Meet the surgeons (but mainly their pets)

As well as Fiona and Chris we also have two assistant veterinary surgeons at Wakefield Westgate, Arleta and Justyna. 

Teofil

Arleta joined the team in 2016. She particularly enjoys surgery and is looking forward to starting a certificate in emergency and critical care. Arleta qualified in Poland back in 2009 and worked at a mixed animal practice. In 2014 she fancied a big change, took a leap and moved to England. Here she worked in a few small animal vets, including the PDSA, before she decided to settle with us. 

Teofil enjoying the shade

She has one nine year old cat called Teofil, who lives back in Poland with her parents where he has a lovely big garden and his human slaves (Her mum and dad). Teofil came into Arleta’s life when she was informed by a woman there was a kitten roaming the streets. Arleta went to look and she found him hiding in a bush. He had no obvious owners and was not micro chipped so Arleta took him on as her own. He is a very well behaved cat for the most part. He waits to be invited to sit with you patiently and will not take food from anybodies hand, he will only eat it once it has been placed on the floor. Teofil also knows which part of the pillow is for him and which part he should save for Arleta's head.

Bartek the goat

Growing up Arleta’s family always had animals including dogs, chickens, ducks, rabbits, pigs and goats so she was always very interested in becoming a vet. Her main responsibility growing up was looking after the goats. She had a favourite goat called Bartek who was very well trained and answered when she called him. 

Baby Benia

Justyna joined Wakefield Westgate Vets4Pets earlier on in 2018. She qualified in 2014 and completed an internship in Poland at a busy small animal practice. She moved to the UK with her husband after they both decided they wanted a change and to further their careers. 

Justyna has one cat, Benia who currently lives with Justyna’s parents. Benia was brought into her first practice when she was a very tiny kitten. She required bottle feeding and Justyna offered to take her home for the weekend whilst the practice was closed. The rest is history and she was adopted by Justyna! 

Benia is always watching

Benia loves playing fetch with crumpled up bits of paper. In the morning she brings Justyna and her partner balls of paper in bed to wake them up. They throw them across the room and she brings them straight back to them.

Benia comfy in a pot

She likes hiding in places she shouldn’t like open refrigerator doors, cooking pans and the neighbours apartments if they leave their doors open long enough!

Benia also likes to investigate everything brought into the house including handbags and the food shopping. She has a love of plastic carrier bags, which she likes to hide inside of and jump out on unsuspecting passers-by.

Justyna always had a high sensitivity to animals and enjoyed looking after her pets growing up so as she got older, becoming a vet seemed like a natural decision.