Meet the Staff

Mr Bruce Perry BVSc, MRCVS

Bruce graduated from the University of Queensland, Australia in 1994 and practiced for 3 and ˝ years in Australia in private practice dealing mainly with dairy cattle prior to coming to the United Kingdom on a working holiday with a fellow Aussie Vet. After locuming around the UK for several years he came to Scunthorpe and hasn’t escaped since. He bought Ashby Road Veterinary Surgery in October 2000 and has seen it expand and develop immensely in the past 10 years. He enjoys all aspects of small animal medicine and surgery with a specific interest in Orthopaedics and has a wealth of experience dealing with fractures of varying complexity in his patients and is competent in using bone plating and external fixators to repair the most difficult of fractures. Other orthopaedic conditions such as cruciate ligament ruptures and medially luxating patellas are also common surgical problems that he operates on. Outside of work he enjoys the open spaces of the English countryside with his dog “Millie” and enjoys playing most sports- age permitting of course now!! His two children love coming to see the animals at his work and his daughter especially wants to be a vet when she grows up.

Mr Laurence Brown BVMS CertVC MRCVS

Laurence graduated from Glasgow Vet School in 1994. He spent the first 4 and ˝ years of his career working in mixed practice in Sevenoaks in Kent. He moved to another mixed practice in Cranbrook in Kent in 1999 and became a partner there in 2002. He left that partnership in 2007 to move north and join Bruce as a partner at Ashby Road in 2008. Laurence has always had a special interest in cardiac and respiratory medicine and surgery and in 2001 gained his RCVS certificate in Veterinary Cardiology. He had been involved in building up a second opinion cardiology referral service at his previous practice in Kent and now provides this service to neighbouring practices from Ashby Road. Laurence is married with three children between 8 and 3 years old. In his ‘spare time’ he enjoys fly fishing, tennis, snowboarding and walking his two dogs, Wilma & Squeak.

Miss Michelle Austin BVSc, MRCVS

Michelle graduated from Liverpool University in 2004, having grown up in lovely Devon. Michelle came to Ashby Road Veterinary Surgery as a new graduate entering her first job and many years later is still enjoying the challenges of working in a busy small animal practice. Michelle has developed a large client base and her caring, bubbly and dedicated nature make her a favourite with all who enter her consulting room. Michelle has developed a special interest in Rabbit medicine and surgery, which now forms a substantial component of her daily caseload. This interest has helped the practice to provide the highest levels of veterinary care for the local rabbit population and she performs procedures such as vacination, castration, speying, blood testing, and dentistry on a daily basis. Her main love in life is her Border Collie “Murphy”, who will be well known to clients of Ashby Road as the canine receptionist and both have been active members of a local dog training group for many years.

Miss Clare Gover BVSc MRCVS - Veterinary Surgeon

Clare gradutated from Liverpool University along with Emma, and joined Ashby Vet Group in 2011 as a new graduate. She has a keen interest in all things feline, and has also been heavily involved in the treatment of many of the hedgehogs at 'Hedgehog Rescue'. Clare lives with her spoilt little black cat Harri, who likes to cause mischief wherever she can!

Outside of work Clare enjoys horse riding, socialising and the occasional Dolly Parton concert, along with baking - a hobby which benefits all at Ashby Vets!

William Chandler BVetMed MRCVS

William Chandler joined the team at Ashby Road Veterinary Group in September 2012 after qualifying from the Royal Veterinary College in London. Will is keen to tackle all aspects of veterinary medicine, but is particularly interested in orthopaedic conditions, diagnostic imaging and preventative medicine.

Outside the busy life at the vets, Will enjoys keeping up with his music, playing or watching rugby, cycling, wakeboarding and occasionally flying an old German war plane... to name a few.

Miss Emma Lee BVSc MRCVS - Veterinary Surgeon

Originally from Leeds, Emma joined Ashby Road in the summer of 2011 having graduated from the University of Liverpool. A keen, enthusiastic and helpful member of the team, Emma has fitted into the practice well and particularly enjoys interacting with clients. Much of her free time is spent walking and caring for her little terrier Lily. She also enjoys skiing, running, and socialising with her family.

