal
ANA
Student Veterinary Nurse
Andrea joined us in 2016, having spent most of her working life in an office environment. She has a particular passion for cats, as she has two of her own and had them growing up. She loves the diverse nature of her role and the fact that no two days are the same, as well as getting to know our fluffy regulars and their owners.
Faith Adair
ANA
Student Veterinary Nurse
Faith joined us in 2022 as a student at CAFRE. She holds a level two certificate for animal nursing assistants and loves working as part of our friendly team. At home, she is kept busy with her many animals, including sheep and goats. She also enjoys horse riding and playing hockey.
Aimee Watton
ANA
Veterinary Nursing Assistant
Aimee joined us in 2015 and enjoys supporting pets recovering from surgery. She also helps to run our weight clinics, supporting and offering advice on pets who may be a little underweight or overweight. A lifelong animal lover, she has a cat and three dogs. She enjoys spending her free time with her husband and daughter.
Amelia Girvin
ANA
Veterinary Nursing Assistant
Amelia helped out at Gortlands while completing her A levels, moving on to study at CAFRE for her veterinary nursing assistant training. She joined our team full-time in 2020 and especially enjoys supporting the pets that come in for procedures with our practice, acting as their guardian while they are separated from their owners.
Libby Douglas
Veterinary Nursing Assistant
Libby has been part of the Gortlands family for many years – Mr Morrow was still practice principal when she started. Her favourite parts of her role are meeting our clients and the variety of pets we meet. She heads up our in-house laboratory, ensuring that everything runs smoothly. She has a dog called Marley and a cat called Norman, who she nursed back to health as a sick kitten.
Admin team
Leigh Roberts
Senior Receptionist
Leigh has been with the Gortlands team since 2010, initially joining us as a veterinary nursing assistant. She joined our reception team in 2020, and loves being part of a great team that makes every day enjoyable.
Kathryn Stirk
Receptionist
Kathryn’s first summer job was with Gortlands, back when we were a mixed practice. She has been part of our team for several decades and loves that no day is the same. She also enjoys getting to know our clients and their pets, so that we can support them throughout their pet’s lives. She has two dogs called Freddie and Fergus at home, so life is never dull!
Pamela Totton
Receptionist
Pamela joined our team in 2016 and enjoys all aspects of her job, particularly meeting all of our clients and their pets. She has a lovely ginger cat called Barney at home.
Victoria Callaghan
Receptionist
Victoria had been a Gotlands client for 20 years when took the opportunity for a career change and joined our team. She enjoys her busy and varied role on reception, especially chatting to clients and meeting their pets. Away from work, she loves walking her rescue dog, gardening and travelling.
Rachael Graham
Receptionist
Julie Hogg
Admin Support and Receptionist
Julie first came to the practice when she was 16 and doing work experience – years later, she is still here! Alongside her nursing assistant duties, she is responsible for many other areas, such as organising rotas, stock control and ensuring the smooth day-to-day running of the practice. In her spare time, she enjoys baking and looking after her dog, Harry.
Michael Browne
Facilities and IT Manager
Michael has been with us for over 20 years, during which time he has learnt a great deal. Much of his free time is taken up with sport, walking his dog and travelling.
Lynda Allen
Domestic Assistant
Lynda has been with the practice for over 30 years, and enjoys meeting all clients and their lovely pets. She has a dog, a cat and a ferret at home, and volunteers for local homeless charities in Belfast in her spare time.