WILLOW VETERINARY CENTRES - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Administrative Team
- Receptionist
- Amanda Bridges Receptionist
Amy qualified from The Royal Veterinary College in 2005 before relocating to the USA and working for the Banfield Veterinary Group. She returned to England in 2010 and joined the Willow team. Amy particularly enjoys the challenges that dermatology throws her and has a great interest in the management of allergy induced skin and ear conditions.
Amy loves being mum to Grace, Thomas and Emily, as well as Daisy the cat.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Administrative Team
- Receptionist
- Becky Steers Receptionist
I have always worked in customer care since leaving college, I really do enjoy it but with this job you get to work alongside the animals - it really is the best job!
I was so excited to join Willow Vets in 2016 . Animals have always been a big passion of mine having had horses since a young age. I got my first dog (Ollie) at 17 and he came and lived in with me while I did my equine studies as a working pupil. I used to bring all sorts of animal's home over the years, my poor parents had 2 lambs in their garden for 3 weeks!
While I'm not working, I like to spend time with my horses Dollar, Tommy and Lady and never far behind me is my little dog Nancy, who when I'm not at work comes everywhere with me. When I'm at work she is normally snoozing at home in front of the log burner
The things l love about working at Willow is that no two days are the same, we're like a family and I'm proud to work here.
Job Titles:
- RVN AFHEA Veterinary Nurse
- Veterinary Nurse
Bethan graduated from Nottingham Trent University in 2021, since then she has developed a few interests in Emergency care, Nutrition and Anaesthesia. Later that year she enrolled in a second degree, which she studies for around her role as a RVN here at Willows!
During her qualifying degree Bethan completed placement blocks with Willows and in the ICU of a specialised hospital. Developing her skills in advanced nursing techniques. Bethan also has worked alongside veterinary charities aimed at providing treatment for the homeless and their pets.
Around work and study Bethan enjoys reading, walking or visiting natural history museums!
Job Titles:
- Bonnie Griffin RVN Head Veterinary Nurse
- Head Veterinary Nurse
Bonnie qualified in 2008 from Harper Adams University College. She is interested in nursing exotic species, she particularly likes reptiles, and gained a City & Guilds Veterinary Nursing of Exotic Species in 2015 to learn more about our weird and wonderful pets. She also loves being a clinical coach in practice, enjoying seeing our students develop their skills and confidence, working their way to becoming Registered Vet Nurses. Bonnie also has a L3 Education and Training Award and is our practice Mental Health First Aider.
At home Bonnie enjoys crafting and gardening and has one cat, a sweet little tabby named Dusty.
Caroline qualified in 1987 and worked for 6 years in mixed practice (including some bear, tiger, zebra work at Woburn safari park) before joining the Willow team in 1993. She has a special interest and further qualifications in acupuncture and homeopathy and also has an interest in feline medicine.
Her home is shared with three fluffy cats (and their hair!). Work permitting, she enjoys foreign travel, horse riding, ice skating and theatre trips. You may also see Caroline working at VetsNow where she does some locum shifts.
Job Titles:
- Casey Field SVN Student Veterinary Nurse
- Student Veterinary Nurse
- SVN Student Veterinary Nurse
Job Titles:
- Member of the Administrative Team
- Receptionist
- Claire Griffiths Receptionist
Job Titles:
- Claire Martin RVN Veterinary Nurse
- RVN Veterinary Nurse
- Veterinary Nurse
I started my veterinary nurse training in 2007 in a mixed practice, I qualified from Morton Morrell College in 2009 and joined Willows in 2016. I have an interest in anything "unusual" including wildlife and exotics particularly parrots having previously been a keeper at Woburn Safari Park. But my biggest interest is being a cat friendly nurse and learning more and more about our feline friends. Having got WVG the ISFM silver Award from Feline Friendly Practice was an achievement I was really proud of.
My resilience comes from spending time with my friends and family, particularly my two boys who keep me very busy. I love being outdoors, walking, gardening and also a bit of crafting. My two furry friends, Moss and Prow, always love to get involved too.
Job Titles:
- Emily Ramsden RVN Veterinary Nurse
- RVN Veterinary Nurse
- Veterinary Nurse
Job Titles:
- Gill Newbery RVN Veterinary Nurse
- RVN Veterinary Nurse
- Veterinary Nurse
Job Titles:
- Heather Flitton RVN Veterinary Nurse
- Veterinary Nurse
Heather started working at Willow in 2008 as a student nurse, and qualified in 2010. She is a clinical coach, and enjoys training the student nurses and watching them progress and develop their skills. She also has an interest in dentistry and feline nursing.
