Small Animal Nursing/Wards
Nursing at the AHT
The Centre for Small Animal Studies prides itself on the exceptionally high standards of nursing care for all our patients. All of our nurses are committed to providing consistent specialist care on a 24-hour basis ensuring that each patient is afforded individual nursing care which optimises their recovery.
Our nursing team are all very experienced in their field and include diploma holders and nursing degree holders. We are also a registered training practice that takes on first and second year student nurses who we train to a very high standard. Our nurses are encouraged to continue training via regular in-house CPD and high quality external courses. We welcome and accept student and qualified nurses to see practice with us to enable them to get a better understanding of a wide range of nursing techniques commonly used in a busy referral centre.
Currently our nursing team consists of 19 QVNs, 5 SVNs and 1 ANA. In addition there are also ward assistants and theatre technicians.
Hydrotherapy at the AHT
Hydrotherapy is fast becoming a very popular way of helping treat animals with various complaints. If performed in a safe environment, hydrotherapy can offer great benefits to animals and put them on the right road to recovery.
Our Hydrotherapy unit opened in spring 2005. We recognise the benefits that hydrotherapy can offer to a wide range of conditions. These conditions range from hip dysplasia/hip replacement, pre and post orthopaedic conditions, spinal injuries, CDRM, OCD, luxating/subluxating patellas, osteo-arthritis and obesity to name just a few.
Our pool is modern and fully equipped to meet the needs of all size breeds. We operate within a safe environment with fully trained dedicated staff. We have a strict water management policy so you can be assured that the water quality is kept to a high standard. A hoist is available with a fully supportive harness to allow gentle lifting in and out of the pool as necessary. The harness and/or lifejackets can also be used to provide extra buoyancy wherever necessary. Facilities are available to provide complete control of patients by staff to enable them to exercise in complete safety.
The hydrotherapy unit is used during rehabilitation of patients seen at the AHT, but is also available for other patients too – we are happy to accept referrals just for hydrotherapy. Although single sessions can be booked, normally hydrotherapy involves a course of sessions that slowly increase in both length and the type of exercise done to gradually build strength and rehabilitate patients.
We only accept veterinary referrals. Enquiries or referrals for hydrotherapy can be made by veterinary surgeons contacting one of the staff in our clinic.
Nursing/wards staff
Karen Felton Cert Ed RVN MBVNA
Nursing Manager
Karen qualified in 1996 with credit. She began her career in 1989 and spent several years in mixed practice before moving to a small animal training practice in order to train. Karen then spent four years lecturing veterinary nursing and animal care at Cambridge. During the four years at Cambridge she achieved her Cert Ed, assessor and internal verifier qualifications. At the same time Karen also spent four years as assistant examiner for the VN Exams. Karen joined the AHT in 2001 as nursing manager and is responsible for overseeing the provision of high standards of nursing care and good quality student nurse training within the clinic. Karen is currently studying for DAVN Medicine.
Gemma Reid RVN
Charge Nurse - wards
Gemma started working at the AHT in July 1998, and has stayed at the Trust since then! Gemma is passionate about working in the hospital and maintaining the highest standards of care for the animals here, and helping them recover. Prior to working at the AHT, Gemma spent 5 years in a general mixed practice and did her training there. Since 2005, Gemma has also become interested in canine hydrotherapy (which is now offered as a service at the AHT) and has attended a training course in this area. She now enjoys doing the swims alongside her work in the wards.
Jo Handley-Howard
Ward Manager
Jo joined the Animal Health Trust in 1986. She was first employed as a kennel maid (as it was known then!), but over the years has worked her way up to be Ward Manager. She has completed many training courses in different aspects of her work, including kennel management. Jo’s role is to ensure the ward areas are run in a modern and effective way insuring that hygiene and cleanliness is second to none. She is also responsible for the recruitment and supervision of ward assistants of which we currently have six. Jo has played a major role in the development of the current small animal clinic at the AHT, from early planning to more recent developments, many of which involved the ward areas. In 2004 she received funding to build a hydrotherapy pool, and in early 2005 trained as a hydrotherapist to enable the AHT to offer this service to its patients.
