Meet the Team - Portlaoise
Martha Allen MVB
Small Animal Vet
I have been a vet for six years, I graduated from UCD. I am a small animal vet here at Highfield Veterinary Portlaoise. I studied agriculture first, then I studied Veterinary, I was in college for 8 years.
I have no pets, but when I move into my own house, I hope to get a pet. My favourite part about being a vet is every day is different, I love dealing with the clients and the puppies and kittens are lovely when they come in.
My favourite celebrity animal is Santa’s Little Helper.
Shawnaa Desmond DMV
Mixed Animal Vet
I have been a vet since 2020, I qualified from Warsaw University of Life Sciences. I grew up on a farm in Cork so I was always around animals and I always had dogs, that is where I got a love of animals and the outdoors.
I love the variety that veterinary brings, the change in the workload everyday and the fact that every day is different. I have two dogs and a cat, the dogs are called Cairo and Freya, my cat is called Blue.
My favourite celebrity animal is Sylvester the cat.
Megan Gilchrist
Animal Care Assistant & Receptionist
I have been working in Veterinary for just over a year, I have always loved animals since I was a child and I had the opportunity during covid to start working in veterinary and I have loved it ever since.
I am going to study Veterinary Nurse in St John’s this coming September, I cannot wait to learn more about Veterinary. I have a Jack Russle whippet cross and a French bulldog, they are called Pixie and Pablo. My favourite part about the job is the animal care post-surgery and informing clients on discharge, I love helping clients understand their animals a bit more.
My favourite celebrity animal is Stella the French Bulldog from Modern Family.
Aoife Parkinson
Veterinary Nurse
I have been working in veterinary for 16 years, I studied at St John’s in Cork. I always grew up with animals at home and I always knew from a young age that I was always going to work with animals. I have one dog, he is 3-year-old golden doodle called Max. My favourite part of the job is surgery, I love caring for geriatric patients, and I love also dealing with dogs that have behavioural issues.
My favourite celebrity animal is Fang from Harry Potter.
Aoife Walsh
Veterinary Nurse
I have been working in Veterinary for the past 4 to 5 years, I am a qualified as a Veterinary Nurse for the past year. I have always loved animals since I was very young, I would have always been out on the farm with my Grandad and that’s where I got my love of animals.
I have a cocker spaniel called Charlie, he is 6 and is very loveable and friendly. My favourite part of the job is providing a high standard of patient care and seeing animals leave with a good recovery.
My favourite celebrity animal is Scooby-Doo.
Sophie Kirwan
Animal Care Assistant
I love all animals and I wouldn’t like to single out any particular animal. I have an interest in small, exotic animals.
I have 4 Guinea Pigs, Biscuit, Bob, Bambi and Lily.
