MEET THE TEAM
We are a friendly, close-knit team with fourteen vets, sixteen 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 VetMB 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 and has a particular interest in dermatology. She is also currently working towards her certificate in advanced veterinary practice.
Liz has a rescue cat called Storm and in her spare time loves exploring the outdoors with her husband, Dave and two little girls, Hope and Lana.
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.
Freya Cooper
BVetMed MRCVS
Mixed Vet. Joined 2019
Freya graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2019 and joined the practice as a mixed vet last year. She enjoys all aspects of small and large animal work with a particular interest in internal medicine and microscopy.
Outside of work, Freya enjoys trying to keeping fit and exploring the countryside on her mountain bike. She hopes to get a puppy in the near future!
Emily Thorpe
VetMB MRCVS
Mixed Vet. Joined 2019
Details coming soon!
Annemieke Nicholls
BVM BVS MRCVS
Vet. Joined 2019
Details coming soon!
Rebecca Grace
BVSc MRCVS
Vet. Joined 2020
Rebecca graduated from Liverpool Vet School and after a short period exploring the mountains and undertaking an externship at the Wiederkäuerklinik Bern (a cow hospital) in Switzerland, returned home to North Yorkshire to join us in 2020.She enjoys all aspects of mixed practice but especially getting out on farm (lambing is her favourite time of year), small animal surgery and also treating our more exotic and feathered patients.
Outside of work , Rebecca is looking forward to joining a local netball team and choir. She loves swimming and scuba diving and has a particular interest in photography. She is kept busy at home with her chickens and Poppy her Collie cross.
Will Sennitt
BVSc pgCertVBM MRCVS
Vet. Joined 2016
Will graduated in 2014 and moved to Yorkshire with his wife, Rachel who also works at the practice. Though starting out as a mixed vet, Will now treats the small animals that visit our practice.
Will has a keen interest in practice and business management, completing a post-graduate certificate in Veterinary Business Managment in 2021.
Outside of the practice, Will enjoys walking with his wife and their cocker spaniel, Bertie in the great local countryside. He also enjoys seeing live music and the catching the latest films at the cinema.
Maddie Smith
MA VetMB MRCVS
Vet. Joined 2018
OUR NURSES
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
Head 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.
Anna Marsden
RVN
Nurse. Joined in 2004
Anna started working at the practice in 2004 and started her nurse training in 2006 - qualifying in 2008.
Anna has a special interest in nutrition and enjoys advising owners on their pets' dietary needs.
Outside of work, Anna cares for her Labrador, Noah which she delivered by caesarian section at the practcie in 2012! She also enjoys attending music concerts and holidaying with her sister!
Paula Richardson
RVN
Nurse. Joined 2014
Paula joined the practice in 2014 and has been nursing for just over 30 years. Her nursing career began in Rugby but later moved up to Yorkshire with her husband. She enjoys surgical work and looking after hospitalised patients.
She has two daughter who have left home and now enjoys knitting, crocheting and looking after her mengarie of pets including three Labradors, one Cocker Spaniel, a Terrier and her cat, Edgar.
Liz Woof
RVN
Nurse.
Liz first qualified as a Travel Agent after leaving school but decided being sat behind a computer all day wasn't the job for her, so she retrained as a vet nurse and qualified as a RVN in 2015. She enjoys the variation in her job and has a special interest in lab and surgical work.
Outside work Liz enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter and has baby number 2 on the way, looking after their 10 dogs, hens, ducks, geese, turkeys, guinea fowl and peacocks!!
Beth Skinner
RVN
Head Nurse. Joined 2016
Details coming soon!
Santa Mezaka
SVN
Student Nurse
Santa started work experience with the practice in 2016 and started her nurse training in September 2017 and hopefully she will be qualifying this year. Santa has an interest in critical care nursing and exotic pets.
In her spare time, Santa enjoys looking after her two French Bulldogs and going out for meals with her friends.
Charlotte Welburn
RVN
Nurse
Recently qualified RVN Charlotte has a widespread interest over all aspects of veterinary nursing from caring for small aimals to being out on farm with the large animals. In particular, she enjoys surgical cases.
She loves spending time with her family, being in the great outdoors and helping out on the family farm. She enjoys activities such as riding her horse, Rolo, walking her labrador, Dave and caring for her mischievous cat, Bagpuss.
Hannah Phillipson
SVN
Student Nurse
Details coming soon!
Tracey Edgar
RVN
Nurse
Details coming soon!
Molly Kay
SVN
Student Nurse
Molly joined the Ryedale Vets team in September 2020 as a Student Veterinar Nurse. She has a passion for dog behaviour as well as an interest in all things avian!
Outside of work, Molly lives with her two guinea pigs, Wilma and Doris. She can ususally be found running the local trail and gawping at waterfowl.
Maisie Manners
SVN
Student Nurse
Details coming soon!
Rachel Jamieson
RVN
Nurse
Details coming soon!
OUR RECEPTION AND ADMIN TEAM
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.
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.
Kim Feather
Receptionist & Accounts
Joanne Loggie
Receptionist. Joined 2017
Joanne is one of our part time receptionists at the Helmsley branch. She has worked here since 2017 and enjoys meeting and greeting the clients and their animals.
She spends her free time walking in the North York moors, with her dogs. She has a keen interest in photography and loves the outdoors.
Sue Hook
Receptionist. Joined 2018
Having moved to Yorkshire in 2015 Sue joined the practice in 2018 and works across all three surgeries. She enjoys meeting clients and pets and getting to know everyone.
Outside work Sue has two Westies who she enjoys walking in the countryside . Sue has three grown up sons and twin grandsons.
Dani Beaumont-Smith
Receptionist
Milly Armstrong-Clark
Housekeeper
Milly joined Ryedale Vets Helmsley branch in September 2019 doing a range of jobs around the practice from helping the Vets and RVNs with animal care, to going to the post office and always making sure everyone has a cup of tea in hand! She loves being part of the team and having such a varied role.
Outside of work she loves spending time with husband Rob and her animals Poppy the Golden Retriever and Xena and Kya the mischievous cats. She also has a keen interest in stand up comedy, getting to gigs whenever she can.
Joanna Brooke
Receptionist