Amanda Webster VN DipAVN (Medical)
Veterinary Nurse
Amanda started work at a small mixed practice in Norwich in 1995 as an animal nurse and receptionist. During this time she decided to seek employment at an approved training practice elsewhere so that she could train and qualify as a VN. Amanda moved to a position at the Old Golf House Veterinary Hospital in Thetford in 1998, where she trained and subsequently qualified as a VN in August 2000. Whilst working in general practice Amanda realised she wanted to learn more, and so applied to study for the Advanced Medical Nursing Diploma. To help further develop her nursing skills and to help prepare her for the Diploma, Amanda succeeded in applying for a position at the AHT, and she joined the team here in May 2005. Amanda is now an integral part of the team and successfully passed her Diploma in April 2007.
Kerry Fresneau RVN
Veterinary Nurse
After completing her A levels, Kerry started work at Eastgate Veterinary Group, Bury St Edmunds. After four years there, working as a veterinary nurse, she completed her Veterinary Nurse training. She has a particular interest in intensive care nursing and to further her skills in this area applied for a job at AHT in 2007.
Belinda Joyce RVN BSc (Hons)
Veterinary Nurse
Belinda has worked in numerous establishments covering various aspects of work during her fifteen years of experience working with animals. Belinda worked as a professional dog groomer for before attended the University of Central Lancashire and graduated with a first class honours degree in veterinary nursing. After initially working in general veterinary practice after qualification, Belinda joined the AHT to further develop her nursing skills.
Emma Archer RVN DipAVN (Surg)
Veterinary Nurse
After qualifying as a veterinary nurse in 2001 while working in general practice, Emma spent another year in practice before joining the Animal Health Trust in 2002 as a theatre nurse. Emma gained the Diploma in Advanced Nursing (Surgical) in 2006, in which she received an award for the highest mark for that year. Emma writes articles for the Veterinary Nursing Journal and is also teaching trainee veterinary nurses at a local college.
Kerry Hall RVN BSC(Hons) DipAVN (Surg)
Veterinary Nurse
Kerry gained her RCVS veterinary nursing certificate in 1998 (passing with credit), and she then went on to gain her Diploma in Advanced Veterinary Nursing (Surgical) in 2004. Having spent eight years in general practice Kerry moved to the AHT in January 2005 and now rotates between wards, clinics and theatre.
Zowie Holland RVN MBVNA
Veterinary Nurse
Zowie achieved a National Diploma in Animal Care from the College of West Anglia in 2002. She started working at the Animal Health Trust the same year and began training for the NVQ in veterinary nursing. Zowie obtained her NVQ VN in 2004, and passed with credits. Zowie continued working at the AHT until December 2005, then left to work in general practice in Ely for five months, before returning back to the AHT in 2006. Zowie has now taken on a role as a surgical nurse in the AHT theatres.
Sam Knightley RVN
Veterinary Nurse
Sam qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in 2003, and at the time worked for a hospital-status general veterinary practice. She then became a dedicated night nurse, dealing with emergencies and also spent some time working with a ophthalmologist in a referral practice just outside Cambridge. Sam now works at the AHT where she is one of the nurses involved in co-ordinating out of theatre activities in the clinic.
Sarah Ward RVN
Veterinary Nurse
Sarah qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in 2003, and has had 14 years experience of working in general practice. Sarah then moved to the AHT in 2004 to further her nursing skills, initially as a shift nurse, but from 2006 was appointed as one of our team of theatre nurses. Outside work, Sarah spends much of her time taking her dogs to obedience and agility classes and she also competes at agility competitions. Sarah now also holds the A1 Assessors qualification.
Lucinda Soutry RVN
Veterinary Nurse
Lucinda worked at a small animal and equine practice in Burgess Hill - Oakwood Veterinary Clinic - for four years and from where she qualified, and did her studying at Bristol Vet School in 1994. Lucinda then had a break from veterinary nursing, returning in 2000 to do some locum work, and then worked at a small animal practice in south Croydon. Lucinda moved to Newmarket in 2003, working first in a local clinic before joining the nursing team at the Animal Health Trust in 2007.
