Find out more about our livestock health business.
Farm animal veterinary care and advice, 365 days a year.
Local and highly experienced veterinary team.
Over 65 years of service to the local farming community.
Friars Moor was established in 1957 and is located in the beautiful Blackmore Vale in North Dorset. Friars Moor Vets have a team of vets, nurses and support staff providing excellent care for your dogs, cats, rabbits, chickens and other pets. Friars Moor Livestock Health have a team of vets and support staff practising high quality farm work with dairy cattle, beef, sheep, goats, game birds and camelids. Friars Moor Livestock Health offer services across Dorset, Wiltshire and Somerset, with 4 branches to collect drug orders from.
We are proud to be a member of XLVets, and an approved member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Practice Standards Scheme. This is a voluntary initiative in place to give clients the confidence in the quality of care their animals receive.
We are proud to be a member of the XLVets group, and an approved member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Practice Standards Scheme.
RCVS – Practice Standards Scheme. To achieve RCVS accreditation the practice has undergone a rigorous inspection by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons known as the Practice Standards Scheme. This means you can be sure of high standards of care for your animals and peace of mind that they are receiving excellent medical treatment.
XL Farm Vets – We are proud to be a member of the XLVets group, and an approved member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Practice Standards Scheme.
Vet GDP – The Veterinary Graduate Development Programme, VetGDP, provides an effective period of work-place based support for all veterinary graduates as they begin their first role in practice…
All five branches, West Stour, Closworth, Sturminster Newton, Shaftesbury and Blandford, hold stock of commonly used medicines. Our main pharmacy in West Stour maintains greater levels of the less commonly used medicines which can be sent out to the branches. Depending on time of ordering and delivery schedules this can generally happen the next working day. All of our branches receive a daily delivery from our wholesalers, which allows for prompt availability of drugs not generally kept in stock. It is requested that drug orders are phoned through to the surgery prior to collection to enable us to authorise and dispense items. This will help us to minimise waiting times and provide a more efficient service.
We have a fully equipped in house laboratory and can carry out a range of tests including general health profiles, worm egg counts and milk testing amongst others. Having the lab in-house means results can be processed rapidly for peace of mind and ensures accurate and timely treatment.
The lab is overseen by our trained lab technician. Once your worm egg count has been carried out by one of our SQPs we can advise and dispense the most suitable worming product for your needs.
Services include:
– Blood biochemistry testing – Calf scour testing – Colostrum quality and passive transfer testing – Milk bacteriology – Somatic Cell Counts – Skin scrapes and cytology for external parasites – Worm egg counts and wormer efficacy testing
For all latest prices please call the Livestock Health office.
As a practice we are able to undertake dynamic testing of parlours to assess both vacuum and pulsation. Many farms have their parlours statically tested by dairy engineers and this ensures that all the parts of the parlour are working as they should whilst not actively milking. Dynamic testing ensures the parlour is functioning with sufficient levels of vacuum and pulsation whilst milking. The cows will affect the functionality of the parlour in different ways during milking as their teats are not all identical and this can cause unexpected changes to vacuum and pulsation.
It is vitally important to get the parameters correct as the impact on the cows udder health is so significant. We encourage farmers to use dynamic testing as part of a wider mastitis and udder health investigation, and we are very keen to observe parlour routines as this can significantly affect the results we see of the dynamic test. For more information please do not hesitate to contact us.
The Parliamentary Review – Best Practice Representative We are proud to announce that Friars Moor Veterinary Clinic and Friars Moor Livestock Health have been recognised in the Parliamentary Review. We recognise that the fortune of our farm veterinary business and our local livestock industry are inextricably linked…
Cream Awards – Dairy Team of the Year 2018 Dairy Team of the Year at this year’s British Dairying Cream Awards in recognition of achieving great results from their innovative campaign to encourage more responsible use of antibiotics. The aim of the Cream Awards to showcase some of Britain’s brightest and best working in the dairy industry.
Blackmore Vale Business Awards – Best Place to Work We are delighted and proud to have won this award, described on the Awards website thus: “The judges will be interested in how the company establishes credibility in terms of vision, communication and coordinating activities. How employees are treated with respect and equality.” Watch the video here.
Director, Specialist (Isr) Small Ruminant Health & Production
After graduating in 1996 from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel, Yoav spent 7 years working in a 38 vets farm practice in Israel. In 2003 he got fed up with the sun and decided to move to the UK with his young family where for 5 years he worked as a Senior Farm Clinician at the Royal Veterinary College, London.
