Our Team
Mr David A Clare – BVSc MRCVS
Role: Practice Owner and Principal
Graduated Liverpool University 1971 - 2yr Internship and Residency and Surgery Diploma from Guelph University in Canada [teaching hospital]. Also worked in Small Animal Hospital in Vancouver BC.
Travelled around the world and worked in Australia and Southern Africa.
Came to Crawley in 1976 and have overseen the development of both practices since that time. Treasurer and Executive Officer of British Small Animal Veterinary Assn.
Love my work – and have met some wonderful people and their pets during my 32 years in practice here. I’ve marvelled at the goodness of people to their animals, and I’ve shed many a tear with my clients when it’s time to say goodbye to a much-loved pet, be it a Great Dane or a mouse.
Married to Margaret [1978]. Two grown-up sons – James and Michael. Three dogs: Dusty, Harry and Alfie. Animal in charge: Herbie – cat.
Interests: Cars, Golf, Photography, Bird Watching, Gardening [under Margaret’s critical eye!]. Thanks to my sons, I also appreciate Alternative Rock Music - have even snuck into the occasional gig when the lights are dim ……!
Mrs Karen-Anne Smith – BVMS MRCVS
Role: Veterinary surgeon
Since I qualified in 1984 I have been working full time in small animal veterinary practice. I have now been working for David Clare for over 22 years and in this time I have developed a particular interest and skill in the medicine and surgery of ferrets and rabbits. I have a considerable second opinion caseload of these increasingly popular pets from all over the South East of England. I even have had owners travelling from as far away as France to see me.
My spare time is spent with my husband looking after our ever changing population of pets {dogs, cats, fish, hens, turkeys, ferrets and rabbits} at our woodland property in Sussex.
Mr Alan Smith BVMS MRCVS
Role: Veterinary Surgeon
Mrs Rebecca Furth – BVSc MRCVS
Role: Veterinary surgeon
I graduated in 1997 and have been working at David Clare’s since November 2002. I live locally and have 2 cats called Merlin & Millie and enjoy cycling and keeping fit in my spare time.
Miss Holly Smith
Role: Veterinary Surgeon
I graduated from Liverpool University in 2009 & after finishing my long degree I decided to go travelling around South-East Asia & spend some of my time working for veterinary charities. I had an amazing time throughout my stay & gained invaluable surgical & medical experience working with not only domestic pets but captive large animals too; after my foreign adventures I joined the team at ‘David Clare & Associates’. I have a strong interest in rabbit medicine & surgery & consequently I am very fortunate to be able to work alongside Mrs Karen-Anne Smith who is an expert in this field. I live locally & enjoy going to the gym & cycling.
Miss Samantha Wilsdon ANA /RVN
Role: Nurse Three Bridges
Hi, my name is Sam Wilsdon. I first joined the practice on a voluntary basis in 1996 when I was 15 years old. I was lucky enough to be offered a position of trainee veterinary nurse in 1998, and passed my exams to become a Registered VN I now work at the Three Bridges branch as a senior nurse and chief adviser on pet parasite control.
I thoroughly enjoy my job, both working with the animals and their owners. I have always had pets throughout my childhood, ranging from mice, guinea pigs, rabbits, cats, dogs and horses. I currently have a dog called Bruno whom I'm hoping to do agility with in the future and most recently a new labrador puppy called .
Mrs Lydia Prentice
Role: Nursing Manager Gossops Green
Since leaving school I have been working with animals. I started in a wildlife sanctuary in Surrey where I gained invaluable experience working with British wildlife and exotics. Due to closure I then went to David Clare at Stanbridge vets.
I am now nursing manager and in charge of the Gossops Green nursing staff, the food and drug ordering, and the day to day running of the surgery. I am also the branch expert on pet parasite problems.
When I am not at work, I like to spend my time socialising with friends and family, and looking after my 2 cats Murphy and Ted, and my tortoise Leo.
Miss Karin Lanham RVN
Role: Registered Veterinary Nurse
Hi, my name is Karin and I am a Registered Veterinary Nurse at the Three Bridges branch. I began training to become a Veterinary Nurse in August 2001. I decided on a career change after I had been backpacking round Australia for a year.
I qualified in 2005 and I have been working at David Clare & Associates for 3 years now. I have completed the Pet Health Councillor Course since being at David Clare & Associates.
