Veterinary Surgeons

The Veterinary Surgeons at this practice are all fully qualified in general Veterinary Practice, and some have undergone further studies in particular areas that are of interest to them.

You may find that you are referred to another vet within the surgery if your animal has a problem of which they have particular expertise. Continued Professional Development (CPD) is encouraged at our practice to ensure that your pets receive the best possible care.

There are seven full time vets in the practice, of which three are directors, and four are associates.

The Directors

For more information on becoming a Veterinary Surgeon please visit our careers page.

Senior Staff

To ensure the smooth day-today running of our multi-branch practice, we have senior staff who are in charge of particular areas within Rainsbrook Veterinary Group.

Sue Gibson - Financial Administrator & Personnel Manager Sue is Rainsbrook's Financial and Personnel manager. A complex and varied role, Sue deals with staff issues, employment contracts and the law, development of emplyees and payroll to name a few. Sue has worked at the practice for many years and has seen it grow into the multi-disciplined, multi-branch, RCVS Accredited practice that it is today.
Linda Peake - Head of Reception & Large Animal Co-Ordinator Linda has worked for Rainsbrook since 1991 in various roles from receptionist to nurses' aide to practice manager. Linda brings all this extensive experience to the role of head of Recption of our Rugby branches. In addition to other duties, Linda deals with all the insurance claims for our Rugby branches. Linda is also our Large Animal Co-ordinator, who works closely with our large animal clients, helping to ensure, amongst other things, that governement requirements are met. Linda is also in charge of scheduling, ensuring all branches are appropriatley staffed at all times. You may also see Linda on our Leamington Spa reception.
Stacey Hammond BSc(Hons) PGDip(CABC) - Facilities Manager Stacey has worked at Rainsbrook Vets since 2001. Her first degree was in Ecology with Biology obtained from University of East Anglia, Norwich and Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, Canada. She has also achieved her postgraduate diploma in Companion Animal Behaviour Counselling from the University of Southampton. In addition to working at reception at our Leamington Spa surgery, Stacey looks after all client accounts and deals with insurance claims for the Leamington Spa surgery. Her other duties consist of keeping the practice up to date with Health & Safety, ensuring the practice is upto standard for the RCVS Accreditation Scheme, and makes sure all buildings and equipment are in good working order. Stacey also designs and produces inhouse most of our range of client literature, and updates & writes our website and newsletter.

 

 

Veterinary Nurses

Nurses 

We have Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVN), Student Nurses (SVN) & Auxiliary Nurses (Aux).

Our qualified Veterinary nurses have studied for at least 2 years and undertaken  several exams (both practical and theory). Here at Rainsbrook Veterinary Group we are an Approved Training Centre for Veterinary Nurses.

For more information on becoming a Veterinary Nurse please see our careers section.

Alison Coxon RVN Hydrotherapy Nurse Qualified at Brinsbury Agricultural College. She is a nurse of over 12 years experience and is in charge of the Dog Swimming Pool based at the Leamington Spa practice. In addition to her pool duties. Alison is in charge of overnight inpatients at our Leamington Spa surgery. She has an interest in physiotherapy and regularly attends courses in this field. She has a rescue dog called Annie.

Becky Winter RVN - Head Surgery Nurse, Rugby Qualified in August 2007, Becky is Head Surgery Nurse in charge of our Rugby branches. Amongst her many duties, she runs nurses clinics at Hillmorton, mainly helping obese pets lose weight, and giving advise to new pet owners. Becky is also in charge of the puppy parties based at the Hillmorton practice. These puppy parties help the dogs get a good start in life. She has particular interest in canine behaviour and welfare which came in useful when she worked at the Battersea Dogs Home for 2 and a half years. Becky is this practices Assessor for trainee nurses, and she currently has two student nurses learning under her experienced eye. She has a border collie called Jack and 1 cat called Scrumpy.

Rebecca Sidwell RVN -  Head Surgery Nurse, Leamington Spa Rebecca is a qualified veterinary nurse who studied at Warwickshire College at Moreton Morrell, graduating in 2005. She is in charge of the Leamington Spa branch. Amongst her many duties, she runs nurse clinics, offering advice ranging from claw clipping to weight clinics. She enjoys critical care and physiotherapy and has completed Continuing Professional Developoment to specialise in Diabetic Care. She is currently studying to become an Animal Physiotherapist which will prove useful to aid recovery after operations, especially our orhtopaedic referral patients.

Tristan Smith RVN Tristan oined us after working at the Dogs Trust in Kenilworth for 6 years. Tristan qualified as veterinary nurse in April 2009. He is mainly based at our Leamington Spa surgery, but is often seen at our Rugby sites aswell. He runs nurse clinics, and has an interest in surgery, anaesthesia and post-operative orthopaedic care. He has extensive experience working with rescue dogs, and during his time at the Dogs Trust, he was also an external liaison officer giving informative talks on dog care to the public. Tristan rehomed a rottie from the DogsTrust called Belle.

