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Small Animal Nurses

Claire Dennis
Ripon - Head Nurse
Claire Dennis

RVN BSAVA Surgical Nursing Merit Award

Head Nurse - Ripon
A bit about me...

Claire started at Bishopton Vets in 2000 as a trainee nurse, and has been Head Nurse since 2007. She looks after the clinical and practice standards across all of surgeries. 

Did you know?
Outside of work, Claire and her husband have two boys and 2 cats, Soxy and Zoggy. Soxy who is 20(!) was hand reared from Bishopton when Claire first started working with us. Zoggy was also hand reared but is still a youngster at just 6 years old! Claire enjoys cycling in her spare time and completed the Way of the Roses coast-to-coast 2 years ago for charity.
Kathy Jeffreys
Ripon - Deputy Head Nurse
Kathy Jeffreys
BSc (Hons) RVN
Deputy Head Nurse - Ripon
A bit about me...
Kathy graduated from Hartpury College in Gloucestershire. Her university holidays were spent volunteering with wildlife in South Africa. After graduation Kathy worked in mixed practice in Cumbria before moving to Yorkshire and joining Bishopton in 2019.Kathy has a certificate in dental work and is currently undertaking a Vets Now Certificate in emergency and critical care. She enjoys all the variety in her current role especially the long-term patient care.
Did you know?
Kathy has a rescue cat called Rhys and is on the lookout for a puppy. In her spare time she enjoys playing rugby, travelling and fell walking in the Lake District.
Rachael Chapman
Ripon, Northallerton - Senior Diagnostic Nurse
Rachael Chapman
Senior Diagnostic Nurse - Ripon, Northallerton
A bit about me...
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Holly Doney
Ripon, Pateley Bridge - Senior Medical Nurse
Holly Doney
RVN Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing, Medical Nursing Merit Certificate & Clinical Coach
Senior Medical Nurse - Ripon, Pateley Bridge
A bit about me...

Holly started working at Bishopton in 2016, after qualifying and completing her training at a Veterinary Hospital in Harrogate. She grew up on a family dairy farm and this is where her love of animals great and small stemmed from. At work her passion lies in medical nursing and the care of our hospitalised patients and she looks forward to expanding her knowledge with further qualifications in this area. Holly has recently been promoted to Senior Medical Nurse.

Did you know?
Outside of work Holly enjoys exploring the countryside with her working labrador Marrick and horse Monty, helping out on the farm and socialising with friends and family.
Kate Fleetham
Ripon - Senior Iodine Nurse
Kate Fleetham
Registered Veterinary Nurse
Senior Iodine Nurse - Ripon
A bit about me...
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Laura Hawley
Ripon - Senior Surgical Nurse
Laura Hawley

RVN Bsc(Hons) VPAC Clinical Coach

Senior Surgical Nurse - Ripon
A bit about me...

Laura graduated from Harper Adams in 2016 with a first class degree in Veterinary Nursing and Practice Management. Her first job as an RVN was in a mixed practice in East Yorkshire, but for the last three years she has been working as Head Nurse in a small animal practice in York. She has also spent some time guest lecturing at Askham Bryan College in York. Laura thoroughly enjoys all aspects of veterinary nursing, but her passions are medical nursing, physiotherapy, geriatric patient care and radiography. She also loves training student nurses and is currently working towards her Nutritional Ambassador qualification.

Did you know?
Outside of work Laura enjoys exploring the countryside with her 13 year old patterdale terrier Pippa, performing in musical theatre productions and attending pole fitness classes.
Leanne Henderson
Ripon - Senior Night Nurse
Leanne Henderson
Senior Night Nurse - Ripon
A bit about me...
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Eleanor Martin
Ripon - Senior Medical Veterinary Nurse
Eleanor Martin
BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing and Practice Management
Senior Medical Veterinary Nurse - Ripon
A bit about me...

Eleanor studied at Harper Adams University gaining a degree in Veterinary Nursing and Practice Managment. Since qualifying as a veterinary nurse Eleanor has locumed in London before moving up to Yorkshire. Eleanor loves all aspect of nursing but her key areas of interest lie in emergency and critical care, medicine, physiotherapy and rehabilitation.

 

Did you know?
Outside of work Eleanor enjoys exploring the beautiful Yorkshire countryside, esecially visiting the coast, baking and spending time with her family.
Beth Aitken
Ripon - Auxiliary Nurse
Beth Aitken
Auxiliary Nurse - Ripon
A bit about me...

Beth lives in Nidderdale with her husband and two young children. Animals have always played a big part in her life, currently she has 2 rabbits, 2 cats and 13 pet sheep.

In her previous job Beth worked with llamas and alpacas, so Bishopton is something a bit different for her.

