CATLEY CROSS VETS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Deputy Head
- Member of the Nursing Team
- Nurse
- Abigail Thompson RVN Deputy Head Nurse
- RVN Deputy Head Nurse
Abi joined us in January 2020 having qualified from Harper Adams University with a degree in Veterinary Nursing and Practice Management in 2018. Abi has a special interest in nursing inpatients and helping with emergency cases.
At home Abi has a very spoilt rescue Labrador X Giant Schnauzer called Bailey, who loves to cause trouble. In her free time she enjoys walking Bailey, reading books and socialising with friends.
Abi grew up in Malawi, Africa which has given her a real taste for travelling. Her last adventure had her travelling solo around Eastern Europe for 4 months!
Ami graduated from The Royal Veterinary College in 2010. Following working in Peterborough and a long stint elsewhere in Suffolk Ami joined the Catley small animal team in 2014. Ami has a range of small animal experience but has an interest in orthopaedic surgery and is currently undergoing training in this.
Outside of work Ami has her own menagerie of animals including donkeys, pigs, wallabies, goats, 5 dogs and 4 very cheeky little shetlands, which take up most of her spare time. When she does get time for herself however Ami loves to bake.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Nursing Team
- Charlotte Lucas RVN Registered Veterinary Nurse
- Registered Veterinary Nurse
Charlotte Lucas qualified in November 2018. She has worked at Catley Cross for nearly a year now, enjoying anaesthesia, emergency and critical care. At home she has 3 dogs and enjoy taking them on long walks in her spare time. She also plays rugby for Bury Foxes in Bury St Edmunds even qualifying to play for her county, Suffolk. Charlotte is due to undertake Schedule 3 surgical nursing course and even hoping to start her certificate in Emergency and Critical Care this year.
Job Titles:
- Charlotte Warrior BVM BVS MRCVS Veterinary Surgeon
- Veterinary Surgeon
Charlotte graduated from the University of Nottingham in Summer 2022 as an equine veterinary surgeon.
Charlotte grew up in Billericay but now lives locally in Halstead.
Outside of work, Charlotte enjoys horse riding, reading and football.
Craig qualified from Bristol Vet School in 1999 with degrees in Veterinary Science and Zoology. Following stints in the Welsh mountains and East Sussex Craig then worked in Newmarket for five years. In 2005 he went to New Zealand for two seasons focussing on stud medicine. Craig arrived at Catley in 2007 for a month's locum and has never left! Craig has RCVS Certificates in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Equine Internal Medicine and is an RCVS Recognised Advanced Practitioner in Equine Medicine. He particularly enjoys internal and stud medicine along with lameness and poor performance cases and is also involved in laminitis research.
He has since married local girl and small animal vet Jodie and they have three children. Max the rescue dog, Peter the stray cat and 9 chickens complete the family. Outside of work Craig likes to try and keep fit and dreams of getting his University band back together! Craig is also a trustee of the Worldwide Veterinary Service.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Administrative Team
- Admin Team
Daisy joined team Catley in April 2018. In her spare time she enjoys walks with her two crazy spaniels Cooper and Teddy.
When Daisy isn't with her two Girls Evalyn and Darcie or the crazy but loveable spaniels, she enjoys time socialising with her partner and friends.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Administrative Team
- Receptionist
- Debbie Zear Receptionist
Debbie started working at Catley in April 2018 and can be found on the front desk in the afternoons. She really enjoys meeting new people and saying hello to all their lovely pets.
Outside of work Debbie loves dog walking with her two German wire haired pointers, cycling and socialising with friends.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Nursing Team
- Donna Wilkins Equine Nursing Assistant
- Equine Nursing Assistant
- Nursing Assistant
Donna loves all animals but has a bit of a reputation as a crazy chicken lady!
She has a weakness for older animals and find nothing more rewarding than looking after them in their twilight years.
At the beginning of the year, she ‘fostered' Buster, a 15yr old Lhasa, but after falling in love with him decided to keep him. He is now living his best life with all his brothers and sisters!
Job Titles:
- Head
- Member of the Nursing Team
- Nurse
- Ellis Turner RVN Head Nurse
Ellis started nursing in 2012 and qualified in 2017 from Writtle College University. She joined us in 2019 and became Head Nurse in 2021.
