Our Team
Veterinary Surgeons
Contact Little Hoppers Vets if you're looking for qualified and experienced veterinary surgeons.
Dr. Luke Valentine BVetMed PgCertSAOphthal PgDipAVPS(Derm) OCQ(V)-CA OV66 MRCVSRCVS Advanced Practitioner in Veterinary Ophthalmology (2016-2020)RCVS Advanced Practitioner in Small Animal Dermatology (2020-2024)
Location - Five Oak Green & Staplehurst
Location - Five Oak Green & Staplehurst
Luke is Managing Partner at Little Hoppers Animal Hospital and leads the Ophthalmology and Dermatology Services.
Luke graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in London in 2010 before continuing his studies in veterinary ophthalmology.
He obtained a Post-Graduate Certificate in Small Animal Ophthalmology in 2015 and RCVS Advanced Practitioner status in Veterinary Ophthalmology in 2016.
He continues his studies in veterinary ophthalmology and regularly attends training at the Royal College of Ophthalmologists in London alongside human ophthalmic specialists.
Luke completed a Post-Graduate Diploma in Advanced Veterinary Practice Science (Dermatology) in 2019, and gained recognition as a RCVS Advanced Practitioner in Small Animal Dermatology in 2020.
Luke is a registered government vet (official veterinarian) allowing him to authorise imports/exports for travelling pets, including Animal Health Certificates and Export Certificates. Luke holds the OV66 Authorisation for pet travel to Australia under the 10-day quarantine route.
In his spare time, Luke enjoys spending time with his two Chesapeake Bay Retrievers (Evie and Olive) in the local apple orchards and countryside.
Dr. Tommy Hargittai DVM PgCertSAS MRCVS
Location - Available at all branches for specialist procedures
Location - Available at all branches for specialist procedures
Tommy is Managing Partner at Little Hoppers Animal Hospital and leads the Surgery & Orthopaedic Referral Service and Endosurgery Unit.
Tommy graduated in 1994 from the University Hospital of Budapest (Hungary). He moved back home to Israel where he established his own practice for 9 years. He relocated to the U.K. to work at several highly regarded first-opinion practices in 2005, but now works as a referral surgeon across Kent and London.
Tommy has extensive experience in orthopaedic and soft tissue surgery and has a special interest in diagnostic imaging. He holds a Post-Graduate Certificate in Small Animal Surgery and is highly respected within the veterinary orthopaedic community for his advances in canine patella luxation surgery, development of the RidgeStop™ prosthesis and for his dedication to orthopaedic mentoring, teaching and published research.
Tommy has undergone the Improve International Modular Training Programme in Endoscopy and Endosurgery, and offers arthroscopy, gastroscopy and laparoscopic (keyhole) surgeries.
In his spare time, Tommy enjoys the company of his two dogs, Tonto (Italian Greyhound) and Shemi (Belgian Malinois), tours on his motorcycle, scuba dives, trains in Muay Thai and teaches Krav Maga.
Dr. James Reed BVetMed OCQ(V)-CA OV66 MRCVSLocation - Crowborough
James is Managing Partner at Hoppers Animal Hospital in Crowborough.
James graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in London in 2019.
James previously worked at a busy first-opinion practice in Biggin Hill, Kent before joining the Little Hoppers Group at the start of 2023 at our Five Oak Green branch.
James opened the Crowborough branch in April 2023.
James is a registered government vet (official veterinarian) allowing him to authorise imports/exports for travelling pets, including Animal Health Certificates and Export Certificates. James holds the OV66 Authorisation for pet travel to Australia under the 10-day quarantine route.
James enjoys all aspects of first opinion practice.
In his free time, James enjoys running and spending time with his rescue cat Louis.
Dr. Nicola Logan BVSc MRCVS
Location - Five Oak Green & Staplehurst
Location - Five Oak Green & Staplehurst
Nicola qualified from Liverpool University in 2001 and went straight into small animal practice in Kent.
