Inspired by difference
PROVIDING PERSONAL SERVICE
We’re practical and realistic, encouraging an open discussion about the treatment options for your pet – aware that personal, sentimental and financial considerations all have a role to play in the decisions you make to fulfil your needs and those of your pet.
On a large property with ponies and springbok grazing on Kikuyu pasture among various other farmyard animals, we’ve retained the countryside charm of Constantia in an environment conducive to wellness and healing. Our reception has been designed with the atmosphere of a comfortable home, allowing both you and your pets to receive care in a relaxed and stress-free environment that doesn’t feel foreign or all that different from other enjoyable new spaces to explore. Consultations can be carried out where your pet feels most at ease, sometimes on the couch and sometimes in the spacious garden – except for cats, of course!
Dr Hamish Currie started the Village Animal Clinic in Constantia Village in 1987, and a few years later moved to the current premises which was renamed the Alphen Veterinary Hospital. Here, Dr Currie would be joined by Dr Rosemary Dallas – another well-known personality in the Constantia community – in 2006. In the years since they’ve worked together developing the practice’s ethos of veterinary care, they have been joined by Drs Trishantha Govender, Heidi Kuhn and Lorna Whittemore, each contributing in their own unique ways. At Alphen Veterinary Hospital, our staff is comprised of dedicated individuals who’ve made it their mission to offer clinical excellence with compassion and build long-term relationships with clients.
On a large property with ponies and springbok grazing on Kikuyu pasture among various other farmyard animals, we’ve retained the countryside charm of Constantia in an environment conducive to wellness and healing. Our reception has been designed with the atmosphere of a comfortable home, allowing both you and your pets to receive care in a relaxed and stress-free environment that doesn’t feel foreign or all that different from other enjoyable new spaces to explore. Consultations can be carried out where your pet feels most at ease, sometimes on the couch and sometimes in the spacious garden – except for cats, of course!
Dr Hamish Currie started the Village Animal Clinic in Constantia Village in 1987, and a few years later moved to the current premises which was renamed the Alphen Veterinary Hospital. Here, Dr Currie would be joined by Dr Rosemary Dallas – another well-known personality in the Constantia community – in 2006. In the years since they’ve worked together developing the practice’s ethos of veterinary care, they have been joined by Drs Trishantha Govender, Heidi Kuhn and Lorna Whittemore, each contributing in their own unique ways. At Alphen Veterinary Hospital, our staff is comprised of dedicated individuals who’ve made it their mission to offer clinical excellence with compassion and build long-term relationships with clients.
Dr HAMISH CURRIE
Dr Hamish has a wealth of experience, with 32 years in the industry making him more than capable of guiding clients through difficult situations and offering practical advice to those whose pets have complex problems. In addition to his work at Alphen, he’s actively involved in conservation. Hamish spends part of the year in Hoedspruit, in the Limpopo province, where he is part of a wildlife team actively involved in Rhino conservation. He has founded an NGO, Back to Africa, that champions and enables the rewilding of zoo animals.
Dr ROSEMARY DALLAS
Dr Rosemary (Rose) worked for three years at Glencairn Animal Clinic, at the time a branch practice of Alphen Vet, before moving to Alphen Veterinary Hospital in 2006. A compassionate general practitioner with a gentle approach to her patients, she displays careful attention that’s resulted in her being much-loved by our clients. As well as being a skilled surgeon, she’s particularly talented in the field of diagnostic ultrasonography. She has pursued small animal cardiology as a field of interest. Rose loves working with dogs, having two of her own, but particularly enjoys feline medicine and surgery. She has a good understanding of rabbits and other exotic pets.
Dr HAMISH CURRIE
Dr Hamish has a wealth of experience, with 32 years in the industry making him more than capable of guiding clients through difficult situations and offering practical advice to those whose pets have complex problems. In addition to his work at Alphen, he’s actively involved in conservation. Hamish spends part of the year in Hoedspruit, in the Limpopo province, where he is part of a wildlife team actively involved in Rhino conservation. He has founded an NGO, Back to Africa, that champions and enables the rewilding of zoo animals.
