Dr Esther Skelly-Smith BVMedSci (Hons) BVM BVS PCAC MRCVS launched Shanaghan Veterinary Services in 2017 which is Northern Ireland’s first equine veterinary referral service dedicated to providing an integrated approach to the veterinary treatment and care of horses. This includes veterinary Acupuncture, veterinary chiropractic, chronic pain management, rehabilitation and laser therapy.
Esther graduated from the University of Nottingham Vet School and went on to work in the world-renowned Animal Health Trust in Newmarket, working closely with Dr Sue Dyson. She is a published author of veterinary research and her work has been presented at the British Equine Veterinary Association Congress. Since her return to Northern Ireland she has worked as an equine vet for a mixed practice and an equine dental clinic while she was persuing further professional development in Veterinary Acupuncture and Veterinary Chiropractic. She is a professional member of the Association of British Veterinary Acupuncture and the Western Veterinary Acupuncture Group. She is also the Equine Council Representative on the North of Ireland Veterinary Association (NIVA) and the Honorary Secretary of the Association of Veterinary Surgeons Practising in Northern Ireland (AVSPNI).
Esther has been actively involved in the sport horse industry breeding Irish Draughts and Irish Sport Horses from an early age and “Shanaghan Horses” are now internationally recognised. She has also competed at a national level in dressage, working hunter, side-saddle and other equestrian disciplines. In her spare time Esther enjoys spending time on the family farm with her husband, her flock of sheep and her working sheep dog Shep!