Our health care team at St. Francis Vet Hospital all have one thing in common – they are passionate about pets! From our highly experienced vets, to our dedicated nurses/kennelman and welcoming reception staff, everyone at St Francis Veterinary Hospital works together to provide you and your pet with the best possible care.

Our team is dedicated to providing a service to our patients and clients of the highest possible standard. The team continually review their facilities, equipment and training in order to implement their policy of always striving to exceed the expectations of all who visit the hospital.

Our comprehensive patient record system allows us to care for your pet as a team, however you can request which vet you would like to see, and our friendly reception team will gladly assist you with booking your appointment.

Dr Simon Rigby

BVSc (Hons)

Dr Simon Rigby graduated from Onderstepoort in 1999 achieving a Distinction in Small Animal Medicine. Simon was a part of the clinic group that was awarded the Final Year Clinic Group of the year award. After graduating, he registered with the Royal Veterinary College in the United Kingdom and worked at the Burghley Veterinary Centre for four and a half years, before returning back to South Africa.

Simon joined St Francis Veterinary Hospital as an assistant in December 2003 before becoming a Junior Partner in February 2006 and then a Senior Partner in 2008. During this time, he studied for and achieved his BVSC (Hons) in veterinary science.

He was a nominee for the 2007 Edenvale and Bedfordview Rotary Community Service Award and is also a member of the South African Veterinary Association, serving on the committee for 6 years between 2005 –2011. Simon is also a member of the Institute for Veterinary Practice Development (IVPD) serving as a director from 2011-2015.  His passion lies mainly with small animal medicine with an interest in preventative and geriatric health care. He is married with 2 daughters and shares his home with three cats and 1 dog. When time allows, he enjoys a competitive game of golf.

Dr Leigh-Anne Ehmke

BVSc

Dr Leigh-Anne Ehmke joined the St Francis family in January 2019 and became a Junior Partner to Dr Simon Rigby in March 2022. Leigh-Anne grew up in Sandton and matriculated from St Mary’s School for girls in Waverley where she obtained 7 distinctions.

Leigh-Anne has a huge passion for sport! She was involved in the Onderstepoort girls’ soccer team and enjoys watching Liverpool with her family. Dr Ehmke commented “No one is perfect, however being a Liverpool fan is close enough”. When time allows it, she enjoys a game of tennis or league netball with her friends.

2009 -2011 Dr Leigh-Anne completed a Bachelor of Sciences specialising in genetics with distinction. In 2011 she was awarded the Genetics Achievement Award which is given to the most outstanding final year BSc student in Genetics. Dr Leigh-Anne graduated from Onderstepoort in 2016 and spent her CCS year working at the PDSA hospital in Bridgetown, Cape Town. In 2018 she joined Bryanston Veterinary Hospital as an intern, this provided her an opportunity to improve her veterinary skills in a busy referral centre.

Her passion is primarily in surgery and her future plans in the veterinary field will be to further herself in this area. Dr Leigh-Anne shares her home with her cat Lilla.

Dr Sanam Daya

BVSc

Dr Sanam Daya joined the St Francis Family in January 2019. Sanam grew up in Durban and matriculated with full colours in Academics. In 2017 Dr Daya qualified from Onderstepoort as a Veterinarian after which she completed her community service year at Kwaggafontein Veterinary Clinic and Sybrandskraal Veterinary Clinic.

Her time working at both these clinics has afforded her with the opportunity of gaining experience in primary animal health care and minor surgeries. Dr Sanam treated the production and companion animals of the area and educated the community on basic animal handling and welfare as well as farm management. Her passion lies with small animal medicine, and she is very eager to learn from the highly experienced owners of St Francis Vets with their high standards of patient care and medical practice. Sanam enjoys spending time with her family and especially enjoys being the favourite Aunty. When time allows it, she enjoys sitting down with a good book or cooks up a storm.

Dr Daya would like to focus her career on the following quotation:

“No matter how much experience you have, how many degrees you have, or how well known you have become – there is always something new to learn.” – Laura Spencer

Dr Robyn Kader

BSc BVSc

Dr Robyn Kader joined the St Francis Vets healthcare team in February 2022.
Dr Robyn grew up in Kimberley Northern Cape from there she spent 4 years in The Netherlands.
Growing up in The Netherlands nurtured her love for animals and travel. She matriculated in Johannesburg from Dainfern College and qualified with Bachelor of Veterinary Science in 2018.

Dr Robyn enjoys both small animal medicine and surgery and has a keen interest in exotic animal medicine. She has successfully treated snakes, birds, rats, guinae pigs and rabbits.

She shares her home with her fiancé Stephen, Ponton her Maltese and her little x-breed Blue.

Dr Robyn’s favourite animal is a bunny. Each bunny has their own distinct personality, some can be as boisterous as a bull terrier, and some can be as quiet and inquisitive as a cat. Best of all is there are no muddy paws in the house! A bunny is the best pet by a hop, skip and a thump.
Dr Robyn spent a few weeks in Lisbon after completing her ccs year and fell in love with the country and of course the Pasteis de Natas. Life is too short not to enjoy a Café and Nata every day!

Sr Climate Dlamini

Veterinary Nurse

Sr Climate Dlamini joined the St Francis Healthcare team in December 2021 and completed her Diploma of Veterinary Nursing with Onderstepoort in 2015. She started her veterinary nursing journey working at the animal anti cruelty league where she worked for four years and developed a strong interest in anaesthetics.

In 2017 she joined the Fourways Veterinary Hospital team where she was responsible for emergency and critical care patients assisting the veterinarians with any surgical and clinical procedures that were required.

Sr Climate enjoys writing as a hobby and was honoured to be a guest speaker for the Vet Expo Congress in 2020. Sr Climate quotes “In writing I find rehabilitation. Sr Climate is an energetic and enthusiastic person who enjoys a challenge because she believes there is always room for self-improvement both personally and professionally.

In January 2021 she joined the Onderstepoort Veterinary academic hospital in the emergency and critical care department. She was responsible for managing all critical patients in ICU and training of the current students on how to perform procedures.

Sr Climate loves her alone time and is happy to sit back and relax with a good book, her favourite colour is black, and her music taste depends on her mood, day of the week or environment as she finds music very therapeutic. Sr Climate is a nature lover and Victoria Falls is on her bucket list as a must see!