She previously worked in a busy first opinion practice for twenty years before joining Little Hoppers in December 2022.
Over the years, Nicola has developed interest in all areas of small animal practice and particularly enjoys Internal Medicine and small furries (rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, hamsters).
Outside of work, Nicola enjoys spending time on country walks with her family and their two Fox Red Labradors (Mookie and Figgy) who are obsessive swimmers!
She also enjoys going to body pump and swimming herself.
Dr. Sara Levy DVM GPCert(SADen&OS) OCQ(V)-CA MRCVS
Location - Five Oak Green & Staplehurst
Location - Five Oak Green & Staplehurst
Sara qualified as a veterinary surgeon in 2013 from the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (Portugal).
Sara comes to us with a wealth of experience having worked in a variety of small animal first-opinion practices and hospitals.
Sara is a recognised "Cat Friendly" Veterinary Professional (by the International Society of Feline Medicine) and supports a cat-friendly experience in the veterinary clinic.
Sara has specialised her skills in veterinary dentistry and has gained a General Practitioner Certificate in Small Animal Dentistry and Oral Surgery in 2024. Sara is equipped to provide advanced dental care, with developing interests in root canal treatment and vital pulp therapy.
She has a passion for small furries such as rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters and rats.
Sara is a registered government vet (official veterinarian) allowing her to authorise imports/exports for travelling pets, including Animal Health Certificates and Export Certificates.
Sara is a registered government vet (official veterinarian) allowing her to authorise imports/exports for travelling pets, including Animal Health Certificates and Export Certificates.
Carolyn Argent RVN
Location - Five Oak Green and Staplehurst
Location - Five Oak Green and Staplehurst
Carolyn is our Regional Head Nurse at Five Oak Green and Staplehurst.
She oversees the team's performance and manages the day-to-day maintenance of our hospital equipment and medical supplies.
Before joining Little Hoppers Vets , she worked in a first-opinion practice where she started and completed her nurse training.
Carolyn is responsible for dealing with pet insurance claims, and works hard to process these quickly and efficiently.
Carolyn enjoys nurse clinics and patient care - particularly the small furries.
Alice Batchelor RVN
Location - Crowborough & Five Oak Green
Location - Crowborough & Five Oak Green
Alice is our Regional Head Nurse at Crowborough and Five Oak Green.
Alice began her nursing career in 2011 and qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2015.
Alice completed the Oral Care Nursing Certificate by The British Veterinary Nursing Association in 2017, providing her with the knowledge to deliver oral care clinics, promote awareness of oral health and identify pets that are in need of oral care attention.
Alice has been a Clinical Coach since 2017 - providing mentorship for student nurses during their clinical training and teaching the practical skills a student must learn.
Alice has been a Clinical Coach since 2017 - providing mentorship for student nurses during their clinical training and teaching the practical skills a student must learn.
Alice enjoys radiography and the in-patient care and treatment of our hospitalised and critical patients.
When not at work, Alice has a keen interest in plants and often found in the garden with her two cats (Alan and Maggie).
When not at work, Alice has a keen interest in plants and often found in the garden with her two cats (Alan and Maggie).
Bethany Hunt ISFMCertFN RVN
Location - Staplehurst
Location - Staplehurst
Beth is a Registered Veterinary Nurse at our Staplehurst clinic.
She qualified in 2021 after training at the College of Animal Welfare in London. She joined us in June 2023 after working at another veterinary practice for 6 years.
Beth has a particular interest in Emergency Care and performing Schedule 3 nursing procedures (such as general anaesthesia maintenance and monitoring, dental hygiene treatments and vaccination clinics).
She holds a certificate in Feline Nursing and ensures that all our inpatients are given the very best standard of care.
Beth has a variety of pets at home including dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets and lots of beehives!
She holds a certificate in Feline Nursing and ensures that all our inpatients are given the very best standard of care.
Beth has a variety of pets at home including dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets and lots of beehives!
