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Meet the team

At Andrew Mellor Veterinary Surgery we aim to provide the best service possible for your pets

Veterinarian Surgeons
All veterinary surgeons working in the UK have to be registered with the Royal College  of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) most veterinary courses take a minimum of five years to complete and after qualifying they have to continue studying to remain on the register.

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Andrew Mellor BVMS MRCVS KORE Dip

Andrew qualified as a Veterinary Surgeon in July 1997 from the University of Glasgow Veterinary School and started working at the surgery straight away. Andrew particuarly likes developing his surgical skills and is a member of The Assocoiation of Veterinary Soft Tissue Surgeons  (AVSTS) whose members include specialist surgeons from the UK and abroad. Andrew has also developed muscle testing and acupuncture skills by training to be the first veterinary KORE therapist in the world. Andrew is also an Official Veterinarian (OV) for the Department of the Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) .Teaching has always been important to Andrew and the surgery is a registered teaching practice so vet students and student veterinary nurses attend the surgery during practical placements. Recently  Andrew became an advisor on the RCVS Graduate Development Programme (vetGDP )so he can support graduate vets to further their clinical and professional abilities post qualifying.

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Andrew was born and raised in Lytham.  He is married with two children.

In his spare time, he enjoys DIY with as many gadgets as he can cram into his garage, stargazing through his telescope, watching films, reading, walking his dogs and managing his small area of woodland, planting new trees and cutting dead ones down with his chainsaws.

 

Favourite animal: Tiger
Favourite films: The Shawshank Redemption, The Lord of the Rings and The Matrix
Favourite TV series: The Big Bang Theory, The Repair Shop and Top Gear
Favourite books: The Discworld series by Terry Pratchett and The Stoner Eagles
Favourite aspect of the job: Surgery
My least favourite aspect of the job: RSPCA cruelty cases

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Nathaniel Hind BVetMed (Hons) MRCVS

Nathaniel qualified in June 2021 from the Royal Veterinary College University of London, but had some practi cal placements at Andrew Mellor Vets so you may have seen him before 2021. He has special interests in medicine and cardiology and is planning to start studying for certificates of advanced veterinary practtice  in both cardiology and internal medicine this year.

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Nathaniel was born and raised in Blackpool and lives locally with his dog. Any spare time is spent hiking in the Lake District, mountaineering, at his climbing club or undertaking any water sport. His recent interest is Narrow Boats as he would like to live in one.

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Favourite Film: Top Gun films

Favourite colour:  Purple

If you were to come back as an animal what would you be: A wolf climbing mountains  no better place to be wild and free.

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Attilla Toth MRCVS

Attilla has been our locum vet for nine years attending when other vets are away studying or on holiday. "After working all over the UK in several clinics I have found mu ultimate 'permanent locum' position [its] like working in a big family".

Attilla is married and is a father of twin boys. In his spare time he enjoys paragliding, scuba diving and painting.

Favourite Animal: Dog

Favourite Films: Dancing with Wolves, Big Blue, Goundhog Day, About Time.

Favourite TV Series: Game of Thrones, Stranger Things

Favourite books: Flow, :ord of the Rings, The Shadow of the Wind, all of James Herriott's.

If you were to come back as an animal what would it be: An eagle to soar above the hills.

Favourite aspect of the job: The challenge and variation of the work means you never get bored.

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Claire Wright BVSc MRCVS

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Claire qualified in July 2010  from Liverpool University. She has special interests in Internal medicine and Imaging.

 

Claire is originally from Liverpool but moved to Garstang 6 years ago and has become a proper country girl!  She lives with her partner and their son with their Labrador, Rosie.  She has an Irish Sports horse called Tilly whom she is hoping to an event with when she matures!  She is interested in anything horse related, and anything sport-related, and loves outdoor adventure activities, Liverpool Football Club, Saint Helens Rugby League and chocolate!

 

Favourite animal: Horse
Favourite films: Dirty Dancing, The Green Mile and anything Disney
Favourite books: Game of Thrones and Lord of the Rings
Favourite TV shows: Friends and Top Gear
If you were to come back as an animal what would it be and why: A grizzly bear so I could eat as much as I wanted and then hibernate all winter!
Favourite aspect of the job: The huge variety of cases, you never stop learning!
My least favourite aspect of the job: Birds, it's a long story, but I am terrified.

