Dr Stewart Halperin BVMS MRCVS
Owner & Director of Veterinary Services
Owner & Director of Veterinary Services
Stewart bought Polden Hills Veterinary Centre in March 2024.
He graduated in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Edinburgh in 1992 and completed an Internship in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery at the University of Guelph Ontario Veterinary College, Canada the following year.
After working for some time in referral and emergency veterinary clinics in London, Stewart started his own practice that grew into the Petcare Group in West London. After the sale of the Petcare Group in 2017, Stewart now concentrates on running Polden Hills Veterinary Centre, Bruton Veterinary Surgery and Stem Cell Vet.
Stewart is a previous director of the London Veterinary Forum, which represents and advises some 250 veterinary surgeries in many aspects of Practice. He regularly attends continuing professional education courses, both in the UK and abroad, to keep completely up to date with developments in veterinary medicine. He is also a veterinary author and regularly appears on BBC radio as an authority on veterinary topics and arthritis management in dogs.
Natasha Jowett
Clinic Director
Clinic Director
Natasha is our Clinic Director and she has been proudly working with Polden Hills Veterinary Centre since 2016.
She has spent her entire career in leadership roles, developing and growing businesses in various sectors, as well as owning and running her own businesses. Natasha now takes great pride in heading up our excellent team here at Polden Hills.
With lots of new and exciting projects underway and to come, her ambition is for the clinic to continue to provide the consistent, high quality patient and client care that we are known and loved for, whilst developing and improving the way in which that care is delivered, for all involved, at every level, throughout the clinic.
Natasha has a very busy home life also, with 4 x young children, and enjoys supporting their hobbies, family time, running and horse riding.
Her favourite animals are dogs and horses and as you might expect, her favourite drink is a strong coffee!
Dr Alessia Webber DVM Pgc (SAS) MRCVS
Clinical Lead & Head Veterinary Surgeon
Clinical Lead & Head Veterinary Surgeon
Ali graduated from Padua University in Italy in 2002 and has worked in the UK ever since.
Ali gained a Post Graduate Certificate in Surgery in 2018 and as well as surgery, has a special interest in dentistry and pain management (having completed a course in acupuncture and worked in regenerative therapy/stem cell therapy for 2 years).
When not at work, Ali spends time with her large family.
Her favourite animal is a cat. Her favourite drink is coffee.
Dr Corina Tomida MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Veterinary Surgeon
Corina is one of our first opinion veterinary surgeons. She graduated in 2012 in Romania and in 2018 made the decision to move to the UK to explore new opportunities in her field. She has a particular interest in ultrasonography and emergency critical care.
Corina says “I love my job and I love working at Polden Hills. All of my colleagues are very friendly and I am very lucky to have such a wonderful team.”
Corina has a dog and a cat, both of which are rescued. Outside of work, she likes travelling and spending time with her family. Her favourite drink is Dr Pepper.
Dr Julie Porcheron BVMedSci (hons) BVM BVS MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Veterinary Surgeon
Julie is our newly qualified vet! After five years of studying at the University of Nottingham, she decided to relocate to Somerset and is very happy to be part of the team at Polden Hills Vets.
Through different placements and rotations, Julie has developed an interest in soft tissue surgery and internal medicine. She is excited to finally be able to put her long years of studies to good use, and get to work helping your pets.
In her down time, Julie likes to be active, going on hikes or surfing but also likes to be cozy at home, cooking and crocheting when the weather is not so good. She is a cat lover and will treat your cat as her own. As with many other vets, her favourite drink is coffee as it helps her keep going during a busy day!
Dr Steve Warren BVetMed PGC (Opthal) PGC (SAS) MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Veterinary Surgeon
Steve is one of the dedicated Veterinary Surgeons at Stem Cell Vet as well one of our regular first opinion vets here at Polden Hills Veterinary Centre. He previously worked as a clinical director for 11 years at another veterinary practice.