She has keen interests in Nutrition, Emergency and medical cases. Ellis is kept busy at home with a Pointer called Parker, Cocker Spaniel called Fig and 2 cats, Tommy and Nellie. She enjoys dog walks, socialising with friends and family, baking and will give anything new a try!
Job Titles:
- Member of the Nursing Team
- Fredrika Kircher RVN Registered Veterinary Nurse
- Registered Veterinary Nurse
- RVN Registered Veterinary Nurse
Freddie joined Catley Cross in August 2018 after qualifying in November 2017. She loves all aspects of veterinary nursing but particularly nursing medical cases.
Outside of work Freddie enjoys spending time outdoors and weekends away and looking after her 2 house bunnies and Shetland pony.
Job Titles:
- Member of the BEVA
- Veterinary Surgeon
Grace studied at the Royal Veterinary college, qualifying in 2015. She joined a small equine practice in Suffolk where she worked until she joined the Catley team in January 2019. She has a keen interest in all aspects of first opinion practice but is particularly interested in lameness and poor performance.
Grace is also a committee member of the BEVA trust (the charitable arm of the British Equine Veterinary Association) and is responsible for finding vet volunteers for equine welfare projects.
In her spare time Grace can be found either walking springer spaniel Tess, eventing horse Molly or generally adding to her ever expanding herd of animals!
Job Titles:
- Member of the Nursing Team
- Animal Nursing Assistant
- Nursing Assistant
Hayley joined the team at Catley Cross in 2019. Previous to this Hayley spent many years working in animal rescue and the majority of those years at the RSPCA,Danaher Animal Home. Hayley fulfilled the role of deputy manager at the busy centre and rehabilitated many animals to find new homes. Hayley is a Mum of two so home life is full and busy. With young children, a partner and pets of her own Hayley enjoys spending time with her family outside of work.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Nursing Team
- Isla Sharp RVN Registered Veterinary Nurse
- Registered Veterinary Nurse
- RVN Registered Veterinary Nurse
Qualified in 2019 as a vet nurse.
Been working at catley since July 2021.
Has a cockerpoo called Bert, 2 kittens and 5 guinea pigs.
Rides a motorbike, enjoys long dog walks and horse riding in spare time.
Has keen interest in anaesthesia, diabetes management and pediatric patients.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Nursing Team
- Karen Wayte RVN Registered Veterinary Nurse
- Registered Veterinary Nurse
Karen trained in a mixed practice and qualified as a RVN in 1998. Since qualifying she has worked mainly with small animals in general practice, emergency out of hours and, after a break to have 4 children, a referral hospital.
During her 7 years working at a referral hospital Karen learned lots of new knowledge and skills, also gaining a certificate in Emergency and Critical Care.
Karen started at Catley Cross Vets in April 2022 for a return to general practice.
Away from work Karen has a busy household of kids and animals. She enjoys daily dog walks with her 2 collies, Lyra and Flint, and going to music concerts and festivals whenever possible. Karen has also recently started kayaking and fills her weekends with socialising with friends and family.
Job Titles:
- BVMSC MRCVS Veterinary Surgeon
- Laura Brown BVMSC MRCVS Veterinary Surgeon
- Veterinary Surgeon
Laura graduated from the University of Surrey in summer 2022. She enjoys working mainly with our small animal patients but also loves alpacas.
Having grown up locally, Laura now lives in the area with her boyfriends and her naughty miniature dachshund, Fleurie.
In her spare time Laura enjoys swimming, baking and painting.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Administrative Team
- Liz Chappell Veterinary Practice Manager
- Veterinary Practice Manager
Liz joined the Catley Cross family in May 2022. Having started her veterinary career in 1999, she became a registered veterinary nurse in 2004. Following on from becoming a clinical coach and gaining a psychology degree she went into practice management.
In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family and learning about anything related to the human mind (even if this is just watching crime documentaries).
Lizzie graduated from the University of Bristol in 2017 and joined a veterinary practice in Ipswich, where she did both small animal and equine work. After two years of mixed practice, Lizzie decided that she wanted to focus on small animals - and particularly small animal surgery - so she joined the Catley team in 2019. Lizzie plans to develop a specialism in soft tissue surgery.
Lizzie is a keen rider and enjoys showjumping with her horse, Elvis. At home, she looks after Sidney, her cat, as well as her chickens. She also enjoys running and baking when she has the time.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Administrative Team
- Receptionist
- Lorna Savage Receptionist
Lorna has worked on reception at Catley Cross since early 2019. She previously lived and worked in the city for 20 years and enjoyed being with her 2 horses in her free time. Lorna taught Pilates whilst her two children were growing up and has now found a job she loves, working with animals and an amazing team of people!
