I was motivated to become a vet aged 9, following an outbreak of anthrax on our family farm, a decision I have never regretted. 

After a brief spell in mixed practice in Essex, I moved to Tyneside then later Northumberland, opening Croft Vets with my husband, Malcolm Ness in 1987, starting in Blyth and growing over the years, culminating in the opening our a purpose built multidisciplinary referral hospital in 2008. My role was split between referral dermatology and supporting the first opinion vets in skin cases as well as continuing with general first opinion work.

During my Croft years I was a BSAVA then RCVS practice standards inspector, a VN examiner, and also served on BSAVA committees and as an officer. 

In 2010 I authored Notes on Small Animal Dermatology published by Wiley Blackwell. The intention was to write a handbook of essential dermatology aimed at students and general practitioners to share the learning and experience gained over many years of practising dermatology. I have also published and presented on canine  aural haematoma. 

Since selling the practice in 2014, I have kept busy with locum work and non-clinical veterinary business activities. Attending congresses etc has kept my dermatology interest alive. 

Outside work, I am mainly found outside.  I ride and compete my two horses, enjoy dog walking, skiing (especially visiting our son Andrew in Revelstoke, British Columbia) and the lighter side of sailing.  I enrolled for an OU degree course in Psychology and Law in 2016 to learn a bit about humans, graduating in July 2021 with a 2.1. Now enrolled for a MBA with OU.