CASTLE VETERINARY - Key Persons
Abi joined our farm reception team in April 2023 whilst completing her Business Admin level 3 apprenticeship.
When she isn't at work, she enjoys helping on her family's sheep farm, socialising with her friends and going to young farmers.
Andy graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2014. He worked in a mixed practice in Dorset for two and a half years, before moving to New Zealand where he worked for eighteen months on the South Island also at a mixed practice. Since returning to the UK in 2018 he has worked as a locum large animal vet in the South West and Wales. Having grown up in Barnstaple, Andy is now returning to his roots and enjoying being back permanently in this part of the country. In his spare time he enjoys surfing, cycling and running. Charlotte Bain Farm Vet BVMSci, MRCVS Farm Veterinary Surgeon Read More Charlotte graduated from the University of Surrey in 2022 and joined the Castle Vets team as a large animal vet, hoping to make the most of the wide variety of livestock the practice treats. She has a particular interest in sheep, with many springs spent lambing Swaledales in the Pennines. Having lived in Falmouth previously, she is enjoying her return to Cornwall, and can be found in her spare time exploring the stunning beaches, paddleboarding up the rivers or hiking across the moors. Laura Champ Farm/ Mixed Vet BVSc MRCVS Mixed Veterinary Surgeon Read More
Bekky joined our farm veterinary team in September 2016 after graduating from Bristol University in June 2016 and spending 5 weeks in New Zealand before starting work.
Prior to going to vet school Bekky worked for many years as a registered veterinary nurse in a mixed practice in Nottinghamshire and decided during vet school that farm was her main area of interest.
In her spare time Bekky enjoys walking her Cocker Spaniel Conker, spending time with family, swimming and competing at motocross. She is also the creator of the most amazing cupcakes!
Job Titles:
- Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon
Chloe graduated from Bristol University in 2020 and began her career at a busy practice in Leeds before moving to Cornwall with her cat Panda, who she adopted from Cats Protection. Chloe hails from Somerset and enjoy spending time outdoors. She joined the practice as a small animal vet in October 2021
Christiane moved to the UK from Germany 15 years ago. After spending time in Somerset she moved to Cornwall 3 years ago with her 2 children, 2 cats, German Shorthaired Pointer and 14 chickens! She enjoys spending time outside walking and gardening in her free time.
Claire re-joined the practice in February 2011. Using all of her experience and knowledge she soon became an invaluable member of staff and was made Deputy Head Nurse in September 2011 and was promoted to Head Nurse in 2013. After taking time off with the birth of her baby James at the end of 2015 she has returned to work with us part-time. Claire married a local farmer in 2014 and they were given a Charolais cow and calf as a wedding present! Claire and her husband also breed pedigree Blue Faced Leicester sheep. Her other interests include baking and decorating cakes and we enjoy sampling her creations!
Job Titles:
- Veterinary Technician & Reception / Veterinary Technician & Farm Animal Receptionist
Ellen joined the farm reception team in May 2021 and soon after gained her qualifications as an Approved TB Tester and RoMS accredited mobility scorer. She now works as a farm receptionist and veterinary technician.
Outside of work she can be found on the home farm, milking cows or feeding calves.
Helen qualified in 1994 and joined Castle Veterinary Group later that year. Helen now works on the farm animal side of the practice.
Job Titles:
- Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon
Howard graduated from the University of Bristol in 2017 and has worked as a small animal vet in the UK and New Zealand since then. He joined Castle Vets in August after moving to Cornwall in June 2022 with his girlfriend to enjoy the outdoor lifestyle and to get better at surfing! Outside of work he enjoys cooking, playing football, hiking, surfing, and skiing.
Job Titles:
- Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon
Jackie joined the practice as a small animal vet in August 2021. Jackie graduated from the RVC in 1982 and moved from East Sussex to Cornwall in May 2021 with her husband, 2 Flat-coated Retrievers and 2 horses. Jackie enjoys all aspects of small animal medicine.
Jackie joined us in September 2016 as a small animal receptionist but will also be found helping out on our farm reception too. Jackie is experienced at working within veterinary practice as she has been a small animal receptionist for many years. She tells us she is loving being part of the Castle Vets family and enjoying the challenge of learning farm reception duties! Jackie moved to the Launceston area from Surrey earlier this year with her husband and three dogs, a 9 year old Great Dane and two young Lurchers. She loves participating in all canine sports, particularly flyball, heel work to music and general obedience. Jackie is currently trying out a new hobby - hoping to become and adequate gardener! She also loves spending lots of time at local beaches and beauty spots, and is wondering why she didn't move "down west" years ago!
Jenny joined our nursing team in July 2019. She started her Veterinary Nurse career in 2004 in Weymouth, Dorset. She then moved to Cornwall in 2006 where she worked at a large practice and trained. Upon qualifying she moved to Devon and worked in a busy Veterinary hospital, after maternity leave she decided to have a career change and for the last two years she has been lecturing Animal management/nursing alongside a foundation degree in teaching at a FE college in Barnstaple. Her keen interests in Vet Nursing are; Feline behaviour, radiography and Nurse clinics. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her 2 young children, along with all their pets which include 2 whippets, 3 cats and a cornsnake.
Job Titles:
- Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon
Katie joined Castle Vets as a mixed vet in August 2018 having graduated from Cambridge in June. Katie has since given up mixed practice and is now just working as a small animal vet.
Outside of work, Katie's hobbies include walking, kayaking and cooking. She is new to Cornwall and is enjoying spending the weekends exploring the area with her husband and friends.
Katie joined Castle Vets in December. When she is not working she loves spending time with her two dogs, Oggy & Nook.
