Meet the Team
Jonathan Russell
Clinical Director
BVSc CertAVP MRCVSJonathan, ‘Jack’, joined Hale after qualifying from University of Bristol in 2002. He has a strong medical bias and particularly enjoys diagnostic ultrasound and radiography. He is a RCVS registered Advanced Practitioner. He became small animal clinical director in 2018.
Sarah Wyatt
Practice Manager
RVN DipAVN(Small Animal) BSc(Hons)CVN DVLMSarah joined us as our head nurse in 2014, after working in first opinion practices in Wiltshire and Somerset since 2002. She took on the role of Practice Manager in 2019. Her professional interests include human resources and marketing. In her spare time she enjoys swimming, reading and looking after her small zoo of animals, including four dogs, a cat, a tortoise, a cockatiel and five budgies.
Malcolm Ellis
Senior Veterinary Surgeon
BVetMed MRCVSMalcolm qualified from the Royal Veterinary College in 1998 and spent four years in mixed practice before joining Hale in 2002. His veterinary interests include endoscopy, abdominal ultrasound and all aspects of surgery. Outside work he follows the ups and downs of Manchester United, tries his best at playing golf and snooker and is a fan of F1.
Chrissy Roberts
Vet – Orthopaedic and soft tissue cert holder
BA VetMB CertSAS MRCVSChrissy joined Hale in 2016 to head the surgical team and has wide experience in orthopaedic surgery, including complex fractures, management of cranial cruciate ligament disease and investigation and treatment of difficult lameness. She qualified from Cambridge in 2004 and obtained her RCVS Certificate in Small Animal Surgery in 2010. She began her career in South Wales where she met her husband, who is also a vet.
Sophie Henry
Vet - Advanced Practitioner in Internal Medicine
BVM&S PGCertSAM MRCVSAfter graduating from the University of Edinburgh, Sophie worked at a PDSA pet aid practice before joining the team in 2015. She has a particular interest in internal medicine, radiography and ultrasound and has achieved the status of RCVS Advanced Practitioner in Internal Medicine. Outside work she enjoys playing netball for her club, practicing yoga and trying to keep up with her border terrier in dog agility.
Adam Rogers
Veterinary Surgeon
MVDr MRCVSAdam studied at The University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy of Košice in Slovakia, having previously undertaken a degree in zoology and a Masters in canine parasitology at the University of Exeter. He is passionate about working as a team with clients to keep their pets in great health. In his spare time he’s a published author, keen wildlife rescuer and slave to his perfectly imperfect, two-legged cat, Oscar.
Alison Sullivan
Veterinary Surgeon
BVetMed MRCVSAlison qualified from the Royal Veterinary College in 1992 and has been at Hale ever since. She spends her time split between the Calne and Chippenham surgeries and her interests are general small animal medicine and cardiology. She is a keen golfer– and is better than she would have you believe!
Bethan Hann
Veterinary Surgeon
BVM BVS MRCVSBeth qualified from the University of Nottingham in 2018 and joined Hale in 2020 after working for 2 years in Suffolk as a small animal vet. She has a particular interest in surgery and dentistry, and is currently studying towards the Post Graduate Small Animal Surgery Certificate . Outside of work she enjoys hiking, travelling and swimming
Emily Brown
Veterinary Surgeon
BVM BVS MRCVSEmily qualified from the University of Nottingham in 2021 and joined Hale in 2023 after working as a small animal vet on the edge of the Cotswold's. She splits her time between the branches and hospital and has a particular interest in surgery. Outside of work she is busy renovating her home, but in her free time she enjoys walking, gardening and socialising with friends.
Emma Sorrell
Veterinary Surgeon
BA VetMB MRCVSEmma graduated from Cambridge University in 2004 and went into mixed practice with a focus on dairy herd health, before deciding to come in from the cold and pursue her growing passion for small animal practice and particularly medicine. She joined Hale in 2017 and mostly divides her time between Corsham and Chippenham. She has a particular interest in dentistry and cardiology.
Emily Welsh
Veterinary Surgeon
BVM BVS MRCVSEmily qualified from the University of Nottingham in 2018 and joined Hale in 2021 after working as a small animal vet In Cornwall. She works at our Corsham branch and has a particular interest in Canine and Feline Dentistry.
Outside of work she loves hiking with her two Clumber Spaniels; Albert and Dudley.
