The Team
At Yan Farm Health we have a team of experienced and dedicated veterinary surgeons who are committed to providing a comprehensive, 24/7 service you can depend on.
Kirsty Howson MRCVS
Director & Founder
Kirsty graduated from the University of Nottingham in 2011 having previously completed her Agricultural degree at Harper Adams, she has worked in the local area since qualifying.
Working on a number of dairy farms whilst completing her studies sparked her initial enthusiasm for improving youngstock health and performance. This is something she has continued to promote during her time in veterinary practice and amongst other things, led to her developing a national benchmarking computer program in conjunction with XLVets. In addition, she is passionate about fertility performance and working closely with her clients to improve overall business profitability.
Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her family, training and competing her gundogs and watching rugby on a rainy day!
Andrew Crutchley MRCVS
Director & Founder
Andrew qualified from Cambridge in 2009 and has practised as a production animal veterinary surgeon ever since. He has practised both home and abroad in North Yorkshire, New Zealand and Vietnam before settling in South Cumbria.
Andrew’s main area of interest is dairy and beef cattle, and he has extensive experience in all production systems. He particularly enjoys advising on fertility performance, mastitis and milk quality, lameness, and infectious disease.
Over the years he has achieved further qualifications in ruminant nutrition and a Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice.
In February 2021 he founded, alongside Kirsty, Yan Farm Health to provide a complete veterinary service to the region’s commercial farms.
In his spare time he enjoys mountaineering, mountain biking and any activity that allows him to spend time in the mountains.
07443 482 157
Email Andrew
Becca Dodd MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Becca qualified from the University of Nottingham in 2018 after completing degrees in Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine. She has worked in production animal practice in Lancashire for the past 3 years before moving even further north from her Kentish roots to join Yan.
Becca enjoys all areas of farm animal practice with interests in transition cow management, infectious disease control and sheep. She is currently working towards a Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice to further her knowledge in these areas. She is passionate about education and encouraging the next generation of agricultural professionals and vets.
Outside of work Becca enjoys exploring the local hills with her mischievous Labrador Piper, as well as gardening, baking and many other hobbies favoured by the WI.
Hannah Lawrence MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Hannah qualified from Edinburgh University in 2022 and was excited to join the team at Yan in July, soon after graduating. Growing up next to a farm in rural North Yorkshire sparked her interest in a career as a farm vet, and her work with cattle and sheep during her degree has only reinforced this. Having worked as a calf rearer and relief milker on a local dairy farm for a number of years, she is looking forward to getting fully involved with calf health management and heifer rearing at Yan.
Away from work, Hannah is a keen runner, swimmer and hockey player. She particularly enjoys exploring new parts of the Yorkshire Dales and the Cumbrian Fells with her dog, Willow.
Jack Paige MRCVS Veterinary Surgeon
Jack qualified from Glasgow vet school in 2017 and has worked as a mixed and farm animal vet in north Cumbria before moving down to Yan in 2023.
My main interests are in infectious disease control and calf health, and I'm looking forward to getting stuck into routine work and problem solving on farm.
Outside of work I enjoy getting out into the hills on my mountain bike or on a good walk with Ivy my black Labrador.
Emmie Bland MRCVS Veterinary Surgeon
Emmie qualified from Cambridge in 2002 and has worked as a farm vet in the northwest ever since.
She combines vetting at Yan with dairy farming in Arnside, with her husband and three children.
She has a particular interest in grazing and soil health.
Anne Carter
Farm Animal Administrator
Anne has worked in the agricultural industry one way or another for most of her life and more recently the farm veterinary sector.
Anne’s role within the office varies from being a familiar voice on the end of the phone and organising calls to preparing surgical kits and dispensing drugs. She has recently qualified as a RAMA (Registered Animal Medicines Advisor) which means she can dispense certain medicines.
Between October and May Anne is married to a local dairy farmer / contractor. Outside these months she is a ‘grass widow’, often found milking the cows at home while grass is top priority. She also has her own small herd of Hereford cows. When not on the farm she can usually be found out and about walking her faithful friend Pepper the Patterdale, cooking and socialising with friends.
Hannah Fulford
Farm Animal Administrator & Veterinary Technician
Living in the Lune Valley and being a keen member of Young Farmers and not being from a farming background, sparked my interest in farming. I completed a college course at Myerscough then went onto study for a degree in BSC (Hons) in Agriculture with Livestock Science.
Along side my studying I worked on a local diary and sheep farm, and with a local cattle foot trimmer. I have been to the same farm in the Scottish Borders for 3 years running during the busy lambing season.
I previously worked as a Vet Tech/receptionist at a local vets, so I have some experience but I am excited to get more involved with the Vet Tech role at Yan, including calf rearing / management and hopefully some training for other duties.
Away from work I enjoy riding my 16.2 Irish Draft horse “Betty”, I also like country outdoor sports and walking.
Beth Davies
Farm Animal Administrator & Veterinary Technician
My interest in agriculture and animal health started at an early age. I began working with farm animals when she was 13 and went on to complete undergraduate degrees in both Agriculture and Animal Behaviour & Welfare.
Alongside my studies, I have worked on a local dairy farm for the past 7 years as well as keeping her own small flock of pedigree sheep. Beth recently graduated from UCLan with an MSc in Animal Science and is excited to begin working at Yan to gain further experience.
Outside of work, Beth enjoys getting out into the Lake District for walks or outdoor swimming (when the weather permits!).
Our approach gives you support for every aspect of managing your livestock – evidence-based, whole-systems thinking for every stage of the life cycle.