Richard was born in Glasgow and educated at Glasgow Academy and latterly Hutchesons' Grammar School. He studied at Glasgow University, qualifying in 2002 as a Batchelor of Veterinary Medicine and a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Following this he spent three years in Cardiff in a group practice with responsibility for a busy branch. He moved, in 2005, to Staines to work in a multi-vet practice, where he met Sara who was the head nurse. Following their marriage and acquisition of East Lodge, Rouken Glen in 2008, they decided to settle in Glasgow.

Richard is a lover of horticulture and the contemplation garden at the Rouken Glen Veterinary Surgery, which has been integrated with the park for public use and incorporates the historic East Lodge wishing well, was his idea. He shares his love of the Green agenda and the environment with Sara and recycling is a priority in his life.

He lists his hobbies as, cooking, travel, all things Japanese, especially Sushi, tropical fish and music. He spends most of his spare time with Sara looking after their pets, Bud, Poppy and new addition, Maisie.

Barbara Raskin, the Practice Manager, is already a well kent face in Glasgow, having lived in the city most of her life she looked after the rich and famous and the not so rich and famous at The Inn on the Green restaurant for nearly twenty years.

After catering, she went in a completely different direction and became involved in furniture and interiors, managing one of Linda Reid's stores. Before joining Rouken Glen Veterinary Surgery, she worked for David Barnes at Urban Furniture in Kilmarnock.

She now lives in Strathaven, is married to Philip and they have three children, Max, Tasha and Judith.

Very much a 'people person', Barbara is relishing her challenging new role.

She lists her interests as singing, going to the gym and the theatre, although most of her spare time is spent as a taxi driver to her youngest daughter.

Sara Black is our head veterinary nurse. She lived in Reading, where she gained a Diploma in Animal Care [Merit] and SVN 1 & 2 [RCVS] in 2000 and is also an accredited A1 Assessor. On qualifying, Sara worked as a locum and regular nurse, before starting in 2005 at Willett House Veterinary Surgery in Staines. Five years later she was appointed Head Nurse, in charge of a large team of trained nurses and responsible for a number of trainees. Puppy socialisation and animal behaviour are of great interest to her.

After marrying Richard, they both decided to settle in Glasgow and open the practice in Rouken Glen and as one of her main hobbies is running, could there be a better place to be?

The Green agenda and caring for the environment are also of great importance to her.
Passionate about animals and their well-being, she lives in Newton Mearns with Richard and their beloved dogs, Bud, Poppy and Maisie.

Alannah is our animal care assistant, coming to us straight from St Ninian's, where she gained very impressive higher results. She is studying at present for a Veterinary Nursing diploma [Level 2/3] and spends part of the week in Edinburgh and then comes to work at the surgery for the rest of the week, so she is kept rather busy!

Her love of animals is phenomenal, as well as her beloved dog, Mr Wilson, a whippet, she has a cat, ferrets and several other exotic creatures!
She lives in Thornliebank with her parents, Jane and Alan and her two younger sisters.

Elaine Mclean is one of our part-time receptionists. She lives in Newton Mearns with her husband, Alasdair and their two children Shona and Stuart.

In the past, Elaine worked for the Royal Bank of Scotland and as a tax advisor for the Inland Revenue, so she's obviously a very well organised person.

She has two dogs, Meg and Cara, whom she adores.

Elaine lists her interests as doing crosswords and jigsaws, she also enjoys walking, travelling and is a keen curler.

Kirsty Copeland is one our receptionists. She lives with her husband, David, beloved cocker spaniel, Minstrel and Max, the cat.

Kirsty is a professional ice skater and has travelled all over the world performing in shows. As well as working at Rouken Glen Vets, she organises and skates in theatre tours across the U.K.

Kirsty has qualified as a dog trainer and is helping Sara with our Puppy Parties. She is a huge animal lover and extremely passionate about animal welfare and rescue.