

Rebecca Muwanga BVSc MRCVS
Clinical Director
Rebecca graduated from Liverpool University in 2004. She subsequently worked in small animal practice in West Yorkshire before moving to Briar Dawn Veterinary Centre in February 2010. Rebecca has a keen interest in medicine especially diagnostic imaging and really enjoys the many interesting (and sometimes challenging cases) that present to her at Briar Dawn. She has recently taken on the role of Clinical Director giving her the chance to use her experience to help support other staff members and maximise clinical standards.
Before starting at Briar Dawn, she spent 14 months fulfilling her life time ambition to travel the world. During this trip she visited Africa, South America, South East Asia and spent some time working as a vet in Australia, including volunteer work at Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital.
Rebecca has one very spoilt cat, Mr Puss, who she rescued and lives in Hebden Bridge with her husband, son and daughter. In her spare time she enjoys playing tennis and is treasurer of her local club.
Rebecca has one very spoilt cat, Mr Puss, who she rescued and lives in Hebden Bridge with her husband, son and daughter. In her spare time she enjoys playing tennis and is treasurer of her local club.


James Thomas BVSc MRCVS
James graduated from Liverpool University in 2018. He has a keen interest in medicine, ophthalmology and imaging. While working as part of the team here at Briar Dawn Veterinary Centre his goal is to continue to improve his ultrasonography skills and expand his knowledge. In his spare time James enjoy keeping fit at the gym, running and walking his dog Bella on the moors. In university James became a keen boxer and is getting back into it! His main passion outside of work is cars; he enjoys buying, driving and fixing them in his spare time.


Maria Zaczek MRCVS
Maria studied medicine at Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences in Poland and University of Zaragoza in Spain. She graduated in 2018 and after working at an emergency hospital in Manchester, she joined us here at Briar Dawn in July 2019. Maria has a special interest in emergency and critical care, diagnostic imaging and soft tissue surgery. She is also currently enrolled on the Advanced Clinical Practitioner (Veterinary) degree programme at the University of Nottingham. This is a four year post-graduate programme which will allow her to develop her clinical skills even further.
In her spare time she enjoys rock climbing, writing articles for young vets and students and spending time with her adopted dog Pedro, who you can often see in our garden at Briar Dawn.
In her spare time she enjoys rock climbing, writing articles for young vets and students and spending time with her adopted dog Pedro, who you can often see in our garden at Briar Dawn.


Elaine Goulbourn MRCVS
Elaine joined Briar Dawn in February 2021 after graduating from Surrey University in summer 2020. Elaine enjoys all aspects of clinical practice, especially dentistry and soft tissue surgery. She loves getting to meet new people and their loved ones every day and feels very lucky that this is part of her job!
In her spare time she can usually be found walking her working Cocker Spaniel, Melody or tending to her little flock of hens at home. Elaine is really excited to have joined such a great and supportive team at Briar Dawn.
In her spare time she can usually be found walking her working Cocker Spaniel, Melody or tending to her little flock of hens at home. Elaine is really excited to have joined such a great and supportive team at Briar Dawn.


Andrew Ayres MRCVS
Andrew joined Briar Dawn in January 2021 after graduating from the Royal Veterinary College in 2012. He is an experienced veterinary surgeon who has worked in clinical practice for many years. Andrew has worked in mixed and small animal practice over the years, but his real passion is for all things surgical and is in the final stages of completing a post graduate certificate in small animal surgery. In his spare time he enjoys listening to and playing music and walking with his dog Reuben.