AVS Team

Richard Jones, BVSc MSc MRCVS

Richard has been passionate about birds since his youth. A keen interest in bird watching and wildlife, soon developed into a fascination with falconry and aviculture. Richard graduated from Liverpool University's School of Veterinary Science in 1995, completing his elective in avian medicine.
Following a number of years in small animal/exotic referral practice he undertook an avian residency and master's degree programme at The Raptor Center, University of Minnesota. Since his return to the UK he has been employed in avian/exotic referral practice and at Stapeley Grange RSPCA wildlife hospital prior to setting up AVS in 2010. He has lectured and published internationally on aspects of avian medicine and surgery.
Richard is honorary veterinary surgeon to the Welsh Hawking Club and an active member of the British Falconers Club. Clinically his special areas of interest include avian endoscopy and orthopaedics.

 Richard Jones, BVSc MSc MRCVS

Carli Dodd, RVN

Carli is a qualified veterinary nurse who was one of the first nurses in the country to successfully attain the City & Guilds Certificate in the Veterinary Nursing of Exotic Species. She has worked in an exotic animal first opinion and referral clinic for over twelve years and is particularly passionate about birds. Carli is especially interested in parrot behaviour and nutrition. She also gives talks to vets and nurses on avian husbandry, nursing and anaesthesia.
When not working Carli is a keen amateur wildlife photographer.

Emily Fletcher BVM&S CertZooMed MRCVS

Emily qualified in 2003 and holds the RCVS Certificate in Zoological Medicine which reflects her experience and expertise when dealing with avian & exotic pets and wildlife. Since qualifying she has worked in small animal/exotic first opinion and referral practice and at Stapeley Grange RSPCA wildlife hospital. She is particularly interested in soft tissue surgery and psittacine medicine.
When she's not working she enjoys walking her dog, travelling and oil painting.

Graham Bessant

After being made redundant from engineering Graham followed his passion for birds of prey and opened Gauntlet Bird of Prey Centre in 1996.
Outgrowing the original site, Gauntlet Eagle & Vulture park opened in Knutsford in 2003.
With over 100 birds, it became evident that it was getting increasingly difficult to find an avian vet out of hours, Graham and Richard got together and AVS was born.

Lisa Bessant

Lisa met Graham in 2000 and quickly turned her skills from caring for people to caring for animals.
As well as juggling family life Lisa is involved in the daily running of Gauntlet and AVS.

Stuart Kinsey

Stuart has followed the development of AVS through a long connection with Gauntlet Eagle & Vulture Park. Stuart has many years experience in financial services and business development.
He brings additional commercial experience to the practice.