Who we are

Two vets, Bruce Fogle and Veronica Aksmanovic, provide primary care.

Bruce Fogle MBE, DVM, MRCVS

Bruce is a Canadian graduate with almost 40 years experience in clinical veterinary medicine. Together with Veronica he provides primary veterinary care. Bruce is the co-founder of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People and was appointed an M.B.E. for services to deaf people. He is the world’s best selling practicing vet with books in over 35 languages (www.brucefogle.com). His veterinary books including The Encyclopedia of the Cat, New Dog and The Dog’s Mind and his travel narratives such as Travels with Macy and A Dog Abroad, are available on-line or through book shops. Bruce is at the clinic from Monday to Thursday.

Veronica Aksmanovic MPhil (Cantab),  VMD, BSc, MRCVS

Veronica got her first degree from McGill University in Montreal, her Masters in molecular biology from Cambridge University and her veterinary degree from the University of Pennsylvania. She has worked in the most respected veterinary hospital in the United States, the California Animal Hospital in Los Angeles. Veronica, her commercial airline pilot husband Vincent and their daughter Sophia live in north London. Veronica is at the Clinic from Tuesday to Thursday.

Phillippa Hanslip MA (Cantab),  VetMB, BSc(Hons), MRCVS

Philippa got her first degree in microbiology and genetics (from the University of London) before moving on to Cambridge for her veterinary degree. Philippa is a qualified veterinary acupuncturist and uses massage and traditional or electro-acupuncture as well as nutritional supplements, pain control medications and diet to help dogs and cats experiencing chronic pain. Philippa is at the clinic each Friday and when either Bruce or Veronica is absent.

Grant Petrie MA (Cantab),  VetMB, CertCARD, CertSAM, MRCVS

Another Cambridge graduate, Grant, a double Certificate holder in Cardiology and Small Animal Medicine has been with the clinic for ten years providing his problem solving abilities two days each week (Mondays and Thursdays) for complicated conditions involving the heart, hormones, liver, kidney and bowel function. Grant was on the faculty of the Royal Veterinary College for many years. In April of this year Grant became President of the British Small Animal Veterinary Association.

Peter Kertesz DDS, Hon AssocRCVS

Peter, the only dental surgeon in the UK ever to have been awarded an Honorary Associateship in the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, visits us when either a cat or a dog has an unusual or extensive dental or oral condition that requires specialist equipment or techniques. Aside from pets, Peter has operated on over 100 elephant tusks!

The Portman Veterinary Clinic has one of the most experienced teams of veterinary nurses in the UK.

  • Suzi Gray, RVN - Practice Manager
  • Ashley McManus, RVN - Practice Co-manager
  • Lettie Lean, RVN
  • Hester Small, RVN
  • Angela Bettinson


Suzi Gray, RVN initially trained as a riding instructor at Edinburgh University before moving from her native Scotland to study veterinary nursing at Berkshire College of Agriculture. Suzi is the clinic’s Practice Manager, ensuring that all systems function as smoothly and efficiently as possible. She is also responsible for ensuring that if there is any item you want, she will track in down and find it for you. Her Pug, Beatrice, is the clinic’s official meter and greeter.

Ashley McManus RVN has worked at the Portman Veterinary Clinic for well over 20 years, having gained extensive clinical experience previously in her native Dublin. As well as her responsibilities as Head Nurse, Ashley is the clinic’s designated nurse for managing canine and feline endocrine disorders such as diabetes. She is also the clinic’s nutrition nurse, responsible to managing the diet side of illness and, just as important, for advice on diet and exercise management for overweight pets.

Letty Lean BA, RVN earned her BA at the University of Exeter before undertaking her VN training. Letty is in charge of all aspects of “prep and op”. She assists the vets with x-ray and ultrasound diagnostic imaging, with endoscopic investigations and with surgery. Letty is also available to answer your questions about feline behaviour.

Angela Bettinson shares “prep and op” responsibilities with Letty. After completing her clinical veterinary nurse training, Angela became actively involved in field hockey and continues to compete competitively.

Hester Small RVN has been with the Portman Veterinary Clinic for almost 15 years. With her hands presently filled raising her two little girls Abigail and Emily, Hester is at the clinic each Friday, working on other days from home where she’s equipped with a “real time” computer terminal link to the clinic’s medical records. Hester is responsible for most of the “back office” jobs such as filling in insurance claims.

Barbara Sherringham, a Registered Osteopath, visits the clinic, often at very short notice, helping dogs with chronic muscle, bone or joint problems to improve their mobility and better use their limbs. Her (human) clinic is just around the corner from us.

Nina Bondarenko, originally from Australia, has been training dogs for over 30 years and runs weekly Puppy Classes on Wednesdays at 11 AM, across the street from us at St Mary’s Church Hall, Wyndham Place. Nina is available for home visits, to advise on problems such as unruly teenage dogs or on how to satisfy the needs of clever dogs that require a little extra mental activity.