Robyn Triplow RVN
Location - Five Oak Green
Location - Five Oak Green
Robyn joined the team at Little Hoppers in Five Oak Green in March 2023 having qualified as a registered veterinary nurse in 2014.
Robyn is our dedicated theatre nurse at Five Oak Green, assisting the surgeons in theatre, monitoring and maintaining patients under anaesthesia, and ensuring they are fully recovered before they go home.
In her spare time, Robyn enjoys movies, embroidery, going to the gym and spending time with her Husband and Son.
Hayley Wood
Location - Five Oak Green
Location - Five Oak Green
Hayley joined the team in July 2021 as a Veterinary Care Assistance and supports the care of all our patients visiting the practice.
Hayley enrolled onto the Level 2 Certificate in Veterinary Care Support in 2024 with the College of Animal Welfare, working towards becoming a Registered Veterinary Nurse.
She has worked for an out-of-hours emergency centre for the past 6 years assisting in the care of critical care patients.
In her spare time, Hayley loves to spoil her 18 month old Staffordshire Bull terrier called Mo and her two ponies called Tillie and Poppy.
She grew-up locally and went to Capel Primary School - albeit 20+ years ago.
Abby Wheeler
Location - Staplehurst
Location - Staplehurst
Abby is a Veterinary Care Assistant at our Staplehurst clinic and joined the team in March 2023, but has spent the last 12 years working in first-opinion veterinary clinics in both London and Kent.
You will mainly find Abby at reception, ready to welcome you and your pets – she has a soft-spot for sighthounds and giant breeds (she grew up with three Irish Wolfhounds!)
She is a Staplehurst local and outside of work is kept busy trying to keep up with her 3-year-old son (Rowan), as well as looking after her rescue dog (Bridget) and grumpy ginger cat (Wilbur).
You will mainly find Abby at reception, ready to welcome you and your pets – she has a soft-spot for sighthounds and giant breeds (she grew up with three Irish Wolfhounds!)
She is a Staplehurst local and outside of work is kept busy trying to keep up with her 3-year-old son (Rowan), as well as looking after her rescue dog (Bridget) and grumpy ginger cat (Wilbur).
Gemma Burge
Location - Five Oak Green
Location - Five Oak Green
Gemma joined the team back in August 2023 as a Veterinary Care Assistant and Receptionist.
Gemma's duties cover helping both patients and clients here at our Five Oak Green branch.
Gemma holds a Level 2 Certificate in Small Animal Client Care and is currently working towards gaining more qualifications to help our patients receive the best care.
Gemma has enrolled as a Student Nurse in 2024 with the Central College of Animal Studies in East Malling, working towards becoming a Registered Veterinary Nurse.
Gemma has enrolled as a Student Nurse in 2024 with the Central College of Animal Studies in East Malling, working towards becoming a Registered Veterinary Nurse.
Outside of work, Gemma enjoys getting together with friends and family for good food and board games, then coming home to her husband and their rescue cat (Admiral).
Niamh McDermott
Location - Crowborough
Location - Crowborough
Niamh joined the team in August 2023. She is a currently enrolled at college with us as a Student Veterinary Nurse, working towards becoming a Registered Veterinary Nurse.
Outside of work, Niamh provides a dog-sitting service. She enjoys spending time with the animals and helping to care for them whilst their owners are away.
In her spare time, Niamh enjoys the company of her Mini Lop Rabbit named Bambi and has taken up running.
Sam Harding
Location - Crowborough
Location - Crowborough
Sam joined the team in April 2023 as a part-time veterinary receptionist.
She is a keen scuba diver, holding several qualification in open water and dry suit diving.
In her free time, Sam enjoys walking her rescue Labrador called Nala.
Donna Pickett
Location - Crowborough
Location - Crowborough
Donna joined the team in April 2024 as a part time receptionist.
Outside of work Donna enjoys socialising with family and friends and pottering about in her garden.
In her spare time she is out walking her Bosnian rescue dog and looking after her three cats.