In 2008 he joined Friars Moor farm vets team, where he enjoys all aspects of progressive farm work but admits having a strange fascination with milking sheep and goats. He holds a RCVS certificate in Sheep Health and Production and is a recognised Israeli Specialist in Small Ruminant Health & Production.
During his spare time, he practices Tai Chi and loves spending time with his wife and two children, their two cats ‘Layla’ and ‘Messy’ and their accident prone Springer Spaniel, ‘Chilli’.
Director – VetMB MA MRCVS DBR
Helen graduated from Cambridge in 2006, working first in Oxfordshire, before she relocated with her husband and their dairy herd to Dorset in 2011.
Helen has two young children who keep her busy when not at work. Helen loves spending time on the farm with her family and when time allows enjoys escaping for a run or reading a good novel.
Helen completed her Diploma in Bovine Reproduction in 2014, and this remains an area of veterinary input which fascinates her. She is passionate about building relationships with teams on farm, understanding the drivers and goals behind each business and the decisions made on farm and maximising success and output by working together.
Director – BVetMed CertAVP MRCVS
Josephine graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2011. She worked in neighbouring Wiltshire for 5 years before joining the Friars Moor team in 2016. Jo grew up in rural Sussex, where she gained her first exposure to beef and sheep work, helping out with lambing and developing a keen interest in herd and flock health. Since then, she has progressed to include all things dairy, cattle fertility, sheep lameness and parasitology. Jo recently completed a further study certificate in sheep health and production medicine and runs our flock health discussion group.
Outside of work she enjoys various sporting activities including swimming, running, cycling and working her exuberant springer spaniel.
Director – BVSc MRCVS DBR
John joined the Friars Moor team in 2018 having worked in Castle Cary for the past 8 years. John has a Diploma in Bovine Reproduction from Liverpool University, and his main interests lie in dairy fertility, lameness and young stock health.
John works at the vets 3 days per week with the remainder of time being spent helping to run the family dairy farm near Sherborne. Over the past few years, he has developed an interest in Regenerative Agriculture and started a Regenerative Farming Discussion Group at the practice.
BVSc MRCVS DBR
Eleanor graduated from Bristol university in 2015 and has very much enjoyed returning to her home county of Dorset. Eleanor enjoys the variety of farm practice but is particularly interested in dairy work with a specific interest in fertility, mastitis and medicine usage. Eleanor undertakes most of the dynamic parlour testing that the practice offers, alongside mastitis and cell count investigations. In 2022 Eleanor completed her Diploma in Bovine Reproduction (DBR) at the University of Liverpool with her research project focusing on the treatment of cows with endometritis.
Eleanor has a black Labrador, Wurzel, who can often be seen accompanying her during the day. Outside of work Eleanor loves exploring the coast for a walk and a swim with her husband.
BVSc MRCVS
Lucy graduated from Bristol Vet School in 2004 and started her career in a mixed practice in mid Wales. She moved to Friars Moor Livestock Health to specialise in livestock health in 2007. Lucy really enjoys working with the diversity of farming enterprises in the Blackmore Vale. Lucy leads the youngstock work in the clinic which involves investigating disease issues on farm, monitoring calf performance and facilitating discussion group meetings. Lucy enjoys the proactive work with our beef suckler clients which has � stemmed from the successful discussion group launched in 2013. Across all enterprises, Lucy has a strong interest in working with clients to manage parasites for stock and farm health.
In her spare time, Lucy still likes to be outside on a bike or with a tent, and now has two little girls to adventure with.
MA, VetMB, MRCVS
Paul joined Friars Moor Livestock Health in July 2017 as a new graduate after studying veterinary medicine as a ‘mature’ student. He liked it so much that he’s been here ever since! He enjoys all aspects of farm animal work but has particular clinical interests small ruminant health, bovine TB, post-mortem investigation and most especially cattle hoof health.
Paul is so keen on hoof health that he is the first vet to have passed the RAU Level 4 qualification in professional cattle foot trimming. He is a mobility mentor, qualified to deliver the AHDB Healthy Feet Programme and a BCVA Accredited Foot Health Trainer.
MRCVS
Bogdan graduated as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Veterinary Medicine of Iasi Romania in 2006. After working in a Large Animal practice in Romania he came to the UK and joined Friars Moor Livestock Health in 2015 as a TB Tester and clinical vet. In Autumn 2020 he became a full-time vet within the team
Having grown up in Dorset, Martha graduated from the University of Bristol in 2021 and joined Friars Moor Livestock Health the following year.
Her main interests are within the dairy sector, particularly investigating mastitis, but she also enjoys other avenues of farm and smallholder work. Martha is often involved in education within the community, working to inspire the next generation!
Outside of work most of her time is spent exploring the local countryside with her dog, Chief.