Freya Saulsbury Martin
Veterinary Surgeon
BSc BVMedSci BVM BVS MRCVSFreya graduated from the University of Nottingham Vet School in 2023, intercalating in Zoology at the University of Leeds in 2021. She joined the Hale team in March 2024, after a short stint in small animal practice in her native Cornwall and 2 months volunteering on the Caribbean island of Carriacou, treating anything from neighbourhood dogs to wild possums and turtles. Her clinical interests are broad but include surgery and wildlife medicine & conservation.
In her free time she is mastering the art of sourdough, plays occasional DJ sets, is part of a book club and has recently joined a women's football team.
Laura Davies
Veterinary Surgeon
BSc BVSc MRCVSLaura graduated from Bristol Vet School in 2023 joining the Hale team soon after. She enjoys all aspects of general practice.
Outside of work she enjoys playing netball and spending time with her crazy Dalmatians; Elvis and Rolo.
Lucy Hayes
Veterinary Surgeon
BVSc MRCVSLucy qualified from Bristol University in 1996 and has been with us since 1998, with a short spell in mixed practice in between. She enjoys all aspects of small animal medicine but has particular interests in rabbit medicine, medical oncology and behavioural disorders. Outside work she is a keen long distance runner and re-enacts the English Civil War in aid of charity. She is also devoted to her two cats Chang and Pippi.
Lynsey Ellis
Veterinary Surgeon
BVetMed MRCVSLynsey graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 1998 and worked for 19 years at the PDSA in Bristol before joining Hale in 2017. As a result of her experience at the PDSA she loves all aspects of surgery.
Marcos Millan
Veterinary Surgeon
MRCVSMarcos graduated from Extremadura University in Spain in 2014, and has been practicing in small animal clinics in the UK since. He joined our team in 2020, after spending two years on the out of hours team at Chippenham Hospital until 2019, with a spell locuming and volunteering in Thailand in between. Outside work he enjoys cooking, playing tennis, board games and walking his lively spaniels Artemis and Kleio.
Michelle Spielberg
Veterinary Surgeon
BA VetMB MRCVSMichelle graduated from the University of Cambridge in 2021, and worked for 2 years in a small animal hospital, before joining the team at Hale in 2023. She enjoys all aspects of general practice, but in particular enjoys surgery and imaging.
Outside of work she can often be found exploring the local countryside, dancing, playing in a local orchestra, or reading on the couch with her 2 cats Hubble & Jenner.
Tina Scudder
Veterinary Surgeon
BVSc MRCVSTina graduated from Liverpool University in 2000 and joined Hale in 2010 after a decade working in mixed practice. In 2011 she obtained a GPCert in small animal surgery. She is a general practitioner all-rounder, with interests in chronic pain, acupuncture and palliative care, with a particular soft spot for senior citizens! Outside work she enjoys the great outdoors, as well as treading the boards in various theatrical and musical adventures
Yasmin Channon
Veterinary Surgeon
BVSc MRCVSYasmin joined the team at the start of 2023. Following graduation in 2018, she worked at a small animal and equine practice in South Wales and has also worked in a practice specialising in small animal rehabilitation. Her interests lie in pain management, lameness and dentistry.
Outside of work she enjoys riding, and competing in agility with her two collies Finn and Pluto
Maxine McFadzean
Nurse Manager
RVNMaxine has been with the team since 1997, and currently works at Chippenham Hospital. She is the Administrative Nurse Manager and assists in the smooth running of the nursing team. Her free time is taken up with children life and walking her border terrier Edie.
Nicole Archer-Fairley
Nurse Manager
RVN DipAVN (Small Animal)Nicole joined Hale in 2013 after graduating from Hartpury College with a degree in veterinary nursing science. She enjoys all aspects of nursing, particularly caring for inpatients and emergency and critical care. Out of work she loves spending time with friends and family, reading, baking, running and long walks.
Aisha Braine
Senior Veterinary Nurse
RVN CertAVNAisha joined Hale in 2015, after completing several weeks work experience whilst at school. She enjoys all aspects of surgical nursing, especially performing minor procedures under directions of a vet. Aisha is part of small group of nurses who have passed the advanced anaesthesia certificate and advanced surgical nursing certificate. In her spare time she spends time with her cat Wilma and horse Chequers and walks with her cocker spaniel Wonda.
Natalie Lewin
Senior Veterinary Nurse
RVNNatalie qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in 2017 at MYF College in Aldershot, Surrey. Once qualified she then moved to the South Coast and worked at a hospital before moving to London in 2021, where is locumed for 3 years.
