MEET THE TEAM
We are a friendly, close-knit team with fourteen vets, fifteen nurses, seven receptionists and two housekeepers.
Always striving to be the best
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Practice Standards Scheme
We are proud to have completed both Large and Small animal sections to be accredited with Tier 2 status. Here is a quote from out last report:
"...the practice appeared to be well organised and made proper use of staff qualifications. There was excellent client communication on both sides [large and small animal] of the practice. The whole impression was of a well organised and happy unit from the top down."
Investors in People
We are pleased to provide a friendly and supportive workplace for our staff. Here is an extract from the report by Investors in People:
"At the heart of the business, there lie very strong values and ethics which are shared by everyone and are led from the top. Animal care and empathy with the clients are of utmost importance to everyone working in the Practice... the strong emphasis on customer care and compassion... represent how you do business and what's important to everyone working for the business."
OUR VETS
Our team of veterinary surgeons have over 10 individual nominations for Pet Plan “Vet of the Year” in the last 3 years!
Laura Moxon
MA Vet MB pgCertAVP MRCVS
Vet and Director. Joined in 2001
After qualifying in Cambridge, Laura returned to her home county of North Yorkshire and started working in Helmsley and then over at Pickering.
She completed her certificate in advance veterinary practice and received a post graduate certificate in small animal medicine in 2016. She is particularly interested in internal medicine, diagnostics, feline medicine and soft tissue surgery. She plays an important role in practice management, including the Royal Veterinary College Practice Standards Scheme, and play close attention to the wellbeing of the team.
At home Laura loves baking, cooking and crochet as well as looking after her three busy children and three cats.
Katie Longmire
BVMS GPCert(WVA&CPM) MRCVS
Vet and Director. Joined in 2003
Katie graduated from Glasgow University. She completed an Acupuncture course in 2005 and later studied Herbal Medicine. Katie completed a Certificate in Chronic Pain and Acupuncture in 2015. She is also very interested in physiotherapy, pet nutrition and behaviour.
Out of work Katie enjoys gardening and is an avid walker along with her faithful dog Stig. Katie can also be found driving along the county's roads on her less faithful trike!
Helen Cockerill
BVSc DBR MRCVS
Large Animal Vet. Joined in 2006
Helen graduated from Liverpool University and joined the practice as a mixed vet but quickly chose to specialise in farm animal work. In 2010 she completed a Diploma in Bovine Reproduction whilst also completing a 3 year Farm Animal Residency at Liverpool University.
Helen is keen to be at the forefront of all aspects of farm practice, including new techniques and current thinking. She has a keen interest in beef production, especially calf health and productivity. Infectious disease control and bull fertility are also areas of specialist interest.
Helen sees farmer education as an increasingly important part of veterinary work and enjoys organising farmer meetings and focus groups.
Outside of work Helen helps her husband run a mixed beef and arable farm, alongside caring for their young son, Samuel and dogs Widget and Rosie
Gill Orme
BVMS MRCVS
Vet. Joined in 2003
Gill has been with the practice since graduating from Edinburgh University and is experienced in all aspects of mixed practice work. She is particularly interested in opthalmology. Her children Mabelle and Theo and a menagerie of dogs, goats, sheep and chickens keep her busy at her home in Pickering.
Vicky Backhouse
BVetMed MRCVS
Vet. Joined in 2009
Vicky graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in London in 2008 and then spent a year in practice on the farms of Devon. She enjoys dealing with both small and large animal cases, and has developed a particular interest in cytology and microscope work.
At home Vicky has her husband Luke, daughter Evelyn and son Henry. As well as being an avid reader, her cake and sweet baking skills are renowned thoughout the practice staff! She loves living in Ryedale and makes the most of it with all her family.
Liz Curtis
BSc BVMS MRCVS
Vet. Joined in 2011
Liz completed a degree in zoology before graduating from Glasgow Veterinary School in 2010. She is from a farming background in the borders where she owned her own sheep flock from the age of 17. She is now focused on the small animal side of practice.
In her spare time Liz enjoys traveling, eating and has a special enthusiasm for ceilidh dancing the Scottish way! Her and her husband Dave are keen cinema-goers, and are always off to see the latest release.
Emily Farrow
BVetMed MRCVS
Vet. Joined in 2014
Emily graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2013 and started an internship in farm animal health and production. Emily is particularly interested in herd health and young-stock production.
Outside of work Emily enjoys team sports especially hockey, and is a keen violinist. Since moving to the area she has acquired two lovely silver tabby kittens.
Rachel Sennitt
BVSc MRCVS
Large Animal Vet. Joined in 2016
Rachel qualified from Bristol Vet School in 2014. Originally from the Yorkshire Dales she came back up north and started work in mixed practice in Stokesley. In April 2016 she hopped to the south side of the moors to join our team and focus on farm animal veterinary work.
Rachel is currently working towards an Advanced Practitioner Certificate covering various aspects of cattle and sheep production. She particularly enjoys herd & flock health planning, youngstock health, and lameness. She is accredited on the Register of Mobility Scorers and has completed training to provide advice on the reduction of lameness in sheep flocks. Rachel also assists Helen with farmer meetings and edits the monthly farm animal newsletter.
