Veterinary nurses

Lauren first joined us in January 2007 for her placement year as part of her training at Harper Adams University before joining us full time as a qualified nurse in September 2009. In April 2014 she became one of our two head nurses and has now progressed to become our practice director. Lauren is interested in all aspects of medical nursing and enjoys nurse clinics as well as radiology. She has achieved her certificate in nursing of exotic species to enable her to give our exotic patients the care that they require along with advice to their owners. Lauren is also one of our clinical coaches involved with the training of our student nurses, which is another aspect of her job that she particularly enjoys. Outside of work Lauren is interested in photography and enjoys spending time with her friends, family and pets. She has two Springer Spaniels called Beau and Isla, an English Cocker Spaniel called Jacobey and three cats called Isobella, Archimedes and Savannah.

Helen joined us at Melbourne and Mercia Vets in July 2015 after qualifying as a veterinary nurse in 2013. She is one of our head nurses. Her main passion at work is nurse clinics as she gets to meet the clients and advise them on the best care for their pet. Helen also has a keen interest in feline behaviour. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her husband, son and her cat, Chester.

Becci joined us in April 2014 as one of our two head nurses. She has a keen interest in medical nursing and enjoys taking care of our hospitalised patients. Becci is also one of our clinical coaches and oversees the training of our student nurses. Outside of work she enjoys baking and will occasionally bring in treats for all the staff and has contributed to the bake sales we have had on our open days. She lives with her partner Craig, her cat named O’Malley and German Shepherd, Skyler.

Kate started working at Melbourne and Mercia in January 2015, previously completing a BSc zoology degree at the University of Reading. After finishing university she worked as a veterinary receptionist which is when she decided she wanted to become a veterinary nurse. Kate has now completed her diploma in veterinary nursing at Rodbaston College and is a qualified veterinary nurse. She enjoys every aspect of nursing but particularly enjoys theatre, anaesthesia and giving the inpatients lots of love and cuddles! Outside of work Kate enjoys going out for meals with friends and family and spending time with her own beloved pets. Kate has a full house with her three rabbits; Bobby, Buddy and Betsy, and her five cats; Walter, Jessy, Skylar, Hank and her newest addition, Mookie, who she fell in love with when he was brought into the practice as a stray.

Karen has been at Melbourne and Mercia Vets since July 2015 and qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2018. In her spare time she volunteers at The Donkey Sanctuary in Sutton Park. She also enjoys painting, walking and going on holiday. At home she has a Lakeland Terrier named Bertie who she considers her best friend.

Becca started working at Melbourne and Mercia Vets in July 2015. Prior to joining our team she worked as deputy head nurse in a small animal practice for 10 years, which is where she gained her RVN qualification in 2007. Becca particularly enjoys nurse clinics where she gets to know owners and their pets. Her main focus is weight management and she has previously been awarded CVS ‘Vet Nurse of the Year’ for pet slimming. Becca has also enjoyed working as an out of hours nurse for emergency and critical care patients and this is where her main interest lies.

Shannon started working at Melbourne and Mercia Vets in January 2014. She enjoys being in kennels helping fellow staff members looking after the patients. When Shannon is not working she likes to spend time with her family and friends. At home she has a rabbit named Lillie and a beautiful Bengal cat called Shayla.

Catherine joined the team in July 2014 as a student nurse. She went off on a little adventure last year for eight months but is now back with us as a qualified registered veterinary nurse. Catherine has a Dogue De Bordeaux at home called Harry who is a gentle giant. She is very keen on exotic pets and wildlife, and hopes to progress onto the exotic and wildlife veterinary nursing certificate in the very near future. Catherine is currently a member of the Association of Zoo & Exotic Veterinary Nurses, volunteers at a local zoological park and has a keen interest in marine mammals. At work she likes to focus on her theatre skills and regularly attends CPD relating to anaesthesia and analgesia. In her spare time Catherine likes to travel, spend time with her husband and cuddle as many animals as possible.

Elana joined us in September 2016 as a veterinary care assistant, and then worked two days a week as work experience until summer 2017 when she was hired full time. Elana was then able to progress onto her level three veterinary nursing course in September 2017. Before starting with us she completed a level three diploma in animal management and worked with a variety of exotic and domestic animals. She thinks the best part about the job is caring for the inpatients. Elana’s favourite animal is a cat and away from work loves spending time with her own pets, Poppy the Cocker Spaniel, Phoebe and Mowgli the cats and three guinea pigs, Popeye, Sleepy and Sheldon. Her hobbies include walking her dog, going shopping and spending time with family and friends.

Natalie joined the practice in June 2017, qualified as a veterinary care assistant in August 2017 and is now pleased to be training as a student nurse with us. Her favourite part of the job is caring for the inpatients, as well as occasionally assisting in theatre which she really enjoys and is looking forward to training in further. At home she has two dogs, Honey, the Shih-tzu and Pam, the Jack Russell. Natalie also has two guinea pigs named Biscuit and Ginger. In her spare time she enjoys taking her dogs walking, cooking and spending time with her friends and family. Natalie's favourite animals are dogs - she loves all their individual looks and characters!

Debbie joined Melbourne and Mercia Vets in 2009 as a domestic assistant but has since progressed to become an auxiliary nurse. She loves being involved with kennel work and helping with all the animals. Debbie also drives the ambulance, and transports the animals to and from our out-of-hours surgery. She has a small kitten named Shelby which she adopted from our practice in 2015. Away from work she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, taking her little boy Kyle swimming, going out for meals and walking up Cannock chase.