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Naomi Hodgson
Ripon - Student Veterinary Nurse
Naomi Hodgson
BSc Hons Canine and Feline training, behaviour and welfare 
Student Veterinary Nurse - Ripon
A bit about me...

Naomi qualified with a degree in Canine and Feline Training, Behaviour and Welfare before coming to work for Bishopton in 2018 within our Client Care Team. She was promoted to Deputy Client Care Leader before making the big decision to join our clinical team as a student nurse in September 2022. Naomi enjoys all aspects of her job and is enjoying putting her knowlege of canine behaviour and animal training to use.

Did you know?
Outside of work Naomi enjoys walking with her two dogs, going to the gym and travelling.
Caroline Barclay
Ripon - Auxiliary Nurse
Caroline Barclay
Auxiliary Nurse - Ripon
A bit about me...
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Becky Doyle
Ripon - Registered Veterinary Nurse
Becky Doyle
Registered Veterinary Nurse
Registered Veterinary Nurse - Ripon
A bit about me...

Becky started working at Bishopton in 2018 and has recently qualified as a registered veterinary nurse. Prior to joining Bishopton Becky worked as a dog groomer.

Outside of work Becky's hobbies and interests are all animal related. Becky adores all animals, particularly dogs and farm animals. In her spare time she enjoys walks in the countryside with her dogs and spending time with her cheeky herd of pygmy goats.

Did you know?
All Becky's interest and hobbies are all animal related.She absolutally adores animals, particularly dogs and farm animals. In her spare time she enjoys walking in the countryside with her dogs and spending time with her cheeky herd of pygmy goats.
Cara Dowkes
Ripon - Student Veterinary Nurse
Cara Dowkes
Student Veterinary Nurse - Ripon
A bit about me...

Cara previously studyied Zoology and wildlife conservation, whilst working as a bird and sealion trainer at a local zoo. Cara then decided to focus her interests on becoming a Veterinary Nurse. She loves all aspects of nursing, especially forming connections with the inpatients and monitoring patients during surgery.

Did you know?
Outside of work Cara enjoys going to the gym, reading and obsessing over her tuxedo cat called Pepé!
Lisa Harris
Ripon - Auxiliary Nurse
Lisa Harris
Auxiliary Nurse - Ripon
A bit about me...
Lisa has joined Bishopton Vets after working in education for a lot of years. Bishopton Vets is a rewarding and welcoming challenge for her.
Did you know?
Lisa and her family are Bransby family fosterers and have rescued 2 ponies. They also have a cat, 2 dogs and a donkey mare and her foal!
Steph Horn
Ripon - Registered Veterinary Nurse
Steph Horn
Registered Veterinary Nurse - Ripon
A bit about me...

Steph has a background in design, but when she joined Bishopton in 2017 she changed track to her dream career of working with animals. Steph originally started at Bishopton as a Client & Clinical Care Assistant and after two years she was offered the opportunity to train to study as a nurse. Steph comes from a farming family and has grown up around animals of all sizes, in particular sheep.

 

Did you know?
Steph owns a Border Collie and has three other family dogs, a Jack Russell, a Patterdale and another Border Collie. She also has a small flock of pedigree Blue Texel sheep that she has built up over the last couple of years. In her spare time Steph likes to paint pictures of animals and bake tasty treats for family, friends and colleagues!
Olivia Hudson
Ripon, Thirsk - Registered Veterinary Nurse
Olivia Hudson
Registered Veterinary Nurse - Ripon, Thirsk
A bit about me...

Olivia has recently completed her BSc top up degree in Veterinary Nursing at Askham Bryan College and has a keen interest in nutrition.

Olivia is keen to complete further education within that field in the future.

Did you know?
Outside of work Olivia can often be found on the family farm or with her border collie.
Natasha Hutchinson
Ripon - Registered Veterinary Nurse
Natasha Hutchinson
Registered Veterinary Nurse - Ripon
A bit about me...
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Helen Lamb
Ripon - Registered Veterinary Nurse
Helen Lamb
RVN IMDT 
Registered Veterinary Nurse - Ripon
A bit about me...
Helen joined Bishopton in 2013 and is part of our dedicated small animal nursing team. She is a qualified dog trainer and a full member of the IMDT.
Did you know?
Outside of work Helen's hobbies include training and working her dogs, two labradors called Flint and Poppy and a working cocker spaniel called Joey.
Rosie Macklam
Ripon - Registered Veterinary Nurse
Rosie Macklam
Registered Veterinary Nurse - Ripon
A bit about me...

Rosie's journey in Bishopton began in 2018 when she arrived for work experience. Transitioning into her student veterinary nursing course in September 2021. Fast forward to 2024 and she qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse. Rosie adores all animals but has a passion for small mammals like rodents and ferrets and hopes to develop her knowledge on their care and health. Rosie is eager to expand her knowldege on phlebotomy and blood transfusions.

