Torquay Vets4Pets

Dr A.D. Viljoen established Vet4Pets Torquay in 2014 and still owns the practice today.

He qualified in South Africa in 2003 at an internationally recognised gold standard academic hospital. He spent three years lecturing at the academic hospital and also ran a community-outreach clinic in the African bush during that time. He then made the move to private practice and spent two years working all over South Africa. He emigrated from South Africa to the UK in 2008 and has been in Small Animal Practice in the UK ever since. He has a real passion for general practice and preventative healthcare. Dr Viljoen also has post-graduate certificates in small animal medicine and in small animal surgery and he is recognised as an Advanced Practitioner in Small Animal Surgery by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. He has a particular interest in early or low grade gastro-intestinal disease in dogs and cats and how this can impact or cause a wide range of other health concerns. His expertise in this regards was recently recognised when he published two peer reviewed articles in a leading scientific journal which is a rare accomplishment for any general practitioner. All of this means that Dr Viljoen can provide an advanced level of advice and treatment across a broad spectrum of medical and surgical problems. He is also a great resource to our other vets in giving advice or performing advanced procedures for their cases. He is a proud Devonian and lives locally with his wife, two daughters, Lefienja the dog and Matewis the cat.

Hello my name is Michelle! I moved to the UK in 2021 from my home town in Johannesburg and came straight here to work at Vets4Pets Torquay!

I have been working with small animals since graduating from the University of Pretoria in 2009.

You will often see me in the consultation room giving out lots of cuddles to all of our lovely patients.

Outside of work I love yoga, reading and exploring new places with my husband and 2 children. I've had plenty of pets in the past including: hamsters, dogs, cats, rats, rabbits, snakes, bearded dragons and horses (to name a few!).

I've been working at Torquay Vets4Pets since 2018, starting out as a Veterinary Nurse Assistant. I have since trained at Bicton College and qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in July 2022.

I achieved my Undergraduate degree at university in Winchester and have a Master’s degree from Exeter University - above all, I have a passion for animal rehabilitation, especially hydrotherapy!

My interests outside of work include Dartmoor walks, macramé and interior design and currently live in Exeter with my husband and our cat, Rowdy.

I have been working for Vets4Pets Torquay for 7 years and finished all my exams to qualify as a registered veterinary nurse in June 2021. My passion is diagnostics such as x rays and lab work. I also enjoying nurse consults and I am currently completing a certificate in non-clinical nurse consulting; this will give me the opportunity to increase the types of nurse clinics we can offer at the practice. 

I live at home with my partner, 4 children and our 2 dogs Kai and Baron.  In my spare time you can usually find me walking the dogs, spending time with my family or doing my course work. 

Since a young age I always knew that I wanted to work with animals. After graduating with a BSc (Hons) in Animal Science, I started working part-time in the veterinary profession whilst also riding racehorses. As soon as the opportunity arose to start my nurse training, I immediately dedicated myself to my training.

I qualified as a registered veterinary nurse in 2015 and started working at Vets4Pets in 2017. I love the team and the practice ethos of preventative healthcare to the extent that I returned to the practice after a short absence to pursue other opportunities.

I have a particular interest in all aspects of feline nursing, hospital nursing and diagnostic imaging.

I live in Newton Abbot with my husband, my house-cat Binx and my 2x Arabian horses, Hassan and Cynbad. When I am not working I enjoy exploring the countryside and competing and showing Cynbad nationally.

I have worked at Torquay Vets4Pets since 2021, first starting on reception and have since become a student vet nurse! After qualifying I would like to continue my training to specialise as an exotics nurse as I have a particular interest in reptiles and would love to provide them with the care they deserve.

Before joining Vets4Pets I acquired my Bachelor’s degree in Biosciences and later my Masters in Animal Behaviour both at the University of Exeter. I have always had a keen interest in animal biology in particular, so working at a veterinary practice has been an exciting opportunity to continue learning.

When I'm not at work I enjoy practising yoga, cooking vegan food, hiking, reading and spending time with my fiancé and our Jack Russell, Juno!

Hello my name is Dawn! I have been working at Vets4Pets Torquay since February 2022 and have since become Head Receptionist in September 2023. 

I have 5 years of experience in the animal industry and have a particular interest in wildlife rehabilitation. I have an undergraduate degree in International Wildlife Biology which has fuelled my passion for animal care.

Since working for Vet4Pets I have gained my certificates in Bereavement and end of life support, Dental Care, Accredited Veterinary Receptionist and Competent Veterinary Dispensing. Outside of work I enjoy going on walks with my dog Quince, reading and spending quality time with my friends and family! 

Hello my name is Amanda! I have been working as a veterinary care assistant (VCA) at Vets4Pets Torquay since April 2018, after completing a degree in Animal Science and previously working in an animal rescue centre.

I love the variety my job offers; including assisting vets with consults, helping nurses with procedures, looking after inpatients and sending off insurance claims…no day is the same.

Outside of work, I love anything Harry Potter, nature photography and walking. I live with my husband, our rescue cockapoo Bellatrix, and hamster Hammy Potter.

Hello my name is Rachel! I have been a veterinary care assistant at Vets4Pets Torquay since 2018.

You will often see me out on the reception desk or helping the vets in the consultation rooms. I have previous experience working as a zoo keeper.  When I'm not in the practice I enjoy spending time with my dog Amos and long walks on the moor.

Hello my name is Cathrin and I have been working for Vets4Pets since 2015.

I have one cat at home called Fig.

I really enjoy working as a Client Care Advisor, meeting clients and their pets - each day is different and I feel like I'm making a difference to poorly pets and their owners in my role.

When I'm not working I like to spend as much time out and about on adventures with my family.

Hello my name is Polly! I have been working at Vets4Pets Torquay since March 2023. You might have seen me out on reception and helping the vets in consultations.

In January 2025, I will be starting as a student veterinary nurse! In my spare time I enjoy; going to gymnastics, playing hockey and exploring new places with my family. A lot of my time is spent caring for my pets; 7 cats, 2 dogs and a bearded dragon.