Heather is kept busy at home being mum to Violet and Bea and looking after their array of pets - Evie the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Marley the cat and Olaf and Sven the guinea pigs. In her spare time, she enjoys family days out to theme parks, walking with Evie, gardening and watching live music.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Administrative Team
- Jackie Elsey Senior Customer Care Supervisor
- Senior Customer Care Supervisor
I have worked in the veterinary industry since leaving school. Animals are a big passion for me as I was brought up on a farm. I have worked at Willows since 1998 and my main role is working on the reception desk and providing good customer care to our wonderful clients and giving hugs and kisses to their pets.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Administrative Team
- Office Administrator
- Jane Hargreaves Office Administrator
Job Titles:
- Member of the Administrative Team
- Receptionist
- Jennie Newark Receptionist
Job Titles:
- Kacey Hardley RVN Veterinary Nurse
- RVN Veterinary Nurse
- Veterinary Nurse
Job Titles:
- Member of the Administrative Team
- Receptionist
- Karen Probert Receptionist
Job Titles:
- Member of the Administrative Team
- Receptionist
- Kathy Harrison Receptionist
I have been working in customer facing and customer service roles for over 30 years. I love people, almost as much as I love animals, so was thrilled to combine my experience and passion by joining the Willow team in January 2022.
Laura qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in 2019 from the College of West Anglia. She has a very keen interest in cat behaviour and welfare, working with owners and fellow veterinary staff in order to improve cat's experiences both in and out of the surgery. She is currently undertaking her Feline Nursing Certificate through the ISFM in order to be an official crazy cat lady! She also loves consulting and getting to meet owners with their pets, and has an interest in anaesthetics and lab work.
Outside of work, Laura is an avid gym goer and competes regularly in Powerlifting.
I have been practicing for over 20 years and really enjoy general practice and getting to know my clients and their pets. My particular interests include soft tissue surgery and oncology (cancer) medicine and treatment. I feel passionate about continuity of care and have treated many patients throughout their lives.
Job Titles:
- Liv Pearson SVN Student Veterinary Nurse
- Student Veterinary Nurse
- SVN Student Veterinary Nurse
Michelle qualified in 2004 starting her career as a mixed vet at the original James Herriot practice in Thirsk. Following moving further south to be with her husband she gained an additional qualification in Internal Medicine of dogs and cats and became an Advanced Practitioner in Small Animal Medicine. Michelle joined Willows in 2019 and loves working in such a close knit and caring team and with your lovely pets!
Outside of work she enjoys ski racing, cycling, and running with her two sons. She has 2 guinea pigs and a 3-legged cat called ‘Lego.'
Richard qualified in New Zealand in 2003 and worked in several practices in the UK as a locum vet. After a stint locuming for Willow, he loved us so much we were able to persuade him to become a permenant team member. Richard has a keen interest in exotic pets (rabbits, avian, reptiles, etc.). He has just gained his Certificate in Exotic medicine.
He helps his children Sam and Alyss look after their rabbits.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Administrative Team
- Receptionist
- Rose Balch Receptionist
Job Titles:
- RVN Veterinary Nurse
- Shereen Graham RVN Veterinary Nurse
- Veterinary Nurse
Job Titles:
- Sophie Benzie SVN Student Veterinary Nurse
- Student Veterinary Nurse
- SVN Student Veterinary Nurse
Job Titles:
- Member of the Administrative Team
- Practice Manager
- Stacey Armitt Practice Manager
Stacey started her career here at Willows in 2011 as a student veterinary nurse, qualifying in 2014. She shortly progressed to a senior role within the team before becoming Head Nurse in 2018. Stacey led the nursing team for 5 years before the opportunity to become Practice Manager came along and she grabbed it with both hands! Stacey is often seen sneaking off to the kennel areas for a cuddle with the inpatients.
Outside of work, Stacey shares her life with her Staffordshire Bull Terrier Cooper, cat Frankie and two 20-year-old leopard geckos - Babel and Torres! She enjoys long dog walks, spending time with family, eating street food, house renovation and cooking.
Wendy qualified in 2002 in Zimbabwe and spent time working there before moving to England where she has worked in various veterinary practices and emergency clinics. She came to work with the Willow team on Mondays. We were thrilled we were able to persuade her to join us permanently following the birth of her daughter Hazel in 2015. Wendy has interests in soft tissue surgery and emergency surgery.
As if youngster Hazel didn't keep her on her toes enough, she also has 2 cats and lots of tropical fish! Time permitting, she enjoys countryside rambling and nature photography, as well as crafting and gardening.
Job Titles:
- Veterinary Surgeon
- Zaneta Krason Cert AVP MRCVS Veterinary Surgeon
Zaneta qualified in 2012 from Wroclaw University of Life and Environmental Sciences. After graduation she worked in several small animal veterinary practices in Poland and UK, before joining the Willow team in 2017. Her professional interests include internal medicine of dogs, cats and exotics, ophthalmology and neurology. Currently, she is studying towards certificate in small animal medicine with the Royal Veterinary College.
Outside work, she is a mum of two and passionate about art and travel.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Administrative Team
- Receptionist
- Zoe Mathews Receptionist