 


Did you know?
Outside of work Rosie loves all things 80s! She is a proud owner of a record player and enjoys collecting her favourite albums as vinyl, cassettes or CDs. When not lost in music Rosie has a parson Russell terrier and two miniature dachshunds who she loves to take out on road trips and for picnics in the Yorkshire countryside!
Yasmin Powlton
Ripon - Registered Veterinary Nurse
Yasmin Powlton
Registered Veterinary Nurse - Ripon
A bit about me...

Yasmin is currently studying for her Foundation Degree in Veterinary Nursing at the University Centre Askham Bryan College. As part of her degree she has to undertake a placement year in practice. Prior to starting her degree Yasmin studied the Introduction to Animal Nursing. 

Did you know?
Outside of work Yasmin enjoys shooting with her Dad and two cocker spaniels during the shooting season. She also works on a local sheep farm which she thoroughly enjoys! In any spare time Yasmin likes to bake sweet treats and cook for her family.
Lauren Purcell
Ripon - Student Veterinary Nurse
Lauren Purcell
Student Veterinary Nurse - Ripon
A bit about me...
Before joining Bishopton Vets in 2023, Lauren worked at a Vet Dentist and is excited to be joining the Bishopton Team.
Did you know?
When Lauren is not working, she enjoys ice skating, painting or playing with her sausage dog, Redford.
Helen Quartermaine
Ripon - Registered Veterinary Nurse
Helen Quartermaine
RVN
Registered Veterinary Nurse - Ripon
A bit about me...
Helen has over 20 years experience as a Veterinary Nurse and still loves all aspects of the  varied role. She particularly enjoys anaesthesia and surgical nursing along with carrying out our practice nursing clinics. Helen also helps run the dog handling clinics which she finds extremely rewarding.
Did you know?
Out of work Helen is a busy mum of two boys, Labrador Erik, two cats Molly & Rocky as well as a horse called Peanut. She's also a keen cyclist and can be regularly found up and down the Hambleton Hills in preparation for sportives!
Lucy Robinson
Ripon - Registered Veterinary Nurse
Lucy Robinson
Registered Veterinary Nurse - Ripon
A bit about me...

Lucy qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2018 with a foundation degree from Askham Bryan College. She started working at Bishopton in March 2022 splitting her time between practice nursing where she carries out nurse consultations and a general nursing role which involves caring for inpatients, monitoring anaesthesia and taking and running bloods. 

Lucy has a keen interest in canine behaviour and hopes to study this is more depth in the near future. She has always enjoyed training dogs but since getting her own rescue dog in 2019 she can understand how this can help many dogs and families.

Did you know?
Outside of work Lucy enjoys walking in the countryside, trying out new recipes and training her rescue dog Dugal!
Emma Saxton
Ripon - Night Nurse
Emma Saxton
Night Nurse - Ripon
A bit about me...

Emma Saxton joined the practice as a Night Nurse. Emma completed her training at Askham Bryan, York. Her particular interests in work are inpatient care and interesting medical cases – she loves some emergency surgery too.

Did you know?
Emma has one old dog called Barney. She loves exploring the outdoors and going for lovely walks. She also loves to try new activities, push her boundaries and is not scared of a little mud. That being said, she is partial to a good dress up to have a few cocktails with the girls.
Vicky Syers
Ripon - Nursing Assistant
Vicky Syers
Animal Nursing Assistant
Nursing Assistant - Ripon
A bit about me...
Vicky joined Bishopton Vets in 2015 as a Nursing Assistant. She completed her VCA course in 2017 through the college of animal welfare, making her a qualified Veterinary Care Assistant. Vicky enjoys being part of the nursing team and has responsibilities that include small animal care and lab tech duties. Previously she studied Animal Management at Askham Bryan College.
Did you know?
Outside of work Vicky spends her time with her husband, young family and rescue pets - one of which is Radish, the cat who she rehomed as a stray from Bishopton!
Sheryl Kitchen
Ripon - Auxiliary Nurse
Sheryl Kitchen
Auxiliary Nurse - Ripon
A bit about me...
Sheryl started at Bishopton Vets in 2017 as part of the Dispensing team. In 2022 she moved across to be part of the Auxillary Nurse team and is throughly enjoying this new role espcially all the animal handling.
Did you know?
As a small girl I grew up helping with my Dad's small holding - we had a small herd of cows which I would love to name! I often got mistaken for a boy when dressed in my wellies, flat cap and hacking jacket...So I made my Dad take me to get my ears pierced!
Holly McLaughlin
Ripon - Student Veterinary Nurse
Holly McLaughlin
Student Veterinary Nurse - Ripon
A bit about me...
Did you know?