FORMERLY SPRINGBOK VETS
ABOUT US
A little information about our friendly, independent vet practice
Become part of our family-owned independent vet practice in Alderholt &Three Legged Cross...
Ocean Vets (formerly Springbok Vets) is a family-owned independent practice.
Jeremy and Fiona French bought the practice in 2023 from the previous owner Vaughn Stoman after moving to Dorset from West Sussex.
Jeremy and Fiona are both very experienced veterinary surgeons with a wealth of knowledge, and are passionate about providing excellent care to the pets whose care is entrusted to them.
We know how important it is for you to build up a rapport with your vet and the rest of the practice team. We love getting to know our patients and their owners, and where possible will book follow up appointments with the same vet to give that all important continuity of care.
We will always give you an honest opinion based on our years of experience, and will work with you to come up with an individualised treatment plan that best meets the needs of you and your pet. We are always keen to make visits to us as stress free as possible for our patients and practice ‘Fear Free’ techniques to help anxious patients.
Come and see us to experience our unique approach to veterinary care.
We know that your pet is an important part of your life, and we’re here to help keep them healthy and happy. Our consultation slots are longer than average, giving us more time to listen to you and your pet’s unique needs. We’re all about individualized care, and we work with you to come up with a treatment plan that fits your budget and your pet’s health goals.
At our small friendly surgeries, we take the time to get to know our clients and their pets personally. We believe in continuous learning and improvement, but we also believe that the key to great care is building a special relationship with you and your furry companion. We’ll always give you an honest opinion based on our years of experience, and if we ever feel like your pet needs a specialist, we’ll happily refer you to one.
Most importantly, we understand how much your pet means to you and we’re dedicated to looking after that relationship. We won’t ever treat your pet just for the sake of it – we want to make sure they’re getting the care they need to live a happy, healthy life with you. Come see us and experience the difference in independent vet care!
Meet our amazing team
Jeremy French
Veterinary Surgeon & Director
BVMS PGCertSAS MRCVS RCVS Recognised Advanced Practitioner
Jeremy graduated from Glasgow University in 1986. His first position was as a veterinary assistant at a mixed practice in West Sussex where he stayed for 2.5 years. He then moved to Worthing in 1989, where he became a partner in 1990 and practiced for over 30 years.
Jeremy has gained a Post Graduate Certificate in Small Animal Surgery – a further qualification in orthopaedic and soft tissue surgery, which he passed with a distinction and is a RCVS Recognised Advanced Practitioner.
Jeremy is married to Fiona, and between them they have two young girls Alanna and Jemima, and he has two older children Samuel and Naomi . They live with a 3 legged Staffordshire bull terrier, a Rhodesian Ridgeback and a cat. He also enjoys photography and sailing. In his spare time, Jeremy is a keen campaigner for the endangered black rhino, and has climbed Kilimanjaro twice to raise money for Save the Rhino International.
“Pets are part of our family, and we recognise the deep affection owners develop for their pets. I feel passionately about their health and welfare and know that all the team at Ocean Vets will deliver the standard of care that you and your pet deserve.”
Fiona French
Veterinary Surgeon & Director
BVetMed (Hons) PGCert SAS MRCVS RCVS - Recognised Advanced Practitioner in Small Animal Surgery
Fiona qualified in 2007 from the Royal Veterinary College. Initially she worked in a rural mixed practice in Devon, before meeting Jeremy and moving West Sussex to work with him in 2013.
Fiona has gained a Post Graduate Certificate in Small Animal Surgery – a further qualification in orthopaedic and soft tissue surgery, which she passed with a distinction, and is a RCVS recognised Advanced Practitioner in Small Animal Surgery. She particularly enjoys orthopaedic surgery and is able to perform many advanced procedures. She also has an interest in diagnostic imaging, though she loves all aspects of being a small animal vet.
Fiona is married to Jeremy, and between them they have 2 dogs, a cat and 3 ponies, who keep them very busy. They also have two young girls called Alanna and Jemima who regularly visit the surgery and are growing up to be animal lovers! Fiona enjoys hacking out on the New Forest, and occasionally competing in local showjumping events and hunter trials.
Laura Faletto
Head Veterinary Nurse
RVN ISFM AdvCertFB
Laura works full time at our Three Cross Branch, she has returned to us after a 7 year break where she joined a busy practice in Bournemouth to gain more experience and her qualification as a Registered Veterinary Nurse.
Laura has a keen interested in feline behaviour, radiography, wound management, in-patient care and nurse clinics. Laura returned to nursing in 2006, before that she was a professional horse rider and competed in affiliated showjumping and eventing.
Laura is the practice cat advocate and is always trying to incorporate ways to help make vet visits for cats as stress fee as possible. She has also just completed her ISFM Advanced Feline Behaviour qualification and is keen to offer consultations to discuss and help with common behavioural issues.
In her spare time she likes running, going to music festivals and spending time with her failed foster pets, Leeroy and Ernie the cats and Maddie the lab cross.
