Meet the Vets
Julie Gray MA Vet MB, MRCVS
Julie started the Practice in 1994, under her maiden name of Julie Hims. Over the years many clients and their pets have become long standing friends, and many vets have helped along the way to deliver high standards of care. She maintains a full time working and out of hours provision, but she still maintains a tremendous enthusiasm for current topics and treatment protocols. Julie graduated from the University of Cambridge in 1990, and worked in small and mixed practices as well as for DEFRA, before starting the Rocester practice.
Julie is married to David, she has two children – Will and Evie - , plus the inevitable rescue cats, two adopted flat coated retrievers, another handsome flatcoat named "Truman", who recently starred at the Denstone Show, and just a few alpacas and chickens. The most recent addition is Woolley, a Wire Hair Fox Terrier who has retired from the Show Ring. Find their pictures in the Pet Gallery!
Lucy Travers BVSc MRCVS
Lucy joined the team in August, 2007. She graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2006 and worked in the West Midlands until her move to Rocester. Lucy has a long association with the practice – visiting for some time before she even went to Vet School. Her Grandma lives in Uttoxeter and her family is near by. Her particular area of interest are opthalmology and surgery.
Lucy has a yellow Labrador , Roxy, In August 2009 we were privileged to see her marry James and head off into the sunset in an E - type Jag, movingly waved off by one of her long term patients "Alfie", the Bernese Mountain dog who came to wish her well.
Lucy has rejoined us after maternity leave. She is a great mother to toddler Abigail and now juggles motherhood with her tremendous enjoyment of life as a Vet. Abi has learnt to feed Roxy from the high chair and , in a moment of madness, Lucy has caught Abi carrying socks in her mouth like her canine friend, so we are told!
Catrina Durose, BVetMed MRCVS
Catrina joined the practice in June of 2010, and is already bouncing around the Practice, tremendously liked by clients and staff. She graduated from The Royal Veterinary College in London in 2009, and has worked in both Birmingham and as far afield as Koh Samui in Thailand. Catrina's family are from Madeley, near Crewe.
Far from the quiet, studious Vet that first joined us, Catrina's enthusiastic personality and zest for both work and play is emerging. She is crazy gardener, transforming the surgery carpark into a mini green ecosystem! She also has boundless energy for local fitness classes, badminton and recently completed the Potters Arf Marathon in a speedy time of 2hours 25mins! Next challenges lined up are the London marathon, 2012 and a charity Coniston Challenge. Phew!
Meet the Nurses
Claire Keeling RVN
Well, Claire , our first nurse to gain RCVS qualification, has stayed with the Practice for many years. She has seen all the hurdles we have crossed and been an important part of our success. She remains a lady for whom nothing is too much trouble and is fiercely loyal to all members of the Practice team and the animals who visit us.
Anaesthesia and radiography are Claire's particular interests. Furthermore, on many occasions, clients will have met Claire for caesarean sections or twisted stomach operations in the early hours. Claire is also a Clinical Coach involved in the training of our Veterinary Nurses through Bottle Green Training in Melbourne
Outside of work , Claire has two of the fittest dogs on the block , who have to keep up with her enthusiasm for fitness and exercise. When not maximising her gym membership, Claire enjoys a country life, time with her friends and has crossed the line front of the queue in many "Race for Life" events.
Daina Fearon RVN
Daina's arrival at the Practice was like a whirlwind of stories and enthusiasm for life. We first met her as a work experience pupil during her school days. Such was the impact Daina made in that first week, that we were pleased to invite her back at a later date to train as a Veterinary Nurse. Now, of course, she is a familiar and trusted face who qualified as a VN and stayed on to train further and develop her management skills.
Her future aims are to help with nurse training and Clinical Coaching but she remains a member of the Practice team who will assist the Vets and pets in any clinical situation.
A major success away from Practice life continues to be Daina's equestrian pursuits. Her current horse "Rio" is achieving considerable show jumping success and Daina's rising dressage results continue to be a talking point over coffee. In fact, we have been proud to Sponsor Rio's Competition Gear in the Ring. Look out for the Logo
Rosie Campbell Trainee Veterinary Nurse
Rosie is the junior of the Practice and we are pleased to support her Veterinary Nurse training with the help of Bottle Green Training. Our association with Rosie started with a placement at the practice for her "Duke of Edinburgh" award. After GCSE success, Rosie joined us in the Summer 2009 and now has her feet firmly under the practice table. Already exceeding our expectations within the Practice, we are confident Rosie will make the best of Veterinary Nurses when she gains her qualification this Christmas 2011.
Outside of work? Well , our impression that she is shy and quiet is slowly receding as she gains confidence in her value at the Practice and her hobbies at home.
Now we know that Rosie has a fetish for bright shoes and handbags and is a great contact for fostering all kinds of small furries, when owners are away.
Look out, though, in the locality as Rosie has just passed her driving test and is now out and about in her lovely little car.
Sarah Allen
Sarah arrived, left and returned to the Practice and we are pleased to have her back with us after a break of some 9 years.
As a founder member of the Practice, Sarah was here when life was less intense and recounts hilarious stories we had long since forgotten. Luckily, after a break to produce and nurture her three daughters, she has retuned to us part time. Many clients remember her from 1st time round and many more know her from her links with the Ashbourne area.
Sarah must be credited with hands on development of this Practice website, our newsletters and our features work in press, radio and facebook.
Outside of Practice life, well things are never quiet in Sarah's household. A reliable and constant friend to every one, Sarah puts her all into life with Brian and the children , ponies, cats and Wellie . A feature of our Practice literature, Wellie's good looks are thanks to an unexpected surprise that his father was not the expected handsome Labrador, more a rustic Airedale with wonderful whiskers.
