Old Kent Road Vets4Pets

Rachel qualified from the University of Edinburgh in 1999 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery and has worked in small animal practice in the south-east of London ever since, apart from a year in 2006 spent teaching Veterinary Medicine at a University in central China. Rachel loves being a vet and enjoys being able to make a difference to the well being of animals and the families they belong to.

 Rachel enjoys all aspects of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery and has a wealth of experience gained over the years which, combined with her teaching experience, allows her to support the rest of the team well. Rachel has special interests in ultrasonography, cardiology and exotic animal medicine, and she is very happy to be working with such a capable and caring team here. Outside work, Rachel enjoys spending her free time with her husband and two young children, swimming and walking.

3 QUICK QUESTIONS:

FAVOURITE THING ABOUT LONDON: "The international flavours”

WHAT’S TOP OF YOUR BUCKET LIST?: “To sail around the Greek Islands”

FAVOURITE FOOD?: "Pancakes!"

Kate qualified from the University of Agricultural Veterinary Faculty, Latvia in 2008 and has been working in small animal practices since then.

She loves all aspects of her work, and is particularly interested in diagnostics and internal medicine. Outside of work Kate enjoys travelling the world, photography and gardening. She has 2 cats: a male Bengal called Leopold, and a female Savannah called Manutin (both pictured). Her favourite famous animal is the big, beautiful dog, Beethoven! Kate loves meeting all our clients and their pets!

Joana studied veterinary medicine at the University of Évora, Portugal, before graduating and spending 4 years working in Emergency and Critical Care practices. For the last 3 years, she has worked in 1^st opinion practice joining the team at Old Kent Road in early 2018.

Joana has 2 rescue cats, Eva and Alvin and her favourite part of the job is working up cases, working as a team and seeing her patients.

Joana hopes to continue developing and improving her skills and hopes to someday get a dog of her own!

3 QUICK QUESTIONS:

FAVOURITE CITY: “My home town, Lisbon”

FAVOURITE ICE CREAM FLAVOUR: “Pistachio”

FAVOURITE THING ABOUT LONDON: “There’s so much diversity – people, food, architecture and music”

Adriana qualified from the University Complutense of Madrid, Spain in 2009, after which she completed an MBA in pharmaceutical studies. She moved to London 7 years ago, and since then she has been working in small animal first opinion practices and hospitals across London.

In her spare time Adriana loves to go for long walks with her rescue dog called Boris and sailing in the Mediterranean.

Adriana has a special interest in medicine and is currently  about to finish her Internal Medicine Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice.

Anita qualified from University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science, then from Murdoch University with a Masters in Small Animal Clinical Studies.

Since graduating in 2009, Anita has worked in general practice and emergency/referral veterinary hospitals for small animals in Sydney, Australia before moving to London in 2017. Prior to joining the team at Old Kent Road, Anita was doing first opinion teaching at the Royal Veterinary College.

Anita has a pet cat back home in Australia, and when we asked what her favourite part of the job is she said: “The team that I work with, as well as forming bonds with clients and their pets over time and being able to follow their journey in a meaningful way”.

In the future Anita hopes to keep learning and to help share this knowledge with our team and clients to improve the health of pets. She also plans to keep travelling and seeing the world while she is living on this side of the globe!

3 QUICK QUESTIONS:

FAVOURITE THING ABOUT LONDON: “It’s an easy base for travelling Europe”

WHAT’S TOP OF YOUR BUCKET LIST: “To go diving in Palau”

IF YOU COULD BE ANY ANIMAL WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY? “A cat, because they’re the best!”

Frances joined the Old Kent Road team in August 2019. She completed a degree in Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of California – Berkeley, before going on to travel to Albania to do voluntary work in health education with the US Peace Corps. Following this, Frances worked in neuroscience research before moving across to the UK to attend the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) and graduating recently with a Bachelors in Veterinary Medicine.

Her favourite part of the job is getting to meet clients from all over the world and their pets! Frances is currently enjoying first opinion work, but in the future hopes to one day train as a veterinary neurologist.

3 QUICK QUESTIONS:

FAVOURITE SNACK: “Nachos”

WHAT’S TOP OF YOUR BUCKET LIST?: “See the Aurora Borealis”

IF YOU COULD BE ANY ANIMAL WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY? “An otter – they’re playful and cheer everyone up!”

Charlie graduated from Bristol University in 2016 spending the next 2 years working in mix-practice in West Cornwall dealing with all creatures great and small, before moving back to London in 2018. Charlie has a particular interest in internal medicine as well as animal behaviour achieving a distinction in a master’s in clinical animal behaviour in 2019.

Outside of work Charlie can often be found enjoying the outdoors with his springer spaniel Smudge or at the climbing wall.

Leigh graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2017 with a First Class Honours degree in Veterinary Nursing. After locuming for a few months, she joined the nursing team Old Kent Road. In early 2019, Leigh took on the role of Head Veterinary Nurse, and takes pleasure in leading our nursing team to provide the best care for your pets.

Leigh enjoys all aspects of veterinary nursing but particularly loves anaesthesia and so spends a lot of her time in the surgical theatre.

Emily is one of Old Kent Road’s longest standing colleagues, having been with us since September 2016. She previously studied at Chelsea College of Art where she gained a BA (Hons) in Fine Art, before working as a studio assistant for a woodwork artist.

Emily has lots of hobbies, including geocaching, DIY, eating out and exploring London (her favourite city in the world!) having moved here to attend university and loving it so much.

Emily’s favourite part of her role is fixing equipment and organising areas to help the day run smoothly and enjoys walking around London taking photos of brutalist architecture on her days off with her pet Chihuahua Moris!

