A team like no other...

Whether he’s walking his dog, on a bike, playing squash, or trying out new yoga moves, Kieran likes to stay active. He’s cycled the length and breadth of the country (perhaps in search of the perfect biscuit) and once grew a moustache during lockdown that could legitimately compete with his cycling accomplishments. Dog walks through Caukley Wood in bluebell season are a particular favourite and, when he’s putting his feet up, you’re likely to find Kieran enjoying yet another rewatch of Jurassic Park.

Eddy joins Vets at Bretby with five years of experience across various practices, including time at Burton, Highland, and Blenheim. While he enjoys all aspects of general practice, he has a real fascination for exotics—specifically birds and lizards. He is always looking to expand his knowledge through further study (CPD) to ensure our more unusual feathered and scaled patients receive the very best care.

When the scrubs come off, Eddy is usually found immersed in the world of film or enjoying a gaming session. He stays active by sharing the walking duties for Rowan, a lively Border Collie, and heading home to Lois, his tuxedo cat who definitely rules the roost.

Fun Facts: A dedicated film buff who is always happy to chat about the latest cinema releases.

With 13 years in the veterinary profession, Kathryn has a particular passion for surgery, joint health, and anything that helps keep pets pain-free and moving. If you ask a question about mobility or joint care, prepare for a deep dive—this is a subject that never gets old! As a member of the clinical panel for the Veterinary Osteoarthritis Alliance (VOA), Kathryn is well-versed in the latest thinking on keeping pets active and comfortable at every age.

When not at work, Kathryn is happiest experimenting in the kitchen—whether it’s nurturing a sourdough starter, brewing kombucha, or tackling homemade cheeses (the stronger the better). Craft projects like knitting, crochet, and embroidery help fill any spare moments, along with regular runs to balance out all that cheese and bread. Downtime is spent with a loyal gang of pets and exploring local walking spots like Hartshorne wood.

Jen joined the team with 14 years of experience from her previous practice. She is a highly skilled surgeon who particularly enjoys soft tissue work—a complex lump removal is her idea of a great day in the clinic. As a dedicated cat lover, Jen is especially attuned to the needs of our feline patients. At home, she is kept busy by her two cats: Charlie, a cheeky ginger who has mastered the art of breaking through locked cat flaps, and Ginny, a "ninja" tortoiseshell who is an expert at hiding in plain sight.

Jen’s life is filled with music and exploration. A talented saxophonist, she plays in local bands and has toured Europe, performing at prestigious locations like Chatsworth and Trafalgar Square. When she isn’t on stage, she loves walking in the countryside, ideally ending at a good pub—even if her map-reading often leads to a few "bonus miles" along the way!
Fun Facts: Has reached this stage of her veterinary career without ever drinking a single cup of tea or coffee!

Helen has devoted nearly 19 years—on and off—to the veterinary field, supporting teams and delivering customer care that really sets the practice apart. She’s the one checking in to make sure everyone’s looked after and nothing gets missed (except maybe her own reminders to delegate). Helen is passionate about creating a supportive environment for both the team and clients, and isn’t afraid to fuel a workday with the occasional snack or two (her love of chocolate malted milk biscuits is well-known).

When she’s not in the practice, Helen’s life is happily busy with family, endless house renovation projects, keeping an ever-needy collection of cars on the road, and looking after horses, dogs, and chickens. She’s also the proud owner of the original Nightrider car—a fun fact that makes her instantly recognisable at any team event. Dog walks at traditional parks are rare, given her dachshunds’ knack for chaos, so her go-to is a secure field where they can run wild and embrace their inner hooligans.

Lauren brings over six years of experience to the team, having started out as an animal care assistant and steadily working her way up. Known for her ability to handle everything from playful puppies to pets with a serious dislike of the thermometer, Lauren excels in in-patient care and is particularly interested in canine behaviour. She recently completed the BVNA Learning Pathway in Behaviour, partly because she loves learning, and partly because someone needs to know what’s going on inside a dog’s head. She’s always keen to share her knowledge with clients and colleagues alike.

Lauren swaps her scrubs for wellies whenever she gets the chance, heading out on countryside walks with her rather opinionated Dachshund and Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Friends and family know she’s the one to call for animal advice, music recommendations, or a last-minute countryside ramble. Her background even includes wrangling goats and stocking gift shops at a children’s farm, so there’s not much that fazes her—apart from maybe running out of tea.

Pets (and their humans) are in great hands with Chloe, our fantastic Head Nurse. With eight years’ experience in veterinary nursing and a true passion for animals, Chloe is dedicated to making every visit as relaxed and positive as possible. She stands out for her supportive mentorship of the nursing team, her expertise in theatre and patient care, and her ability to put even the most anxious pets (and owners) at ease.

Chloe unwinds with friends over a good cocktail and keeps company with a lively collection of pets. Snotty, her remarkable rescue cat, has the very rare PADS (patella and dental syndrome), and a cheeky personality to match. Chloe also shares a dog, Pippa, with her sister, and has two rabbits who keep life interesting at home. Between her pet adventures and time spent catching up with loved ones, Chloe brings warmth, reliability, and a sense of fun to everything she does.

Maggie is excited to be part of the Vets at Bretby team, bringing her trademark friendly greeting to everyone who steps through the door. With a background spanning two decades working with deaf children in mainstream education, Maggie understands the power of a warm welcome and clear communication. Her customer service skills have been finely tuned through years at Sainsbury’s and as a Visitor Experience and Welcome Assistant with the National Trust, where she learned that a genuine smile and a helping hand make all the difference.

Beyond the reception desk, Maggie’s most likely found out exploring the countryside with a walking route map in one hand and a coffee in the other (ideally with a piece of cake on the side). She dreams of completing the Coast to Coast walk and keeps activeplaying netball in a local Swadlincote league. One well-known fact: Maggie firmly believes there’s no such thing as too much coffee, and she’s rarely spotted without a cup nearby.

From the classroom to the reception desk, Bev’s always put people (and now pets!) at the heart of everything she does. She retired early from a rewarding teaching career, worked in customer-facing roles, and found her true calling supporting clients and animals at Vets at Bretby. Bev thrives on helping clients feel welcome and supported from their very first visit to Bretby.

Bev’s home life is always lively, shared with her husband Joe, their two grown-up children (Tom and Orla), and a whole menagerie: three giant lop rabbits (Terry, Biscoff, and Marley), a rescued pony called Bailee, and Ginger Ninja, her Irish Draught horse and favourite lesson partner. The most recent addition is Denis the kitten, rescued by Orla. Bev is happiest spending time with her family and enjoying the countryside with the horses.

With 18 years of experience as a veterinary receptionist, Shannon is the welcoming heart of the practice. She knows that a friendly face and a reassuring greeting can turn a daunting visit into a positive one. She is a familiar face to many in the community and is dedicated to making every client feel supported from the moment they walk through the door.

Shannon is a devoted grandmother to Hattie and Rory and loves spending her time with them. She is also a dedicated walker, clocking up at least 20 miles a week with Digby, her energetic Parson Russell Terrier who views six-foot fences as mere hurdles. When she isn't out in the fresh air, she loves settling down with a good book.
Fun Facts: Affectionately known as the "Treat Fairy" for always having a biscuit ready for both two- and four-legged friends, she has even been known to accidentally nibble on a dog biscuit while out on a walk with Digby!