Elaine Miles AUX Is an auxiliary nurse of many years experience based at our Hillmorton practice. An integral member of the Rainsbrook team, she looks after all our inpatients and makes sure all our theatre equipment is kept up to standard and updated, in addition to multiple other duties! Elaine also works on reception and can offer advice based on her long experience in the veterinary sector.
Gemma Archer BSc SVN Gemma joins us after completing a two year National Diploma in Animal Management, a four year BSc Combined Hons in Animal Behaviour and Welfare and will now study Veterinary Nursing at Warwickshire College. Currently living in Rugby, Gemma is beginning her studies under the watchful eye of Becky Boag RVN. A fan of all things small and furry, Gemma has two rats and two rabbits at home.
Charlotte Wildman SVN Charlotte is currently enrolled on the three year Veterinary Nursing and Practice Management Degree course at Warwickshire College. This involves working at the practice on placement three days a week. Out of work she is kept busy teaching Korean Karate, of which she is a black belt, and playing the flute, guitar and piano. An avid scuba diver, she has just recently come back from diving in the Red Sea in Egypt. Charlotte in interested in all things equine, has a German Shepherd at home called Ozzy and a snake!

Marie Gunton Marie joined the Rainsbrook team in April 2007. She is mainly based at our Leamington Spa surgery and is a Kennel Assistant. Marie assists the nurses in ensuring all inpatients have everything they require. Marie also helps to ensure that the hospital areas are thoroughly cleaned and to standard and that surgical kits and thoroughly cleaned, packed and sterilised. Marie has previous experience in animal care. At home Marie has a cat called Tommy.

Hydrotherapy Assistant:

Bev Beecham Bev is a hydrotherapy assistant with extensive experience in the animal sector. For 3 years she worked at the Guide Dogs For The Blind as a kennel assistant, with this spilling over into her private life when she took 'in training' guide dogs home to give them a break from kennel life. Doing this led her to start her own pet care service where the busiest areas are dog walking, grooming and boarding dogs within her home. Bev continues to run this business whilst working with us. Bev has a lot of experience with all types of ages of dogs which enables her to make them at ease when they use our hydroptherapy facilities. For 15 years Bev was a professional falconer which involved working with birds of prey and pointing dogs. At home she has 2 boxers who are very welcoming to the boarding dogs who come to stay. Her list of previous pets range from piranhas and ponies to stick insects and a hermit crab.

 

Receptionists

We have trained Veterinary Receptionists who play a huge role in the Veterinary Practice. They ensure the smooth running of the reception and waiting room area. They meet and greet clients, answer the telephone, make appointments, and provide general advice on pet healthcare.

Val Currie Val has been workingat the Rainsbrook Rugby branches since 1994. When not busy at work, Val is very involved with agility competitions with 3 of her 8 dogs. Val also has a Diploma in Dog Grooming, which helps her keep her pack in excellent condition.
Yvonne Hibbert Yvonne has worked for Rainsbrook since 2001, as is mainly stationed at the Hillmorton Surgery. When not ensuring the Hillmorton branch runs smoothly, she relaxes by walking her dogs. Yvonne also has a particular interest in wildlife.
Julie Edwards Julie works mainly at the Craven Road branch of Rainsbrook Vets. She has worked for us since 2005 and thoroughly enjoys the multitude of tasks she has to preform within her role. Julie enjoys meeting the public and most of all their pets! At home Julie has 2 naughty kittens called Molly and Jake
Sharron Mutch Sharron works mainly at our Craven Road branch. She joined Rainsbrook in 2006. Sharron has previous experience working in a Veterinary Practice in Leicestershire. Sharron has much experience with horses and shows hunters at County level. She is also an Accredited Kennel Club breeder of irish Setters, who she shows regularly.
Tracey Asquith Tracey has been working with us since 2004 and works mainly at the Rugby branches of Rainsbrook. Born and bred locally, she enjoys walking and horse riding and is seen out and about with her border collie dog Tazmin. Tazmin is well known at our practice as she had a complete hip replacement in 2005, and for a time was a regular user of our Hydrotherapy Facilities.
Felicity Vaughan Felicity has worked at the practice for many years. She has a number of pets at home including dogs, cats and birds.
Katie Jordin  BA(Hons) ETPdip Katie is an experienced receptionist who has recently come back to work for Rainsbrook after completing her training to become an Equine Touch Practitioner. Equine Touch is a non-diagnostic, non-invasive, energy and soft tissue discipline that works at a complete holistic level. Katie is also completing a Practitioner Certificate in Intelligent Horsemanship which trains in techniques developed by Monty Roberts to address equine behavioural issue. Katie has a wide selection of interests outside of work ranging from cooking & baking to paranormal investigation!