I have 2 x rescue cats ‘Skye’ a Red Point Birman and ‘Stan’ the one eyed ginger moggy. I also have 2 x Miniature Schnauzers called ‘Molly’ and ‘Harry’ that live at my mums along with ‘Hooch’ an evil rescue cat!!
I owned a horse for 16 years and used to compete on him a lot, I do still ride now and again when I get the chance.
My interests involve: Horse riding, golf, gym, swimming, jogging (I completed my first 5k run in May), seeing live bands, going to music festivals, skiing when I can afford! Socialising with my friends and I enjoy going to VW shows with my VW Beetle.
Mrs Claire Brooker RVN
Role: Registered Veterinary Nurse
Since writing my first profile I qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in October 2008!!! I have been with David Clare and Associates for over a year and I’m still enjoying developing my nursing and gaining experience on a daily basis. I am interested in furthering my qualifications, my interests currently focussed on medical nursing.
Miss Sally Gray ANA
Role: Animal Nursing Assistant
Whilst working for Battersea Dog & Cat Home back in 1997, I became very interested in veterinary nursing. In 1998 I came to work for David Clare and Associates, and nine years down the line I still love the daily diversity of the job.
I have spent time at college and gained my Animal Nursing Assistant qualification. I have had many animals over the years, including rabbits, birds, gerbils and my lovely dog Ingles. I especially take a great interest in guinea pigs.
Miss Rachel Crouch ANA
Role: SVN Student Veterinary Nurse
I began Veterinary Nursing 3 years ago and have been at David Clare & Associates as a Trainee Veterinary Nurse for almost 2 years. Since joining the practice, I have achieved an Animal Nursing Assistant qualification and hope to continue my studies next year. I have always had a keen interest in animals and have been fortunate enough to have worked at various wildlife sanctuaries for a number of years. Some of the animals I have worked with have ranged from Raptors to exotics such as Spider Monkeys, Lemurs, Fruit Bats and Meerkats. This love of animals has of course made an impact on the pets I have owned, which currently consist of two cats, Elsa and Mae-ling. However, over the years my pets have ranged from various breeds of cats, gerbils, dogs and birds.
In my spare time I enjoy scuba diving, motorbikes, music, martial arts and socialising.
Miss Helen Darlington
Role: SVN Student Veterinary Nurse
Hello my name is Helen I started working here in January 2008. Prior to this I worked in an office. I also attended college once a week, for a year, to carry out a course in Dog Grooming where I prepared, bathed and dried dogs of all breeds ready for styling, with the occasional clipping. I have two dogs of my own and live in Horsham.
Mrs Natasha Hornsby RVN
Role: Registered Veterinary Nurse
awaiting photo
Hi, my name is Natasha, and I have dreamed of working with animals ever since I can remember. As a child growing up we had a ‘menagerie’ of animals, ranging from the normal dogs and cats, to the more strange snakes, Giant African Land Snails and stick insects.
I gained a little work experience doing voluntary work at an animal sanctuary on weekends during my teens. I started work as a Veterinary Nurse in June 2000 and joined David Clare in March 2002. I originally worked at the Gossops Green Branch, but transferred to Three Bridges later that year to do my studies and training. I qualified as a Veterinary nurse in 2005.
I have since had 2 children and returned to work at Three Bridges on Saturday mornings. I enjoy my job as it can be very rewarding and you never know what might come in. I currently only have 2 corn snakes as pets, but the children keep me more than busy!!!
Mrs Jane Heap
Role: Morning receptionist Gossops Green
I came to work for David Clare in 1996, as a receptionist at our former surgery in Southgate. I spent 5 years there before transferring over to the surgery at Gossops Green where I am currently working.
My duties include meeting and greeting clients, answering the telephone, booking appointments and completing insurance forms where necessary. I also help our visiting Dermatologist, who comes to us once a fortnight, with referral clients from other practices and bookings.
I am married with 2 grown sons and a “geriatric” Golden Retriever called Sydney who is 15!
Mrs Christine Sarling
Role: Afternoon receptionist – Gossops Green
I joined the team at Gossops Green as afternoon receptionist in November 2006.
During a typical afternoon, I meet and greet the clients and their various pets, deal with appointments and prescription requests, telephone calls, filing and general admin and making the occasional cup of tea!
When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my grandchildren and family and friends.
