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About Us

We specialise in preventative medicine and flock based consultancy, offering a modern and progressive service, but with a personal approach and traditional values.

The practice was established in 1997 by Richard Byas B.Vet.Med., MRCVS. With 40 years of avian experience behind us plus our own lab we are able to offer a comprehensive service including preventative strategies as well as disease and production investigations.

We are aware of the specific problems associated with the rearing and management of game birds and also commercial poultry. We offer a comprehensive advisory service and medicines where appropriate.

Who we are

We are proud to be privately owned and run by two Yorkshire vets.

Directors

Dan King BVMed Sci (Hons) BVM BVS (Hons) MRCVS

Director

Dan King BVMed Sci (Hons) BVM BVS (Hons) MRCVS

Director

Dan grew up on the family farm in East Yorkshire and always had a passion for breeding and rearing poultry.

Following graduation from Nottingham University in 2012 he went straight into production animal work back in Yorkshire. Through a love of shooting, Dan soon started game bird work and then began working at Sandhill in 2014 to develop his interest in poultry work.

Dan completed the Pirbright Institute Poultry Health Course in 2019.

Dan was involved with the BVPA Avian Influenza working group and is a member of the BVPA game bird sub-group. Dan was one of the founding vet members of the Trusted Game Health & Welfare Scheme and remains a director.

In his spare time Dan enjoys shooting game and clays and spending time with his wife, Tess, and their young children Paddy and Betty.

Laura Langstaff BVetMed (Hons) MRCVS

Director

Laura Langstaff BVetMed (Hons) MRCVS

Director

Laura qualified from the Royal Veterinary College in 2012 and initially worked in mixed practice in Hornsea and latterly in small animal practice in Middlesbrough. Laura is local, she grew up down the road in Sessay, and has always had an interest in poultry. Her desire to pursue a career in avian work was fuelled further by broiler and poultry practice placements completed whilst at vet school and so in 2018 she was very happy to become a member of the Sandhill team. Laura enjoys all aspects of avian work here at Sandhill from post-mortems to work in our laboratory and farm visits.

In 2021 Laura became a partner and in 2023 a director, together with Dan, of Sandhill Veterinary Services Ltd.

Laura has completed the Poultry Health Course run by the University of Nottingham and is an associate member of the British Veterinary Poultry Association.

Catherine Harston BSc

Laboratory Technician / Office Assistant

Catherine Harston BSc

Laboratory Technician / Office Assistant

Born and raised in North Yorkshire Catherine grew up on a farm and has always enjoyed rural life and all that comes with it! She comes from a scientific background following a degree in Human Health Sciences and after several years of working in equine veterinary she moved to Sandhill in 2022 to specialise in laboratory services.

Her main passions are equine related however she does enjoy a day out on the moor with her dogs and country mad family.

Becky Perrin

Receptionist / Laboratory Assistant

Becky Perrin

Receptionist / Laboratory Assistant

After gaining qualifications in Business Administration, Becky has spent most of her career working within public sector before switching to the veterinary industry.

Outside of work, Becky is kept busy looking after her family and zoo of pets including a pony, dogs and two gerbils. Any spare time she is lucky to get is spent exploring the countryside, keeping fit and binge-watching good TV series.

Cat Palmer FdSc BSc

Laboratory Technician / Office Assist

Cat Palmer FdSc BSc

Laboratory Technician / Office Assist

Cat graduated from Cambridge University in 2012 with a degree in Medical Biology and gained a Bachelor of Science degree with first class honours in Biomedical Science from the University of Ulster in 2023.

She was born and raised down south and spent her career training in both NHS and Veterinary laboratories, with a passion for all aspects of pathology. When she’s not working, she loves travelling the world, and exploring her new environment here in North Yorkshire.

Judith Haigh

Accounts

Judith Haigh

Accounts

Bio to follow

Richard Byas BVetMed MRCVS

Consultant

Richard Byas BVetMed MRCVS

Consultant

Richard qualified from the Royal Veterinary College, London and began his professional career in York concentrating on working with farm livestock and poultry. Richard is proud to be a Yorkshireman by birth and has spent all his working life in the county. In 1996 he left the York practice and founded Sandhill Veterinary Services at Topcliffe near Thirsk to concentrate on avian work.

Richard has been a member of the Yorkshire Veterinary Society since starting in practice and served a term as president in the 1990’s. He has been a member of the British Veterinary Poultry Association for over thirty years.

Outside of the practice his interests include gardening and his livestock. He is a Reader of the Church of England and is an active member of the local church in Topcliffe. He is also a member of the Mowbray Deanery Synod.