Rachel is married to Will, who is now also a vet in our small animal team. Outside of work she enjoys walking their lively spaniel Bert in the beautiful countryside (ideally with a pub lunch!), attempting a bit of gardening, reading, and baking.
OUR NURSES, ADMINISTRATION & RECEPTIONISTS
We are proud to have a great support team including a Blue Cross Veterinary Nurse of the Year!
Anna Tilley
RVN SQP
Senior Nurse. Joined in 2009
Anna has been in veterinary nursing since 1997, and qualified as an RVN in 2005. She was recognised as the Blue Cross Veterinary Nurse of the Year in 2007. Anna was Head Nurse for 10 years before returning from the birth of her son to lead our nurse training as clinical coach for our student veterinary nurses. She is particularly interested in pet nutrition and behaviour and regularly runs popular free puppy parties and weight clinics.
Despite being a self confessed dog person, Anna has two cats! All of her cats have been rescue animals - and two she hand reared as new born kittens.
Nancy Hudson
RVN SQP
Senior Nurse. Joined in 1997
As our longest standing member of staff, Nancy knows the clients and practice better than anyone! She qualified as an RVN in 2006, and has a strong interest in rabbit health and welfare developed from the love of her own pet rabbits.
At home, alongside her rabbits, Nancy has a menagerie of animals - from hens to sheep to cats and a dog! She also enjoys walking and eating out.
Kerry Stonehouse
RVN SQP
Nurse. Joined in 2002
Kerry studied for her nursing qualification with us and successfully qualified as an RVN in 2008. Her work interests include a strong liking for diagnostics, and has a particular interest in laboratory techniques.
Kerry runs our senior pet clinics - advising clients on how best to look after their elderly pets.
Kery also achieved an SQP qualification which means she can dispense and advise on certain drug types.
Mandy Butterworth
RVN
Nurse. Joined in 2006
Brought up on the family farm, Mandy is well used to dealing with stock. She worked in the leisure industry for 7 years doing everything from climbing to rafting. Mandy qualified as an RVN in August 2012.
Mandy has returned to work after having twins in January 2015. She also has a Labrador called Annie.
Abigail Nichols
RVN
Nurse. Joined in 2016
Abbie started at the practice towards the end of her nursing degree in 2016 and since qualified as a RVN in July 2016. She has a particular interest in nursing medical cases and also runs the very popular free puppy parties held at the practice.
Outside of work, Abbie enjoys walking her Cocker Spaniel, Socks as well as helping her Dad with his 5 Siberian Huskies.
Emily Schneider
RVN
Nurse. Joined in 2012
Emily has been at the practice since 2012 and qualified with us in 2017. Emily enjoys being in theatre assisting with procedures and going out on farm visits to assist with caesarians.
Emily has 3 dogs, Snoopy, Max and Monty who take up a lot of her time outside of work when shes not studying.
Emily enjoys horse riding and socialising with her friends and partner Chris. She loves travelling abroad and has America, Cuba and New Zealand on her bucket list.
Lauren Holmes
RVN
Nurse. Joined in 2015
Lauren joined the practice on a voluntary basis in 2015 while undertaking her pre veterinary nursing qualification. She fitted in so well, that the practice kept her on to undertake her full nurse training and qualified in 2018. Lauren likes intensive care nursing and supporting patients on their recovery.
Lauren owns a pretty palomino pony 'Crunchie' and has a dog called Charlie. Lauren enjoys riding Crunchie, walking Charlie and eating out.
Fiona Vance
Practice Manager & Director
Joined in 2001
Fiona first started with us as a nurse. Fiona completed her Diploma in Business Management in 2013. She now has the role of Practice Manager, keeping the practice running on a daily basis and generally keeping everyone in line!
She has two children and dogs at home. At weekends you can find her spending time with her kids and showing their pony and also enjoys watching her son play cricket.
Becky Reynolds
SQP
Receptionist. Joined in 2008
Becky has had extensive experience with a variety of animals having worked on pig, duck, sheep and dairy farms and also at a racing stables. She also holds a National Diploma in Agriculture passed with distinction, and is a registered SQP (Suitably Qualified Person).
Away from work Becky enjoys walking her dogs, riding her horse, Merlin and socilaising with her friends. She also has a keen interest in craft and loves cows and all things farming!
Sam Wright
Receptionist. Joined in 2014
Sam says the favourite parts of her job are talking to the pet owners and cuddling the puppies!
Outside of work she lives with husband Joni, son Oliver and daughter Poppy. She is besotted with her dogs, French Bulldog Peppa, and St. Bernard Ted! She enjoys spending time with family and friends, and watching her son competing in go-karting.
Anita Horner
Housekeeper. Joined in 2015
Anita joined Eastgate Vets in November 2015 as our housekeeper, and is a truly valued member of our team. She is always busy keeping the practice clean, tidy and restocked as well as keeping the vets fuelled up with tea.
Outside of work Anita enjoys walking and pilates, and spending time with her family.