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VAT No. 174346162
Clients' Thanks

USA:
U.S. Dermatologist Lowell Ackerman has discovered and used pictures
from this website in his new book on Veterinary Dermatology book
(extract)
Australia Parts of our website are now being used for teaching vet nurses on
Gilles Plains Campus
JAPAN: Our
Firework Phobia leaflet is now in use in Japan!!
(Download Japanese
version)

Heaven for Pets
Link to
Cats Protection
Blackburn and District
Local Branch
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Meet the Staff
Click on the underlined text to get
more info...... Clients' Thanks
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Veterinary Surgeons
Royal College Of Veterinary Surgeons

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David Higginson BVMS, MRCVS - Partner
David graduated at Glasgow University Veterinary School in 1970 and joined
the Veterinary Health Centre that summer. His special interests are 1) Pet
behaviour and emotional problems, 2) Rabbit medicine and surgery, 3) Soft
tissue surgery, 4) Skin and ear disease 5) Ano-rectal disorders and 5)
Client communication (inc
web sites!)
More.......
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David was born and brought up in
Blackburn, was educated at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Blackburn and
spent his student summers working in the practice as a nurse. He joined
Alan Williamson and Keith Ashworth as an assistant vet and became a
partner in 1973. The practice was a mixed practice in those days and the
work included dairy and beef cattle, sheep, pigs, and horses as well as
pets. In 1979 David encouraged the practice to specialise in small animal
medicine in anticipation of the great medical advances that seemed just
around the corner. This move has allowed the practice to keep abreast of
the most up-to-date techniques and treatments, and provide the best of
modern medicine for our patients.
David's interests are music, cycling, computers, caravanning, and fixing
anything that's broken. He is married with 6 children. His wife Ann hails from Glasgow and teaches maths
locally. David is lead singer of local folk rock band "Moorland Folk".
More about the band including MP3 downloads on
www.moorlandfolk.btinternet.co.uk . |
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John Davies BVM&S, MRCVS
- Partner
John graduated at Edinburgh University Royal (Dick) Veterinary School in
1989, worked in mixed practice in Selby and Glasgow before moving to small
animal practice in Bolton. John joined the Veterinary Health Centre as a
partner in 1996. His veterinary interests are 1) Internal medicine, 2)
Medical care of older dogs and cats, 3) Small furry pets and 4)
Positive health promotion. More.......
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John was born in Whalley and
brought up in Tottleworth near Rishton, educated at Norden School, Rishton
then Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School,
Blackburn. Throughout his veterinary training he regularly saw practice at
the Veterinary Health Centre. John's interests are mountain biking playing
football and wildlife. He lives in Whalley with his wife Angela, four
children (Juliet, Helena, Felicity and Alexander), 2 guinea pigs, a rat
and
a tank of exotic fish.
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Samantha Purcell BVSc MRCVS - Partner
Sam
graduated from Liverpool University in 1999 and joined the Veterinary Health
Centre in 2003 as a locum and became a partner in July 2004. She gained
experience in mixed practice in
Blackburn and Carnforth, before working in a small animal practice in Lytham St Annes. Her veterinary interests include Soft tissue surgery,
Dentistry and Diagnostic imaging.
More.......
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Sam
was born in Settle, N Yorkshire on a mixed farm and trekking centre and
has always had a keen interest in animals, both large and small. She was
educated at Bentham Grammar School and spent much of her time playing
various sports especially Hockey for the 1st XI's. Sam was also a keen
member of the local Young Farmers Club which involved her in various
activities including pony judging. She is a keen horse rider and can be
found many a weekend hacking around the beautiful bridleways of the
Yorkshire Dales National Park on her one-eyed horse "Golly". She is also a “Flyball” enthusiast, competing
most weekends, all over the country with her two Border Collies “Pip” and
"Taz", and "Bess" her rescued terrier cross. Sam lives
in Settle with her husband Matt, who is a physics teacher at Ribblesdale
School in Clitheroe, and her most recent arrival - "Tom", their first
child, born in September '06. |
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Simone Der Weduwen
MRCVS
Simone
graduated at the University of Utrecht in 1988 and has a wide
experience of small animal practice in the North West and has worked with
The Veterinary Health Centre on a part time basis since 2008. Her special
interest is Pet Behaviour and she has worked regularly in a top North West Behaviour
Referral centre. Simone is the secretary of the North
West Veterinary Association, organising regular further education for North
West vets. She is also an active member of
Pet Savers, a national charity to promote clinical research into pet
diseases.
