Meet Louise, the owner and director of Clare Valley Veterinary Services. Have a chat with Louise and it's plainly obvious she's a Scottish lass, originating from south west Scotland.

Louise grew up on a dairy farm and was surrounded by animals, not just cows, but also dogs and horses. She became the proud owner of her first pony at 7 years of age.

She says becoming a vet was a natural progression from this farm upbringing, although she did ponder the life of a pilot at one stage!

After completing her veterinary education at the University of Glasgow in 1997, Louise took the opportunity to work in Australia, finding a position at CVVS with Dr Tim Lawrie. The size of our vast country quickly hit home, as the only people she knew were based in Toowoomba! Clare's wintry weather also came as a shock. Louise arrived in August with only two jumpers and a pair of jeans!

An 18-month working stint in Australia quickly turned into four years, before Louise returned to the UK with Jason, where they married and had their first child, Rebecca.

Returning to Australia after three and a half years, Louise and husband Jason purchased the practice from Tim Lawrie in 2007 and also opened a branch in Jamestown. The business has grown from two full time vets and three nurses to three full time vets and seven nurses.

Louise's veterinary interests include equine reproduction and medicine as well as small animal orthopedic surgery. She enjoys the lifestyle of the Clare Valley and can often be spotted running on the Riesling trail, touring the wineries or watching a game of footy. Louise and Jason have three children, Rebecca, Sam and Archie, not to mention Jack Russell siblings, Boots and Dora.