Meet Dr Alison Dallas
She graduated from Onderstepoort in 1991 and then worked for Summerveld Equine Hospital (where she did her final year practical). After this she worked in the UK for a year in a mixed practice and was lucky enough to attend the Hickstead Derby and Badminton among other top shows. In 1997 she joined Carel de Bruyn and they founded Halfway House Veterinary Clinic in Midrand.
She helped establish the general practice as well as assisting with the reproduction clinic, where they bred some of the first embryo transfer foals in SA. Some of these horses are still her patients today, over 20 years later! In 2003, Dr Alison opened Glen Austin Equine Clinic and was joined by Dr Rissa Parker in 2004. They joined the Equicare group in the same year and haven’t looked back since. There is a great sense of camaraderie at Equicare, where every veterinarian has their own “niche specialty” and there is always someone to assist with difficult cases.
Dr Alison continued to compete in equestrian sports, focusing on showjumping, but also doing some eventing and even turning to the “dark side” for a stint, riding dressage at medium level. Due to work pressures, her horses were swopped for bicycles and she is now an avid MTB enthusiast. She likes to tease her clients and tell them that “at least my bicycle doesn’t eat while I am sleeping”! At least she still gets to ride out on the amazing stallions, Esclavo and Rocinante.
Dr Alison has 3 cats, Jinja, Nino Shouter and Kolisi Kat.
When asked for some advice to horse owners, she said that it is important to establish a partnership with your veterinarian as they then become part of your equestrian family and will always have your horses’ best interests at heart.