More.......
coming soon ..............
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Veterinary Nurses
-
see what our nurses get up to......
British
Veterinary Nursing Association
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Dr.Ruth Swan
Ph.D. BSc (Hons), V.N. - Practice manager.
Ruth joined the practice in 1990, qualified as a Veterinary Nurse (R.V.N.) in
1993. She then studied at The University of Centre Lancashire and graduated
in 1996 with a B.Sc.(Hons) in Biomedical Science. Throughout her studies she
continued to work at the practice as a veterinary nurse (part time). Ruth
became our practice manager in October 1996 and continued to do research in
molecular biology gaining her Ph.D. in 2005. She is currently researching in
pharmacology at The University of Central
Lancashire. Her areas of special interest within the practice are staff
training and development, she gained her R.V.N. assessor qualification in 2002.
More.......
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Ruth hails from Middlesborough. In
her teens she worked part time at her local small animal practice and
developed a keen interest in veterinary matters. Other early interests were
motorbikes, sidecar racing, and pets. Ruth's current interests
are Go-Karting, wild life biology, pharmacy and travel. She has
a Belgian Shepherd, a whippet, a Siamese cat and a one-eyed tortiepus.
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Caroline Holmes R.V.N. -
Head Nurse. Caroline joined the
Veterinary Health Centre in 1999 and qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in July
2002. She holds a regional certificate in Animal Care (level 1 & 2). She
gained her R.V.N. Assessor qualification in 2003. Her special
interests are medical nursing, nutrition and prescription diets, ferrets, and
all things small and furry. For three months in early 2008 Caroline worked at
Liverpool University Veterinary College training vet students in nursing
techniques.
More.......
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Caroline
was born and brought up in Burnley and admits to being a cat addict from
an early age. Caroline is a 2nd Degree Black Belt and qualified
instructor in Tae Kwando Korean Marial Art. She competes Nationally and
Internationally attempting to get into the British Team. She also teaches Tae
Kwando to children of 4 - 7yrs of age. Her
other loves are surfing and snowboarding. Her early
years in ballet and show dancing may be responsible for her current sporting
achievements. |
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Nina Bibby R.V.N. Nat. Dip.
Animal Care
Nina joined the practice in 2008. She qualified as a
Veterinary Nurse (R.V.N.) in 2004 at Withy Grove Veterinary Practice, Bamber
Bridge, and worked for 3 years at The Rutland House Referral Centre in St
Helens.
She is interested in dental care, surgical and medical nursing, especially
orthopaedics, and anything to do with rabbits and other small furries.
More .......
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Nina was born in Southport
and went to Tarleton High School. Growing up in a home full of pets she has
always had an interest in pet care and welfare. Nina enjoys walking,
camping and more recently doing wild things like sky diving and Sphering
(rolling down a hill in a big transparent ball!). She has two bunnies, Ernie and
Betty and a cat called Simba. |
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Kim Hampson R.V.N. (Kim is
currently on a 12mo break travelling round the world)
Kim joined the practice in 2008. She qualified as a
Veterinary Nurse (R.V.N.) in 2006 at Baxter & Marwood, Longton,
Preston. Kim is interested in Diabetes mellitus, medical nursing, critical care,
especially elderly patients, and looking after clients.
More .......