 

For more information on becoming a Veterinary Receptionist please see our careers section.

Staff Pets:

 

Rupert Davies Rupert, the Jack Russel Cross, was rehomed from the DogsTrust in Honiley many years ago by vet Sian when she first started working for us way back in 1999. As a puppy he adapted very well to the varied life being a veterinary surgeon's dog! A regular star at Open Days, often helping Sian demonstrate the ultrasound machine, Rupert is well known by most clients. Motivated very strongly by food and tennis balls, give him either of these and he is your friend for life!
Fergal Oink Fergal, the Dogue De Bordeaux, was rehomed from the DogsTrust in Honiley by vet Christel. He is an adorable gentle giant, who has a very stubborn mind of his own! Regularly spotted at all our surgeries helping himself to toys from the toy baskets. He is the reason why Christel works so hard, she has to pay for his toy fetish somehow! In August, Fergal had a TPLO operation on his hind leg to repair a cruciate ligament rupture (the 'footballers injury'). He is making good progress with the help of our Hydrotherapy facilities, and nurse Becky Sidwell's physiotherapy sessions. Fergal is pictured here with the kitchen bin stuck on his head. This is not the first time this has happened.....
Maximus, Loopy and Anakin Hammond Brothers Loopy and Anakin were rehomed by Facilities Manager, Stacey from a garden in Rugby where their mother had given birth to them in a shed. Having not progressed far from the 'rough' upbringing, they are regularly sighted out hunting small furries, and other neighbourhood cats! Loopy is slightly 'rotund', but Stacey insists its his breed! Anakin is the size of a small labrador, and has the appetite to match! Maximus was rehomed with his mum from the Cats Protection when he was a kitten. He is generally found snoozing underneath a duvet and often has to be removed else he overheats. Constantly 'talking', there is never a moments peace..
Larsen Vaughan Larsen is a life loving Flatcoat Retriever belonging to receptionist Felicity. Ever the gentleman, he has provided life-saving assistance by donating blood for when particularly poorly inpatients need blood transfusions. An expectionally patient and good natured dog, Larsen is a popular member of Felicity's pack.
Belle Smith Belle was adopted by nurse Tristan from the DogsTrust in Honiley. A typical female, she has had Tristan wrapped round her little paw since day one! Its not only Tristan that lets her have her way, but both Rupert and Fergal have been known to let her get away with absolutly anything. Pictured here when she was puppy (in Rupert's bed), she has continued as she meant to go - snoozing, eating and snoozing. A beautiful rottie, Tristan would not change her for the world, and neither would we!
Annie Coxon Annie is a 12 year old whippet cross with quite possibly the biggest ears in the world! Okay, they may not be the biggest, but she certainly does a good impression of Batfink. Nurse Alison thinks she looks perfect! Annie was rehomed from the DogsTrust in Honiley when she was 3 years old, and has rarely been seen out from underneath her duvet! Her faviourite toy is a Suzie Strawberry which she will fall asleep sucking. She is a sweet and loving little dog, although do not try and cut her claws..she will not have it! An avid supporter of banning all fireworks, she hates the cold and would like a double bed all to herself.
Beamer Sidwell Beamer is a Chesapeake Bay Retriever. Nurse Becky rehomed Beamer from a rescue society as she refused to retrieve game! She only retrieved when she wanted to, so this did not make a very good gun dog! We like to think of her as a strong willed female! She landed on her four paws with Becky though as she gets to spend all day snoozing on the sofa. Becky has got her using her gun dog instincts by training for Working Trials. This is where nosework, agility and control are tested in competition. Beamer is also a life-saver as she donated blood for a blood transfusion.
Tazmin Asquith Tazmin is Border Collie owned by Tracey Asquith. She is a dear little soul, you loves nothing better than to potter around the garden and lots & lots of fuss. She had a Total Hip Replacement in May 2005. After a lot of care from her owner and a couple of months using our hydrotherapy facilities, by July she was walking without a limp!
In Memoriam   Amy Coxon In September 2008, nurse Alison Coxon lost her much loved horse Amy. She was just 24 years old and Alison was her owner for the last 5 years. Amy came into Alison care after she was retired from working at a riding school where she helped many adults and children learn to ride. She had a fabulous 5 years of being thoroughly spoilt. Many a times did a horse catalogue have to be removed from Alison's hand to stop her from buying yet another horse rug! She will always be remembered for her grace during the last few months of her life, her stubborness when she did not get her own way and for her love of polos.

 

 

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