About Us

Sandhill Veterinary Services LTD, veterinary practice and commercial laboratory provides veterinary services and consultancy for commercial poultry and game birds.

We specialise in preventative medicine and flock based consultancy, offering a modern and progressive service, but with a personal approach and traditional values.

The practice was established in 1997 by Richard Byas BVetMed, MRCVS, who has since retired from the practice, but continues to offer consultancy. With 40 years of avian experience behind us plus our own lab we are able to offer a comprehensive service including preventative strategies as well as disease and production investigations.

We are aware of the specific problems associated with the rearing and management of game birds and commercial poultry. We offer a comprehensive advisory service and medicines where appropriate.

Who we are

We are proud to be privately owned and run by two Yorkshire vets.

Laura Langstaff BVetMed MRCVS – Director

Laura qualified from the Royal Veterinary College in 2012 and initially worked in mixed practice in Hornsea and latterly in small animal practice in Middlesbrough. Laura is local, she grew up down the road in Sessay, and her interest in poultry started with her parents keeping a small flock of backyard chickens. Laura’s desire to pursue a career in avian work was fuelled further by broiler and poultry practice placements completed whilst at vet school and she is now very happy to be a long term member of the Sandhill team.

Laura enjoys the variety of being involved with all aspects of avian work here at Sandhill from post mortems to work in our laboratory and farm visits, and takes an active role in looking after game bird, poultry and pigeon clients.

Laura has completed the Poultry Health Course run by the University of Nottingham and is an associate member of the British Veterinary Poultry Association.

Dan King BVMed Sci (Hons) BVM BVS (Hons) MRCVS – Director

Dan qualified from Nottingham University in 2012 and went straight into production animal work in Ripon with Bishopton Vets, it was there that Dan first started working with gamebirds, before working at Sandhill in 2014. His interest in gamebirds and poultry came from a young age, growing up on the family farm near Driffield. On the farm Dan would hatch off batches of chickens and quail and has always had a love for shooting.

Dan was one of the three founding vets of 'Trusted Game' the assurance scheme for the game bird sector. Dan currently sits on the Trusted Game board as a director.

Dan is involved with the Game Farmers Association antibiotic reduction group in conjunction with The Veterinary Medicines Directorate and Responsible use of Medicines in Agriculture. Dan Also sat on the BVPA Avian Influenza working group.

Dan has completed the Poultry Health Course run by the University of Nottingham and was the Treasurer of the Young Poultry Vet Group, a branch of the British Veterinary Poultry Association.

Outside of work Dan is kept busy shooting game and clays or helping out on the family farm. Dan lives in York with his wife, Tess and their little boy Patrick.

Catherine Harston - Laboratory Assistant

Catherine joined Sandhill in 2022.

Born and raised in North Yorkshire Catherine grew up on a farm and has always enjoyed rural life and all that comes with it. She has a scientific background following a degree is Human Health Sciences and after several years of working in equine veterinary she moved to Sandhill in 2022 to specialise in laboratory services.

Her main passions are equine related however she does enjoy a day out on the moor with her dogs and country mad family.

Becky Perrin - Admin / Laboratory Assistant

Becky joined Sandhill in 2023.

After gaining qualifications in Business Administration, Becky has spent most of her career working within public sector before switching to the veterinary industry. Outside of work, Becky is kept busy looking after her family and zoo of pets including a pony, dogs and two gerbils. Any spare time she is lucky to get is spent exploring the countryside, keeping fit and binge-watching good TV series.

Judith Haigh - Accounts

Judith has been working with Sandhill since 2021

Richard Byas B.Vet.Med., MRCVS. – Consultant

Richard qualified from the Royal Veterinary College, London and began his professional career in York concentrating on working with farm livestock and poultry. Richard is proud to be a Yorkshireman by birth and has spent all his working life in the county. In 1996 he left the York practice and founded Sandhill Veterinary Services at Topcliffe near Thirsk to concentrate on avian work.

Richard has been a member of the Yorkshire Veterinary Society since starting in practice and served a term as president in the 1990's. He has been a member of the British Veterinary Poultry Association for over thirty years.

Outside of the practice his interests include gardening and his livestock. He is a Reader of the Church of England and is an active member of the local church in Topcliffe. He is also a member of the Mowbray Deanery Synod.