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Kim was born in Bolton, grew
up in Preston and attending Priory High School in Penwortham, Preston (fitting
in 5 years of early morning milk rounds!). Whilst working with a Double Glazing
firm she did voluntary work at her local vet practice and eventually gained a
placement to train as a veterinary nurse in 2003. She loves surfing, scuba
diving (recently gaining her open water qualification) and camping. She set
off on a 12 month round-the-world adventure in Sept. '09. We look forward to having
her back with us in 2010. |
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Lynette
Williams R.V.N. HND Animal Management & Welfare
Lynette joined the practice in 2003
and qualified as a
Veterinary Nurse (R.V.N.) in 2007. She has
also
completed a 3 yr. HND in Management and Welfare of Animals (Nursing). Lynette
is interested in pain management and associated complementary therapies.
More......
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Lynette lives in Garstang with
her husband Steve and their daughter Ava. Lynette was born and raised just south of Glasgow.
Her early career was
in retail customer services, management and banking.
She emigrated to Lancashire shortly after meeting her future husband. Her
interests are cooking and entertaining, skiing, reading and forensic
psychology (!). |
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Claire Hellawell R.V.N.
Claire joined the practice in August 2009 as a long term locum vet nurse.
She trained at Myerscough College whilst working in a mixed practice in her home
town of Halifax and qualified
as a Veterinary
Nurse (R.V.N.) in
2003.
More......
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Claire lives in Halifax.
Her overwhelming hobby is caring for and showing her two horses Alfie and Storm.
This involves being up at 5am most days to tend to the horses before work, then
after work, picking up her springer spaniel Baxter and checking the horses
again in the evening. Most weekends she will be at an event (and probably
sleeping in the trailer!). |
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Laura Waters
Laura joined the practice in 2001 after completing the Small Animal Care
and Pre-Vet Nursing Courses at Myerscough College. Laura's interests are in
pet behaviour and training.
More.......
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Laura was born and brought up in
Rishton. Her interests are Motorcycling, Jujitsu (Black Belt!), regular gym
and fitness classes, horses and horse riding, swimming and badminton. |
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Zara Kelly
Zara joined the practice in 2008 as a nursing and reception
assistant.
More.......
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Zara was educated at St Hilda's
High School, Burnley then at Burney College where she gained a Diploma in
Advanced Health Studies. She has worked in sales, as a senior care
assistant then as a support working in an East Lancs Critical Care Unit.
Her interests are walking, dogs, farming (especially lambing), eating out
and reading. |
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Tom Norman
More.......
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Awaiting Update |
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Support Staff
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Joan Helm
Joan joined the practice in 1981 as a receptionist. She is also a Hill's pet
nutritional advisor. |
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Sharon Exton
Sharon joined the practice in 1997 as a receptionist. She is a Hill's pet
nutritional advisor, has completed an Animal Care course.
and is currently working on a Client Care course. More...
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Sharon
has previously worked for 17 yrs. in clerical work in the N.H.S.. She has an
8yr. old oriental cat called "Jen".
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Janet Hammond
Janet joined the practice in the year 2000 as a receptionist, administrative
assistant and bookkeeper. She is also a Hill's pet nutritional advisor.
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Jean Davies
Jean joined the practice in 1997 as an administrative assistant sorting out cash
handling matters.
More.......
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Jean is John's mum. She was
brought up in Clitheroe, attended Clitheroe Royal Grammar School and
working in the Tax Office. Jean's main interests are golf,
gardening, Blackburn Rovers, and grandchildren (and if she were 30 years
younger would love to be a veterinary nurse). |
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Former Staff - below
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Our team of
Skilled Veterinary Nurses
run regular clinics for
routine healthcare checks.
Phone reception and ask for a
nurse appointment.
 
 
 
Our Veterinary Nurses administer and monitor general anaesthetics, take
blood samples, give intravenous fluid therapy, take X-rays, run
laboratory tests, give all forms of medication, nurse in-patients,
manage the kennel wards, prepare the operating theatre,
and much more. |
Our veterinary nurses can:-
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Check your pet’s general health,
spot problems early, and show you how to examine
your own pet.
