CROFT VET CENTRE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Abbey Wait SVN Student Veterinary Nurse
- Student Veterinary Nurse
- Veterinary Nurse
Abbey started as a Saturday girl working at Crofts 20 years ago. Having always wanted to be a Veterinary Nurse, she has been a Veterinary Care Assistant with us for the last 2.5 years and is now studying to qualify as an RVN! In her spare time, Abbey loves all things animals, and going on long walks with her 3 dogs.
Job Titles:
- Ali Bell RVN Veterinary Nurse
- Veterinary Nurse
Ali has worked at Croft Veterinary Centre since 2005. She helps run our Diabetic Clinics and is available to give advice on canine and feline diabetes.
Ali has two elderly chocolate Labradors called Maddy and Rolo, a cat called Angus and a tortoise called Fred.
In her spare time Ali enjoys baking and sewing.
Job Titles:
- Carrie Buchan RVN Veterinary Nurse
- Veterinary Nurse
Carrie started working at Croft Veterinary Centre in 2017 having qualified in 2014. She has a keen interest in exotics and anaesthesia. In her spare time she enjoys graphic design, going to the gym, singing in a choir and looking after her two guinea pigs.
Job Titles:
- Charlotte Williams SVN Student Veterinary Nurse
- Student Veterinary Nurse
- Veterinary Nurse
Charlotte joined in July 2023 as part of her Veterinary Nursing degree. She enjoys working with exotics and wildlife in particular. In her free time, Charlotte can be found exploring her local wildlife parks and trails.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Administrative Team
- Clare Wyatt RVN Veterinary Nurse / Reception Supervisor
- Veterinary Nurse / Reception Supervisor
Clare joined Croft Vet Centre in 2001 and now combines her role as a veterinary nurse with reception supervisor and pharmacy manager. She loves answering queries especially on pet behaviour and really enjoys getting to know clients and making them feel welcome and listened to. Clare has two grown up children, two dogs, two cats and two chickens! She loves running, cooking, piano, reading and travel and is always happy with a houseful of family and friends to cook for.
Job Titles:
- Crystal Smith RVN Veterinary Nurse
- Veterinary Nurse
Crystal qualified in 2003 and has recently returned to veterinary nursing after taking time out to raise her children. She still kept busy with animals at home with her Jack Russell Terrier, Budgie and Guinea Pig. When she manages to have spare time, she can be found reading, crocheting or taking her dog to agility!
Aimee started with our team in January 2021, although she has been practising as a vet since graduating from Bristol University in 2011. She has a postgraduate certificate in Small Animals Emergency and Critical Care, and her love of animals spills into her own home where she has three cats.
Job Titles:
- GPCert ( SADen & OS ) Veterinary Surgeon
- Veterinary Surgeon
Anissa graduated from the University of Glasgow and joined Croft Vets in 2019. She has keen interest in dentistry, and has achieved a certificate in Dentistry and Oral Surgery. She also provides acupuncture clinics for animals recovering from musculoskeletal disease or suffering from chronic pain.
Outside of work, Anissa enjoys hill walking, yoga and rock climbing.
Job Titles:
- Veterinary Surgeon / Clinical Lead
Clare graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 1983 and has been an associate at the Croft Veterinary Centre since 1988.
Clare enjoys reading in her free time and is a member of a local book club. She also enjoys going to the theatre, cooking, gardening and walking her lovely black Labrador Finn.
Pilar graduated from the University of Leon, Spain in 2014. She joined Croft in August 2018, having worked for 3 years in West Yorkshire. Pilar completed her RCVS Certificate of Advanced Veterinary Practice with an interest in feline medicine. She enjoys cinema and reading in her spare time and has a black rescue cat called Boo.
Rita graduated from the University of Lisbon in 2014 with an intercalated Master's degree. She spent 4 years working in Portugal before making the move to the UK. She has since been working in busy small animal veterinary hospitals expanding her surgical skillset. Rita is currently working towards a Certificate in Dentistry, and when she is not giving her all in practice, she can be found at the gym or abroad exploring!
Sarah graduated from The University of Liverpool in 1998 and joined Croft in January 2023.
When Sarah isn't filling in at Croft's she's working on diversifying the family farm just outside Northampton, running events, a glamping site and a cafe from a converted vintage caravan! She has a neurotic Border Terrier and 4 bee hives to keep her busy too!
Job Titles:
- Cert AVP Veterinary Surgeon
- Veterinary Surgeon
Sophie joined the Croft team in May 2020. She graduated from Bristol University in 2011 and gained an RCVS Certificate of Advanced Veterinary Practice in 2018 with an interest in internal medicine. Outside of work Sophie has a young family and dog to keep her very busy, as well as a love of horse riding.