Laura qualified from Bristol Veterinary University in July 2019 and joined the Castle Vets team as a mixed practice vet in September 2019.
Laura joined our farm team as a part-time receptionist in August 2017. She has since then taken on the role as practice cleaner in April 2020. She previously studied at Sparsholt Agricultural College and has lots of receptionist experience, so she is a great addition to our existing team. Outside of work, Laura is kept very busy looking after her two children, Border Collie, rabbit and guinea pig!
Job Titles:
- Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon
Mark qualified from Cambridge University in 1987 and has worked in Veterinary Practices in the South West since then. He joined Castle Veterinary Group as a mixed vet in 2004, becoming a partner in the business in 2006. Mark has worked solely as a Small Animal Vet for the last 10 years and has gained a loyal following of clients over this time. His main interest is in surgery, he has a wealth of knowledge and skill and is able to perform many orthopaedic procedures such as fracture and cruciate ligament repairs. Mark is currently nearing completion of a postgraduate qualification in Surgery, following 2 years of study. He lives with his family and many pets in Tavistock.
Richard graduated from Cambridge in 1984. After a year in Wales he joined Luxstowe vets in Liskeard and became a director. When Luxstowe gave up their farm work in May 2017, Richard joined the Castle Vets farm veterinary team. Outside of work he enjoys golf, walking the dogs and is an avid football fan, especially Chelsea! Roger Serres Farm Vet MRCVS Farm Veterinary Surgeon Read More Roger qualified in Barcelona in 2001 and came to the UK later that year. He has worked as a farm vet in Herefordshire and Devon before joining our team in January 2020. His main interests are anything and everything to do with cattle but he does not shy away from sheep, goats, pigs or alpacas/lamas. Outside of work he likes to tinker with electronic boards and old computers. Sarah Caldwell Farm Vet BSc (Hons) BVSc, MRCVS Farm Veterinary Surgeon Read More Sarah joined Castle Vets in April 2020. She returned to her roots in Cornwall in 2012 to work as a farm vet having completed a degree in Animal Science, at Nottingham University, and subsequently a Veterinary degree at The University of Liverpool. Her interests are infectious disease, fertility and youngstock health and development. Sarah enjoys conducting hands-on workshops for farmers to share knowledge. Sarah has also developed a niche for Camelid medicine, which is internationally recognised. In her spare time, she can be found at home with her pedigree Lleyn flock and cows or in the sea! Lucy Giles Farm Vet BVMS (Hons) MRCVS PGCert, VetEd Farm Veterinary Surgeon Read More Lucy has worked at Castle Vets since 2020, having worked for a mixed practice in Staffordshire previously, after completing a wildlife internship in South Africa. Before starting with us, she also gained a Postgrad Certificate in Veterinary Education and is currently studying with the University of Liverpool to become an Advanced Veterinary Practitioner, focusing on sheep health. Lucy has a keen interest in all aspects of on farm training and development, and currently oversees our farmer training events, as well as flock and beef clubs. Outside of work, she is most likely to be found rambling around the coast with her spaniel or surfing.
Sarah joined the Castle Vets small animal reception team in May 2018. Sarah was a student veterinary nurse with us before she left to start a family and now her son has grown up she has returned to Castle Vets and is enjoying a different side of working within the veterinary world. Outside of work Sarah is kept busy looking after her family, helping her partner on the farm, managing their holiday cottages and making handcrafted jewellery. In her free time she enjoys caring for all her animals, riding her horses and watching her son play football.
Job Titles:
- Administrator
- Receptionist
- Team Leader
Claire Waters - Claire qualified from the Royal Veterinary College in 1994 and spent 18 years working in mixed and then small animal practices in the South East. She moved with her family to Cornwall in 2012 to join Castle Veterinary Group and became a partner in the business shortly after. Claire enjoys all aspects of medicine and surgery, especially dentistry and ophthalmology. She loves chickens and has become the ‘go to' person for Backyard Chickens in the practice. When not at work, she enjoys being outdoors in the beautiful Cornish countryside, cycling or walking with her Lab crosses, Peanut and Roobarb.
Jenny graduated from the University of Bristol in 2010. Originally from Dorset, she has worked in small animal practice in the South West since
graduating. Although she is a true general practitioner, Jenny has an interest in canine and feline medicine. In 2019 she gained a Certificate in Small Animal Medicine, achieving a distinction. Following this, Jenny became an RCVS Recognised Advanced Practitioner in Small Animal Medicine.
Jenny is a lover of the countryside and all things outdoors. She moved to Cornwall in December 2020, along with her boyfriend Andy (also a vet) and smiley English Springer Spaniel Reuben. They enjoy lots of walks together!
Rachel joined Castle Vets is 2018 as our Small Animal Team Leader. Previously, she has worked as a qualified veterinary nurse in both general practice and referral before relocating to the South West with her family. She enjoys getting outside on the local coastal walks, along with her Cocker Spaniel, Maine Coon cat and Hare!
Job Titles:
- Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon
Tabi joined the practice in April 2018 from a predominantly small animal practice in Exeter. Prior to this she spent several years working as a locum in a large variety of practices across the south west. She enjoys all aspects of first opinion practice and has a particular interest in veterinary acupuncture. Outside of work, Tabi enjoys sea swimming, yoga, attempting to grow vegetables and getting out and about with her two dogs.
Tim qualified way back in 1989 and has worked in the Southwest ever since. He joined the practice in 1994.
He is married to Jane and has 3 sons. He has served as a director of the Moredun Foundation and president of the Sheep Veterinary Society. Recently more of his time has been spent on sheep advisory work and he is a member of the Register of Sheep Advisors.