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Veterinary Nurses
All qualified Veterinary Nurses( RVN )have to be registered with the RCVS in order to practice as a veterinary nurse.

Emily Watson RVN  BSc AS (Animal Science) Cert VN ECC

Head Nurse

Emily started at the practice in June 2009 and qualified as a veterinary Nurse from Myerscough College in 2012. Following qualifying as a vet nurse she compled a degree in Animal science and then completed a certificate in Emergency and Critical CareShe was born and raised  in Blackpool.Emily has commenced a certificate in surgical nursing May this year.

Emily has a black cat called Red and a Great Dane called Mabel. In her spare time Emily enjoys spending time with her family, cooking and trying new craft projects.

Favourite animal: Cow

Favourite dog breed: Great Dane
Favourite films: Airplane,Miss Congeniality and Memoirs of a Geisha.
Favourite books: Anything by James Patterson, JR Ward or Lee Child
If you were to come back as an animal what would it be and why: 100% cat so she can sleep all day and be pampered.
Favourite aspect of the job: Monitoring  patients under anaesthetic and watching surgery
Least favourite aspect of the job:Euthanising healthy but aggressive animals.

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Heather Hanson RVN Senior Nurse.

"Princess"Heather started at the surgery in November 2006 and qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse from Myerscough College in October 2009. Heather completed a course in Advanced Anaesthetics.

 Born and raised in Blackpool she lives with her husband two children and Buzz the tortoise.

On her weekends she enjoys spending time with her family going to parks, farms and the beach. She also loves going out for tea and especially the odd date night! 

Heather has commenced a certificate in feline behaviour which is a two year course.

Favourite animal cat

Favourite dog breed: Labrador
Favourite films: Dirty Dancing, Marvel films and of course Disney
Favourite books: Anything by Jill Mansell
Favourite TV shows: True Blood, Orange is the New Black and Vampire Diaries
If you were to come back as an animal what would it be and why: 100% cat so she can sleep all day and be pampered.
Favourite aspect of the job: Taming fractious cats and anaesthetics
My least favourite aspect of the job: Slimy, frothy vomit!

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Lisa Beardsall RVN

Lisa started at the surgery in July 2011, and qualified as an RVN in February 2015. Lisa has completed the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) Oral Care course.

  She was born and raised in Blackpool and lives with her husband and son.

 

In her spare time she enjoys dancing, singing and going to see musicals.  She is part of an amateur dramatics company where she performs musicals at the Grand Theatre.  She has previously starred as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, Cha Cha in Grease and Violet Newstead in 9 to 5.

 

She has three cats and a dog – Minnie, a ginger domestic longhair; Mickey, a black domestic shorthair; Scar, a black & white domestic shorthair; and Kipper, a small black crossbreed.  Kipper was a rescue dog who came to the practice as a stray, paralysed and needed major spinal surgery in his neck to fix it. 

 

Favourite animal: Tiger
Favourite dog breed: Labrador
Favourite films: Sex and the City, The Little Mermaid and Dirty Dancing
Favourite book: Marley and Me
Favourite TV shows: Modern Family, Miranda, Orange is the New Black and Sex in the City
If you were to come back as an animal what would it be and why: A cat so she could lie in front of the fire all day and do nothing!
Favourite aspect of the job: Nursing poorly animals, giving TLC and making them feel comfortable.  Helping anorexic animals to start eating is very rewarding!
Least favourite aspect of the job: Having a patient not make it after all your hard work and when you have gained a bond with them

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Jess Cameron RVN NCert .SAN

Jess started at the surgery in July 2011 and qualified as an RVN in September 2016.  She gained a certificate in Canine and Feline Veterinary Health Nutrition in 2018.  She was born and raised in Blackpool.  She lives with her husband and daughter and  many pets, two dogs - a Pomeranian called Rocket and a lurcher called Moxxi – and two cats called Xander and Ronan.  She also has a chinchilla called Kupo and two guinea pigs called Zog and Duggee. 

