Susan Barry
Vet - owner
Susan graduated as a veterinary surgeon from UCD in 2000. She worked in a large companion animal referral center in London for three years.
On moving back to Dublin Susan joined the Anicare Veterinary Group before opening Palmerstown Veterinary Hospital.
She is a keen surgeon but equally enjoys working with all medical problems, from the simple to the complicated. She particularly enjoys the social aspect of meeting clients and their pets.
Susan has three dogs; Lucy, Danny and Conor as well as cats; Mr Tinkle and Crackers.
In her spare time, Susan enjoys time with her family, running, walking and baking.
Jennifer O'Rourke
Vet - including exotics
Jennifer qualified as a veterinary surgeon in 2010. She has a special love of exotic animals. With this love of exotics, Jennifer decided to become certified in Exotic Animal Medicine and so is invaluable as our special exotics vet. She can take care of all the weird and wonderful creatures that come in the door!
Jennifer has a rabbit called Springsteen and a Shih-tzu / couch buddy, aptly named Buddy.
Jennifer previously worked in Blanchardstown until 2017, when she had her little girl. So she was delighted to move to PVH to be closer to home.
Lynn Coyle
Nurse
Lynn has always had a passion for all animals from a young age. She studied veterinary nursing in Dundalk Institute of Technology, qualifying with a degree in 2016. During her veterinary career she also received awards in the areas of Animal Care and Animal Science.
Lynn has gained valuable experience working in the DSPCA and as a locum in the Irish Blue Cross.
Lynn currently has four pets, two jack russell terriers named Charlie and Jessie and two goldfish named Jet and Chase. In her spare time Lynn enjoys gardening, reading and walking her dogs.
Tracy Barnes
Receptionist
Tracy joined PVH in Sep 2019. She started her BA in Humanities, majoring in Psychology. In 2011 her obsession with getting a dog became a reality. She fell head over heels in love.
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Tracy has two Cocker Spaniels, Oscar and Cooper, two cats Grayson and Maddison, two musk turtles Tipp and Levi, a yellow belly slider Rosie and two guinea pigs Fudge and Spencer. She has a huge passion for animals and believes in setting them up for success to live in our human world.
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Tracy started studying through AniEd (animal education and training), and qualified as a Canine Behaviour Training Technician CBTT. Tracy does 1-2-1 training and the puppy group training in the clinic. In her spare time, Tracy enjoys spending time with her dogs, gardening and DIY.
Ruth Woolfson
Vet
PVH joined the team in January 2021. Previously Ruth was a Medical Scientist working in St James' hospital but packed it all in to follow her dream to become a vet and graduated from UCD in 2016. In her free time, she can be found walking her cat Mushu, out in the garden growing veggies or sea swimming.
Tamsyn Blue
Receptionist
Tamsyn joined the PVH team in November 2022. Her love of animals began when she was young, growing up in the Minnesota countryside with all sorts of pets, including dogs, cats, chickens, ducks, and bees.
In 2017 she came to Ireland and began working in cat rescue where she fostered over 50 cats. During this time she came across her two forever fosters, Gimli and Frodo. In her free time, Tamsyn enjoys cooking, nights in with friends, and loving on her two boys.
Ellen
Nurse
Qualifying as a Veterinary Nurse in 2000 (RCVS) Ellen has had a lifelong passion for animals and has worked in all aspects of Veterinary Nursing.
Ellen's specific areas of interest in which she has undertaken further courses are; Dental Nursing (BVNA Dental Nursing Oral Care) and Wound Care (DDIWs Delving Deeper into Wounds Course. BVNA).
Outside of work Ellen enjoys the great outdoors with her dog Alfie.
Sophie Laverty
Receptionist
Sophie joined our team in 2024 as a receptionist. She is the chairperson of Hamster Info Ireland, a dedicated hamster rescue charity focused on rescuing and rehoming hamsters in need.
With a passion for animal welfare, she works tirelessly to promote education and awareness about good hamster care.
In addition to her work with the charity, Sophie also runs an online store that specialises in safe and enriching products for hamsters, helping pet owners create the best environment for their small companions. Check here if you own a hamster https://hamstore.com
Julian Cheshire
Vet - including exotics
Julian graduated with a veterinary degree from UCD in 2014. He holds a BSc in Zoology and an MSc in Primate Conservation. He has worked in a practice in the UK for four years treating dogs and cats as well as exotic species ranging from birds to reptiles and other small animals.
He returned to Ireland in 2018 with his wife, who is also a veterinary surgeon, and their son. He has two elderly tortoises called Rosie and Daisy and their cat Robin who came to them as a day-old kitten.
His interests include reptile surgery, exotics medicine and soft tissue surgery.
Kate Williams
Vet
Kate is from Surrey in the UK. She went to vet school in Grenada in the West Indies to gain her DVM and completed her final year rotations at UCD in 2017. Since graduating Kate has worked at several small animal practices in Kildare and Dublin and has a particular interest in soft tissue surgery. Kate also has a Masters in Conservation Medicine. Kate loves to travel and has been all over the world to work with wildlife as a vet from elephants in India to orangutans in Borneo. Kate is certified in 'Fear Free Veterinary Care', and is ready to ensure that anxious pets are able to get the care and attention that they deserve during their visits.
Áine Crowther
Nurse
Áine joined PVH in 2021. Having volunteered for Blue cross, Áine decided that she had found her calling and studied animal science in Killester College.