Looking for a quieter, slower pace of life Natalie moved to Wiltshire in June 2024 and started working at Hale Vets. In her spare time, she likes to catch up with friends/family, travel and explore new walks with her dog Riley.
Shannen Agombar
Senior Veterinary Nurse
RVNShannen joined the team as senior nurse in 2022, after spending 5 years as an RVN within the Army, working with military dogs and horses.
In 2023 Shannen passed the Certificate of Veterinary Nursing in Emergency and Critical Care.
Shannen is currently on maternity leave spending some valuable time with her little boy.
Beth Ash
Registered Veterinary Nurse
RVNBeth joined Hale in 2019, gaining her degree and qualifying as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in the same year. She particularly enjoys surgery. In her spare time enjoys long walks with her dog Sid.
Dwysan Williams
Registered Veterinary Nurse
RVNDee joined the team as a locum in 2021, but liked us so much she never left, she became a permanent team member in 2022.
Before starting her veterinary nurse training, Dee was fortunate enough to volunteer with several wildlife conversation charities in Africa.
Dee enjoys all aspects of the role and likes that no day is ever the same.
Outside of work Dee enjoys travelling with her husband, socialising with friends and cold water swimming back home in West Wales.
Ellie Hocking
Registered Veterinary Nurse
RVNElspeth joined the team in 2020 after studying animal management at Cirencester College. She enjoys dealing with the exotics that come in, especially the small furries. She is currently studying towards towards the Advanced Veterinary Certificate. In her free time she enjoys walking her corgi cross Jack Russell, Sam, and is a Marvel and Harry Potter fan.
Emma Perry
Registered Veterinary Nurse
RVNEmma joined the team in 2023 having just passed her nursing training. Emma enjoys learning about diseases, disorders, treatments and animal behaviour and utilities this knowledge during nurse consults and caring for our in-patients, which are her areas of interest.
Outside of work Emma enjoys long walks with her husband and golden retriever Hector. Emma also has two cats called Lord Razmataz and Puzzle, as well as a Hamster called Fidget.
Larni Maidment
Registered Veterinary Nurse
RVNLarni joined the team in 2023, having worked in first opinion practices in Wiltshire since qualifying in 2010. Larni is the lead nurse at our Melksham surgery and enjoys all aspect of nursing.
In her spare time she is a busy mum of 2 young boys and enjoys socialising with friends and family.
Lauren Fenton
Registered Veterinary Nurse
RVNLauren qualified from the University of Bristol in 2024, with a first degree in Veterinary Nursing and Companion Animal Behaviour, before joining the team in June 2024.
Lauren enjoys all aspects of nursing, but particularly inpatient care and exotic species; having a keen interest in rabbits.
In her free time she enjoys swimming and photography, and has a naughty Sprocker called Basil.
Lori Taylor
Registered Veterinary Nurse
RVNLori graduated from the University of the West of England Hartpury in 2015 and enjoys working in both our hospital and our Corsham branch. Her Yorkie, Hatti, keeps her busy – they both enjoy spending time at the seaside, having long country walks, pub lunches and socialising with family and friends.
Rhianna Hyde
Registered Veterinary Nurse
RVNRhianna joined the team in 2019, originally at our Corsham branch and now working in the Chippenham Hospital. She enjoys the variety of the role and working with so many different people. She has two cats at home, a torti called Millie and a tabby called Willow.
Sarah Badcock
Registered Veterinary Nurse
RVNSarah qualified as a veterinary nurse in 2005 and joined the team in 2006. In February 2024 Sarah complete the Nurse Certificate in Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation.
Sarah now spends half the week at Chippenham and the other half at Melksham.
In her spare time, she is kept busy by her border terrier Skye, who just loves long walks!
Terri Oliver
Registered Veterinary Nurse
RVNTerri joined the team in August 2023 having previously worked at veterinary clinics in the local area. Terri qualified as a veterinary nurse in 1975. She always knew she loved animals and grew up surrounded by many; from rodents to horses. Terri has a keen interest in wildlife and has cared for many young and injured wildlife casualties.
Terri works as part of the day team at Chippenham and Corsham, as well as the night team (Nightingale Emergency Vets)
Out of work, her hobbies include caring for her pets, walking her 2 dogs, dancing, reading and writing
Eva Stenner
Student Veterinary Nurse
Eva joined the team in May 2023, as an Animal Nursing Assistant progressing to student Veterinary Nurse April 2024. She enjoys learning about the different animals we see and their conditions. Outside of work she enjoys paddle boarding, walking her Labrador, Delilah, and socialising with friends.
