Vets4Pets Bristol Emersons Green

Carla Puime Costoya

Veterinary Surgeon & Partner

I qualified and graduated in Spain, in Santiago de Compostela University  and then spent time in America volunteering in several hospitals; subsequently I moved to England where I have been practising veterinary medicine for 12 years. 

Firstly I worked for a large veterinary group in Yorkshire, eventually taking on a senior position at the main hospital; here I developed one of my two passions: diagnostic imaging, mainly ultrasound and endoscopy. My other passion is challenging cases of internal medicine: I love complicated cases that need lots of investigation, especially when it involves imaging. 

I also worked as a locum before taking a permanent position as Clinical Director at the Vale Veterinary Group in Devon; here I attended several courses on Western Acupuncture and I'm now able to treat pets with traditional manual acupuncture as well as electro-acupuncture. I stayed at the Vale until I recently decided to take on the path of Joint Venture Partner at Vets4Pets Bristol Emersons Green.

Due to my love for cats we are applying for the surgery to have a special focus on them, we will hopefully have special designed cat kennels (cat condos) that help cats to cope better with stress and recovery while away from their owners. We are going to apply for icatcare status so our practice is recognised as a cat friendly clinic. I also have a great passion for pugs, sadly I recently lost my pug Winston. I have many friends especially from the North of England who breed and show pugs professionally. I used to show Winston until he got tired of going to dog shows. He actually got placed numerous times. At home I have a French bulldog called Darwin. It is thanks to my dad's love for dogs. that I became a vet; I grew up surrounded by 30 dogs, cats, fish and budgerigars.

My other interest, together with my husband, is the great outdoors, we love canoeing, cycling, climbing and our son Theo, who is 3 years old, does too. 

Joe

Veterinary Surgeon

I graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in London in 2011 and stayed in London for 3 and a half years working at a practice in Middlesex followed by a move into central London, working in Notting Hill.

My clinical interests include all kinds of surgery, emergency medicine and neurology. I particularly enjoy working with clients throughout the whole lifespan of their pet’s illness so that I can oversee and explain every step in the process.

I am originally from Stoke Gifford and have recently moved back to Bristol with my wife following a year of travel and volunteering. When not working I enjoy sailing, making good food and drinking fine wine.

Phil

Veterinary Surgeon

I graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2011 which the observant of you will note is the same year as Joe and yes we have been friends since then. Since graduating I have worked exclusively in small animal practices but have bounced around a bit, working in Lincolnshire, Devon and Cornwall prior to ending up in Bristol.

I really enjoy the variety of cases that come in on a day to day basis but suppose if you had to pin me down I have a soft spot for dermatology..some cardiology..a bit of opthalamology..as I say a bit of everything. I have a dog called Sasha who is an Alaskan Malamute so I guess you could say I am a dog person but I do enjoy seeing most animals and have even once operated on a snake.

Outside of work I am equally at home outdoors, walking the dog, paddleboarding or playing softball; or indoors watching films, trying to beat Joe at cards or discussing rugby down the pub.

Judith

Veterinary Nurse

Whilst bringing up 4 sons, I undertook a degree in Biological Science, which led me into qualifying as a Veterinary Nurse and becoming a Further Education lecturer, teaching diplomas in Animal Management mainly based at Bristol zoo.

I have worked at various veterinary surgeries in Bristol and Bath, enjoying all aspects of animal behaviour and have done specialist courses in breeding and rearing puppies.

I have 3 cats, 2 of which are Bengals and have special needs. I also have 2 elderly rescue poodles and a very boisterous young standard poodle, with whom I attempt to do agility and obedience.

Work, children, grandchildren and pets take up most of my time but I also enjoy sewing, gardening and holidaying in France. 

Philippa

Veterinary Nurse

I have loved animals from a young age and, at the age of 17, I was offered a job working within a veterinary practice. I jumped at the chance! After a couple of years I started my veterinary nurse training and qualified in 2003.

After having my daughter in 2013, I have been working part time, particularly enjoying nurse clinics where I get to meet our clients and get lots of cuddles from their pets.

I live in Emersons Green with my husband, daughter and our pets, Izzy the Labrador, George the cat and Matilda the rabbit.

Nad

Veterinary Nurse

I moved from Devon for university purposes, qualifying from Hartpury College in 2012 and worked in a small animal practice in Cheltenham.

One of my interests lie in exotic and wild species and I have been volunteering at Bristol Zoo since graduating. I am further pursing this by studying for my certificate in veterinary nursing of exotic species. I really love nursing and am very excited to be part of the team at Vets4Pets Emersons Green and meeting all the lovely owners and amazing pets.

Outside of work I enjoy visiting museums and cathedrals and am trying to get back into amateur dramatics.

Emily

Customer Service Manager

I  have previously worked at Show Jumping yards with horses but recently took time out to travel around the world for 4 months. When I returned I was eager to work with animals again and so when the job for receptionist appeared I couldn’t resist!

I love being a receptionist here at Vets4Pets and feel very lucky to work with such a fantastic team of nurses and vets.

In my spare time I like to take my dog for walks around the local forests and socialise with my friends, I am also a bit of an adrenaline junkie.

I live in Wales with my family and a Jack Russell Collie called Loki.

Sophie

Customer Service & Trainee Veterinary Care Assistant

I have wanted to work with animals since childhood, and after almost 2 years of research and hard work I was offered the opportunity to join the wonderful team here at Emerson’s Green. I eventually aim to become a qualified Veterinary Nurse, but for now I am beginning on reception with the occasional day as a Veterinary Care Assistant to gain a detailed and balanced understanding of the client journey, and how a veterinary practice works.

I live with my fiancé and together we currently keep two hamsters- a Roborovski called Pipsqueak and a Syrian called Twiglet, alongside our two Spaniels Charlie and Lola. In my spare time, besides looking after our animals I also like to do a range of different things, from learning mechanics and sailing to baking and playing piano but wherever I am my dogs are never far behind me!

Jade

Customer Service

I joined the Pets at Home team in 2014 whilst doing an animal care course at Norton Radstock College. I volunteered in the vets while doing my course, and I’ve always wanted to join the vet’s team and work alongside them. I love working within an animal environment, having the variety of customer service and puppy cuddles. 

I feel I am very lucky to be given this opportunity to be part of such a fantastic team, and look forward to my future career working alongside such a lovely team. 

Since I can remember I’ve always loved animals, I currently live with my parents and two sisters, alongside our two family dogs; Ozzy and Mia, as well as rabbits, guinea pigs, bearded dragons, a budgie and an aviary of finches and canaries. 

In my spare time besides looking after all my animals, I love going on long walks in the countryside, swimming and travelling down south to my favourite place Cornwall and camping.