Meet the Nurses

Helen has worked for Willows Veterinary Group for over 30 years, she started when she was 16 and qualified as a Veterinary nurse in 1986. She was head nurse in general practice before working for Oakwood Veterinary Referrals for over 10 years. She mainly is involved in the Orthopaedic side of referrals and takes care of all the instruments. In her own time she likes to go walking with her pug, Cookie. She also likes visiting her Grandson in Scotland.

Ruth started her career in Veterinary in 1999 when she joined Willows Veterinary Group at one of the smaller branches in Winsford as a receptionist/auxilliary nurse. She then moved to the Willow Veterinary Hospital in 2003, where she joined the 24 hrs rota Nurses. Ruth qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in 2006 and stayed in General practise for 2 years. In 2008 she started at Oakwood Veterinary Referrals and has a keen interest in both Orthopaedics and Soft tissue surgery. In her spare time she likes looking after her and her daughter’s 8 horses, Lightning, Pumpkin, Malibu, Dolly, April, Jimbow, Jack and Valley, that her 4 Grandchildren enjoy riding. Ruth also has a cat, Tabitha and a dog Ruby.

Kate qualified as an RVN in 2005 and joined Oakwood in September 2019. Kate is currently studying towards her Nurse anaesthesia certification (Ncert anaesth) and enjoys seeing the variety of cases within a referral hospital.

Kate is a regular volunteer for the charity StreetPaws and likes to keep fit by running and swimming in her spare time.

Bethan qualified from Myerscough in 2016. She originally worked in a first opinion practice. Bethan enjoys surgical nursing.

At home Bethan has a cat called Remus. She adopted him after he was brought into her last practice as a stray who had been involved in a road traffic accident. He is very affectionate and loves sitting in Bethan’s lap.

Sally began her veterinary career behind the reception desk at the Willows Veterinary Hospital in 2005.

In 2007 she moved to a practice in Winsford as an Auxiliary/Student nurse. Sally gained her Veterinary Nurse Diploma in 2013. Sally soon became a clinical coach and further progressed into a head nurse role shortly after. Sally joined the referral team in 2018 and has since enjoyed the challenges and new knowledge that comes with each case. In 2021 Sally gained her certificate in Emergency and Critical care. She has a keen interest in Orthopaedics, CT imaging and Anaesthesia.

Jazmin qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2017. She enjoys anaesthesia and emergency and critical care and has a keen interest in cardiology.

Jazmin started working at the Willows Veterinary Hospital in 2014 as a kennels nursing auxiliary and went on to train to become a qualified veterinary nurse. She moved from the first opinion team to Oakwood Veterinary Referrals in 2019.

Vikki qualified as an RVN in 2015 and worked in both first opinion and referral practices before joining Oakwood as a locum nurse. She became a permanent member of staff in April 2020. Vikki has a keen interest in medical nursing.

Philippa graduated from Harper Adams University in 2013 with a first class honours degree in Veterinary Nursing and Practice Management. Philippa worked for the first opinion team at Willows Veterinary Hospital for 7yrs, 3yrs of which were as head nurse. Philippa moved to the referral team in November 2020 and has a particular interest in internal medicine. Philippa has post graduate certificates in medical nursing and emergency and critical care.  Philippa is a member of the European Scientific Counsel for Companion Animal Parasites and is an RSQP. Philippa has written several articles which have been published in veterinary nursing journals and also peer reviews articles. Philippa is a tutor for an online ECC course and also provides training for Willows Vet Group.

Josie graduated from Harper Adams University, in 2016, with a bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Nursing and Practice management. She then went on to work in a mixed practice in Aberystwyth.

She moved to Willows Veterinary Hospital in September 2020 on the first opinion team, gaining her certificate in emergency and critical care. Whilst also being a clinical coach and helping to train student nurses. In September 2022 Josie joined the referral team and achieved her certificate in surgical nursing.

Josie has an interest in orthopaedics, physiotherapy and rehabilitation.