Equine Staff
Alnorthumbria Veterinary Group has a strong team of equine veterinary surgeons providing a wide range of knowledge and expertise.
Our veterinary surgeons attend regular Continuing Professional Development courses to ensure our clients receive the most up to date information and treatments. In the practice we are able to discuss and assist each other with more challenging cases within our areas of expertise.
In addition, we now have access to consultant veterinary surgeons, allowing us to treat and operate on a more extensive range of cases at our own facilities. However, we do recognise that in some instances referral is required and for this we can choose the most appropriate specialist centre for your horses needs.
Lesley Barwise-Munro (BSc, BVM&S, CertEP, MRCVS) graduated from The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies (RDSVS) in 1986. Since then she has worked as an equine practitioner with the Aln Veterinary Group. In 1992 she completed her RCVS Certificate in Equine Practice. In 1998 Lesley joined BEVA Council and was elected as President in 2005. During her time on Council she worked with the Government and the major animal welfare organisations developing the recent Animal Welfare Act 2006. This work was recognised with the presentation of The BEVA Equine Welfare Award by HRH the Princess Royal in 2006 (see photo).
Lesley is currently Honorary Vice President of The National Equine Welfare Council and still serves as an advisor to BEVA Council. Lesley is Senior Veterinary Surgeon for Newcastle Racecourse and also carries out local point to point duties. Her main areas of clinical expertise are lameness, respiratory disease, dentistry and how they influence performance. As time allows, Lesley enjoys hunting and has two daughters who are active members of the Percy Hunt Pony Club.
Rosie Mould (BVSc, GPCert (EqP), MRCVS) qualified in 1983 from Liverpool and returned to her native North East, to work in Alnwick in 1988. She is an approved Riding Establishment Inspector, and her main areas of clinical expertise include medical diagnostics, clinical pathology, reproduction and lameness. Rosie has recently achieved her European Practising Veterinary Surgeons Certificate in Equine Practice. She has enjoyed hunting and Riding Club activities previously and in the last 4 years has turned her hand to driving. One of her Welsh driving ponies is home-bred. Outside work, Rosie spends time skiing, mountain biking and hill walking.
John Macfarlane (BVM&S, MRCVS) comes from Perthshire in Scotland. He graduated from Edinburgh in 1984 and then joined Aln Veterinary Group. He enjoys all aspects of practice and is an approved Riding Establishment Inspector. John is especially interested in equine respiratory medicine and lameness. Outside work, he relaxes by hill walking, cycling and sailing. In September 2008 John joined the elite few who have climbed all of the Munroes.
Edward Chinn (BVetMed, CertEP, MRCVS) qualified from the Royal Veterinary College, London in 2001. Edward worked for five years in East Sussex in a mixed practice with an equine bias. He is especially interested in equine dentistry, lameness investigations and wound management. Edward comes from a Herefordshire farm where he enjoyed hunting and working with home-bred point-to-pointers. He now enjoys hunting in Northumberland.
Sophia Chinn (BVetMed, MRCVS) qualified from the Royal Veterinary College in 2001. Sophia has worked in mixed practices in Hertfordshire and East Sussex; predominantly involved in equine work. Sophia enjoys all aspects of equine practice but is particularly interested in internal medicine, neonatal medicine and diagnostic imaging. Sophia plans to complete the RCVS Certificate in Equine Medicine. She has ridden from an early age and progressed through the ranks of North Northumberland Pony Club taking part in showing, hunting and eventing.
Gail MacKinlay(BSc, BVM&S, MRCVS) 
graduated in 2008 from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies. She then completed a predominantly equine internship at Glenwood Veterinary Clinic, near Aspen, Colorado. Gail enjoys all aspects of equine practice, but is particularly interested in lameness and performance issues and phthalmology, and plans to study for the RCVS certificate in equine practice. She grew up riding in rural Aberdeenshire, and loves ultimate frisbee, skiing, hockey, hillwalking and travelling.
Stephen Bradley (BVMS, MRCVS) grew up on a farm in Northern Ireland and qualified from Glasgow University in 1999. He worked for 3 years in mixed practice in Durham before moving to Alnorthumbria. Stephen enjoys all aspects of equine veterinary practice and is currently studying for the certificate in equine practice. He is particularly interested in dermatology, dentistry and equine emergency management; he has completed the Safer Horse Rescue course in conjunction with the emergency services and the racecourse casualty management course. He enjoys providing veterinary cover at racecourse meetings, point to points and other local events. Stephen’s hobbies outside of work include cycling, running, swimming and he has recently taken up triathlons.
Pam Brown (BVetMed MRCVS) graduated in 2005 from the Royal Veterinary
College, London and joined Northumbria Veterinary Partnership after
enjoying seeing practice there for 3 years. Pam enjoys all aspects of
mixed practice and is now based at the Wooler branch.
In her free time, Pam helps out on her husband's farm, follows the West
Percy Hounds and enjoys endurance walking, fell running, cycling and
swimming.
Lisa Gregory (BVM&S, MRCVS) graduated from the RDSVS and returned to her home county of Northumberland to work for The Aln Veterinary Group. Lisa has worked as a mixed practice vet since 1997, and is especially interested in equine medicine, reproduction and foal medicine. Outside work, Lisa enjoys spending time with her young family, riding and hill walking.
Sarah Holmes (VN) has worked with the Aln Veterinary Group since 1992. In 1996 Sarah gained her Veterinary Nurse qualification and now leads the equine nursing team. Sarah is a keen follower of the Percy hounds and is frequently seen at local point to point and race meetings. Sarah is currently studying for a specialised equine nursing qualification.
Rebecca Proe (Animal Care Assistant) 
grew up at the College Valley Hunt kennels. In 2007 Rebecca achieved an NC in animal care at the Borders College completing a working place which she carried out at the Wooler branch. Rebecca has currently completed bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh awards and has taken part in a successful expedition backpacking in central America. Rebecca enjoys the outdoors, all sporting activities including hunting, riding and skiing.
Sam Ruston (Animal Care Assistant) grew up in East Yorkshire working and bringing on young horsesin a local competition yard. In July 2009 Sam moved to Northumberland to carry out her equine nursing experience. Sam enjoys all outdoor activities including riding, walking and skiing.
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