In her spare time Jess likes walking her dogs, jogging and agility training with Moxxi and playing video games.

Currently Jess is part of the team involved with the processing of insurance claims.

 

Favourite animal: Red Panda
Favourite dog breed: Silken Windhound
Favourite films: Jurassic Park, Jurassic World, 300, Guardians of the Galaxy and Princess Mononoke.
Favourite books: A Song of Fire and Ice series, Jurassic Park and The Walking Dead graphic novels
Favourite TV shows:  Modern Family, The Witcher and What we do in the Shadows
If you were to come back as an animal what would it be and why: A police dog so she could scare criminals and bite them, but get praised for it!
Favourite aspect of the job: Discussing nutrition with clients and caring for exotic patients such as small furries

Least favourite aspect of the job: Seeing animals badly hurt or killed in road traffic accidents.

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Ellie Ambrose RVN

Ellie started at the surgery in 2016 as a trainee Veterinary Nurse and and qualified in January 2020. She has a Diploma in canine fear aggression and reactivity.

 She was born and raised in Blackpool and lives with her husband and two fox red labradors Kiki and Vinnie two cats and a hamster. 

Her interests include dog walking,nature, knitting and shopping.

Favourite animal: Cats
Favourite dog breed: Fox red labradors
Favourite films: Anything animated that isn't sad.
Favourite books: Thrillers / Psychological thrillers crime or historical novels.
Favourite TV shows: The Office US
If you were to come back as an animal what would it be and why: A cat so she could sit in front of the fire and sleep all day
Favourite aspect of the job: Anaesthesia and surgery.  Seeing a patient go home after we have worked hard over the days they’ve been in to make them better

Least favourite aspect of the job: Dealing with cruelty cases

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Abigail Ashton RVN

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Abi started at the surgery after qualifying as a Veterinary Nurse at Myerscough College in 2019. She was born and raised in  Blackpool where she lives with her dog  a Hungarian Vizsla Wallace, bearded dragon Taz and cat Ruby. Abi has a further qualification in theatre practice and surgical nusing and is developing her schedule 3  skills which means she is able to undertake minor acts of surgery such as stitching wounds and removing small lumps. Ultimately Abi would like to complete her surgical certificate. Her other interests of dentistry and exotic animals  are in line to be developed.

Abi is a great social organiser and has organised the practice nights out and charity cake stalls. A champion of well-being in the workplace she is also going to start a First Aid in mental Health.

 

Favourite Animal: Orangutan

Favourite Dog Breed: Hungarian Vizsla and Bulldog
Favourite film: She is a  a film fanatic but especially loves Disney and Marvel films
Favourite TV series: Friends, Gavin & Stacey, Sex & the City
If you were to come back as an animal what would you be and why: A sloth, she enjoys her chill time and sleep!
Favourite aspect of the job: The puppies of course but I also enjoy anaesthesia and surgery

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Administration team

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Karen Bull. RN IOSH Practice Manager

Karen is Andrew's sister and was  a qualified human nurse (RN)working as a Director of Nursing in Devon until Andrew took over the business, then she moved her familyl to become the Practice Manager.  She was born and raised in Lytham. Karen lives with her husband, son and dogs a  Italian Spinone called Lily and Belle  a Lurcher who was a rescue puppy brought into the practice by the dog warden.

In her spare time Karen enjoys DIY, gardening,sewing and is a passionate cook!

Running the practice inolves many skills organising schedules, equipment, policies,  awareness of employment law,  human resources, health and safety. Karen has a Diploma Level  4 in Management and if that isnt enough to keep her busy is starting a certificate in Awareness of mental Health Problems in August of this year.

