Welcome to NotJust4Paws, I am Dr. Laura Searle-Barnes and I grew up in a small rural village just North of London, United Kingdom, with my parents and younger brother. For me, it was less of a decision to become a veterinarian and more of a vocation, knowing from the age of 4, I wanted to be a veterinarian and was lucky to receive a place at the Royal Veterinary College, London, where I trained in both small and large animals and graduated in 2006.
I moved to the USA in 2006 where I worked in Seattle for 6 months and then back to the UK whilst waiting for a more permanent visa to return to California in 2008. In that time, I worked for the UKs largest charity (PDSA), helping families in need with their pets health concerns at the same time as gaining a wide range of surgical and emergency experience.
In my lifetime I have had quite the collection of pets: Dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, Guinea pigs, chinchillas, chickens, ducks and a tortoise. I truly love all creatures great and small. I am lucky enough to now live on a ranch with my husband, Stephen, who has a degree in kinesiology and specializes in sports therapy massage (humans and horses), my daughter Lilly and sons Logan and Louie. We have plenty going on to keep us busy!
Although I practice both medicine and surgery I do have a special interest in dentistry and attend as many outside classes on this topic as I can find! I also love working with rabbits, as growing up with them and coming from a country where they are the second most popular household pet, I miss seeing them, but am glad they are becoming more popular here in the United States.
Practice ownership has been a dream of mine for quite some time, though it has had its challenges due to the overwhelming corporate takeover in this profession. I consider myself very fortunate to have found Not Just 4 Paws. I intend for it to remain a family run, friendly practice for years to come, and look forward to meeting each client and patient.
Your pet is a part of our family. Not Just 4 Paws Animal Hospital is a family owned business and it is important that you know we are committed to providing your pet with the absolute best in veterinary care.