The Team
At Yan Farm Health we have a team of experienced and dedicated veterinary surgeons who are committed to providing a comprehensive, 24/7 service you can depend on.
Kirsty Howson MRCVS
Director & Founder
Kirsty graduated from the University of Nottingham in 2011 having previously completed her Agricultural degree at Harper Adams, she has worked in the local area since qualifying.
Working on a number of dairy farms whilst completing her studies sparked her initial enthusiasm for improving youngstock health and performance. This is something she has continued to promote during her time in veterinary practice and amongst other things, led to her developing a national benchmarking computer program in conjunction with XLVets. In addition, she is passionate about fertility performance and working closely with her clients to improve overall business profitability.
Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her family, training and competing her gundogs and watching rugby on a rainy day!
Andrew Crutchley MRCVS
Director & Founder
Andrew qualified from Cambridge in 2009 and has practised as a production animal veterinary surgeon ever since. He has practised both home and abroad in North Yorkshire, New Zealand and Vietnam before settling in South Cumbria.
Andrew’s main area of interest is dairy and beef cattle, and he has extensive experience in all production systems. He particularly enjoys advising on fertility performance, mastitis and milk quality, lameness, and infectious disease.
Over the years he has achieved further qualifications in ruminant nutrition and a Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice.
In February 2021 he founded, alongside Kirsty, Yan Farm Health to provide a complete veterinary service to the region’s commercial farms.
In his spare time he enjoys mountaineering, mountain biking and any activity that allows him to spend time in the mountains.
07443 482 157
Email Andrew
Jasmine Smith MRCVS Director
Originally from Liverpool, Jaz graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2015 and moved to Cumbria to pursue her passion for farm animal health—because, let’s face it, there aren’t many cows or sheep in Liverpool! As a farm vet, Jaz has a keen interest in infectious diseases and pathology, even working for a time in a diagnostic lab to deepen her expertise.
When not at work, Jaz is often found outdoors ticking off Wainwrights, enjoying the beauty of the Lake District, or diving into a good book.
Hannah Lawrence MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Hannah qualified from Edinburgh University in 2022 and was excited to join the team at Yan in July, soon after graduating. Growing up next to a farm in rural North Yorkshire sparked her interest in a career as a farm vet, and her work with cattle and sheep during her degree has only reinforced this. Having worked as a calf rearer and relief milker on a local dairy farm for a number of years, she is looking forward to getting fully involved with calf health management and heifer rearing at Yan.
Away from work, Hannah is a keen runner, swimmer and hockey player. She particularly enjoys exploring new parts of the Yorkshire Dales and the Cumbrian Fells with her dog, Willow.
Jack Paige MRCVS Veterinary Surgeon
Jack qualified from Glasgow vet school in 2017 and has worked as a mixed and farm animal vet in north Cumbria before moving down to Yan in 2023.
My main interests are in infectious disease control and calf health, and I'm looking forward to getting stuck into routine work and problem solving on farm.
Outside of work I enjoy getting out into the hills on my mountain bike or on a good walk with Ivy my black Labrador.
Becca Dodd MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Becca qualified from the University of Nottingham in 2018, joining the Yan team in 2022.
She enjoys all aspects of farm animal practice, with a particular interest in evidence-based decision making and population health. Becca is currently working towards a Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice, specialising in sheep, and is passionate about supporting and encouraging the next generation of agricultural professionals and vets.
Outside of work, Becca loves spending time outdoors — whether that’s gardening, walking in the hills, or taking part in her newest hobby, rowing.
Emmie Bland MRCVS Veterinary Surgeon
Emmie qualified from Cambridge in 2002 and has worked as a farm vet in the northwest ever since.
She combines vetting at Yan with dairy farming in Arnside, with her husband and three children.
She has a particular interest in grazing and soil health.
Tamsin Cutmore MRCVS Veterinary Surgeon
Tamsin qualified from the University of Liverpool in 2023. After two and a half years working in a mixed practice in Cumbria, she moved to Yan to focus on farm animal medicine, which is her true passion. She has a particular interest in youngstock health and data analysis, and is keen to get stuck in to fertility work.
