OUR STAFF
Dr. Chris Vogt – Practice Principal and Veterinarian
Chris qualified as a veterinary surgeon in 1981 following on from having completed a BSc in Zoology and Botany. In 1985 he went into partnership in Johannesburg and owned and ran three veterinary hospitals. In 1993 having decided to leave private practice before the age of 40, he became Chief Veterinarian at Johannesburg Zoo. This proved to be his dream job and he was instrumental in undertaking some world firsts in the veterinary world including diagnosing and treating an aortic aneurism in a 44 year old female chimpanzee called Josephine. He also acted as veterinary advisor when the zoo rescued all the animals from Luanda Zoo in Angola that were dying from neglect and starvation. In 1997 Chris, Diana and their three children made the move to the UK and in June 1999 moved to Exeter, Devon and bought Polsloe Veterinary Clinic. Always looking for new challenges Chris looked to expand and in September 2007 they opened a brand new practice in Rockbeare on the outskirts of Exeter, Cranbrook Veterinary Centre. Chris is very happy that he gets to spend each working day in his family business with his wife and two of his daughters, Ingrid and Kelli. Bruce, their son, is a Doctor in Taunton.
Mrs. Diana Vogt – Director and Practice Manager
Diana has been working in the veterinary industry for 24 years. She worked alongside Chris, her husband, for many years in his practice before he took on the role of Chief Veterinarian at Johannesburg Zoo. During his time there, Diana decided to use her knowledge and experience gained within the veterinary industry to reestablish the administration and customer service side of a small veterinary practice in Johannesburg. A role she relished, until the Vogt’s move to the UK in December 1997. Many of you may have heard Diana’s now famous statement to Chris that she would work at Polsloe Veterinary Clinic for 6 months and then handed the reigns over to someone else. Well, over a decade later and with another practice under her wing she is still the lady that keeps us all afloat and in check! Dealing with wages, accounts and complaints, she is Polsloe and Cranbrook’s mother hen – who we just could not quite do without! She is married to Chris, mother to Ingrid and Kelli who also form part of the Polsloe and Cranbrook team. A cat lover and tea addict, she loves nothing better than relaxing in bed with a good book after a day at the beach (now, if she could only get time off work!)
Mrs. Ingrid Hunt – Qualified Veterinary Nurse and Clinical Training Manager
Ingrid is a qualified veterinary nurse and the clinical training manager at Polsloe and Cranbrook. She has a passion for nursing and giving back to the veterinary industry by providing trainee nurses with information and training to help nurture and strengthen their own passion for providing sterling care and treatment to animals in the south west and indeed wherever their career shall take them. Ingrid has a BSc in Zoology and Botany and an MSc in Wildlife Management Conservation and Control. Growing up in South Africa, she has had a love affair with wildlife all her life. She and her family have had the privilege of interacting with creatures great and small, from elephants to bush babies, and she has learnt to care for and respect them all no matter what their size. She enjoys teaching her young son all she learnt about animals when she was a child, instilling in him the beauty they can bring to peoples’ lives. Of course this is all with the help of their Domestic Shorthair Nymphadora.
Miss Kelli Vogt – Deputy Practice Manager
Kelli has worked in the family business for 7 years, but you could say she and her siblings have been involved in their fathers work since they could walk and talk! Growing up on the grounds of Johannesburg Zoo in South Africa, some of her fondest memories are of disappearing into the zoo, barefoot and ready for adventure. Memories ranging from throwing fresh fish to eagerly awaiting seals, wiping the after birth off a newly born Eland with only the keepers’ headlights for light to being woken up by Chris at 5am to stand on top of the crates of newly rescued wildlife to watch them being released into their new enclosures in the zoo. She has a passion for caring for animals and providing people with the best information so that they too can care for their beloved pets. In her spare time she is an avid movie, music and literature fan, enjoys gardening, cooking and being taken care of by her Domestic Shorthair Amy Cat. (If you have met Kelli, you have most likely heard all about Amy!!!) Kelli is the Pet Plan Insurance Advisor of the Year 2010!
Dr. Thomas Mitchell – Veterinary Surgeon
Tom is a veterinarian, behaviourist and professional dog trainer. As well as his veterinary degree (Bristol), he also holds a first class honours in Animal Behaviour & Welfare (Bristol). With the aim of reaching more people and dogs, Tom divides his time between his veterinary work, international behaviour consultancy (BEHAVET) and teaching other vets, trainers and behaviourists, owners and sports competitors through his company absoluteDOGS. Tom does behaviour consults within the practice as well as receiving referrals from far and wide. Aside from this, Tom has keen interests in internal medicine, pain management, rehabilitation and sports medicine.
