DR ALASTAIR COOMER

Position: Director & Registered Specialist Small Animal Surgery

Alastair graduated from Massey University in 2003, and worked in mixed animal practice in Ashburton for 18 months before pursuing surgical specialization.

Alastair travelled to the Ontario Veterinary College (Canada) for his internship in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, before being accepted into the Small Animal Surgery Residency Program at the University of Florida. Alastair became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2010, and has been a Registered Specialist in Small Animal Surgery since 2011.

Alastair worked in the San Francisco Bay Area before moving back to New Zealand in 2011.  During his surgical residency, Alastair also completed his Master of Science (Veterinary Science) looking at osteosarcoma in dogs and people. This work resulted in Alastair receiving collegiate, national and international awards for his research and research presentations. His clinical interests include all aspects of general surgery, and particularly surgical oncology. 

Outside of the clinic, Alastair enjoys cycling (road, mountain, cyclocross) and endurance multisport (having done Coast to Coast twice). Alastair, his wife Erin (also a veterinarian) and their daughters Matilda and Beatrix and son Fergus, have Harry the Border Terrier and two Burmese cats – Arthur and Teddy.