Vets4Pets Hinckley

I studied my degree in Spain, Italy, Brazil and Mexico. Once I graduated I went back to Mexico to do a post graduate certificate in internal medicine with dogs and cats for two years. After the two years I went to a teaching post in internal medicine at the university. I had a dog called Turko, who I loved to take for walks. I love all animals, nature and being outside especially by the sea. I became a diving instructor when I was younger. My other hobbies include reading, going to the cinema and spending time with my family and friends.

Maria qualified as a Veterinary Surgeon at the Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona in 2015. After that she did some externships in exotic referral and small animal hospitals and clinics around the world, including the United States, UK and Spain. She also enjoyed volunteering in wildlife rescue centres in Peru and Madrid. 

After that she worked in an exotics referral clinic in Elche, Spain and in an emergency hospital in Granollers. She is very glad to start this new adventure, work and learn in this wonderful practice with this amazing team. She is currently studying to acquire the European Certificate in Exotic Animal Practice. She enjoys contributing to the veterinary exotics field and was a speaker in 2017 ICARE (International Conference on Avian Herpetological and Exotic Mammals Medicine). 

In her free time she loves to spend time with her pets, three cats (Dama, Nana and Gatita), her dog (Linda), her parrot (Curra) and three rats (Fudge, Biscuit and Tennat). She also loves all outdoor activities including bird watching and walking, but also just chilling out with her pets and friends too.

Fran qualified as a veterinary surgeon in Gran Canaria in 2010 but he is originally from Tenerife. After finishing his degree he worked in different small animal practises and veterinary hospitals in Tenerife focusing on Exotic animals. In 2012 he decided to do the Euriopean Certificate in exotic animal practise in Madrid in order to keep progressing and be up to date in the fascinating word of Exotic animals. Fran also did some externships in Barcelona and the United States in exotic referal before he moved to the UK in 2015.

From 2015 he spent time working in vets4pets in East Yorkshire dealing with small and exotic animals. He is currently doing a postgraduate in exotic animal practise in the UK and likes to keep learning by attending conferences in small and exotic animals.

A year and a half ago he adopted a stray cat which he named Gofio. He would like to adopt more animals in the future but he is currently enjoying his other passion which is travelling and visiting new places in the UK and abroad.His hobbies are basketball, watching movies and tv series and trying new types of food. Fran also enjoys going out with friends.

I started as a trainee veterinary nurse in 2002 in a practice in Leicestershire and qualified in 2005 as a registered veterinary nurse. in 2006 I became Head veterinary nurse and also took an extra qualification as an A1 assessor (now clinical coach) which means I help student veterinary nurses in their studies to become a qualified veterinary nurse. I really enjoy this role and feel proud when the students qualify. What I love most about veterinary nursing is looking after and caring for animals as it can be a very rewarding job. Also there are always new skills and knowledge to learn everyday. I have a particular interest in animal behaviour and have run puppy parties for many years now. I am keen to develop my nursing skills in exotic animals and my aim is to gain an extra qualification in that area. I have been very fortunate to work alongside vets who are specialists in orthopaedics and ophthalmology, and have worked in critical care emergency practices. After 13 years in two practices I decided to locum around the country. My highlights were working four weeks in the Blue cross 24 hour hospital in London which had many specialists in all areas of the veterinary field. I was lucky enough to work in South Africa for four weeks working with various species, including antelopes, cheetahs, zebras and rhinos which was an amazing experience. In my spare time I like to keep active and spend time with my friends, family and partner Russ. I love horse riding and have a horse called Hudson on loan. I have one cat called Coco pops and two naughty house rabbits called Fletcher and Elsa.

I started my veterinary career as a trainee in 1998 and became a qualified registered veterinary nurse in 2001. I love all aspects of being a vet nurse but especially like the variety it brings. Every day is different and you never quite know what is going to walk through the door next in need of your help.

