About Us
At Downes Vets we provide 24-hour care to pets, farm animals and horses in Aberystwyth and the surrounding areas. We are an independent, family run business dedicated to providing a friendly service and the best possible care to all your animals.
We are conveniently situated in the heart of Aberystwyth on Park Avenue, with ample free parking at Tesco and Matalan.
Our History
John Downes opened the practice doors at Blaenberllan House in 1991. Since then the practice has grown and gained new equipment keeping up with modern veterinary practice.
In 2019 Tom (John’s son) and Sam (Tom’s wife) joined John at the practice to grow it further and allow John some much needed time off! Please watch this space for exciting updates as we grow and modernise the practice further.
Meet The Team
Vets
John Downes BVetMed BSc MRCVS
VeterinarianJohn opened the practice doors in 1991 after working for many years in mixed veterinary practices all over England and Wales. When not at the practice working all hours, John enjoys spending time at home on the farm with his pack of Cardiganshire Corgis and his growing family.
Tom Downes BVSc MRCVS
VeterinarianTom is John’s son. He enjoys all areas of Veterinary practice and has spent time in both mixed animal and farm practice. Tom has practiced in Yorkshire, New Zealand and Shropshire gaining a wealth of experience to bring back to Aberystwyth with him. He is very pleased to be back close to home and is looking forward to getting to know all of our clients, new and old.
Sam Downes BVSc MRCVS
VeterinarianSam is Tom’s wife; she grew up in Worcestershire and met Tom at Liverpool Vet School. Sam brings with her a wealth of experience having worked in New Zealand and North Wales, predominantly in equine specialist practices. She enjoys working with all animals large and small and will be splitting her time between small animal and equine work, as well as some office time keeping the paperwork in order! She has always loved Wales and is looking forward to exploring the area and getting to know our clients, whilst attempting to learn some Welsh!
Sharon King BSc. Hons. BVetMed. MRCVS
VeterinarianSharon, originally from Aberystwyth, graduated from the Royal Vet College in 1999. Having worked in North Wales then Pembrokeshire originally in mixed practices she returned to Aberystwyth in 2009 and has been working at the practice as a small animal practitioner since then. She has a special interest in chronic pain management and is a veterinary acupuncturist.
Liz Curtis BVSc MRCVS
VeterinarianLiz began working at the practice in 2016 after spending 17 years working in mixed practice in Lampeter. She enjoys working with pets, horses and farm animals alike and has particular interests in pain management, feline medicine and equine endurance. Liz started using acupuncture to treat patients in 2010 and gained her certificate in Western Veterinary Acupuncture and Chronic Pain Management in 2013.
Angharad Spence-Wilson
VeterinarianAngharad qualified from the university of Nottingham in 2017 since then she has worked in mid and west wales. She is pleased to be working in her hometown of Aberystwyth now.
Candy Hill BVSc MRCVS
VeterinarianBio pending
Aimee Hutcheson BVSc MRCVS
VeterinarianBeca Evans BVetMed MRCVS
VeterinarianVeterinary Nurses
Rebecca Wingate RVN
Head Veterinary NurseIona Morgan VCA
Student Veterinary NurseNursing and Client Care Team
Debbie Miller
Client Care ManagerAnita Humphreys'
Pharmacy ManagerSam Taylor-McMahon VCA
Veterinary Care AssistantMandy Glazier
Aishling Baker VCA
Veterinary Care AssistantGwyneth Tandy
Jenny Swanson
Vicky Rodgers
Gwenno Griffiths
Eoin Ó Faoláin
Georgina Bellcourt
Job Opportunities
Mixed/ Small Animal locum work available in week/ weekend blocks with accommodation provided if required. Please contact Sam (samantha@downesvet.co.uk) if you would be interested.
Are you a small animal or mixed veterinary surgeon looking for a job to compliment your lifestyle, whilst providing opportunities for growth and development? this could be the job for you!
Salary: £32000- £65000 + supplement per call seen OOH
We are Downes Veterinary Services, a mixed practice located on the picturesque Welsh coastline in Aberystwyth. Part of the community since 1991 we are an independent, family owned and run practice who take pride in providing a friendly and compassionate service to our clients. Over recent years the practice has seen substantial modernisation and growth, allowing us to offer a family friendly working pattern to suit you. Our directors are always able to fill in the gaps so this role would be suitable for either a truly mixed veterinary surgeon or a dedicated small animal vet. A full time position normally incorporates a 4 day week and a 1 in 4 share of the out of hours rota, but we are happy to discuss hours to suit.