Mrs Tora Parsons

Tora grew up on a dairy and arable farm in Somerset. Growing up she has enjoyed being outside on the farm or with the horses. She helped run and give lessons in a riding school and livery yard. After this Tora returned to England to start looking for a nursing job within a training practice.

In 2004 she was employed by a mixed Veterinary hospital in Evesham, Worcestershire. She later completed her nurse training with Abbeydale Vetlink and once qualified 3 years later, Tora moved to a mixed (mainly dairy cow) practice in Somerset. There she stayed for a year before moving to the Scottish borders with her partner (now husband).

She joined a mixed practice where she did large and small animal work. Both Tora and her husband stayed in Scotland for 2 years before moving to Lincolnshire due to her husband’s job with Co-op farms. Once here Tora joined Ashby Road Vets as our head Veterinary Nurse and nurse training assessor. Thus she is responsible for overseeing and helping our trainee nurses through their degrees.

When not at work Tora’s time is taken up by her 2 year old Border terrier, Ebba, and organising her wedding day.

Mrs Nikki Pope

Nikki grew up in London and spent 12 years working with horses in and around the London area in which time she gained various British Horse Society certificates. She then moved to North Lincolnshire in 2003 and with a passion to work with animals, started working at Ashby Road in 2004.
Since then she has completed her animal nursing assistant course (ANA) and is now a well known face at the clinic. She has particular interest in exotics and in running weight clinics, where she has helped many animals lose those extra pounds.
Nikki lives with her husband, daughter and a menagerie of pets, which include Bailey a golden retriever, Libbi a three-legged boxer that she rescued from work, Whisper her cat, two goldfish and her latest addition two African land snails!

Miss Lauren Valentine

Lauren was born in Wigan and now lives in Gainsborough after growing up in Southport and then Scotter. Lauren studied Horse Care and Management at North Lindsey College, which she completed in the summer of 2008.

Shortly after this she joined the team at Ashby Road as a Trainee/Student nurse and has since completed her first year of the Veterinary Nursing Qualification and is now currently in her final year of study and will hopefully qualify in November of 2011. Lauren’s interests within work include orthopaedics and surgical nursing. Interests outside of work include horse riding when time permits and listening to music.

Jo Edley

Jo is currently a student nurse at the practice. As well as working at the practice, Jo attends the College of Animal Welfare in Leeds one day a week as she is studying towards her veterinary nurse diploma. Jo is keen to learn and enjoys studying, particularly anatomy and physiology. Jo enjoys all aspects of her job especially inpatient care, radiography and nursing the neo-natal patient.

Once qualified Jo hopes to put her qualification to good use and carry out charity work to improve the welfare of animals both in the UK and abroad. She would also like to gain more knowledge in hydro/physio therapy and holistic therapies as she already shows a particular interest in complimentary treatments. In her spare time Jo enjoys holidaying abroad, horse riding and caring for her Springer Spaniel 'Abby', and two cats; 'Princess Lilly Tallulah' and 'Harry', who originally came to the practice as strays.

Gemma Rollinson RVN

Gemma joined Ashby Road in October and recently qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse. It has always been Gemmas dream to become a nurse and after working her way up to a student veterinary nurse position from reception at local veterinary practices, she achieved her goal this year! Gemma owns a lovely Rottweiler named Tia and two cats, Bailey and Archibald, Gemma often has holidays where she can take Tia along for the ride too. She is an enthusiastic nurse and enjoys all aspects of the job, including helping the student nurses with their studies. Gemma is looking forward to setting up Puppy Parties for the practice, as puppy training is one of Gemma's many interests.

Ruth Wells

Ruth has recently joined the practice having qualified as a veterinary nurse in January 2012. Ruth enjoys all aspects of nursing especially inpatient care and nurses clinics.

Outside of work Ruth is kept busy helping out on the farm and walking her two dogs, Dotty and Bria.