Dr. Michaela Cragg – Veterinary Surgeon
Michaela grew up in Cornwall. She and her family are passionate about animals and she grew up caring for many different species from African Grey Parrots to Leopard Geckos. This inspired her to head to Nottingham University in 2009 to embark on her Veterinary Training. Michaela joined Polsloe and Cranbrook in 2015 and is loves being close to her family and the coastline again. She has strong interests in gastrointestinal medicine, dermatology and ultrasonography. She has two gorgeous cats called Scrumpy and Jaegar and has a soft spot for any feline creature. She enjoys spending her time with her family and exploring the beautiful Devon Countryside.
Dr Alice Wood – Veterinary Surgeon
Alice grew up in North London and after pursuing her passion for veterinary science graduated from Bristol University in 2017. Whilst she loves all aspects of general veterinary practice she has a keen interest in surgery and emergency work. She loves to travel and experience new places and during her veterinary training has worked with stray dogs in India and a variety of wildlife in South Africa. Outside of work, having recently moved to Devon, she is exploring the countryside, keeping fit and spending time with her partner and rescue cat Pascal.
Miss Philippa Porter – Qualified Veterinary Nurse
My name is Philippa but I like to be called Pippa. I come from Exeter and have a BSc (Hons) in Animal Science Behaviour and Welfare. My favourite past times are spending time with family and friends, walking Dogs as well as having cuddles with my Cat Tiger. After working very hard over the last few years Philippa qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in 2015.
Miss Alex McRobbie – Trainee Veterinary Nurse
My name is Alex and I live in Exeter. I joined Polsloe and Cranbrook in September 2012 having always wanted to work in the veterinary profession. I’m particularly interested in the exotic animals the practice deals with and I’m keen to gain more knowledge in the care of birds and reptiles etc. I hold NVQ levels 1, 2 and 3 in Equine Care and Management and have previously worked on a professional show yard. I have my own horse called Harlequin and when I am not working I can be found out riding or walking the family dog, a Dalmatian called Logan. I also have a rescue cat called Darcy.
Mrs. Marianne Segev – Qualified Veterinary Nurse
My name is Marianne. I joined Polsloe and Cranbrook vets in October 2015 after moving back from London to Devon with my Husband, Son, cat Lunar and Staffie Sasha. Whilst living in London I worked at a large charity animal hospital and qualified as a registered veterinary nurse and clinical coach. I also supervised the running of the stray and wildlife wards, organising the rehoming of many of our homeless animals. I love veterinary nursing and working with animals and am currently working towards my certificate in veterinary nursing of exotic species – an area i am particularly interested in. Outside of work I love being outdoors with my family, dog walking, gardening and Power kite flying!
Miss Ella Tucker – Student Veterinary Nurse
Hi my name is Ella and I started working at Cranbrook and Polsloe in February 2016. I’ve always aspired to become a Veterinary Nurse since I was young, so when I was offered the position to start my training I was very grateful. I am very much looking forward to starting college to study Veterinary Nursing. Since starting, I feel I have learnt a lot and I am enjoying it very much. When I am not at work I like to take the family dog out for long walks, a Cocker Spaniel called Archie, or be with my family and friends or horse riding.
Miss Emily Armstrong Haines – Student Veterinary Nurse
My name is Emily, I am a Student Veterinary Nurse studying BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing Science with Hartpury College (UWE). Previous to this, I graduated from Oxford Brookes University with a FdSc in Animal Management. I have a great interest in wildlife, having previously worked at a Wildlife Rescue Centre. Outside of Veterinary and studying, I love to travel and go on adventures all over the world! My own animal family consists of six dogs, two cats and a hamster.
Miss Hannah Clatworthy – Student Veterinary Nurse
My name is Hannah, I am a Student Veterinary Nurse, currently studying an FdSc in Veterinary Nursing at Hartpury (UWE). I have always wanted to work in the veterinary industry as I grew up surrounded by animals. I have an interest in feline nursing and hope to specialise in this area in the future. Outside of work you’ll find me spending time with family and friends and attending dance classes.
Miss Molly Rochester – Student Veterinary Nurse
My name is Molly. I live in Plymouth with my family and am currently studying Veterinary Nursing at Hartpury College. I started working at Cranbrook and Polsloe in June this year and will be heading back to university in September. My Interests outside of work are Horse riding and travelling. My greatest achievement so far has been walking to Mount Everest base camp in March 2015. Seeing all the animals in Nepal really inspired me to become a Veterinary Nurse and I aspire to travel back to help animals that live in less fortunate places.
CHARITY WORK
Cats Protection
As cat lovers we have always tried to help the Cats Protection by giving them preferential prices as well as encouraging donations.
Download Caring for your cat for more information from Cats Protection.
Animals Asia
We are proud to announce that we are supporting Animals Asia in their worthwhile work. Please go to Animals Asia for more information. We have donation boxes in the practice so you can get rid of all your loose change!
Any donation will be gratefully accepted!
Click here to see some of the amazing work that this wonderful organisation does.
TUSK
We are proud to announce that our chosen charity for 2017 is Tusk. Please go to Tusk.org for more information and to make your own personal donation to this very worthy cause.
Click here to see some of the amazing work that this wonderful organisation does.