I'm Zoe, I qualified as a vet from the University of Liverpool in 2016, following an honours degree from the University of Nottingham in 2011. I'm from a military family so have moved around a lot, including a stint in New York City so you may hear my blended accent at times!
Job Titles:
- Member of the Administrative Team
- Practice Director
- Emma Haywood Practice Director
- Practice Director at Croft
Emma Haywood, Practice Director at Croft, brings a wealth of experience to our team, having dedicated the last decade to veterinary practices before joining us in early 2022. Notably, Emma's expertise extends to her role as a veterinary claims assessor with a reputable insurance company.
Job Titles:
- Head Veterinary Nurse
- Holly Jones RVN Head Veterinary Nurse
- Nurse Training
Holly has worked at Croft Veterinary Centre since 2003. After completing her nurse training Holly went on to do a further qualification in canine and feline nutrition. She has also taken a course in canine behaviour and recently completed a geriatric physiotherapy course.
Holly has three lovely working Cocker Spaniels called Alfie, Herbie and Lottie and a cat she re-homed called Daisy.
Holly works part time and outside of work enjoys being a mum, walking her dogs and Zumba classes.
Job Titles:
- Jess Slater SVN Student Veterinary Nurse
- Student Veterinary Nurse
- SVN Student Veterinary Nurse
I joined the Croft team at the beginning of 2023 and am a first-year veterinary nursing student from Moreton Morrell College. I enjoy getting hands on with patients and being in theatre to monitor anaesthesia.
Job Titles:
- Kathryn Hopkins Veterinary Care Assistant
- Veterinary Care Assistant
Kathryn started at Croft in Autumn 2023 pursuing her career as a Veterinary Nurse, starting out as a Veterinary Care Assistant.
Kathryn has 2 dogs, Mollie and Poppy, 2 cats, Mac and Maggie, 2 rabbits Grace and Arlo, plus Stanlette the tortoise!
Job Titles:
- Member of the Administrative Team
- Receptionist
- Mel Harris Receptionist
Mel joined the team at Croft Veterinary Centre in April 2013. Although she doesn't have any pets of her own she has helped foster stray animals taken in prior to rehoming and in her spare time enjoys crafting hobbies including stained glass, which she studied during time living in America.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Administrative Team
- Receptionist
- Morfa Lovell Receptionist
My name is Morfa, I started at Croft after 24 years of looking after my family. We recently returned from France after 11 wonderful years and decided I wanted to do something for me. I have a menagerie at home of 4 dogs, 5 cats, 5 guinea pigs and not forgetting the 2 baby tortoises, so working at a vet's seems very apt!
Job Titles:
- Member of the Administrative Team
- Receptionist
Penny joined the practise in February 2021 after 20 years as a dental receptionist.
She is married to Nigel and they have 3 grown up, married sons.
Job Titles:
- Shannon Richards Student Veterinary Nurse
- Student Veterinary Nurse
- Veterinary Nurse
Shannon is with us on placement whilst she studies towards her Veterinary Nursing degree at Moreton Morrell.
She loves all animals and has two cats, two rabbits a hamster and a cockatiel!
In her spare time she enjoys art- whether that's creating or viewing, and playing the piano, plus fostering cats for the RSPCA.
Job Titles:
- Stacey Collins RVN Veterinary Nurse
- Veterinary Nurse
Stacey has been with Croft since 2021, enjoying all aspects of surgery and anaesthesia. So much so, that she is undertaking a Surgical Nursing Certificate!
Job Titles:
- Finance Manager
- Member of the Administrative Team
- Terri Inwood Finance Manager
Terri previously worked as a psychologist in the prison service. After having her 2 boys, she joined the reception team part-time in October 2018. Terri also has a Beagle who she and the boys enjoy regular muddy walks with.
Job Titles:
- Tess Merry RVN Veterinary Nurse
- Veterinary Nurse
Tess joined Croft Vet Centre in 2023, alongside running The Nutkin Ward- our local wildlife rescue!
In any remaining spare time, Tess can be found gardening, crafting or looking after her two donkeys Reece & Nelson.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Administrative Team
- Receptionist
- Tracy Rickatson Receptionist
Tracy started with us in November 2020, having previously worked in clerical roles, and most recently as a GP Surgery receptionist.
Tracy has a love of Golden Retrievers, and is ‘mum' to Layla.
Job Titles:
- Senior Consulting Nurse
- Trudie Vale RVN Senior Consulting Nurse
Trudie started working at Croft Veterinary Centre in 1998 and is our Head Nurse. She now works part time and when not at work is kept occupied looking after her son and Willow her black Labrador.
In her free time Trudie enjoys flower arranging - having designed flowers for weddings and also finds time for walking.