At Chilworth Veterinary Surgery, we believe that pets are family and they deserve nothing less than the deepest compassion and the highest standard of care.

Our Story.

Chilworth Veterinary Surgery was founded by Andrei and Mario with a shared passion for veterinary medicine and a commitment to exceptional care for animals. The vision was clear from the beginning: to create an independent, personal practice focused on offering high-quality care in a compassionate and welcoming environment. Chilworth Veterinary Surgery – a place where the love for animals and dedication to service come together.

Andrei Fruja

DVM MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon

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Andrei graduated from the University of Timisoara in Romania and has been practicing in the UK in small animal practices for the past eight years, both in first opinion and high-standards hospital settings.

His career has taken him around the globe, gaining invaluable experience as a GP vet in Abu Dhabi and two years in a high-pressure, Emergency and Critical Care role in the Midlands as a night vet. During this time, he also completed a keyhole surgery course, gaining valuable experience in minimally invasive surgical techniques.

Andrei is currently completing his postgraduate certificate in Small Animal Surgery, which will enable him to offer advanced soft tissue and orthopaedic services to his patients at Chilworth Veterinary Surgery.

Outside of work, Andrei is an adventurer at heart, who can be found on the slopes skiing in winter and exploring new countries and cuisines during the summer months.

Mario Santos

DVM, MRCVS, PgC SAS
Certificate holder in Small Animal Surgery
Veterinary Surgeon

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Mario graduated from the University of Porto in Portugal. He gained valuable clinical experience at world-class hospitals in the United States, Germany, and Belgium. Over the past eight years, Mario has worked in high-standard small animal practices across the UK.

He completed an internship at a referral practice, working alongside specialists in small animal surgery. In 2019, Mario earned a postgraduate certificate in Small Animal Surgery, providing him with the knowledge and skills to perform complex surgeries. He is skilled in performing advanced soft tissue surgery, minimally invasive (keyhole) surgery, and certain orthopaedic procedures not commonly available in general practice.

Mario is excited to bring his expertise to his patients at Chilworth Veterinary Surgery. Outside of work, he enjoys exploring the scenic Hampshire countryside with his young family and traveling to sunny destinations.

Vicky Crichton

GradCertAVN(ECC), CertVN ECC RVN
Head Veterinary Nurse

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Vicky is our Head Veterinary Nurse here at Chilworth Veterinary Surgery and brings over 20 years of experience in veterinary nursing. Her career has been firmly rooted in animal welfare, underpinned by high clinical standards and a genuine commitment to compassionate, patient-centred care.

She holds a Graduate Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Nursing (Emergency and Critical Care) and a Certificate in Veterinary Nursing (Emergency and Critical Care)—a qualification she is now proud to tutor and support other nurses through. Emergency and critical care is a particular passion of Vicky’s, she has extensive experience in triage, high-dependency nursing, anaesthesia, medicine, nutrition, and patient advocacy. She thrives in fast-paced, high-pressure environments and is known for her calm, organised, and empathetic approach—especially when supporting clients during stressful or emotional situations.

Alongside her clinical role, Vicky is deeply committed to education and mentoring. Throughout her career she has supported student and qualified veterinary nurses, helping them grow in confidence, clinical reasoning, and evidence-based practice. As a leader, she is approachable, supportive, and passionate about developing a positive, collaborative nursing team where everyone feels valued and empowered.

At home, Vicky is a very busy mum to three boys and a devoted pet owner. Her family includes an English Bull Terrier called Ethel and two much-loved cats, Elphaba and Emrys—so she truly understands the special bond between pets and their people. Outside of work (when she finds a rare quiet moment!), she is learning to play the violin. Other passions include live music, movies and a really good book!

Vicky feels privileged to be part of the Chilworth Veterinary Surgery team and is dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality care to every patient and their owners.

Samantha Roberts

RVN, Cert VN ECC
Veterinary Nurse

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Samantha graduated from the University of Portsmouth (Sparsholt collage) in 2017. After spending 5 years in general practice she moved to a large referral hospital where she completed the Vets Now Emergency and Critical Care Certificate. She has two guinea pigs at home called Truffle and Twiglet. Outside of work she likes to go for long walks around the New Forest and go rock climbing in indoor gyms.

Daniel Vincent

Veterinary Care Assistant

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Dan is a dedicated and experienced member of our team with a deep passion for animals. He brings a wealth of expertise from years in the veterinary industry, having honed his skills in a referral setting where he adeptly supported nurses and vets with a diverse and challenging caseload.

Renowned for his caring nature, infectious sense of humour, and genuine kindness, Dan is not only a fantastic colleague but also a compassionate caregiver to every animal he meets. He is thrilled to join the team at Chilworth Veterinary Surgery and looks forward to contributing his skills and enthusiasm.

Beyond his professional endeavours, Dan is a proud owner of four wonderful dogs who inspire his commitment to animal welfare. When not at work, Dan enjoys spending quality time with his friends and two young children.

Daisy Duer

Reception

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Daisy joined Chilworth Veterinary Surgery with a lifelong passion for animals, sparked by adopting her first bunny at the age of nine. Since then, she has been dedicated to providing excellent care and support to pets and their owners. Daisy has a degree in Animal Science, which allowed her to become a Veterinary Care Assistant and gain valuable experience in veterinary practices. Outside of work, she enjoys gaming, drawing, visiting the cinema to watch the latest horror films, and spending time with my family.

Emergencies and Out of Hours.

At Chilworth Veterinary Surgery, our patients benefit from our in-house, out-of-hours emergency care. This ensures your pet receives expert attention when they need it most, avoiding the need for your pet to be transferred to an alternative out-of-hours facility; this will be provided by us.