Our experienced team of 7 vets has a combined experience of over 150 years! So between us you can be assured we can provide help and guidance when needed. Job autonomy is important to us as we believe that confidence grows when working in a comfortable and supportive environment.
You may be a new grad embarking on your first foray into practice or an experienced practitioner looking for a job to match your pace in life. Whether you have an additional qualification, plans for further study or want to expand your knowledge and expertise across a variety of areas we can provide the support, equipment and funding to achieve your goals.
Downes veterinary services offers you the workplace you’ve been missing in your life. Our team retention is high as we prioritise the health and happiness of our team.
We know that this is what enables us to build and maintain our loyal client base. Don’t take our word for it either, please check out our reviews to see for yourself what our lovely clients have to say about us.
We are currently in an exciting phase of growth so we are looking for a progressive and compassionate vet who is excited to become a part of our journey. If you think you could be that vet, please contact Sam by email samantha@downesvet.co.uk to arrange a chat or to apply please send your CV and cover letter.
**2025 new graduate position filled**
We are a small, family run independent mixed practice in the heart of Aberystwyth on the beautiful West Welsh Coast. We are looking for a motivated veterinary surgeon to join our growing team as we expand and modernise the practice.
We are looking for someone friendly and personable that will slot into our team and join a shared 1 in 4 out of hours rota with backup. We have a 60% small animal, 40% large animal caseload and offer a truly mixed role.
We offer a small friendly team, digital CR and DR xray, portable ultrasound (small animal, equine tendons and large animal reproductive), endoscopy, equine power rasp, bull and ram electro-ejaculators, in house haematology, biochemistry and faecal egg counts.
We have a very supportive team of experienced vets and will offer support in all areas of practice at all hours. Support will be tailored to the individual from shadowing and assistance to phone support and guidance over an unlimited timeframe. CPD and certificates supported and encouraged. VDS and RCVS paid for, enhanced pension, phone or phone allowance and a vehicle will be provided. Salary will be competitive.
Please do not hesitate to contact Sam for further information or send your CV and cover letter to samantha@downesvet.co.uk
Are you a polite, professional, and friendly person with excellent communication skills and attention to detail? If so, you might be the person we need to join our team.
We are a busy family-run mixed animal Veterinary practice looking for a part-time receptionist and kennel assistant to join our friendly, hardworking team. Initially, hours will be Wednesday and Friday 4-7pm and every other Saturday 8:30am-2pm. There will also be additional hours available where cover is needed.
The successful applicant must be used to working on a busy reception and be computer literate (training will be provided on our practice management system) as well as being able to clean to a high standard. The role will include but not be limited to answering the phone, booking appointments, taking payments, cashing up, cleaning and washing.
The right candidate must be trustworthy, reliable, and able to communicate clearly and efficiently with clients, and colleagues, sometimes in stressful emergency situations. Knowledge of the local area would also be valuable. Ability to converse in Welsh would be advantageous but is not a requirement.
At Downes Vets no two days are the same; the practice is often busy, but the work is very rewarding. We are looking for somebody that will fit well into our friendly small team. Benefits include staff discount on veterinary care and enhanced pension contributions. Salary £12.21 per hour. Please apply by email to samantha@downesvet.co.uk with a CV and covering letter (applications without both will not be considered). Deadline is 30th November or sooner if we receive a high volume of applications.
If you are hoping to join our friendly team, but you don’t see a vacancy here to suit your skillset, or if you are a locum in the area, please do get in touch with Sam (samantha@downesvet.co.uk).
We are always willing to chat to potential new team members who can bring new skills and experience to our growing team. All contacts will be treated with confidence.
Students
We welcome Veterinary EMS students subject to availability and try to provide a hands on placement covering all areas of practice where you get out what you put in.
We also offer short placements for school and college students over 16 years of age, but these are more limited to give priority to veterinary students. We do not currently have the capacity to offer a full 150hours placement to college students.
If you would like to spend time learning with us, please contact our head nurse Rebecca (Rebecca.wingate@downesvet.co.uk) with a cover letter detailing your requirements and date availability. We only accept email enquiries from the student themselves.