CRIEFF VETS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Beatrice Otukoya Student Veterinary Surgeon
- Student Veterinary Surgeon
- Veterinary Surgeon
Beatrice is an international qualified veterinarian from Nigeria, qualifying in 2018. She decided to further her education after working as a Vet in Nigeria and food assurance officer for a while.
Beatrice joined our team in December 2022. She is currently studying as a student veterinary surgeon and will pass her RCVS Statutory exam in the near future and becoming a registered vet.
When Beatrice isn't working or studying she enjoys reading and visiting new places.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Nursing Team
- Bobbie Smith Nursing Assistant
- Nursing Assistant
Bobbie joined our team in 2017, firstly as our amazing cleaner and then in 2021 as one of our Animal Care Assistants.
Outside of work, Bobbie enjoys spending time with her family, two dogs and family horses.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Nursing Team
- Craig Czekalla Animal Care Assistant
Job Titles:
- Member of the Administrative Team
- Receptionist
- Elaine Townsend Receptionist
Elaine spent a few years abroad before coming back to her home town, Crieff, 20 years ago to settle with her family.
She enjoys quizzes, spending time with family and friends and loves long walks in the beautiful countryside around Crieff.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Administrative Team
- Practice Manager
- Ellenor Youngs Practice Manager
Ellenor has previously been with the practice as a Nursing Assistant for 5 years before moving away for a while, gaining experience in other areas of veterinary practice such as administration and pharmacy/stock management.
She has one wee cat called Pumpkin that is her pride and joy, who was handed into the practice as a stray kitten suffering badly from cat flu but recovered well!
In her free time, Ellenor enjoys painting, reading, baking and hiking.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Nursing Team
- Emma Winstanley RVN Veterinary Nurse
- Veterinary Nurse
Emma qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2017 from Edinburgh College. She has just returned from maternity after having her a little girl a year ago and is one of our part-time nurses.
Emma is a self-certified crazy cat lady and shares her home with her two cats Louie and Olive and has a particular interest in feline Medicine and Husbandry. In her spare time she enjoys walking, being outdoors and spending time with her family.
Fern is our Clinical Director, she joined the practice in January 2021. She is also the Clinical Director at Fair City Vets, our sister practice down the road.
Fern qualified from Nottingham University Vet School and spent the first years of her career on the Isle of Man. She is passionate about looking after people, whether staff or clients and is incredibly honored to be trusted with your furry friends. Her interests outside of work include, baking, making music, gardening and sewing (not all at the same time!).
Job Titles:
- Member of the Administrative Team
- Receptionist
- Gwen Taylor Receptionist
Gwen has worked as a receptionist for 7 years between Fair City Vets and Crieff Vets. Gwen has a special interest in end of life care for animals.
In her spare time, Gwen interests are reading, gardening, walking and birds. She also loves to catch up with her human and four legged family.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Nursing Team
- Helen Easty RVN Veterinary Nurse
- Veterinary Nurse
Helen qualified in 1996 and worked in a Northamptonshire first opinion and referral practice before moving up to Scotland in 2019.
Helen is passionate about perioperative patient care, anaesthesia and theatre practice. She has been a clinical coach and student mentor for the last 20 years and enjoys passing on her knowledge and experience to the next generation of nurses.
Outside of the practice you'll find Helen hill walking with her family, her major interests are dogs and horses.
Since moving to Scotland she volunteers and coaches at the local Riding For Disabled Group.
Job Titles:
- Iona Tavendale BVMS MRCVS Veterinary Surgeon
- Veterinary Surgeon
Iona started working with us in January 2023. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in June 2021. After spending her first year in practice as a mixed animal vet in Nottinghamshire, she has returned to her home practice with us.
Iona is part of the graduate academy and is loving performing surgery and learning new skills. Outside of small animal practice, she has a keen interest in wildlife and conservation.
In her free time Iona loves to spend time with her cats, baking, reading and going out walking.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Administrative Team
- Receptionist
- Janet Pontin Receptionist
Janet joined our team in 2022. Outside work, Janet enjoys her interests of photography, writing and working in her garden in the lovely setting of Crieff. And, of course, walking her Spaniel - in all weathers.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Nursing Team
- Karen Melville Nursing Assistant
- Nursing Assistant
Karen started with us in October 2013 and is an integral part of our team. Outside work Karen enjoys gardening, baking and walking in our lovely countryside.
Lucy graduated from University of Surrey in 2021 and moved to Crieff from West Sussex, joining Crieff Vets shortly after.
In her spare time Lucy enjoys training and racing Huskies nationally and internationally, spending time with her dogs and walking to explore the countryside.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Administrative Team
- Receptionist
- Mandy Nixon Receptionist
Mandy joined the practice in 2016 as part of the admin and reception team. She juggles work with family commitments and her best pal "Buddy", her golden retriever.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Nursing Team
- Melissa Little RVN Veterinary Nurse
- Veterinary Nurse
Melissa started her Nursing career in 2006 at Struthers & Scott in Doune. She became a qualified RVN in 2010 and then worked for Vets4Pets for the next 6 years. Melissa took a few years out to concentrate on being a Mummy but has returned part-time here at Crieff Vets.
Melissa also holds an Honours Degree in Medical Biotechnology but animals have always been her main interest, hence the transition. Melissa is particularly fond of Guinea-Pigs and other small creatures. In her spare time she enjoys walking, ski-ing, exercise classes, walks with her lovely dog Tara, and of course, her children!
Job Titles:
- Member of the Nursing Team
- Mhairi Townsend Nursing Assistant
- Nursing Assistant
Mhairi achieved a HND in Animal Care at Elmwood College 2007. She first started with us in 2012, left in 2016 and came back in 2020 in the same position. She will be soon starting her journey into becoming a Registered Veterinary Nurse.
She loves getting out hill walking and spending time exploring the west coast. Mhairi also enjoys time pottering around the garden and taking care of her little farm.
Sarah qualified from Glasgow University in 1996 after completing a degree in Animal Sciences in 1992 from London University and spent 5 years in mixed practice before moving solely into small animal practice.
Sarah lived in Canada for 3 years where she completed the North American Veterinary Licensing exams and then moved back to the UK in 2008 after starting a family.
She has 2 lovely children, a beautiful Border Collie called Flo and a cheeky tabby cat called Harry.
In her spare time, Sarah loves spending time with family, the Great Outdoors, hill walking, wildlife photography, music and swimming.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Administrative Team
- Receptionist
- Verity Ogilvy Receptionist
Verity has been with us since 2010 and has undertaken many roles in that time. Nursing assistant, bookkeeper, admin and of course reception. A background in project management in the voluntary sector but she originally trained as a jeweller. Verity has an interest in canine & equine behaviour. Her free time is spent caring for her dogs, horses and hens and enjoying riding, reading, sewing, gardening, photography, time with family and still makes jewellery.