Krissy Morris
Student Veterinary Nurse
Before joining the team in April 2022, Krissy studied Animal Management and Welfare in Shropshire. When finishing college she worked with small monkeys, bats and red pandas at Longleat, as well as working at Great Western Exotics as an Animal Care Assistant.
Her free time is spent entertaining her cat and the dog, and relaxing with wine. However free time is minimal as Krissy is now studying towards her Diploma in Veterinary Nursing.
Pip Hutton
Student Veterinary Nurse
Pip joined us in 2021, initially working as an Animal Care Assistant at Corsham and Melksham before moving to Chippenham and starting her nursing training. Pip has experience working at small farm parks and zoos, including Colchester Zoo. She most enjoys looking after after your pets when they are admitted for hospital stays or in for the day for a procedure.
Outside of work she loves baking, going for hikes in the mountains and being outdoors, sitting with a good book and spending time with friends. As well as looking after her Syrian Hamster, Mash, who gets the zoomies just like a dog.
Eleanor Lawrance
Animal Nursing Assistant
Eleanor joined the team in May 2024, having worked in another local veterinary practice. She enjoys all aspects of role but in particular looking after the inpatients.
Outside of work she enjoys cooking, reading and looking after 2 cuddly cats called Cosette and Satine
Emma Hall
Animal Nursing Assistant
Emma started working with us in 2020, firstly at Chippenham before moving to Corsham in early 2021. She has worked within the animal industry from the age of 13.
Animals have always been very much a part of her life from dogs, cats, small furries, some reptiles and birds. She enjoys spending time with her family and Staffordshire bull terrier, Denny.Emma Mousley
Animal Nursing Assistant
Emma joined the team in September 2023 after completing her Veterinary Care Assistant course at Bath College. She is looking forward to progressing her career by become an RVN in the near future.
Emma is owed by a 3 legged dog called Lexi, who she enjoys teaching new tricks and taking for walks. In her spare time she enjoys baking and going to music festivals.
Eran Hughes
Animal Nursing Assistant
Eran joined the team during the first Covid lockdown in 2020, and now works as a nursing assistant supporting the team at Melksham.
He is a keen martial artist, and is an ex-competitive kickboxer, who has placed third in the world championships!Gemma Beasmore
Animal Nursing Assistant
Gemma joined the team in September 2022 and works at our Melksham branch assisting the team and looking after all the wonderful animas who come into the surgery. In her spare time she is a busy mum of 1 who enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
Sharon Purbrick
Head Receptionist
BVRA Gold and AVRSharon joined Hale Vets in 2008 and oversees the smooth running of the client care team at Chippenham and across our branches. She loves all aspects of her role, especially greeting our clients and their pets into the surgery. Outside of work, she has a busy, active family life and enjoys playing netball for a social team and supporting Bath at rugby.
Angela Perrett
Receptionist
Angela joined the team in August 2021 and works primarily at our Melksham surgery. Angela is very much a people person and loves nothing more than welcoming both existing and new clients and their beautiful pets. Angela shares her home with her beloved 10 year old Cocker Spaniel, Milo.
Anita Wood
Office Support
Anita joined Hale in the early 90s as a receptionist, before moving into the office. She grew up riding friends’ ponies and bought her first horse, Cookie, at 24. She has two children, two cats, a few horses and a dog who loves flyball. Most weekends are spent competing at dressage and show jumping with her horses, or on long walks with her dog.
Ann Slator
Receptionist
Ann joined the Corsham reception team in 2014. Outside work, she can usually be found enjoying walks with her Labrador, Wilcot, and working in her garden.
Bridget Luff
Lab Technician
BVRA GoldBridget joined the team in 2007 as a part time lab technician, and also started working with our Corsham reception team in 2020. In her spare time, she enjoys countryside walks with her dog Teddy.
Caz Bevan
Receptionist
BVRA Gold and AVRCaz has been with the team since 2019, not long after moving over to the mainland from the Isle of Man, where she was born. In her spare time she enjoys walks with her German shorthaired pointer, Darcy.
Clare Travers
Receptionist
Clare joined the team in 2017 and loves all aspects of her job, especially welcoming new pups to the practice! Outside work she keeps backyard chickens, makes her own jams and marmalades and enjoys baking. She has an adult cocker spaniel who is convinced that she is still a puppy!
