Trusted specialist partners for vets and pets throughout Oxford and beyond

refer a case

Leading surgical specialist, Dr Hannes Bergmann, heads up a skilled, dedicated veterinary surgical team at Oxford Veterinary Specialists. Our team is highly approachable and reliable, and our patient-focused approach means that we are always ready to provide the best service possible. We are available to discuss and help with any orthopaedic, neurosurgery and soft tissue surgery cases.

Origin

Oxford Veterinary Specialists is a new, purpose-built surgical referral centre for dogs and cats. You will find us just outside Oxford a few minutes from the A34 and M420. Our surgeon, Hannes Bergmann, is recognised by the RCVS and the ECVS as a Specialist in Small Animal Surgery (Orthopaedics, Neurosurgery and Soft Tissue Surgery) – the highest level of surgical qualification in the UK and Europe.

About the clinic

The clinic was designed from scratch to maximise the chances of a great outcome for your pet after surgery. Infection after orthopaedic surgery can be catastrophic and our surgical suite has been designed to human operating theatre standards.

Meet the team

Dr Hannes Bergmann

DrMedVet, DipECVS, MRCVS
ECVS and RCVS recognised Specialist in Small Animal Surgery

Hannes graduated from the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna in 2001, and was awarded a Doctorate degree for his research in canine pain management at the School of Veterinary Medicine in Hannover. He then went on to receive his surgical training at the University of Berne and became a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2008. Hannes holds both the European and RCVS Small Animal Surgery Specialist Status, and has been working at multidisciplinary referral centres for many years. In 2015, he started his own surgical referral service and moved to his new premises in 2023. Hannes is also lecturing on numerous surgical topics in the UK and abroad.

Helen Cox

RVN REVN Registered Veterinary Nurse – Head Nurse

Helen has always been passionate about animals and started her training as a veterinary nurse in a mixed Veterinary practice. She qualified as a small animal veterinary nurse in 1997 and then moved to the equine unit to complete her equine veterinary nursing qualification, qualifying in 2001.

She has worked in a first opinion practice progressing to head nurse role and gained her clinical coach qualification to support student veterinary nurses through their training. Helen then went on to expand her nursing in a referral environment and became clinical lead for OVS at a local practice.

Helen is excited to be part of a dedicated nursing team, helping to lead the team at OVS and provide a gold standard of care to our patients and clients.

She loves working in a surgical environment, being involved in patient care and has a keen interest in anaesthesia.

Helen shares her home with her partner, two beautiful daughters, 2 cats called Tom and Tilly plus her collie cross dog called Topsy. In her spare time, she enjoys riding their horse Chico and going for long dog walks (sometimes the cat will join).

Ella Barnett

Animal Nursing Assistant

Ella is new to the veterinary industry wanting to start a career in Animal care, she is taking on the role of Animal Nursing Assistant, this means when the animals come into our care Ella assists with all things from theatre prep to the care after the procedures are carried out. Ella is kind and caring and all animals love her, a real asset to the team.

She lives locally with her parents and their 2 dogs Ollie and Sox, she also has a horse called Bandit which she hacks with in her spare time.

Charis Knighton

Registered Veterinary Nurse

Charis qualified as an RVN in 2017, and then in 2023 went on to complete a certificate in Anaesthesia through Improve International. Charis enjoys all aspects of nursing, particularly anaesthesia.

Charis is very excited to be part of the team here at Oxford Veterinary Specialists and to expand her nursing skills in a referral practice.

Charis has a 2 year old daughter, a black Labrador and rescue cat who certainly keep her busy. Charis recently started horse riding lessons with her daughter which they enjoy at the weekends.

Lizzie Walters

Registered Veterinary Nurse

Lizzie qualified as an RVN 6 years ago and throughout her nursing career so far, has enjoyed helping take care of animals in first opinion practice. She joined the team here at OVS in October 2024 and particularly enjoys anaesthesia and wound management.

Lizzie lives locally with her husband, daughter, cat, 2 dogs and 3 chickens. She enjoys dog walks around the farm, playing piano (usually joined by her daughter!) and also taking some time out with a pub visit in the local area.

Shalayna Williams

Shalayna graduated in 2022 from Oxford Brooks University and started studying animal care and management in 2015. In her spare time Shalayna loves to walk her dog Trixie, go to the gym and spend time with her family.

Katie Matthews

I am in my first role working in the veterinary Industry, having previously studied psychology at university and worked in administration.

I have always loved and wanted to work with animals. I enjoy the variety in my role as an Animal Nursing Assistant and the opportunity to meet and care for the animals.

I enjoy spending time with my three cats called Kevin, Jessie and Delilah and taking my Cockapoo Freddie on long walks.