Bernadette Sims
Registered Veterinary Nurse
Bernadette trained and qualified with John Adams at Forest Vets, Fordingbridge, and worked with him from 1994 – 2001. She started as a locum nurse for the Alderholt branch but was quickly convinced to join the team full-time. Bernadette enjoys the medical side of Veterinary Nursing, assisting the vets with soft tissue surgery, ultrasounds and the investigation of medical illness.
When Bernadette is not at work she is very much involved with promoting the Lusitano horse, both in the UK and Portugal
Jo Pink
Registered Veterinary Nurse
Jo works full time at our Alderholt surgery as a Registered Veterinary Nurse with strong interests in Orthopaedics, dentistry and nutrition.
She gained a qualification in Animal Care at Bournemouth College prior to working with us and completed a Veterinary Care Assistant course at Kingston Maurward college when she joined the team in 2008. Having since taken two short breaks to gain experience in other practices – including SCVS Referral Centre – she came back to Alderholt Vets to continue her nurse training and completed her Level 3 Veterinary Nursing Diploma in October 2022.
In her free time, Jo likes going on walks with her rescue Staffie cross Dexter, kayaking around the Islands of Poole Harbour and relaxing at home in Ferndown with her partner, three cats and two tortoises. Jo has a keen interest in wildlife and the environment and will often be found tending to her plants inside and out.
Christy Stevens
Veterinary Care Assistant
Having studied Level 2 and 3 Animal Behaviour at Kingston Maurward College- in which she gained a distinction – Christy then went on to take a degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare.
She previously worked as a Veterinary Nursing Assistant for six months, before joining Springbok Veterinary Group as a Trainee Veterinary Nurse. She has also worked for Pets at Home for two years, specialising in small animals.
In 2014 she went to Thailand for two weeks, where she worked as a volunteer in an elephant rehabilitation centre.
She currently lives in Poole with her partner, daughter, her rescue border collie who is deaf, (but who she has taught to understand basic sign language), and two huskies A little known fact about Christy is that she was also a gymnast for 16 years, and used to represent Dorset on the Trampoline!
Sinead H
Veterinary Care Assistant
I joined the Three Cross team in summer 2022 following a six-month placement at a veterinary practice in Bournemouth working as a veterinary care assistant.
I enjoy all aspects of working with animals but have a particular interest in small animals, especially rabbits (and guinea pigs!) as I grew up with them.
In my spare time, I enjoy reading or walking along coastal paths with my family. However, most times you can find me in the garden with my four rabbits. One of which, is a rescue who was sadly left at the doorstep here at Three Cross. I can proudly say that she now has a very happy home!
Annabel A
Veterinary Care Assistant
I joined the practice in 2022 as a Veterinary Care Assistant, my ambition is to become a Registered Veterinary Nurse.
I have a keen interest in soft tissue surgery and laboratory work. I have a diploma in Animal Management and a degree in Animal Welfare and Behaviour from Sparsholt and Kingston Maurward Colleges. I have previously worked with birds of prey and horses and love working with exotic animals in the practice.
In my spare time, I love to walk my spaniel in the countryside with my partner and go horseriding with friends. I also love animal artistry and draw pet portraits.
Sarah Stubbs
Trainee Nurse
Sarah has always worked within the animal industry, after leaving school she studied a level 3 Extended Diploma in Animal Management at Sparsholt College and is now back currently training to become a Registered Veterinary Nurse.
When Sarah’s not at work she is either at home or out walking with her partner and two very cheeky and spoilt pooches. Sarah has a very handsome Saluki x Whippet named Chase and a beautiful Labrador named Daisy.
Sarah Holt
Finance and Admin Manager
I have worked here for just over 2 years, my background is in management accountancy and compliance. I’m a local girl and spent my childhood on my Grandad’s farm helping out with the pigs, cows, ornamental ducks, chickens, peacocks, fish, birds, dogs and over 20 feral cats! I have owned pets all my life, including South African land snails! I currently have a crazy young Jack Russell and a cat. If I’m not at work you will find me standing on the sides of football pitches in all weathers watching my football mad son play!
Jo G
Receptionist
Jo has two dogs and two cats. She comes from an aviation industry background, focusing on client care and crew training. She then re trained within the veterinary industry, specialising in the equine sector and has worked in various clinics utilising her animal and client care skills. She looks after all our insurance claims and thoroughly enjoys assisting our clients.
Shelley M
Receptionist
Shelley is a lifelong lover of animals who owns horses, goats, chickens, ducks, cats and a dog. For many years Shelley taught horse riding, including side saddle. Her work as a veterinary receptionist comes with an animal nursing diploma and a desire to constantly expand her knowledge and skills. When she’s not working, you can find her riding her horse, Finn and spending time with her family.
Sue
Receptionist
Following a long corporate career I am now enjoying being part of the team here working on Reception at both Practices. It is interesting meeting our client’s and their pets and helping them through the good and not so good times.
I have a horse, dog and cat who keep me busy. I also help judge local dressage competitions. My other interests are rugby, cooking, gardening and crafts.