Steve is a postgraduate certificate holder in ophthalmology and small animal surgery and we are lucky enough to be able to offer his expertise and experience in both fields but in particular to our patients with eye problems, here at Polden Hills on a Friday.
At home Steve has dogs, guinea pigs, sheep and chickens. When not at work or caring for his pets, he can often be found in his favourite coffee shop.
Dr Emma Gallop BVSc CertAVP(VDI) MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Veterinary Surgeon
Emma qualified from the University of Bristol and has been in small animal practice in the South West for since 2015.
She particularly enjoys imaging and medical cases and completed her RCVS Certificate in Diagnostic Imaging in 2024.
Away from work, Emma enjoys being outside walking or gardening. Her favourite animal is a dog and her favourite drink is tea!
Hannah Porter
Head Veterinary Nurse
Head Veterinary Nurse
Hannah has worked for the Polden Hills vet practice for nearly 15 years, and has watched the clinic grow and develop throughout the years, not to mention having gotten to know the clients and patients really well.
Hannah has always lived in the area and has 7 cats of her own (yes 7!) mainly due to hand rearing kittens that get brought into the practice.
Hannah is very proud to have been a part of the journey of Polden Hills Veterinary Centre and she looks forward to more exciting times ahead!
Hannah’s hobbies outside of work keep her busy, which include needle felting and archery.
Staci Finn
Registered Veterinary Nurse
Registered Veterinary Nurse
Staci has been qualified since 2010 and has been lucky enough to work all over the world as a veterinary nurse.
Staci worked for 9 years in a busy referral hospital until mid 2024 when she left to embark upon a new adventure here at Polden Hills.
She has a keen interest in diagnostics and has recently spearheaded the new referrals services department that we are proud to now offer to our clients as well as surrounding practices in the South West.
She has a cat, rabbit and 2 African land snails at home, her favourite drink is Pepsi Max and she enjoys playing the piano.
Amy Wright
Registered Veterinary Nurse
Registered Veterinary Nurse
Amy began her journey in veterinary practice back in 1998 as an Animal Nursing Assistant. After training as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in her twenties, she has dedicated her career to working in and around Taunton, Somerset. In July 2021, Amy joined the small yet thriving team at Polden Hills Veterinary Practice, which she describes as one of the most fabulous practices in Somerset, boasting outstanding facilities.
Driven by her passion for animal health and well-being, Amy has always aspired to work within the veterinary field. Throughout her time as a veterinary nurse, she has gained a profound understanding of what pet owners need; a skilled, trained team that is wholly committed to the care of their clients pets. This commitment reassures pet owners as they walk into the practice, knowing their beloved companions are in good hands.
One of Amy’s special interests is in caring for older and senior pets. She is dedicated to ensuring their later years are as pain-free and healthy as possible, allowing them to live their lives to the fullest.
Teresa House
Registered Veterinary Nurse
Registered Veterinary Nurse
Teresa grew up on a working dairy and sheep farm in Somerset, which is where her interest in working with animals started.
Teresa has an interest in laboratory work, and although she has focused on anaesthesia in the past, these days she particularly enjoys consulting.
She loves seeing senior patients and enjoys helping them and their owners meet their needs, while adjusting to changes as they age, also not forgetting those younger dogs with mobility issues.
Teresa’s previous Staffie, Tinchy, was part of the reason she pursued a career in Veterinary Nursing, after working in rescue for nine years. She carried out her first official year of training during Polden Hills Vet’s first year opening. Her current dog Sadie, a 10 year old Staffie, who was diagnosed with elbow dysplasia, has been her drive for choosing to focus her continued professional development on behaviour and arthritis/pain.
Her pets at present include; Cockatiels, Zebra Finches, a Hamster and Sadie. She has been very successful competing with Sadie in Nosework Games and Scentwork UK trials occasionally.