Dr ROSEMARY DALLAS
Dr Rosemary (Rose) worked for three years at Glencairn Animal Clinic, at the time a branch practice of Alphen Vet, before moving to Alphen Veterinary Hospital in 2006. A compassionate general practitioner with a gentle approach to her patients, she displays careful attention that’s resulted in her being much-loved by our clients. As well as being a skilled surgeon, she’s particularly talented in the field of diagnostic ultrasonography. She has pursued small animal cardiology as a field of interest. Rose loves working with dogs, having two of her own, but particularly enjoys feline medicine and surgery. She has a good understanding of rabbits and other exotic pets.
The veterinary team is completed by our regular part-time veterinarians with special skills that add an extra dimension to our services.
The veterinary team is completed by our regular part-time veterinarians with special skills that add an extra dimension to our services.
Dr Lorna Whittemore
Dr Lorna gained much of her experience in the UK before returning to Cape Town in 2018. She consults part-time, offering valuable insight paired with a thorough approach, and is an excellent researcher when it comes to more complicated cases. Her post graduate studies have included Feline Medicine, soft tissue surgery, rabbits and guinea pigs, and she is furthermore certified with the Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy and in Low Stress Handling.
Dr Trishantha Govender
Dr Trishantha (Trish) joined our team in 2021 having moved to Cape Town from Durban. She graduated in 2016, spent a year in the Eastern Cape working on sterilisation campaigns and farm animals, and thereafter spent three years in small animal practice in the UK. Her interests lie in surgery, where she is highly competent and confident, and when not in theatre she’s cuddling (or consulting) with cats! Trish is a thoughtful and kind vet, also good with exotic pets. She enjoys mountain walks, sea swimming and reading in her free time.
Dr Heidi Kuhn
Dr Heidi grew up in Potchefstroom, and graduated from Onderstepoort in 2016. After working in Germiston for her community service year and Johannesburg small animal practice thereafter, she relocated in 2021 to Cape Town with her two cats, and joined our team at Alphen Vet. Heidi’s interests are in small animal medicine, soft tissue surgery and diagnostic imaging. She is careful and thorough, always ensuring that her patients receive the best attention.
Dr May Maritz
Dr May consults at Alphen Vet on three afternoons per week. She offers rehabilitation expertise with acupuncture and massage, in addition to general consulting. May has vast experience in optimizing pain management in patients with chronic conditions.
Joanne Kröber
Joanne Kröber is our practice manager, who oversees the administration side of the Alphen Vet. Her heart has been opened to a number of rescue pets over the years: her home hosts a dear three-legged cat and our garden is home to a hand-reared Olive thrush thanks to Joanne. In many ways, we simply could not do without her.
Sr Elizabeth Louw
Sister Elizabeth Louw is available to assist and advise on many health-related matters. In addition to the usual nurse visits, for repeat injections, wound checks and bandage changes, Liz is available for puppy checks, she participates in dental work and is qualified and equipped to perform euthanasias. Liz has two dogs and two cats and enjoys hiking, running and swimming in the sea in her spare time.
Our SUPPORT STAFF are highly trained in animal care with an impressive depth of experience and are well known to many of our clients for the care they provide to each patient. Judith, whom we rely on keeps the practice clean and hygienic to the highest standards of healthcare and comfort alike and ensures hospital beds are warm and cosy when needed.
Emanuel Piriquito
Edward Phiri
Simon Manda
Judith Nobula
The FRONT DESK is manned with dedication and efficiency. This reception team are always available to help with any question regarding nutrition and general pet care.
Julie Twigg
Tracy Bisset
Kim Ewing
Olivia Stevens
Georgina Wall
ACCREDITED ASSOCIATIONS
ACCREDITED ASSOCIATIONS
Let’s work together
HOW CAN WE ASSIST YOU?
We understand that every case is different and that there are practical, financial, sentimental and personal factors at play – so whether in a routine visit or more serious situation, we seek to guide and equip you as the pet owner for any healthcare decisions you need to make.