 

Favourite animal: Dog
Favourite dog breed: Short haired working breeds, Dogue de Bordeaux
Favourite films: Happy Feet, First Wives Club and My Best Friend’s Wedding
Favourite TV series: Inspector Morse and CSI
Favourite books: The Amber Room, any autobiographies and cookery books
If you were to come back as an animal what would you be and why: A brown bear – hibernating seems like a great way to catch up on some sleep!
Favourite aspect of the job: The animals!  The challenge, learning new skills and still being able to work with ‘people’
Least favourite aspect of the job: Being unable to finish a task on time

Jennifer Francis. Practice Administrator

Jen started working at the surgery way back in February 1985 and qualified as a Vet Nurse in August 1987 from Myerscough College. After qualifying she continued to develop her skills in all aspects of the practice. She is now responsible for the administration in the practice working alongside Karen, the Practice Manager. She was born near Bolton and moved to Thornton Cleveleys with her family when she was four and a half years old. She is married  and has a son.

 

In her spare time she enjoys walking at Nicky Nook and the Lake District,visiting London to see theatre shows and museums, riding pillion on the motorbike and enjoying afternoon teas.

 

Favourite animal: Meerkat
Favourite dog breed: Bichon Frise
Favourite films: Titanic, The Piano and Armageddon, Trolls Madagascar
Favourite TV series: Killing Eve, Strictly, The masked singer, Mare of Easttown
Favourite books: ‘The Spuddy’ by Lillian Beckwith, ‘Wibbly Pig’ series by Mick Inkpen and ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar
If you were to come back as an animal what would you be and why: A Rockhopper Penguin because they are tenacious characters
Favourite aspect of the job: I enjoy being part of a team which provides a caring professional service for pets and their owners
Least favourite aspect of the job: Cat vomit!

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Natasha Henderson Lead Receptionist

Natasha started at the surgery in 2016 as a receptionist  and now organises reception and helps the nurses having gained a certificate in Animal Nursing Assisstance.

 She lives with her partner their five parrots and three cats.

 In her spare time, she enjoys seeing friends and family, going to the cinema, cycling, swimming, walking along the beach and reading.She has an interest in crystals and meditations.  She also likes to travel, returning soon  to Canada for the second time. In her early twenties Natasha volunteered  with Wild Cats for a month in South  She has travelled alot of America, enjoying the Northern side in particular. Natasha worked with animals at a rescue centre for 4 years, and worked as cabin crew for a year. She has studied a variety of qualifications at Blackpool college and worked as a hotel receptionist for three years.  

 

Favourite animal: Big cats and parrots and domestic cats
Favourite dog breeds:Golden Retriever
Favourite films: Comedies and action
Favourite books: Loves most books.
Favourite TV shows: Anything Netflix
If you were to come back as an animal what would you be and why: A beautifully coloured bird so she could fly anywhere
Favourite aspect of the job: Talking to clients, seeing the animals.  Great working environment with a good team of people.
Least favourite aspect of the job: The pressures of trying to meet demand and keep everyone happy.

Reception Team.

Our reception team have the difficult task of answering the many varied queries that come in to the practice  via email  or telephone and liasing with the clinical and admin teams whilst remaining calm and efficient. They all receive training and continue to develop skills as they stay at the practice.

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Julie Doherty

Julie started at the surgery in 2005 as a Receptionist.  She was born and grew up in Thornton-Cleveleys.  She is married and they have two sons.

In her spare time, she enjoys walking, listening to music, reading, drawing and gardening – her garden is her sanctuary. 

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Favourite animal: Elephant – She has adopted one from the Born Free Foundation called Emily Kate
Favourite dog breeds: Golden Retriever, Cocker Spaniel and Whippet
Favourite films: Mists of Avalon, Labyrinth and the Pirates of the Caribbean films
Favourite books: Mists of Avalon, Wuthering Heights and Myth and Legend based books
Favourite TV shows: Game of Thrones, Taboo, Ripper Street and anything historical
If you were to come back as an animal what would you be and why: A wolf because they are mysterious, powerful, magical and she would definitely enjoy howling at the moon!
Favourite aspect of the job: The animals
Least favourite aspect of the job: Drool!

Lynn Young

Lynn started at the surgery in July 2001 she was born in North Shields, Tyne and Wear. She lived in Rochdale where she met her husband. They moved to Blackpool in 1997 and have two daughters and  two fabulous grandchildren. 

 

In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren.She has two cats, Bailey and Paris. She adores her daughters siamese cats Dougie and Ninja and Pip the border terrier.

