Our Staff
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Quality Veterinary Care in Alford and Ballater

We are proud to introduce our team of experienced veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses and support staff at Morven Veterinary Practice. As a team we can help you meet all your pet’s health care needs.

A team of passionate and experienced animal experts

Get in touch

We are currently fully staffed, but as a growing practice we are always keen to hear from Vets, Nurses and Veterinary Administrative staff who would like to discuss taking on a role with us.


We are a registered nurse training practice and have two qualified VetGDP advisers. We enjoy taking school, nursing and veterinary students for work and EMS placements.


To enquire more about a role or placement with us, you can call us on 019755 62339 or email your CV or enquiries to george@morvenvets.co.uk


Directors

Sarah Niven

Sarah Niven
BVetMed MRCVS
(Director)

Sarah graduated from the Royal Veterinary College London in 2010, and after working in the Isle of Man and Falkirk came to work at Morven Vets in August 2013. She is a mixed practice vet, treating all species of animal, and has a particular interest in small animal surgery.
Erica Cooke

Erica Manning RVN
(Director & Head Nurse)

Erica qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2012, and after working in an orthopaedic referral practice has been with Morven Vets since November 2013. She has 2 dogs - Leo and Nettle, and loves taking them for long walks in her spare time. She also has some chickens! Erica is currently studying for a Higher Diploma in Canine behaviour and psychology. Erica is a clinical coach for student nurses.

Sarah Niven

George Niven
BVMS MRCVS
(Director)

George graduated from the University of Glasgow School of Veterinary Medicine in 2013, and worked as a Locum at a number of practices across the northeast of Scotland before joining Morven Vets in August 2019. George enjoys spending his free time with his family and pets. He is a mixed practice vet, treating all species of animal.

Veterinary Surgeons

Sarah Niven

Neil Crossling BVMS MRCVS 

Neil graduated as a vet from the University of Glasgow in 1979 and has worked in Alford since 1985. He founded Morven Veterinary Practice in 1999. He is a mixed practice vet, treating all species of animal. He enjoys hill walking in his spare time.
Sarah Niven

K Sophie Painter
VetMB MSc MRCVS 

Sophie graduated from Cambridge University in 1990, and after a career in mixed practice has been with Morven Vets since September 2011. Sophie is a purely small animal vet and works Wednesdays and Fridays in our Ballater practice and Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays in our Alford practice.
Sarah Niven

Dr Freya Mathieson
BVMS MRCVS

Freya graduated from the University of Glasgow School of Veterinary Medicine in 2022, and joined us at Morven Vets in September of the same year. Freya is a keen musician enjoying a wide array of instruments. Her hobbies include drawing, crocheting and spending time with her horses. She is a mixed practice vet, treating all species of animal.
Sarah Niven

Dr Daisy Cookson
BVSc MRCVS

Daisy graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2024, having also completed a Masters of Research in musculoskeletal ageing. She joined Morven Vets in September of the same year. Daisy enjoys a range of activities in her spare time, including running, hiking, and tennis. She is a mixed practice vet, treating all species of animal. 

Sarah Niven

Dr Tobias Hunter
BVSc MRCVS

Tobias graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2024 with degrees in Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Conservation Medicine. They joined Morven Vets in January 2025. In their spare time, Tobias enjoys camping, backpacking, and spending time with their pets: a husky, a corn snake, and a bearded dragon. They are a mixed practice vet, treating all species of animal, with a particular interest in exotics.

Veterinary Nurses

Sarah Niven

Fiona Lockhead RVN CertVNECC

Fiona qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2021. She has been with us since her days helping out as a school student back in 2015. Fiona completed her HNC in Animal Care from SRUC Craibstone in 2018 and completed her Level 3 diploma in Veterinary Nursing via SRUC with us in May 2021. In 2023 Fiona completed her Emergency and Critical Care certificate. She is clinical coach for Student Nurses well as being a mentor to Animal Care Students.
Sarah Niven

Josi Margraf RVN

Josi is originally from Germany and moved to Scotland in 2012. She completed her NC in Animal Care from SRUC Craibstone in June 2020 and completed her Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing via SRUC with us in October 2022. She has two dogs called Kaiser and Bella, who are both “labradorable”. Josi is a clinical coach for our student nurses.
Sarah Niven

Katie Thomson SVN

Katie joined us in September 2022 and completed her Veterinary Care Assistant course in 2023 with SRUC. She is currently undertaking her Veterinary Nurse training as an apprentice with us via SRUC Oatridge College. She has two cocker spaniels called Ciara and Hamish. In her spare time Katie enjoys socialising with friends and walking her dogs.
Erica Cooke

Ellen Robertson SVN

Ellen joined us in May 2024. She is undertaking her Veterinary Nurse training via SRUC Aberdeen on the BSc (Hons) degree course. In her spare time Ellen likes to walk her dogs, Bear and Maple; and go out and about with her horse Clover. Ellen also enjoys helping out on her friends cattle and sheep farm.

Support Staff

June Mackie

June Mackie
(Alford Reception)

June is our longest serving receptionist, having joined Morven Vets in January 2007. June has a wealth of experience working here and enjoys the variety that comes with the job.
Sarah Niven

Hilda Stewart
(Alford Reception)

Hilda is a local girl who was brought up nearby on a farm in Towie. She knows many of our clients personally. Hilda joined Morven Vets in September 2016 and still thoroughly enjoys her work especially meeting and greeting our patients and clients.
Sarah Niven

Sue Ogg
(Alford Reception)

Sarah Niven

Kim Morrison
(Ballater Reception)

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