Our Team
Who We Are
Scott Rigg
BVMS Cert SAS MRCVS
Advanced Practitioner
Veterinary Surgeon
Scott is an RCVS recognised advanced practitioner in small animal surgery. After graduating from Glasgow Vet School in 2001, he initially worked in mixed practice in rural Aberdeenshire followed by time in small animal practice throughout the UK. Scott returned to the area and subsequently founded an award winning veterinary referral practice.
Following a corporate sale, Scott continued to offer surgical services throughout Scotland, including Glasgow Veterinary School and Scottish Vet Referrals. Along with his prior colleague, Michelle Murphy, they felt the time was right to offer pet owners and veterinary practices a new independent referral option in the area.
Cùmath is the name of a German Short Haired Pointer, whom Scott owned. The name Cùmath is derived from Gaelic, meaning good dog. Cùmath the dog was an excellent companion to Scott during the early years of his career and the intention is for Cùmath Pet Surgeons to allow owners to have as much good quality time with their own “good dogs” (and cats!) as possible.
Kasia Sosnowska
DVM PgC(SAS) MRCVS
Advanced Practitioner
Veterinary Surgeon
Kasia graduated from Warsaw University of Life Sciences in 2018 and completed a surgical internship at Aberdeen Veterinary Referrals, developing a particular interest in orthopaedics and spinal surgery. She joined AVR team as a leading surgeon after gaining her Postgraduate certificate in Small Animal Surgery (PgC(SAS)) in 2021. She led the clinical team of the Aberdeen chapter of Streetvet charity in the same year.
Kasia is looking forward to maintaining her commitment to providing the best possible care to our patients, pet owners, and referring vets while working at Cumath.
She spends her time away from work surfing and trying to tame the energy of her whippets, Peanut and Freddie.
Michelle Murphy
RVN Cert VBM
Practice Manager
Michelle is a qualified veterinary nurse. She started her career in 2001 and enjoyed life in general practice for many years.
In 2012 Michelle took on the practice manager role in a busy small animal practice in Aberdeen.
It was here that Michelle and Scott, who had been friends for many years, started their highly successful professional relationship. This saw the improvement and expansion of the first opinion practices and the establishment of an award-winning referral hospital. Alongside her full-time career and family life, Michelle was awarded a certificate in veterinary practice management at Liverpool university.
Cumath pet surgeons opened in early 2024 and here Michelle will continue her commitment to providing excellent veterinary care.
Michelle’s own ‘cumath’ is a very friendly poodle called Puzzle❤️
Stephanie Simpson
RVN
Referral Manager
Steph started her veterinary career as an RVN in 2005 before moving in management in 2014 due to her strong passion for team wellbeing and customer service.
She also hopes to focus on referring vet engagement and wants to ensure we provide a gold standard service, not only to our clients and their pets but also to our local veterinary practices.
When not in work Steph spends most of her time trying to keep her adventurous collie Samuel out of mischief.
Steph says “I know how worrying an expected trip to the vets can be for both you and your pet, so please let us know on the phone if there is anything at all we can do to ease that worry”.
Jillian McHugh
RVN Cert ECC
Head Veterinary Nurse
Jill trained and worked in a mixed practice in Perthshire before qualifying as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2013.
She moved to Aberdeen in 2014 and joined a small animal practice where she helped the team build an award winning referral hospital taking on more responsibilities she worked her way up to become Assistant Head Nurse.
Coming into Cùmath as the Head Nurse, Jill is dedicated to ensuring high standards are met.
Patient care and infection control are both areas Jill aims to build a reputation for excellence within the industry.
Supporting mental health within the practice will be a high priority as Jill has recently joined Vetlife as a volunteer financial representative.
When not in practice Jill loves taking her cat Tiki out on adventures and being up in the mountains or in the sea.
Anne Valentine
PGCertTLHE BSc DipAVN (Surgical) RVN
Veterinary Nurse
Anne Valentine has worked in the Veterinary Nursing industry for 35 years gaining experience in both clinical and academic roles. Anne is passionate in promoting holistic and optimal patient welfare and care. Away from Cumàth, Anne spends time on her farm caring for her Heilan coos, sheep and chickens along with her Landseer dog called Ailsa.
Megan Robertson
Veterinary Care Assistant
Megan joined the Cumath team in January 2024 as part of the initial team. Since qualifying as a veterinary care assistant in May 2023, she gained experience providing care for a wide range of surgical and medical patients. She has developed a keen interest in Diagnostic Imaging, including x-ray and CT. Megan also enjoys inpatient care and canine behaviour. Out with work Megan enjoys spending time with her family dog and going on nature walks.
Catherine Kellas
Veterinary Care Assistant
Catherine has had experience in a referral setting previously and completed her VCA qualification in June 2022. Joining Cumath as one of our first VCA’s she enjoys all aspects of inpatient care, especially spending one on one time with surgical patients post op, supporting them and encouraging a comfortable recovery. Catherine has a keen interest in physiotherapy and is looking forward to increasing her knowledge and practical experience. Out of work Catherine enjoys highland dancing, helping on the family farm and enjoys taking her two border collies and cocker spaniel on walks.
Brady Rodger
Animal Care Assistant
Brady studied animal care after leaving school and has always had a passion for animals. They have always been a big part of her life from owning horses rabbits and dogs. Over the last 15 years Brady built up her own business working with dogs but has always had the ambition to join a Veterinary team. Brady has a crazy sproker called paddy and can be found up hills and out walking with him at every opportunity. She loves spending time outdoors walking, camping and paddle boarding. Brady enjoys visiting the gym and hanging out with friends and her 18-year-old daughter who Studies agriculture at Edinburgh University, she is one very proud mummy.
Catherine Arton
RVN
Veterinary Nurse
Lucy Stewart Whitson
RVN Cert ECC MSc Veterinary Physiotherapist, Cert ECC, Canine Hydrotherapist
Veterinary Nurse
Denise Anderson
Head Receptionist
Denise has worked in a Referral Veterinary setting since 2016 . Previously working in hospitality management for 10 years, Denise’s career has always been dedicated to customer service and ensuring that high standards are continuously met.
With Reception being the first point of contact it is imperative that we provide the highest of standards for all our clients and pets, not only when coming through our doors but also when making the initial referral appointment. It can be a distressing time being referred for clients and their pets so ensuring that we can make their journey as stress free as possible is extremely important.
When not in work Denise has a passion for Jazzercise, cycling on local roads or attending cycling sportives and being with her high maintenace Patterdale Terrier, Milo.
Join
Our Team
Cùmath Pet Surgeons is a fresh independent referral centre based in Ellon, Aberdeenshire. We will be working out of a modern building with easy transport access.
Working in a new practice is an incredibly fun and rewarding time where ideas and creativity are welcomed, though a degree of adaptability is a useful attribute to have at this time.
We recognise the importance of a work-life balance and are open to flexible working, job sharing and will give consideration to a wide variety of working requests.
Our initial positions have been filled but we will be looking to recruit more staff including RVN’s, full time and part time receptionist and clinical support staff in the near future.
If you would like further information regarding the vacancies available, please email Scott Rigg at scott@cumath.vet or Michelle Murphy at michelle@cumath.vet.
