Meet the Team

Animal Tails was the first employee-owned practice in the UK. There are many years experience in the veterinary field between the whole team and each person has different areas of interest & expertise. For more info, hover over their photo.

• Stephanie Whyte BSc, BVMS, MRCVS. Register number: 6310499 (Director)
• Shelley Fitzpatrick BVMS, MRCVS. Register number: 6360274 (Director)
• Helen Hutchison BVM&S, MRCVS. Register number: 6125501 (Director)
• Luisa Fallon RVN. Register number: 6267577 (Director)
• Katie Millar (Director)
• Deborah Baxter (Director)
• Kirsty Holmes

Stephanie grew up in the USA and after completing her first degree in Zoology, came to Scotland to study at Glasgow Veterinary School and has been here ever since! She loves being a vet and enjoys the pets, the people and the variety that make up the working day but has a particular interest in medicine. She is owned by Edith the cat and Reece the Flatcoated Retriever. Stephanie hopes that clients choose Animal Tails because they can see how dedicated and enthusiastic all staff are about what they do and how they treat their patients.

Shelley qualified from Glasgow University Vet School and started her career in a mixed practice in Blairgowrie. Since moving to Falkirk in 2009, Shelley has concentrated on further developing her skills in small animal medicine & surgery, working in a busy companion animal practice. Always wanting to deliver a high standard of care & compassion to her patients drove Shelley forward to set up Animal Tails with like-minded colleagues. She has always had a great love for animals having grown up in a house where pets were important family members. She has a dogs & a cat, as well as a husband & 3 children. She loves meeting you and your significant four-legged others!

Helen was born & raised in Dunblane. She obtained her degree from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh in 1996. She spent a few years in mixed practice before concentrating on small animal work in Aberdeen. She spent over 10 years there before moving with her husband & children back to Doune. She has a Lab called Harris & Eddie the cat. Helen enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine & surgery but has a special interest in acupuncture, a service she offers at Animal Tails. Helen enjoys meeting & getting to know you and your pets.

Luisa has been in & around veterinary practice since 1995, working firstly as an evening nursing assistant (while holding down a day job as a Civil Servant) before then going on to study Veterinary Nursing at Edinburgh, qualifying in 2001. Luisa has worked in busy companion animal practices, as staff and as a Locum, prior to setting up Animal Tails Vets with her colleagues. She enjoys medical nursing & radiography in practice and is 'dog daft' both at work and in her spare time. Away from Animal Tails she can be found competing in Dog Agility and other dog sports, playing Rollerhockey or out on her bike.

Katie has worked as a veterinary nurse since leaving school in 1992. She is owned by two dogs and a cheeky wee cat! Katie has a particular skill in dealing with any worried or fractious cats. She also has a keen interest in reptiles having owned iguanas and snakes, her favourite snake is the Western Hog Nose. At Animal Tails, Katie excels in keeping things running smoothly as her organisational skills are second to none.

Deborah has been in the veterinary world since 1993. She splits her days between family life and work. Currently Deborah has goldfish but was previously owned by her dalmatian Oscar for 11 years. Deborah's role in the practice is all things clerical including the intricate task of insurance claims and she is always happy to discuss any queries you may have about them.

Kirsty has worked in the animal industry since 2013 in various sectors including zoos, animal rescue and veterinary. Before joining the team at Animal Tails in 2024 she worked in a large referral hospital for 7 years as an Animal Care Assistant. She has a passion for dog behaviour and training, but loves all animals big and small. Outside of work her life is spent running around after 2 children and a multitude of animals, from dogs to donkeys!