3 QUICK QUESTIONS:

FAVOURITE THING ABOUT LONDON: “The weather, food, markets and the parks”

FAVOURITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR: “Mint Vienetta!”

WHAT’S TOP OF YOUR BUCKET LIST? “I really want to go to Japan”

Beverley has been with the team at Old Kent Road since October 2017, having joined us after working previously at another branch of Vets4Pets. She started her career with us as a member of our Client Care Team, and started her new role as Veterinary Care assistant in July 2019 having been keen to take on a more ‘hands on’ role for a while.

Beverley has three rabbits at home (all adopted from work!), Luna who is 3 years old, Bebe who is 1, and 4 year old Manchas who has recently joined the family.

Beverley is really enjoying her new positon and says her favourite part is meeting all the different types of animals and seeing poorly patients get better.

3 QUICK QUESTIONS:

FAVOURITE SEASON: “Summer”

HOW DO YOU TAKE YOUR TEA/COFFEE?: “Milky, with two sugars”

ARE YOU A MORNING PERSON OR A NIGHT OWL?: “Probably a night owl”

Lucy joined us in July 2019 after qualifying as a Registered Veterinary Nurse from the Royal Veterinary College, having spent a period of her training at the RVC Queen Mother Hospital, where she spent time nursing animals in ICU and neurology (her favourite area!) Prior to this she completed her qualification in animal management at Hadlow College and volunteered for the Guide Dogs fundraising team.

At home, Lucy has a 10-year-old Shih Tzu called Winnie, and a Syrian hamster named Philip Schofield (Phil for short). Her favourite part of the job is carrying out nurse clinics (and cuddling the patients!). In the future, Lucy would love to do some extra training in neurology/rehabilitation, and also develop her nurse clinics.

3 QUICK QUESTIONS

Favourite season: Winter

Favourite ice Cream flavour: Cherry

Are you a morning person or a night owl: Night owl!!! I hate mornings!

Ronni joined the team in July 2018 after a year working as a Veterinary Care Assistant at our Charlton branch. Prior to that, Ronni lived abroad for 3 years and during that time adopted Dolly, a street dog she met in Turkey who she brought back home  to the UK and lives alongside her two Shih Tzu’s Macie and Belle.

Ronni is currently studying to become a veterinary nurse through the College of Animal Welfare, and does her practical training in practice, attending college one day per week.

Ronni says her favourite part of the job is seeing sick animals get better, and her goal is to qualify and become a Registered Veterinary Nurse!

3 QUICK QUESTIONS:

FAVOURITE SNACK: “Haribo”

FAVOURITE CITY: “Sydney, Australia”

WHAT’S TOP OF YOUR BUCKET LIST: “To go and volunteer with wild animals in Africa”

Libby joined us in January 2019, originally as a member of our Client Care Team on Reception. She then became a Veterinary Care Assistant and in September 2019 progressed to commencing  her professional training to become a registered Veterinary Nurse.

Prior to working with us, Libby graduated from London South Bank University with a degree in digital photography, which she put into use by taking all our website photos! She has a very creative background and after university worked as an office manager and production assistant for a photography company, but always felt like there was something missing from her career and after a long hard think, realised her passion was animal care.

At home, she has 2 Staffies, Mimi and Tyson – along with their new ‘little sister’ Lola, a kitten who Libby and her fiancé have recently adopted. When we asked Libby what her favourite part of her job is, she said “I love it when a puppy or a kitten comes in for their first vaccinations and you get to watch them grow up from a distance”

3 QUICK QUESTIONS:

FAVOURITE SNACK: “Chocolate, any kind, any time!”

FAVOURITE SEASON: “Winter”

ARE YOU A MORNING PERSON OR A NIGHT OWL: “Morning person”

Leah joined the Old Kent Road team in May 2019 having previously owned her own hair & beauty salon locally. At home, Leah has 4 dogs, 2 cats and a bird named Max who she adopted during her first month at the practice!

Leah says her favourite part of the job is interacting with all of the animals who come in, especially the puppies and in the future dreams of owning her own smallholding.

3 QUICK QUESTIONS:

WHAT IS TOP OF YOUR BUCKET LIST? “To travel the world with my two children”

FAVOURITE SNACK: “Frozen grapes”

IF YOU COULD BE ANY ANIMAL WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY? “I think probably a dog, but I would also like to fly..... in an ideal world it would be a puppy with wings!”

Marianne joined us earlier this year having previously worked for many years at a local veterinary hospital where she completed her VCA training through the College of Animal Welfare. Prior to working in the veterinary industry, Marianne managed and worked in pubs around the area.

Marianne has 2 cats, Frankie and Kitten, and her favourite part of her job is cuddling all the pets who come in to reception! In the future, Marianne would like to retire to a farm and adopt lots of strays!

3 QUICK QUESTIONS:

FAVOURITE SNACK: “Chocolate covered peanuts”

FAVOURITE CITY: “Barcelona”

HOW DO YOU TAKE YOUR COFFEE?: “With milk and honey please!”

Persia studied Psychology and Sociology at Thames Valley University before beginning a career in TV and film. After having her son, Persia worked as an account manager in an Estate Agents and then in various financial management roles.

At home, Persia has a cat named Delta Blue who lives like a king! Her favourite part of the job is meeting our lovely clients and their cute pets! In the future, Persia would like to continue and complete her Army Reserves training.

3 QUICK QUESTIONS:

FAVOURITE CITY: “Singapore”

FAVOURITE ICE CREAM FLAVOUR: “Rum & Raisin”

FAVOURITE THING ABOUT LONDON: “You have everything you need right on your doorstep!”