In 2012 I was proudly nominated for the Petplan’s Veterinary Nurse of the year award and make it to the final three in the UK. The awards are the veterinary industry’s equivalent to the Oscars, and I was over the moon to have made it into the UK’s top three nurses.

In my spare time, I enjoy baking, spending time with my friends and family whilst also caring for Cornflake – the most adorable ginger and white cat, who I rescued off the side of the road with a fractured leg. I also have a bouncy border terrier called Tumble, who loves long walks and playing with her toys.

I joined the Brentknoll team in late 2012 and have spent my time since then working alongside the vets in consultations and helping take care of the pet in-patients in our hospital.

I started my Veterinary Nurse training in 2013 and I’m pleased to say that in 2015 I successfully qualified as a registered veterinary nurse (RVN), college kept me extremely busy but I really enjoyed being able to meet other student nurses and listen to their experiences from being in different practices.

Now that college is done, I have a little more free time to do the other things I love; I enjoy arts and crafts and have designed and created my own line of hand-made jewellery and broaches which I sell at local craft fayres. However this has had to take a back seat recently as I am busy planning my wedding to my partner Chris which will take place later this year (2017.)

Coco – Naomi Hodgkins’ catI also volunteer at my local youth group and play an active part in arranging activities and events for children of all age groups, which gives me a great deal of satisfaction.

At home I have a two cats called Coco and Posie, Coco can be seen chilling out here with her favourite cat nip filled mouse toy. I’m yet to get Posie to sit still for long enough to get a nice photo of her!

I joined the team in January 2014 after deciding it was time for a change. I had previously been working as a seamstress in a local bridal shop, where my duties involved alterations, sales and bridal consultations but I knew this wasn’t right for me.

I have always had a keen interest in animals, when I was younger I volunteered on a farm and more recently I have a keen interest in horses and regularly go riding. So when the position came up at Brentknoll I jumped at the chance to change careers.

I originally joined as a trainee veterinary nurse and at this time I spent most of my time with the Vets in consultations, assisting where possible and learning more about the industry and about being a Vet Nurse.

I started my training in September 2014 and I’m pleased to say that in 2016 I successfully completed my studies and so I’m not a fully qualified Veterinary Nurse (RVN). In 2017 I joined the referrals team, assisting with the referral patients and assisting Mr Fisher with his cardiac and CT imaging clinics. It’s great being able to take some more responsibility and learn more about another area of the practice.

Matthew – laura ElliottIn my spare time I enjoy keeping active and regularly attend the gym, I’m currently enjoying making my first house a home with my long term partner.

Hi, I’m Sammie and I’m part of the senior nursing team here at Brentknoll. I joined in 2014 as a consulting assistant before starting my nurse training at Pershore College and completed my training, becoming a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) in February 2018. Since then I have taken a big interest in anaesthesia and surgical nursing. I have also done the BVNA oral care nursing certificate so if you ever need advice on your pets teeth, you can always speak to me!

At home I have a Thrianta rabbit named Trevor, I’m definitely a crazy rabbit lady.

I joined the Brentknoll team in January 2016 after deciding on a change of career. I have previously worked in retail and sales which I enjoyed for a short while, but my passion has always been with animals. So in January, I took the leap and started here as a consult assistant.

I started my nurse training at the end of 2016, attending a local college in Pershore. It’s such a change from my previous jobs but I’m loving the fast paced environment of a busy vet practice and learning something new everyday.

The other nurses and I enjoy going out for a ‘cheeky Nandos’ or carvery when ever possible and I spend a lot of my spare time looking after my collection of small furies photos to follow…

I joined the team in October 2016 after previously having worked for the out of hours services, Vets Now, who operate from the Brentknoll practice.

I really enjoyed the part time position, which involved greeting clients to the practice and assisting the vet and qualified nurse treating emergency cases. I enjoyed learning about the emergency cases and although it was hard work and unsociable hours, it gave me a good insight into the industry.

Starting at Brentknoll, meant I got to learn about another side of the industry and I’ve been kept busy working alongside the Vets in consults and helping out in the hospital. I’m hoping to start my nurse training soon but until then I’m learning as much as I can from the other nurses.

At home I have two Norwich Terriers, called Barney and Roly and two rabbits called Jasper and Pippin. Poor Barney spent a fair bit of time being treated here at Brentknoll before I joined the team and I couldn’t have wished for a nicer team to be looking after him.

… but since finishing my courses, I have only worked in retail. When the opportunity came up, I jumped at the chance to work at the practice. I have always had a keen interest in the veterinary industry and since working here it has opened my eyes even more to what it is like to be on both the clinical and non-clinical side of things and just how important every member is to our team.

At home, I have my two very lovely (sometimes) dogs; Chay the Sprocker and Reggie the Airedale.  In my spare time I love taking them for long walks – all 3 of us particularly like going up the Malvern Hills together!

So, when you see me in the practice, I might be assisting the vet with your animals in the consult rooms or you may see me on the front desk with the Client Care ladies but feel free to come and ask me anything or just have a chat!