After working in veterinary practices as an animal care assistant and receptionist for several years, Áine returned to college to get her BSc in Veterinary Nursing. At work, Áine has a passion for anesthesia and healthy weight clinics.
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In her spare time she loves reading and hiking with her dog Bella. Áine also has a ginger cat called Oliver and a tortoise called Bear.
Robyn Ryan
Receptionist
Robyn always had a passion for animals and although she studied applied maths and biology in Maynooth university, Robyn went on to received a Certificate in Animal Care in 2021 to pursue a career with animals.
Robyn joined the reception team in Jan 2022 and loves meeting the variety of pets that come through PVH and hearing stories from their owners.
In her spare time, Robyn enjoys painting, playing piano, and plenty of walks with friends and family.
David Penny
Nurse
David is a compassionate and empathetic Veterinary Nurse. He goes the extra mile to care for each and every patient and treats every cat or dog like his own.
David grew up with many pets in his home, ranging from canaries, budgies, terrapins, hamsters, rabbits, guinea pigs and cold-water fish. It’s safe to say he feels like he is in his second childhood home at Palmerstown Veterinary Hospital.
David has two dogs called MIllie who is a 5 year old Jack Russell x Bichon and Wilson the Westie who he adopted 8 years ago. David has a passion for best animal care practise, to the extent of developing a new veterinary medical device and starting up his own business.
Doireann Lynam
Nurse
Doireann was animal obsessed from a very early age and was lucky enough to grow up surrounded by a variety of animals big and small.
She graduated from UCD in 2022 and started working in PVH in April 2023. Doireann is cat-obsessed and always tries to make our feline patients feel extra special.
In the future Doireann hopes to specialize in feline nursing.
Ruth Kelly
Receptionist
Ruth holds a Level 5 qualification in animal welfare and behaviour.
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Prior to PVH, she immersed herself in the world of dog care, initially in Vancouver, where she was in doggy daycare and was also a dog walker.
Upon returning to Ireland, Ruth again worked in grooming services.
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At home, she has two beloved rescue dogs, Buddy and Ben. Ruth enjoys running and bracing cold-water swims.
Petra Eras
Vet
Petra graduated from University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Czech Republic in 2010. During her studies Petra volunteered in Morocco at a NGO charitable veterinary clinic. After graduation she started working in picturesque Prague at small animal veterinary practice, which deepened her practical and theoretical knowledge, mostly in internal medicine and soft tissue surgery.
After 8 years of caring for small pets, Petra decided to begin a new life by moving to Ireland with her husband.
Petra is a passionate traveller, loves theatre, both classical and popular concerts and relaxing with a good book.
Sarah Kennedy
Nurse
It has always been Sarah’s dream to work with animals. From a very young age she has had a huge interest in horses which inspired her to pursue her passion. In 2015 Sarah completed an Animal Care and Animal Science degree in Bray Institute of Further Education, and in 2019 graduated from UCD with a degree in Veterinary Nursing.
Over the years Sarah has worked with many animals with a great interest in post-operative care, rehabilitation and physiotherapy. Sarah is eager to learn and always wants what’s best for each animal.
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Sarah has a Labrador cross called Al who is mad but a big softy at heart. In her spare time Sarah enjoys walking her dog, swimming and loves to travel.
Animal Care Assistant
Jeronimo, originally from Argentina, discovered his passion for animal care at a tender age. Joining PVH in 2020. During his time studying at Buenos Aires Veterinary University, Jeronimo also worked at one of the city's largest veterinary hospitals and volunteered at an ovine farm. His dedication to learning and specialization reflects his commitment to providing animals with the best possible care.
Valerie Murphy
Manager
As our practice grew, we needed a practice manager so Valerie joined the team. With over 20 years’ experience in events and office administration, Valerie is delighted to be combining her passions - animals and getting things organised.
As a former puppy raiser for Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, Valerie provides temporary boarding for other puppy raisers. She is also continuing her Canine Behaviour studies with AniEd. Any spare time is spent walking in the Phoenix Park with her dog Cassie.
Fiona Sahyoun
Vet
Fiona graduated from UCD in 2021 having completed the Veterinary Medicine graduate program. Fiona is from Toronto, Canada where she completed her BSc. in the Biological
Sciences with a focus on Wildlife Conservation at the University of Guelph in 2016.
Fiona has a keen interest in exotic medicine and continues to develop her skill sets in this area. Furthermore, she also enjoys internal medicine and ultrasonography.
It is important to her that all patients have the best experience when at the vets so became certified in Fear Free medicine for dogs, cats and birds too.
In her free time, Fiona can be found along the coast of Dublin bird watching and sea swimming.
George Pappas
Vet
George is from Greece, where he graduated from the University of Thessaly in 2020. He started working in a small animal practice in Athens. He has a keen interest in both internal medicine and surgery.
He has a dog named Rico. In his free time, he enjoys basketball, hiking (loving the Irish scenery) and is a music enthusiast.
Aimee O'Connell
Student nurse
Aimee is a student Veterinary Nurse in her final year at Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT). She joined the team in 2022 and is set to graduate in Autumn 2024.
She is especially delighted to get the opportunity to work with and learn about exotic animals in PVH.
Aimee has a friendly Shih-tzu named Mack and dreams of working with wildlife in South Africa someday.