Becca graduated from the Royal Veterinary College, London in 2021 and moved back to Dorset to join the Friars Moor Livestock Health team later that year. She is enjoying the variety of work that Dorset has to offer and has a particular interest in dairy and youngstock, and has enjoyed helping set up the new Smallholders Group.
Outside of work Becca enjoys trying not to fall off her horse Florence.
Jade joined Friars Moor Livestock Health after graduating from the University of Surrey in 2023. Jade has grown up on her family’s dairy farm in Dorset and was keen to return home after finishing university.
Outside of work Jade enjoys playing rugby, walking her Golden Retriever Arlo and farming!
Molly joined Friars Moor Livestock Health in 2025 after graduating from Harper and Keele Veterinary school.
Having grown up on a sheep, beef and arable farm in Wiltshire, flock and herd health is where her particular interests lie.
Outside of work Molly enjoys playing hockey and helping out on the family farm.
Jesus has been with Friars Moor Livestock Health as a TB tester for several years having previously worked in North Devon.
In his spare time Jesus enjoys walking and exploring the Dorset countryside, even if the climate is a little less sunny than his native Spain!
BVMS BSc MRCVS
Kathryn graduated from Glasgow University vet school in 2009 having already completed a degree in Animal Science at the University of Nottingham. She is particularly interested in farm animal medicine.
Outside of work a flock of Rough Fell sheep, a couple of homebred racehorses, a recently acquired apiary and her three children keep her busy.
Miheala originates from Romania and graduated in 2007. She has worked in a mixed vet in Romania until she joined Friars Moor in January 2017 as a TB tester.
Mihaela is enjoying finding her way around the North Dorset countryside and in her spare time enjoys entertaining her young daughter.
Kate joined the Friars Moor team in 2021. She grew up on a dairy farm near bath and completed her national diploma in agriculture in 2010. Kate then went on to relief milk on a local dairy where she milked 4 days a week and also did A.I-ing . Kate moved to Salisbury with her partner in 2013 onto his arable/beef farm and they now have 2 young children and one loveable spaniel. She has a passion for working with cows and loves running, shooting and anything to do with being outside in the countryside!
Bonnie started working as an ATT for FMLH in May 2025 after working in the events industry organising Agricultural Shows in the local area. She grew up in farming and helps to run a flock of commercial ewes alongside her brother. In her spare time Bonnie gets dragged along to Shows to help her partner show her pedigree flock of Hampshire Downs.
Lewis has been working in the dairy industry since he left school and then started foot trimming at 24, before taking on his role with Friars Moor Livestock Health
Outside of work Lewis will either be walking the dogs or tinkering with cars.
Before joining the Friars Moor team in July 2024, I worked as an Animal Keeper at Longleat Safari Park for 6 years. Initially on the Hoofstock section, I worked with rhino, giraffe & antelope. After a year I moved onto the Elephant team, where I spent the best part of 5 years. During this time, I also assisted in managing the park’s herd of Red Deer.
I come from a farming family and grew up locally. Historically, my mother’s family were Game Farmers and my father’s side were Dairy.
In my spare time, you’ll find me out enjoying the countryside with my labrador and cocker spaniel. During the winter months, any free time is spent in the fields, attempting to work my dogs!
Annabel is a vet tech based at West Stour.
Her job is quite varied but predominantly involves calf vaccinations, disbudding, calf weighing, and blood tests. She also mobility scores a number of dairy herds and assists colleagues when needed during TB tests.
When she isn’t at work Annabel helps her partner on his dairy farm, where they milk 180 Fleckvieh crosses over 3 Lely robots. They calve all year round and grow their own beef calves on.
Before joining FMLH Annable worked for a Dutch semen company as a breeding advisor and has a strong interest in genetics and how that has helped to shape their herd.
In her spare time (there isn’t much) Annabel has a horse, donkeys, and pygmy goats to keep her busy!
Wally Chantler is a Veterinary Technician and Sheep Scanner at Friars Moor Livestock Health. He is a Certified Bovine Scanner with over 15 years’ experience scanning sheep and cattle. He took over the business from his father, who pioneered the industry in the early eighties.
Outside work, Wally enjoys walking and exploring in his camper van.
Daisy joined Friars Moor team in October 2018, initially on the small animal reception and moved to the farm office a year later.
Daisy spends most of her time out on the farm with her husband and two terriers, Mabel and Yogi. Her spare time is generally spent with her horse, George and his Shetland friend, Missy.
Sam joined the team in October 2017 as accounts assistant. She has been in an accounts environment since leaving school and working as part of a team.
She has lived in Sturminster Newton for many years, and enjoys spending time with family and friends, walking and baking. She is married with two children, a dog and a cat.