During the last 17 years I have worked in a couple of practices in Leicestershire but particularly enjoyed my time working as a RVN at the Dogs Trust for five years with the rescue dogs. This job was very rewarding, especially when a dog found its forever home after a difficult start. I loved working with dogs but I am now really looking forward to working with a variety of different  animals and learning some new nursing skills while at Vets4Pets Hinckley.

I am loving being back in practice and really enjoy interacting not only with the animals but also their owners, which is something I have missed.

When I am not at work I spend my time with my husband Andy and looking after my two young daughters and our family pets.

We currently share our home with two golden oldie rescue dogs Gypsy and Midge, two bunnies Odie and Milly and four chickens. My husband says that's enough pets but there is always room for one or two more! 

I love being outdoors and spend a lot of my spare time in my garden especially growing my own fruits and vegetables.

For as long as I can remember I wanted to work with animals. Straight from school at 16 I attended the local college studying animal care before being offered a job at a local small animal veterinary practice. From there I studied day release becoming a qualified as a veterinary nurse in 2012. I also worked at a busy emergency vets on the weekends in order to gain some new skills.

After having my first son in 2016 I came to work part time here at Hinckley. I share my home not only with my husband and son but our 11 year old yellow Labrador Buddy and our ginger cat Theodore who of course rules the household.

I can’t remember wanting to do anything other than work with animals, this led me to start my veterinary nurse training at a vets in Leicestershire, qualifying as a nurse in 2008. Since then I have worked at various practices before deciding in 2011 to complete a degree in Equine Sports Therapy at Writtle College in Essex. I then worked with horse owners to provide massage and rehab to their horses, alongside I undertook a road based role with the insurance company Petplan. Whilst I loved this role, after having my little boy in 2017 I decided to return to working in practice to be closer to home and reduce my hours.

I have thoroughly enjoyed returning to practice as I had missed the contact with the animals and looking after them on a daily basis.

In my spare time as well as running around after a toddler I enjoy competing with my horse Gen and walks with my crazy border terrier Stanley.

I began my veterinary nurse training at Vets4Pets in October 2016. There is so much to learn – every day offers something new! I began training at Bottle Green Training Ltd in September 2017 and am excited to learn all aspects of nursing. I would like to expand into wildlife and exotics nursing, as wildlife has always been a passion of mine.

At home, I have a cat (Gilly) and a leopard gecko (Margot). I have also created a bioactive vivarium which now houses 3 Dendrobates Leucomelas called Cedric, Newt, and Tonks (bumblebee dart frogs).

Outside of work, I love to photograph wildlife. I have won a couple of awards and competitions for my photography, and have been published numerous times on websites and in magazines. I am a big Harry Potter fan, and when the weather is too wet to be outside with the camera, I like to paint, draw, and indulge in any crafts where I can make a mess – much to my partner Francesca’s dismay!

I am currently undertaking a degree in veterinary nursing at Moreton Morrel in Warwickshire. I take a keen interest in animal welfare and particularly love the fulfilment veterinary nursing brings when caring for an animal. I love all aspects of my veterinary nursing training, especially working in practice. I am keen to develop my skills in exotics and equine further on in my studies.

In my spare time, I enjoy recreational and competitive horse riding with my horse Dancer. I also share my home with two cats; Tango and mouse who I rescued in 2008 when they were kittens. I also have a crazy Sprocker spaniel called Merlin.

I'm a Veterinary Receptionist at Vets4Pets and thoroughly love what I do. The best part of my job is interacting with clients and their pets, especially getting lots of puppy cuddles!

When I was 17 I qualified as a swimming instructor and enjoyed this for over 5 years. With my many years of knowledge, I've had the pleasure of working with people from all walks of life.

When I am not at work I spend my time with my husband and our very spoilt Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Milo. He was a show dog for a while and won many rosettes of which we are extremely proud of. Now, he loves nothing more than long walks and snoozing on the window sill.