 

Favourite animal: Lion
Favourite dog breed: Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Favourite films: The Green Mile, Goodnight Mr Tom and Cruella
Favourite book: 'Beautiful' by Katie Piper
Favourite TV show: Dramas, Line of Duty
If you were to come back as an animal what would it be and why: An owl because she's a wise old bird!
Favourite aspect of the job: Seeing the relief and gratitude of owners when their pets are feeling better
Leasr favourite aspect of the job: Seeing bereaved owners and knowing how upset they are.

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Cassandra Roberts

Cass trained as a veterinary nurse at Andrew mellor vets  in 2002 before leaving to have her three children, she then returned to help out the reception and insurance processing teams and has recently considered working again as nurse. |Cass can assist as a veterinary nursing assistant until she has gained enough hours to register as a qualified veterinary nurse... Go Cass! 

When not studying Cass enjoys spending time with her husband, children,basset hound Duffy, Lottie a cross pug/beagle, three cats Romeo, Iris, Ivy Caramel the crazy rabbit and a few fish.

Favourite Animal: Hare

Favourite dog breed Basset Hound they have such lovely kind eyes

Favourite films: Harry Potter, Marvel, Dirty Dancing,Labyrinth, Moulin Rouge

Favourite TV series:Friends, House, Sons of Anarchy, Breaking Bad, Peaky Blinders, Good Doctor My family and other animals

If you were to come back as an animal what would you be and why: A pampered cat who would sunbathe, eat and sleep all day.

Favourite aspect of the job: All the lovely team I work with and meeting all the people who come to the practice with their wonderful animals

Least Favourite aspect of the job: The pain when we say goodbye to our furry friends, so sad to see.

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Sarah Skiba-Seville

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Sarah came to work in the surgery in  September 2021 ,she has previously worked at two other vets so had plenty of experience . She lives with her wife, 6 cats and dog and has a grown son.

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In her spare time she enjoys yoga, gardening, reading, going out for meals and travelling to pagan camps with her mum.

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Favourite animal: Bats

Favourite dog breed: all of them

Favourite films: any horror movie

Favourite TV series game of thrones, walking dead

Favourite books I read alot so impossible to pick a favourite but any horror, thriller plus a f                                                   few classics.

If you were to come back as an animal what would you be and why: One of my cats as all they do is                                                                                                                   eat,sleep and sit in the sun

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Favourite aspect of the job.:The people I work with, they are an amazing team and of course the animals

Worst aspect of the job: Seeing any cruelty  or neglect cases .

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Carol Shakeshaft

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Carol joined the practice in October 2021 having had a varied career this was her first  job in a veterinary surgery. Using all her past experience she met this steep learning curve head on and soon mastered all the skills required.  She lives locally with her husband and has two grown daughters.

Favourite Animal :Dogs and rabbits

Favourite Breed: Labradors and mountain dogs

Favourite Films:Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Harry Potter, Marvel, any action/thriller.

Favourite TV series :Line of Duty, Gogglebox

Favourite Books Lynda la Plant novels, and any murder/thriller and suspense novels

If you were to come back as an animal what would  you be: A dog to be taken on great walks fed and be able to curl up for a nap afterwards.

Favourite aspect of the job: Meeting all the pets who visit the surgery and working with a great team.

Worst aspect of the job: Seeing the grief when a beloved pet has to eave their owners for the last time.

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Support Staff

Craig Adams

 

Family and Interests: Craig was born in Bath and moved to Thornton Cleveleys when he was 11. He has a black cat Ronnie and a Sheltie dog Eevie. Craig enjoys football, watching films and playing video games.

Favourite animal: Arctic fox
Favourite dog breed: German Shepherd and Jack Russell Terrier
Favourite films: Lord of the rings, John Wick, Pirates of the Caribbean
Favourite TV series: Afterlife, Breaking bad, Mike and Molly, Umbrella academy, The King of Queens
If you were to come back as an animal what would you be and why: A panda, because they get to eat and sleep all day, also they are very clumsy
Favourite aspect of the job: Seeing all the animals
Least favourite aspect of the job: Seeing animals come in hurt and very unwell

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