Outside of work, Tamsin enjoys anything related to food or sport. In her spare time, she can usually be found walking in the Lakes, playing badminton, or trying somewhere new to eat.
Anne Carter
Farm Animal Administrator
Anne has been part of the team since the practice opened in 2021. She has been involved in the agricultural industry in one way or another for most of her life and has over 14 years’ experience in the farm veterinary sector.
Anne’s role within the practice is varied. She is often a familiar voice on the end of the phone, organising calls and supporting both clients and the wider team. Organising the team is a crucial part of her role, and her experience and attention to detail are key to keeping the practice running smoothly, particularly when it comes to diary management and TB testing. Anne is also a qualified RAMA (Registered Animal Medicines Advisor), allowing her to dispense certain medicines and support vets on anthelmintic usage. Anne coordinates all the events at Yan, a part of her role she particularly enjoys as it gives her the chance to escape the office and get involved out and about.
Between October and May, Anne is married to a local dairy farmer and contractor. Outside of these months she is a ‘grass widow’, often found milking the cows at home while grass is top priority. When not working, Anne can usually be found with her faithful dog Pepper the Patterdale or enjoying a well-earned spa day..
Kate Little Farm Animal Administrator
Kate is new to the Yan admin team but will be a familiar face to some of our clients. She’s originally from a farming background in Somerset and has kept her own dairy & fibre goats and sheep.
Kate is used to being called the ‘crazy goat lady’. In 2010 she did a Nuffield Farming Scholarship researching goat meat and sustainable farming which took her as far afield as Brazil, South Africa and Holland.
Kate works as a relief milker too on a farm near Grange. She’s been there so long that the new Saturday staff weren’t even born when she started – which truly makes her feel grown up!
She comes to us from a local veterinary practice where she’s been working on reception for the last 6 years but is looking forward to working more with farm and dairy clients.
Outside of work she likes outdoor swimming and is trying to tick off all the best Lakes’ swimming spots.
Kate still runs a few cashmere & meat goats and has a very bouncy working cocker spaniel called Bonnie.
Hannah Fulford
Veterinary Technician, ATT & Farm Animal Administrator
Living in the Lune Valley and being an active member of Young Farmers, despite not coming from a farming background, sparked an interest in agriculture for Hannah. After completing a college course at Myerscough College, she pursued a BSc (Hons) in Agriculture with Livestock Science.
During her studies, Hannah gained hands-on experience working on a local dairy and sheep farm, as well as assisting a local cattle foot trimmer. For five consecutive years, she has also returned to the same farm in the Scottish Borders for the lambing season.
Hannah particularly enjoys TB testing, as it provides an opportunity to build relationships with farmers and gain insights into the workings of their farms. Additionally, she is passionate about calf health, taking pride in improving the welfare of calves on various farms, each with its own unique challenges.
Outside of work, Hannah has a strong passion for equestrian activities, spending her free time riding her horse, Betty, and competing at local shows. She is also frequently found providing relief milking at a nearby dairy farm. In addition to her love for horses, Hannah enjoys a variety of countryside activities, making the most of the rural environment she’s surrounded by..
Beth Davies Veterinary Technician & Farm Animal Administrator
Although not from a farming background, Beth started working on farms at a young age. She went on to complete undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in both Agriculture and Animal Science, which furthered her interest in the relationship between livestock health, productive farming and the wider environment.
Alongside her studies, Beth worked on a local dairy farm and previously kept a flock of pedigree sheep which she showed for several years at local agricultural shows. Beth’s role at Yan is very varied and she now works as a Veterinary Technician and Administrator, supporting both the vets on farm as well as clients down the phone when in the office.
Outside of work, Beth enjoys spending time in the fells with her pointer Fergus and is also a keen wild swimmer.
Our approach gives you support for every aspect of managing your livestock – evidence-based, whole-systems thinking for every stage of the life cycle.