Deborah Davis
Receptionist
Deborah has worked as a receptionist at our Calne branch since 2008. In her spare time she enjoys long walks with her cocker spaniels, Barney and Rubble, and going to the gym.
Denise Knott
Accounts Manager
Denise has been a part of the Hale team since 1983, initially as an accounts clerk. She deals with our accounts and oversees the Pet Health Plan. When not at work she enjoys looking after her guinea pigs, line-dancing, reading, patchwork and doing jigsaw puzzles.
Emma Smith
Office Support and Receptionist
BVRA Gold and AVREmma joined Hale in 2018 after studying agriculture at university. She enjoys all aspects of her role, especially the variety of working across our branches. She is married to a local farmer with two children. She enjoys helping out on the farm and walking her dogs, two boxers and a Jack Russell.
Fay Footner
Receptionist
BVRA Gold and AVRFay joined Hale in 1996 after the merger with Henney Vets. She enjoys working on reception in the Corsham branch. In 2019 she achieved an Accredited Veterinary Receptionist Award. In her spare time she looks after her three cats, Ruby, Leo and Bella.
Jacqui Kemp
Receptionist
Jacqui joined the team in October 2023 from another veterinary practice. She thoroughly enjoys working as a receptionist and meeting all the wonderful pets that come into the practice. Outside of work she enjoys walking her 3 cocker spaniels around the village and taking dog friendly beach holidays.
Janice Parker
Pet Travel Advisor
Janice has been with us since 1984, originally as a receptionist, which she says was her dream job, and also as office manager for many years. She has seen the practice grow and is proud to have played a role in the changes. In her spare time she enjoys riding, gardening, walking and meeting up with friends.
Karen Jobbins
Office Support and Receptionist
Karen joined the team in February 2021, dividing her time between working on reception and in the office.
In her spare time she enjoys taking Alfie, her springer spaniel, for long walks.Kate Brown
Receptionist
Kate joined the team in March 2022, after a long career in a completely unrelated business. Kate loves helping clients and meeting so many wonderful pets.
Kate has two rescue dogs who she used to do agility with but due to their age, now enjoys leisurely walks with them in the Wiltshire countryside. Kate is also a keen cyclist.
Katie Bouault
Office Support
Katie joined the practice in 2020 during the height of the pandemic and had to find her feet quickly! In her spare time she enjoys walks with her dog Lola, baking and cooking, and spending time with her family.
Maggie Gregory
Receptionist
Maggie joined Hale in 2012, fulfilling her dream of working with animals and giving her more time to become a dog owner. She loves listening to client stories about what their pets have been getting up to! In her spare time she enjoys taking her dogs Murphy and Figgy to agility classes and looking for new country walks with lots of puddles!
Lisa Sharman
Receptionist
BVRA BronzeLisa joined Hale in 1996, originally working at our Chippenham Hospital, and since 2015 for our Melksham branch. She loves all aspects of her job, and always to do her best for our clients. In her spare time she is kept busy by her two boys and hand-rearing kittens for Cat Rescue.
Rebecca Mallard
Insurance Claims Advisor
RVNBecky joined the team in 2002 and initially trained as a Registered Veterinary Nurse, before leaving to start a family. She rejoined in 2016, continuing her nursing role at our Melksham branch before moving to the office at Chippenham. Becky assists Tina with the Insurance Claims.
Sarah Butler
Receptionist
BVRA BronzeSarah joined the team in October 2020 and splits her time between the Corsham and Melksham branches.
She enjoys the variety and interaction that comes with working in a veterinary practice combined with the joys of being around animals all day – particularly golden retrievers!Sarah Pym
Receptionist
BVRA BronzeSarah works on reception in Chippenham Hospital along with our Corsham and Melksham branches. Outside work she enjoys walking her dogs and spending time with her horses.
Tina Tucker
Insurance Claims Advisor
RVNTina started out with the team as an RVN, and has recently moved into helping our clients with insurance claim forms. She loves giving advice and meeting all of your lovely pets! Outside of work she likes to spend as much of her spare time as possible in her lovely caravan in sunny Dorset.
John Brinkworth
Ambulance Driver
John joined Hale as an ambulance driver in 2017. In his spare time he enjoys walks with his dog, Rosie, fishing, gardening and decorating, as well as a sneaky bet or two on the horses.
Stuart Biggin
Ambulance Driver
Stuart joined the team in 2007 as one of the ambulance drivers. In his spare time he can be found helping out on his farm.