Harriet Bolton
Theatre Technician
Harriet joined the Animal Health Trust in December 2005 and works in the small animal theatres. It is Harriet's job to make sure all the surgical instruments are washed and sterilised. She also helps to prepare animals for surgery. Harriet has had an interest in animals since she left school and has always wanted to work with and care for animals. Harriet's long-term aim is to train as a veterinary nurse.
Michelle Higman
Student Veterinary Nurse
Michelle joined the AHT in 2003 having previously worked at Addenbrookes Hospital in the infectious diseases unit where she cared for patients with many different diseases and where she also gained her NVQ level 3 in acute care. Michelle has now turned her skills to animal nursing and at the AHT she is able to look after the welfare of our patients to the standard that she would expect her own animals to be cared for
Lindsey Raven MBVNA
Student Veterinary Nurse
Lindsey is currently studying towards her second year of veterinary nurse training having passed her first year studying in a general practice in 2007. Lindsey has always had a keen interest in animals and once qualified she hopes to specialise in exotic and wildlife veterinary nursing. Prior to her studies she took some time out for travelling and voluntary projects, most memorably six weeks in Borneo with the Orangutan Foundation UK.
Kate Pickles
Student Veterinary Nurse
Kate joined the AHT in September 2005 when she started training for her NVQ in veterinary nursing. She will be taking her final exams soon and hopes to qualify. Kate really enjoys working at the AHT, and finds veterinary nursing very interesting and rewarding.
Samantha Gould
Senior Ward Assistant
Sam had always wanted to work with animals and started off her career working in quarantine kennels for two years. She then worked alongside a Newfoundland breeder for six months, taking care of their needs including the breeding and event showing side after which she went on to work for Friskies Pet Food kennels for 11 years. This involved the day to day care of over 200 dogs and cats and Sam was in charge of her own kennel block and regularly assisted with minor procedures alongside the duty vet. Sam joined the AHT in 2001 as a full time Ward Assistant and has progressed on to being a senior Ward Assistant. Her role now is to oversee the daily running of the kennels making sure that patients and wards are hygienically maintained and cared for.
Karen Ping
Ward Assistant
Karen joined the Trust as a Ward Assistant in 2006. This is her first job working with animals, so she has started a correspondence course in small animal care. She aims to progress to a career in Veterinary Nursing in the future. Prior to joining the Trust, Karen worked as a part time waitress but had also spent five years as a laboratory technician with a research and development company, which involved carrying out blood tests on prototype blood glucose monitors.
Jennifer Barker
Ward Assistant
Jennifer started work at the AHT in July 2003 as a part time Ward Assistant. Since then, she has worked in CSAS Kennels and, following the opening of the hydrotherapy pool, has also been assisting with the swimming of patients. Prior to working at the AHT, Jennifer worked at West Suffolk Hospital in the Nursing Bank as a Healthcare Assistant, providing patient care in a variety of hospital wards and departments. Although she hadn’t worked with animals before joining the AHT, Jennifer has a passion for them and their care.
Susan Harvey
Ward Assistant
Susan joined the AHT in 2006 having previously worked as a kennel-maid for ten years. During this time she obtained an NVQ level two in animal care and a large amount of experience dealing with animals and people.
Toni Pettitt
Ward Assistant
Before leaving school Toni studied Psychology, Sociology and general studies. Toni had always wanted to work with animals and so after a few local weekend positions, joined the AHT initially as a Weekend Ward Assistant. Her role was to take care of the daily needs of the patients and ward areas, covering weekends and staff holidays. However, soon after joining the Trust in 2005 Toni moved into the position of full time Ward Assistant. She currently covers a wide range of shifts and has recently completed the Introduction to Small Animal Care certificate. Toni’s long-term aim is to train as a veterinary nurse, which she hopes to do here at the Trust.
Gemma Dorling
Ward Assistant
After taking her A-levels, Gemma left school and worked locally until she joined the Trust in 2005, having always wanted to work with animals. Gemma’s current role at the Trust is to carry out Ward Assistant duties covering weekends, staff holidays and bank holidays. She has recently completed her Introduction to Small Animal Care and National Small Animal Care certificate level 2, and her long-term aim is to train as a veterinary nurse, which she hopes to do at the Trust.