Mrs Lesley Wilkinson

Lesley Wilkinson our Practice Manager started in the veterinary profession as a veterinary nurse in the mid eighties at Collingham Vets just outside of Newark. She had previously served in the WRAF working with the police dogs. After eighteen years at Collingham she moved to Crowle Vets working along side Helen Watson as her practice manager. When Ashby Road Vet Group took over Crowle Vets in 2008 she took over the management of Ashby Road, Crowle and Epworth Surgeries.

Lesley lives in Crowle with her much loved Border Terrier Beamish. Her interests outside of work are long walks with Beamish, and then putting her feet up with a good book. She also enjoys her role as School Governor at Crowle Primary School.

Mrs Christine Watson

Chris is the Head Receptionist at Ashby Road Veterinary Surgery and has been a full time member of the team since November 2002. As well as her reception duties Chris manages and coordinates the other receptionists and carries additional responsibilities to her fellow colleagues. Chris also had a long associated with with the Scunthorpe Branch of the Cats Protection League since it was first established in 1997 and has previously been a fosterer and Co- Ordinator before her current position as Treasurer. Chris also keeps busy entertaining and caring for her two Border Collies – “Joe” and “Jess” and several cats. In her spare time Chris enjoys getting involved with helping to raise funds for local charities, dining out and heading to live music gigs.

Mrs Janet Shipley

Janet is a very experienced member of the reception team at Ashby Road Vets having started here in 2001 and can be recognised by her ever present smile and bubbly personality. Despite her busy full time job Janet also manages to look after a large menagerie of pets ranging from the very large to the very small.

Mrs Linda Simpson

Linda started her career in the Veterinary sector at Ashby Road Veterinary Surgery in 1968 as a theatre nurse and receptionist. Over this time Linda has not only acquired a wealth of experience but has also seen a great many changes not only to the premises itself but also many improvements in equipment, diagnotics and standards of veterinary care that are used presently. Linda has retired from the nursing part of her job and now enjoys spending her working days as a full time receptionist.

Miss Jenni Walker

Jenni has been working at Ashby Road Vets, as part of our reception team, for 6 months and has found her job very enjoyable so far. She is currently studying for a NVQ Level 2 in customer service. Jenni has also completed 8 other courses , which include a Certificate in Health and Safety and Basic First Aid. She owns two dogs Milly, a 3yr old CollieX and Frankie, a 5yr old German Shepherd Dog. Jenni has owned them both since puppies and enjoys taking them for long walks. In her spare time she also enjoys swimming, horse riding and socializing with friends.

Miss Jemma Ward

Jemma has lived locally in Belton for most of her life and now with her partner Shane and naughty ragdoll cat Archie. Her previous jobs have also been in the animal care sector before joining Crowle Veterinary Centre in 2006 where she still works as a nursing assistant and receptionist. Jemma’s main interests outside of work are walking and watching films ( especially any with Zombies in them) and spoiling Archie.

Mrs Angela Coulson

Angela has worked for Ashby Road Surgery since November 2011 as a part time receptionist. She's loving her work so far! So much in fact she has decided to take on two kittens Fluffy and Isobelle (named by her daughter).

She lives with her partner Tom and their daughter Georgia who is seven years old. They currently live in Belton. Angela enjoys to swim and loves socialising with friends. Angela is also on the committee at Belton, All Saints C of E primary school and helps organize events such as Summer and Christmas Fairs etc to raise money for extra equipment needed within the school.

Mrs Becky Whitham

Becky lives in Ashby with her husband and daughter. She has two boistrous puppies a JRT called Marley who is a mischief maker and a chihuahua called Leo, who loves relaxing in front of the fire. She also has a rabbit called Sweetie, that thinks he's a dog and loves his tummy tickled. She is enjoying her new job as receptionist at Ashby and meeting new clients. She has worked with pets for the last four years. Outside of work she likes walking her dog, horse riding and meeting with friends as well as days out with the family.

Miss Shelly Goulding

Shelly works as a receptionist at Crowle Veterinary Centre and is also being trained to assist the vet with operations and monitoring of anaesthetics.

She lives locally in Ealand and has two dogs of her own. She studied Animal Management at college prior to becoming able to pursue her love of animals through working within a veterinary surgery.