Introducing Our Practice Team

After qualifying from Glasgow Vet School in 1992, John spent two years at a vet practice in Reading and then a few months working abroad before moving to Colchester in 1996. He initially intended to stay for five years or so, but found Colne Valley Vets to be such an enjoyable and fulfilling place to work that he did not want to leave. John became a partner with the practice in 2000 and continues to enjoy his work very much, helping the practice grow and develop. He spends much of his spare time looking after his three boys with their many sporting activities. John's family has a lurcher called Percy.

Neal qualified from Bristol University in 2000 and worked in mixed practice for two years before concentrating on small animals. He has worked in various veterinary practices in Essex and Suffolk, as well as running an emergency and critical care centre in Perth, Western Australia from 2012-2014. Neal’s main interests are internal medicine, soft tissue surgery and clinical pathology. In his spare time, he enjoys playing football, keeping fit and spending time with his two sons.

Born and educated in Colchester, Alison joined a small animal practice back in her home town after qualifying from the University of Cambridge in 1989, and has been with Colne Valley Vets since 1991. She enjoys consulting and has a special interest in internal medicine. Alison has also written for various publications and a series of dog breed books, and was involved in writing books on dog care and cat care which included photoshoots here. Wellie the black cat was joined by mischievous Molly, a fox-red Labrador, in December 2019. Alison enjoys being outside walking Molly and gardening, also reading and playing piano.

Alexa graduated from Bristol University in 2007, having achieved a degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare as well as Veterinary Medicine. She has a keen interest in veterinary dentistry, and enjoys being able to diagnose and fix dental problems which are often chronic and have such a dentrimental yet hidden effect on animals' quality of life. Alexa is also a qualified acupuncturist, which she finds is especially beneficial to help manage arthritis pain. When not working at Colne Valley, she enjoys cycling, baking, running and paddleboarding.

Born and raised in Colchester, Tom trained at the Royal Veterinary College in London. During his training, Tom came to Colne Valley Vets for work experience for several years before graduating in 2018. Tom joined the team here in 2021 and hopes to pursue interests in medicine, diagnostic imaging and cardiology. Tom lives with his lovable (but naughty) rescue cat Teddy, and in his own time unwinds by painting.

Maria qualified in Spain in 2000, and spent more than ten years working in large animal practice. In 2015, she moved to the UK and started her small animal journey. Maria’s special interests are surgery, dermatology and nutrition. She has two children and her hobbies are dancing, yoga and cycling.

Pascale qualified from the University of Liege, Belgium in 1991 and came to England soon after. She developed an interest in radiology leading her to study for and gain the RCVS Certificate in Veterinary Radiology. She has worked mainly in Essex and enjoys all aspects of small animal medicine. Pascale has four mischievous cats who keep all the family entertained. In her spare time, she enjoys walking and playing the 'cello.

Nish graduated from the University of Cambridge in 2006. She worked in mixed practice for several years before returning home in 2012 to Colchester to concentrate on small animal practice. Nish joined Colne Valley Vets in January 2022. She enjoys all aspects of general practice particularly surgery, and likes developing a bond with her clients and supporting their pets through their various life stages. Outside of work, Nish is married and a mum to two children. Sully the black Labrador completes her family.

Alex graduated from the University of Cambridge in 2010, and since then has worked in small animal practice in Essex. He enjoys working closely with people to give his patients the highest standard of care. He especially enjoys soft tissue surgery, diagnostic imaging and feline medicine, but is also happy to treat exotic patients too. Alex has an ex-Guide Dog Misty, two cats and a giant African land snail. In his spare time he enjoys cycling, kayaking and having fun with his daughter.

Hannah qualified from the Royal Veterinary College, London in 2008. She joined us in 2013 to consult on some Saturdays, but has known Colne Valley Vets since 2003 when she was a Saturday student and subsequently seeing practice with us during her training. Her interests are internal medicine in general, dermatology specifically. Hannah has worked in the veterinary pharmaceutical industry since 2010. She has three horses, and two Patterdale terriers called Ted and Bruce.

Lorna is the practice's Head Nurse and Suitably Qualified Person (SQP). After qualifying in 1991, Lorna worked in various mixed and small animal practices before joining Colne Valley Vets in 1994, with two brief periods of maternity leave since then. Her particular interest is managing the pharmacy, but she still really enjoys hands-on work with patients. Lorna has also completed a veterinary practice management certificate, and has been a Pets As Therapy (PAT) assessor since 2001. Lorna a dog called Gilbert, a cockerpoo, and a cat called Buttons.