Poppy Vowels
Registered Veterinary Nurse
Registered Veterinary Nurse
Poppy has worked within the veterinary industry since 2015 in various roles, experiencing both small and large animal practice. She qualified as an RVN in 2021 and particularly enjoys feline nursing.
Her favourite type of pet is a cat and her favourite drink depends on the time of day – coffee, sparkling water or beer!
Samantha Meech
Registered Veterinary Nurse
Registered Veterinary Nurse
Sam qualified in 2008 with experience in referral ophthalmology, internal medicine and emergency and critical care. Sam has worked at Polden Hills since 2014, with a primary role in anaesthesia.
Sam also runs a successful restaurant business with her partner and in her spare time has a keen interest in horses and regularly competes in various disciplines.
Sam’s favourite animals are dogs, cats and horses. She will drink almost any alcoholic offering, but loves making cocktails!
Joanna Christoffersen
Registered Veterinary Nurse
Registered Veterinary Nurse
Joanna has been nursing since 2012 since completing her degree in nursing. She has worked in various practices, including spending 8.5 years working in referral practices.
Joanna loves every aspect of nursing, with a particular love for emergency and critical care, imaging, and rehabilitation and is glad to be a part of the wonderful team at Polden.
Outside of work she spends her time teaching her children and taking care of her many animals at home.
Joanna loves all animals, but her favourite breed is a German Shepherd and her favourite drink is Prosecco!
Elizabeth Hartley
Insurance Administrator
Insurance Administrator
Liz has worked within the veterinary industry since 2017. She began as a veterinary receptionist and has worked her way up to complete her veterinary nurse training in 2021.
Since then she has worked with a variety of practices and has now chosen to move into an administrative role, heading up the insurance department at Polden Hills Veterinary Centre and providing additional administrative support to their sister practice in Bruton.
She has 2 cats at home and a young black Labrador called Cedar.
Imogen Gurd
Animal Care Assistant
Animal Care Assistant
Imogen started her career in the industry working in a Veterinary Referral Hospital in Somerset for 5 years before coming to Polden Hills in May 2024.
From a very young age, Imogen knew she wanted to work with animals, specifically in the veterinary field, re attending college as an adult to get her qualification as an Animal Nursing Assistant, and now is thrilled to become our Student Veterinary Nurse in September 2025!
Imogen’s keen interests at work are providing excellent patient care, building a meaningful rapport with clients and their pets and laboratory work!
Outside of work her biggest hobby is travelling, with working on a game reserve in South Africa being her most memorable adventure!
All her spare time is spent with her little Chihuahua, Mara, who loves going on long walks!
She also has a love for cooking, snorkelling and wildlife photography!
Sam Haggett
Receptionist
Receptionist
Sam qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in 1999, initially working in a mixed practice in Chichester in West Sussex.
She then moved to Somerset to follow her passion for wildlife by working at the RSPCA Wildlife Hospital, West Hatch. After fulfilling that dream she went back to small animal practice in Taunton before taking a short break from work when she had her first child.
Sam returned to veterinary work as a receptionist in 2005 and has embraced the role ever since.
Outside of work, Sam loves walking her two dogs in the countryside, photographing nature, and she really enjoys crafting.
Caitlin West
Receptionist
Receptionist
Caitlin is the newest member of our newly founded Reception Team.
She has been in the healthcare sector since 2017, most notably as a senior healthcare assistant in A&E for some 5 years, until she went on Maternity to have her beautiful daughter in 2024, returning to A&E Reception.
She now joins us to explore new opportunities and is excited to be part of this essential team within the clinic.
She has a lazy Cocker Spaniel called Max. Dogs are her favourite animals and her favourite drinks are Pepsi Max and Yellow Tail Jammy White Roo.
Compassionate pet care from your very special veterinary centre
We go above and beyond to provide:
- Friendly, ethical and affordable high quality treatment.
- Superior in-house care from a compassionate, dedicated team.
- Custom built, wheelchair accessible facilities.
