Martin Gabbutt has over 25 years experience looking after  local pets. He was born and brought up in the area, his family used to run  the Seed's and Gabbutt's bookshops in Blackburn. After school at QEGS he went on to study veterinary medicine at Cambridge  University graduating in 1983. In his free time he is a carpenter, and salmon fisherman.
At work he is a keen and experienced surgeon  trying to provide the best for your pets. To this end he has travelled to America on several occasions  to learn new techniques. In 2009 Martin attended a surgical summit in Washington DC to learn hip replacements techniques for dogs. In 2010 he visited Denver Colorado to learn about  endoscopic surgery. In 2011 Martin went to Europe to undergo endoscopic surgery training. 2012 found him at an international conference in Barcelona where he studied laser therapy.

Martin Gabbutt has appeared as a presenter for Chanel 4's series Animal Madhouse.

Michael Holroyd has over 30 years experience in practice locally. He graduated with honours from Liverpool University in 1972. Mike is a fourth generation vet; his great grandfather having started the practice over a century ago in Simmons Street. At that time the Corporation trams were horse drawn and the tram sheds were opposite the practice.

In 1987 he moved the small animal side of the practice to its current location in Preston New Road.

Outside the practice  Mike is a keen and very highly qualified scuba diver.

Karen qualified from London University in 1987 and has been working in the Blackburn area since then. She originally worked at the practice over 10 years ago having a break from practice when her 2 boys were small. When they reached school age she went back into practice working for a neighbouring  practice mainly at their Darwen branch. We were delighted to welcome her back to the practice as the lead veterinary surgeon at our Darwen branch.