Xanthe has been working at Colne Valley Vets since 2002. Her special interests are medical nursing and in-patient care. Xanthe also takes clinic appointments one day each week. When not working, she likes to travel as much as possible.

Andrea joined Colne Valley Vets in 2000 to train as a vet nurse and, following qualification, worked here full-time until she had her children. Andrea now works on a part-time basis. She has two dogs and Maxi the cat.

After qualifying in 2000, Esther worked in a mixed practice, a London RSPCA clinic and Southfields Veterinary Specialists before joining Colne Valley Vets in 2006. Her special interest is pain control. Away from work, she is busy with family life as mother to two children.

Rhiannon has worked here since 2007. She has a keen interest in dentistry.

Lucy started training to be a veterinary nurse at Colne Valley Vets in 2009, qualifying in 2012. Her special interests are pain management and feline care. She has a horse and two cats.

Sian started work at Colne Valley Vets in 2015. She looks after the pet insurance claims as well as her day-to-day nursing activities. Sian has a Labrador called Jaffa (who causes her no end of worry!), and enjoys competing in CrossFit.

Emily worked with us as a locum over three years, interspersed with travel, before realising that she wanted to settle here and became one of our full-time veterinary nurses. Emily lives on a farm with livestock which include water buffalo! Her special interests are exotics and farm animals. Emily has three cats and two dogs. Emily is currently on maternity leave.

Tina qualified in 2001 and has worked in a variety of veterinary practices in the UK and abroad since then, specialising in exotic species and reptiles. Outside of work, she enjoys a variety of sports, walking her dog and rehabilitating hedgehogs.

Abbie qualified in 2016, and provided locum cover here for a year before joining on a permanent basis in 2020. She enjoys caring for the in-patients, and takes a special interest in wound management. In September 2019, Abbie rescued Peggy, a three-legged cat, and more recently became the owner of a black Labrador Twiggy.

Holly studied towards becoming a Registered Veterinary Nurse after completing her SQP, and qualified in December 2020. Holly has worked with animals since she was fourteen years old and enjoys caring for in-patients. She is interested in small furries, and gaining experience with exotics and emergency care.

Amy qualified as a veterinary nurse in July 2019. She has a particular interest in nursing exotic species. At home, Amy has a variety of pets that keep her busy, including a ferret, cat, dog, two horses and a collection of poultry!

Denise is a registered Veterinary Nurse with many years of experience. She is particularly interested in dog behaviour and training, having qualifications with The Institute of Modern Dog Trainers and the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. Denise is also a full member of the Animal Behaviour and Training Council, and has a Compass Advanced Diploma in Applied Canine Behaviour Level 5. Denise has a rescue dog Colin, a Collie cross breed. Freddie a Ragdoll cat has recently joined the household. For leisure, Denise enjoys walking her dog around the beautiful Essex and Suffolk coast, running, orienteering, cycling, hill walking and skiing. She is also a keen member of Essex Wildlife Trust, and volunteers on Tiptree Heath.

Antony joined Colne Valley Vets in 2005 as a veterinary nurse. He took sole charge of the veterinary nurse clinics in 2015, and has been combining that role with Practice Manager since 2021. As of January 2023, he has been our full-time Practice Manager. Antony has six cats: tabbies Marley and Tiggy, and the Burmese youngsters Kirby, Kooper, Kasper and Neville.

Debbie joined Colne Valley Vets in 2013 as Accounts Manager. She is responsible for financial aspects of the practice's day-to-day running.

Emma has been with Colne Valley Vets for over fifteen years. She is now sharing the role of Veterinary Nursing Assistant with Yasmin and Darcy. She has a cocker spaniel called Poppy and two cats, Daisy & Lola.

Darcy initially joined the practice as our Saturday kennel assistant. She is now sharing the role of veterinary nursing assistant with Emma and Yasmin. Darcy has one dog and three cats, and in her spare time enjoys needlework. Darcy is currently on maternity leave.

Yasmin is studying for a Masters in Veterinary Physiotherapy at Writtle University College, and works here three days a week. She has recently taken on a GSD puppy who is taking up her spare time.