TETHERA VETERINARY SERVICES - Key Persons


Brenda Lord

Brenda farms a local beef and sheep farm and has been working in the veterinary industry for many years thus bringing a wealth of experience to the Team.

Elizabeth May

Lizzy graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2019. Since then she pursued her interest in working with both farm animals and horses in a large animal practice in Northumberland, before joining us at Tethera. Lizzy has previously worked in research and development for a mineral bolus company and has also had her research project on inconclusive TB reactors published.

Helen Latimer

Helen graduated from Glasgow vet school in 2007 and accepted a mixed practice job in Appleby. In 2011 Helen set up Tethera Vets with Mel in order to concentrate on farm and equine work. Helen is the lead vet on export work and carries out a large number of animal by-product and live animal exports all over the world. She also has a special interest in Sheep medicine and surgery and has her own flock of Oxford downs and Suffolks. Helen enjoys all aspects of horse work and can be found eventing in her spare time.

Jess Odgers

Jess joined us at the end of July 2022 after graduating from Edinburgh University. Jess is interested in all things farm and equine but particularly enjoys sheep medicine and flock planning. In her free time Jess can be found enjoying the countryside and improving her canoeing or back in Lancashire sorting out her pedigree flocks of Zwartbles and Dorset sheep and small herd of Beef Shorthorns.

Jim Clapp

Jim is a highly experienced vet who is a TB tester at Tethera, having been a practicing vet in Cumbria for many years. When he is not at Tethera he can normally be found running a very long way with his spaniels as a keen ultra long-distance runner.

Judith Wilson

Judith joined Tethra in January, 2022 as our Practice manager working mainly behind the scenes but you may see her covering reception too. Judith hails from a local farming family and when not working enjoys fell walking and swimming.

Kate Simpson

Kate is a local dairy farmer farming a pedigree Montbeliarde herd. Kate has been with Tethera since we started and brings valuable experience to the team.

Kay McDonald

Kay graduated from Liverpool University in 2018 with distinction, she then moved to Appleby from Northumberland to start her career in farm animal practice. Kay has always had a strong interest in farm and equine work. A true all rounder Kay regularly carries out all aspects of equine, cattle and sheep work and has a particular interest in health planning. Outside of work, Kay can often be found scaling mountains or baking (to a varying degree of success). She also enjoys yoga, running and hanging out with her border collie Nell.

Rachel Ellis

Rachel joined our reception team in 2020 having moved to the area many years ago to farm with her husband. A friendly and efficient face we are very pleased to welcome her to the practice.

Ruth Cranston

Ruth graduated from Glasgow in 2015 and then went to work as a mixed vet in West Cumbria until moving to Tethera in 2017. Here she gained valuable experience across all areas of large animal work. Big animals have always been her main area of interest and she spent time working on dairy farms in New Zealand before university as well as working extensively on a beef and Sheep farm in Stirlingshire whilst at vet school. Most of her time is spent on all aspects of farm work and she has a particular interest in fertility work. When not in work Ruth can often be found walking her border collie or playing tennis.

Sarah Alderson

Sarah joined Tethera in March, 2022 as our new, friendly receptionist. Sarah lives on her family farm and regularly helps out with the sheep work. Sarah enjoys going out with her friends and walking her dog Ted.

Sarah Williamson

Sarah graduated from Edinburgh University in 2014. Her veterinary career has taken her all over the world where she spent 18 months working as a farm vet in New Zealand. More recently she has worked in Cheshire developing her passion for calf health and dairy fertility. Originally from a dairy farm in north Cumbria, Sarah has returned back to her home county. Sarah is currently working towards her Certificate in Advanced Practice. Outside of work Sarah is a keen hockey player and loves skiing. She can also be found in the fells with her Labrador Gin attempting to tick off the Wainwrights.

Sophie Gibson

Sophie graduated from Bristol University in 2014 with distinction, having also gained a degree in Veterinary pathology. She moved to Appleby in 2015 after completing a farm animal veterinary internship at the Royal Veterinary College. Her interests include all things farm, but in particular infectious disease control. She is a BCVA Accredited Johnes Advisor and has also been co-ordinating the BVD stamp it out scheme at the practice. Sophie also completed a research project into TB vaccination which was published in 2017. Outside of work, Sophie enjoys baking, cycling and exploring the area with her dogs.

Steve Gaughan

Steve has been a vet in Appleby for many years. Previously a partner in Old Hall Vets he now works as a self-employed vet at the practice. He enjoys all aspects of farm and equine work.

Sue Hannon

Sue has joined the Tethera team on reception and will also be working behind the scenes assisting with our lab work. Sue is from the local area and has a background in lab work. When not in work she can be found walking Charlie the Labrador.