Lorna has 4 dogs and 2 rabbits. In her free time, she loves dog walks, Pilates, travelling and making memories with her children.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Nursing Team
- Animal Nursing Assistant
- Louise Christie Animal Nursing Assistant
- Nursing Assistant
Louise joined Catley Cross in 2012. She has a particular interest in nursing the welfare cases as she finds them very rewarding.
Outside of work Louise is very busy taking care of beautiful daughter Evelyn but she also spends time walking dogs Winnie and Maisey and socialising with friends.
Job Titles:
- Lucy Burns BVM BVS MRCVS Veterinary Surgeon
- Veterinary Surgeon
Job Titles:
- Member of the Administrative Team
- Office Manager
Lucy joined Catley in September 2018. In her spare time Lucy enjoys riding and competing her horse Millie. She also enjoys spending time with her two beautiful dogs Nala and Lady. When Lucy isn't spending time with her much loved animals she enjoys socialising with her friends.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Administrative Team
- Receptionist
- Lynne Evans Receptionist
Lynne has worked at Catley Cross for 5 years on top of 20 years' experience in a previous practice! She enjoys the variety of work and working with such a friendly, professional team. Lynne is the person who always has the kettle on for clients and staff alike! Her interests include travelling, swimming, socialising with family and friends and looking after 3 grandsons.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Nursing Team
- Animal Nursing Assistant
- Nancy Brown Animal Nursing Assistant
- Nursing Assistant
Nancy's background is in television production but she joined the Catley team in 2019 to devote her time to working with those that she loves... with fur!
A life-time animal lover with extensive cat care experience, Nancy particularly enjoys the daily hands-on animal care tasks ensuring that patients are clean, warm, calm and comforted throughout their stay.
Outside of work, Nancy is a keen gardener, wildlife enthusiast and volunteer supporter with the Blue Cross pet bereavement service.
Job Titles:
- Dr MRCVS Veterinary Surgeon
- Veterinary Surgeon
Nat joined Catley in Autumn 2022 after working in a busy equine hospital in Worcester. Nat moved from Manchester to study veterinary medicine in Košice, Slovakia qualifying in 2019, she then completed a 2 year internship at Newmarket Equine Hospital.
Nat has a keen interest in emergency and critical care, sports horse medicine and orthopaedics. Nat is an official vet (OV) and permitted treating vet (PTV) for FEI competitions, she is currently working towards her certificate in Advanced Equine Practice.
Natasha is a small animal veterinary surgeon who has worked at Catley Cross for 5 years. She lives just outside Bury St Edmunds with her husband and 2 young sons Percy and Albert. She has various pets (including 2 dogs, a cat, 3 tortoises, 4 goats and 5 sheep) most of whom came home from Catley needing a home for one reason or another! Natasha's particular interest is small animal medicine.
Job Titles:
- Pedro Garcia MRCVS Veterinary Surgeon
- Veterinary Surgeon
Pedro is an Equine Veterinary clinician with 10 years of experience in the veterinary industry. He earned his Veterinary Medicine degree from the Abel Salasar Institute in Porto, Portugal in 2013, followed by a 1-year internship at a Reference Hospital in Spain. He then joined the Trás-os-Montes Veterinary College as a large animal clinician and lecturer, where he spent 6 years.
In search of new opportunities, Pedro moved to England and joined a practice in Kent. He later spent one and a half years at an Equine practice in Niedersachsen, Germany, where he also joined an Equine management startup company before joining the Catley team in March 2023. Pedro has a keen interest in all aspects of first opinion practice but is particularly passionate about emergency and critical care, lameness, and dentistry.
In his spare time, Pedro enjoys spending time with his family and friends, as well as pursuing his love of music, water sports, and cycling
Job Titles:
- Member of the Nursing Team
- Animal Nursing Assistant
- Rebecca Aitkin Animal Nursing Assistant
Becky joined Catley 4 years ago after managing a livery yard and has worked with our equine team since.
Becky loves caring for the equine patients and helping the vets with their procedures. Becky really enjoyed joining the vets on the road with their visits and meeting the clients and their horses.
In her spare time Becky likes spending time with her dog Daphne and attending horse shows.