Liz Alford has been working at Friars Moor Veterinary Clinic since 1999. She ensures all branches are compliant with the Royal College Veterinary Surgeons Practice Standards Scheme enabling us to successfully pass all planned and surprise inspections!
She collates data on various areas of animal and farm health.
When she is not working hard on spreadsheets and graphs or keeping an eye on maintaining our strictly high standards, she spends time with family, enjoys dancing and is on a mission to see as much of the world as she can from horseback!
Bridget has worked at Friars Moor since 2006. Having worked predominantly on the small animal side she moved to Friars Moor Livestock health in 2023. Outside of work she enjoys training her collection of labradors to be gun dogs (with varying degrees of success). And in the winter she will be found on the shoot field pretending they are proper gun dogs.
Jess joined the practice in 2013. Her main duties involve TB admin, general day to day running of the farm office and organising the vets! She is from a farming family, and most weekends will be found on the family farm helping her dad.
Emma grew up on a local Dorset dairy farm and has worked at Friars Moor since the year 2000! Over the years she has worked on the small animal side as a Veterinary Nurse then, following the birth of her boys, she joined the farm admin team.
In her spare time Emma enjoys baking and cake decorating, socialising and watching her 3 boys play rugby.
Steph joined Friars Moor Livestock Health in March 2016 as farm office receptionist. Steph grew up on a beef and sheep farm and now lives on a dairy farm, so enjoys all aspects of farming.
Outside of work, she is busy looking after her 2 young sons and helping on the farms. Steph also enjoys playing skittles in one of our local farmers teams!
Fiona Legg joined Friars Moor in 2007. Her role is to collate all the milk recording data from the dairy farms and to produce reports that assist the vets at their routine visits. Her previous job as an area manager with National Milk Records has given her the experience of working within the dairy industry.
In her spare time Fiona is very keen on travelling the world in search of the sun. She also enjoys spending time with family and friends and is a keen arts and crafts person.
Caz joined the Friars Moor Livestock Health team in January 2024 to manage our branch in Closworth.
Caz has her own flock of sheep and enjoys walking her two border collie dogs, Nelly and Dave.
She has a passion for wildlife photography and takes her camera everywhere!
Nicola is from Manchester originally but moved to Sturminster Newton in 2006 when her son was born, and much prefers life in the countryside.
She studied law at university, graduated in 1993, and is now enjoying managing the exports for Friars Moor Livestock Health.
In her spare time she enjoys Yoga, Pilates, swimming (but not fast!), and also loves to watch her son play football at the weekends
Liz grew up on the family dairy farm in Wiltshire, spending many years helping on local farms while also training as a florist.
In her spare time, she stewards at local shows and enjoys walks in the countryside. She also assists her daughter with showing her Jersey cattle and helps her grandson with his Ryland sheep.
Friars Moor regularly visits our farm on routine procedures for both the sheep and beef herd. They are always very thorough and knowledgeable and aware of the whole farm objectives and strategy. The health plan, reviewed regularly with the vets, is a great tool to be proactive in respect of the farm’s animal health.
I am blessed to have Friar’s Moor Vets on my doorstep, not that it would matter, I would definitely travel! I have recommended Friars Moor Vets to many of my hen friends. Finding a chicken friendly vet is difficult and very important to people like me who rehome ex-commercial hens and they have all been delighted with the veterinary care they have received.
As a whole, I can’t praise the practice enough, the reception staff are always so helpful and friendly as are the nurses. If you have yet to choose a vet to entrust your beloved pets, or farm animals to – look no further!
I wanted to say a huge thank you to Eleanor and Claire (the Friars Moor Vets) who came on the 4th August to calve one of our cows. They were so wonderful, so professional and above all they were very careful and gentle with our cow. I have no doubt that their expert knowledge and gentle care meant that our cow survived. I would have thought the cow would have been down for a few days but was up and walking back to the herd within half an hour.
Some feedback from our Calving courses:
“The best thing about the course was getting to practice with the calving jack”.
“I liked that the course was really interactive which helps me remember things”.
“The best thing about the course was the demonstration using a calf and fake cow pelvis”.
Careers
Follow the link to view our available vacancies. If we have not opened our applications, but you are interested in sending in your CV please email to [email protected]. Check out our current vacancies in the adjacent box.
We welcome applications for EMS from enthusiastic students in their clinical years of training. Prior to a student arriving we will formulate an itinerary for the duration of their stay, trying our best to accommodate a range of routine and emergency work seen with a variety of vets. If there is an area of particular interest, we will try and accommodate this in a student’s visit. Learn more