Having previously been a registered Veterinary Nurse and working in the industry for several years, I began working for Brentknoll as the head Hydrotherapist but left in 2011 to spend more time with my young family.

Before I left in 2011 I spent much of my time in the offices behind the scenes involved in administration and insurance, I was also largely responsible for the annual dog show and school visits.

I returned to Brentknoll in April 2014, and took over the Hydro department when the previous Hydrotherapist left.

I am really excited to be back and will be working closely with the Vets and Paula from our Manipulation Clinics to help animals in Post-Op recovery and providing great fun sessions for those dogs just wanting to let off some steam.

In my spare time I am mum to my two young children and enjoy doing lots of activities with them.

Hi I’m Kate, I joined the Brentknoll Client Care Team in July 2014.

For several years I have worked as a dental nurse before taking some time off to raise my two cheeky boys Harry and Finley; since returning to work I have worked as a dental receptionist but felt it was time for a change and a new challenge.

I love being around animals and have two lovely cats called Cilla and Dora and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel called Betty at home. When I’m not busy taking care of the animals and my children I enjoy keeping fit and baking (which my colleagues will be very happy to sample.)

As I had a background in customer service and a life-long love of
animals, Client Care at Brentknoll seemed to be a good fit! I am still
learning my way around but I am thoroughly enjoying the variety that is
involved in my new role.

I have 3 pets at home, Alfie the Cocker Spaniel, and 2 cats, Finola and
Meg. Alf is such a character, and loves any attention that he can get!
Meg (tabby & white) gets the majority of her traits from Alfie – I think
she thinks she is a dog! She is so cuddly and she even comes to you
when you call her name. My eldest cat Fin (grey & white) has been
around forever! She loves sunning herself and a good ear scratch!

Hi, my name is Jean and you may recognise me as a previous client care team member; I worked for the practice for several years but left in 2011 to be with my young family more.

I have since worked on and off at Brentknoll providing reception cover and general administration work when required. I will be working on Tuesdays from February 2015 onwards to complete insurance claim forms and provide cover whilst Donna is on maternity leave.

Roxy, belonging to Jean Williams, Client Care at Brentknoll Vets in WorcesterPlease do say hi if you see me around I love to have a chat with all of our clients and cuddle with their pets, at home I have a bouncy dog called Roxy who is pictured laying on the beach.

I originally joined the practice as a nurse back in 2002. Then after 5 years, I left to attend the University of Worcester, where I gained a BA in Art and Design.

Like many other members of staff, I couldn’t stay away!

So I returned to the practice as part of the client care team; using my knowledge of veterinary medicine from my nursing years, to complete the practice’s insurance claim forms on behalf of our clients.

I currently work part time at the practice which suits me perfectly whilst I juggle being a busy working mum.

Layla – Donna Hemming’s dogIn my spare time I am mum to Elliot who was born in 2012 and Sullivan born in 2015, I enjoy days out with them and activities such as swimming and music lessons. I also spend my time caring for my beautiful, bouncy boxer called Layla, who loves running over fields and cuddles with her little ‘brother’ Elliot – here she is, looking very cute and cuddly as a puppy.

I joined Brentknoll in December 2010 as part of the client care team; since then I have been made Practice Manager.

My new role involves many aspects from debt management to managing staff holidays and rotas. You will usually find me upstairs in the offices, but keep an eye out for me as I’m always keen to have a dog or cat cuddle!

I am currently owned a Jack Russell called Eddie and three cats called Whisky, Bean and Gibbs (Gibbs is the ginger cat fast asleep with his little sister Bean, Whisky is the black and white tree climbing cat.)

I have a number of canine interests including obedience training/competing, showing and I have also done “PAT” – Pets as Therapy – work with my previous dogs.

Pets as Therapy is a wonderful scheme, where pet cats and dogs visit nursing and care homes, hospices, special needs schools etc – where people get a huge amount of pleasure and relaxation spending time with them. It’s very therapeutic.

I joined the team in December 2015 and I’m so glad that I did. I have always wanted a career that challenges me and gives me the opportunity to help people, which this role certainly does. I’m really enjoying the variety within the role, one minute we can be meeting puppies and kittens and the next we could be faced with an emergency.

I have recently moved into the position of Assistant Practice Manager which allows me to concentrate more on the administration side of the practice, as well as still getting the opportunity to cuddle all the pups and kittens.

I have previously worked at Argos as a manager since leaving university, where I studied Forensic Psychology. I enjoyed the fast paced environment of retail and being able to offer great customer service.

I first began working at Brentknoll Veterinary Centre in 1998 and qualified as a Small Animal Veterinary Nurse in 2001.

After working here as Head Nurse for 5 years and gaining my assessor’s qualification, I decided to join Hartpury College as a Vet Nursing Lecturer and Internal Verifier.

Like many other employees, I could not stay away for long though – and I re-joined the practice in May 2010, as Assistant Practice Manager. Now I can be found in the offices where I manage everything to do with stock, health and safety, nurse training and more.

Molly and Katie – Vicky Walsh’s catsAway from work I have a lovely ginger cat called Molly.