DR RALPH KATZWINKEL qualified from Onderstepoort in 1980 and has been in private practice ever since. He has in the past served on both the EPG and SAVA committees. He is currently the regional FEI and SANAF official veterinarian.
He has a wealth of experience in the equine industry and has a special interest in surgery, equine sports medicine and pre- purchase examinations. Over the years his interest in surgery has been honed towards orthopedic, arthroscopic and colic surgeries.

In 2000 Ralph was awarded his MBA Degree at Henley on Thames in the UK, after 5 years of long distance learning and uses this knowledge in his position as managing partner.

Ralph is married to June and they have two sons. Outside interests are clay pigeon shooting for which he has represented Kwa Zulu Natal.

Dr John Fleming qualified from Onderstepoort in 1962. He played first team cricket for the University of Pretoria and thereafter played rugby for country districts. After graduating he worked for a mixed practice in Zimbabwe with the emphasis on cattle. He also spent two years in Canada in a practice specialising in cattle, pigs and horses. He joined the Summerveld Equine practice in 1978, specialising in horses and became a partner in 1980. His retirement was short lived (2006) and in 2008 he came back to the practice. John is married to Maggie and they have three daughters and two sons. His hobbies include bridge, South African History and wild life. We are priviledged to have such an experienced veterinarian as part of our team.
 

DR HENRIQUE GALVAO joined our practice in September 2010. He has worked all over the world during his 10 years since graduating and has completed various post graduate courses. His expertise is surgery, eye problems, dental, ultra sound and lameness workups. We are really happy to have such an experienced vet join our team. Henry is a keen surfer, athlete and cyclist and completed his first Midmar Mile!
 

 Dr Lauren Brewis has recently joined the practice in January 2009. She hales from Cape Town and has a BSc Agric degree which she obtained in 2001. She then spent 2 years overseas working on Thoroughbred stud farms and working at the sales in UK, IRELAND and USA. She has Completed the Irish National stud TB breeding course. In 2008 she qualified as a veterinarian from Onderstepoort gaining her BVSc degree.
Lauren ran her first Comrades Marathon in 2010  and has just completed her second Comrades Marathon in 2011- well done Lauren!

Dr Tom Ovendale joined our practice in January 2010 and he is pleased to have returned to KZN. He recently completed his BVSc degree at Onderstepoort. Tom enjoys cycling and fishing. Tom will be assisting the vets at both Summerveld and Gillitts veterinary Hospitals.

 
CELESTE PRETORIUS runs our hospital and stables.  She qualified from the SAJA Academy with SANEF and a stable management certificate and thereafter qualified in Equine massage therapy. She also has an assistant trainers licence. She then spent 7 years in Dubai as an instructor, stable manager and massage therapist. She was the UAE dressage champion for 2 years.

Celeste is also in charge of running our rehabilitation centre for young horses or horses recovering from illness or injury.

 PROF JEREMY HULBERT and DR RALPH KATZWINKEL - Practising a Tie Forward Procedure