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Check your pet’s weight
and guide you in the best ways to control your pet’s
weight.
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Provide and administer routine flea and
worm treatments - choosing the
medications most suited to your circumstances.
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Advise on diet and
feeding.
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Advise on
behaviour and training.
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Check your pet’s teeth and gums regularly
and advise on dental healthcare.
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Clip Nails
and even show you how to do it properly if you’d
like to do it yourself.
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Show you how to give tablets.
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Help you get the best out of your pet
insurance.
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Discuss and guide you with any healthcare
problems or worries.
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Discuss diet, medication and treatment
costs and help with economical planning.
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Help you with phone advise before you book your
appointment. |
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Former Staff
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Jill Macdonald
DipAVN(surg). V.N.
In August 2008 Jill moved to Liverpool University Veterinary College
organising further education for vets.
Jill joined the practice in 1996 and qualified as a veterinary nurse (R.V.N.)
in 1999. She became Head Nurse in 2000 with overall responsibility for
nursing standards and all aspects of nurse training. She gained her R.V.N.
Assessor qualification in 2002 and her Diploma
in Advanced Surgical Nursing in 2006 and is a regular contributor to the
veterinary press. She gained a H.N.D. in
chemistry at the University of Central Lancashire in 1989. Jill’s areas of
expertise in the practice are surgical and medical nursing, anaesthesia, E.C.G.'s and dentistry.
More.......
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Jill was born in Westminster and
brought up in Hertfordshire and Nottingham. Her formative years were spent
with horses and dogs at her mother's riding stables. She was
regularly involved in teaching children to ride, show jumping,
dressage and one day eventing. Her current interests are photography,
walking, music, computers, dog training, and her pets, Border Terrier (Otto) and
cat (Renti). |
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Naomi Starkey
R.V.N. - Naomi moved to a practice in Bamber Bridge in June
'08.
Naomi joined us as a qualified Veterinary Nurse (R.V.N.) in 2004 after 4
years in a mixed veterinary practice in Preston. Her special interests are
critical care, physiotherapy, behaviour, nutrition and ferrets. More.......
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Naomi
grew up in Penwortham, Preston. She worked in business administration and
studied counselling before choosing a career as a veterinary nurse. Her
interests are going to the gym, racing her whippet Maddie, walking her three
ferrets Mij, Macey and Rupert, keeping chickens, camping, swimming, running,
and exercising greyhounds.
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Alison Langridge
BA
(Hons),
R.V.N. -
Alison
moved on in July '08 and is now running a mobile vet nurse clinic for the PDSA
Alison joined the practice in 1999, and qualified as a Veterinary Nurse (R.V.N.)
in 2003. She graduated in 1996 from the University of Wales
with a BA (Hons) in Linguistics.. Her special interests are
rabbit medicine, and emergency & critical
care.
More.....
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Alison was brought up in Padiham,
went to school at St Wilfrids, Blackburn and now lives in Sabden under the
shadow of Pendle Hill. As a teenager she was a keen horse-rider, her
interest in pet medicine was sparked as she worked part-time in her
auntie's pet shop. Her interests are languages - she has studied German,
Swedish, Welsh, French, Latin and most recently Italian, playing piano,
stained glass art, tap dancing, squash, and gardening. |
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Rebecca Purcell BVSc
MRCVS
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Becky moved to work in a companion animal practice in
Manchester in August 2008.
Becky
graduated from Liverpool University in 2001 and joined the Veterinary Health Centre in 2006. She
has worked in small animal practice in Lytham St Annes and Bolton, and
locumed throughout the North West. Her veterinary interests are mainly
medical - she has recently completed a modular course in feline medicine.
She has also had training in Western Scientific Acupuncture and is
interested in developing other methods of managing chronic pain such using
physiotherapy, hydrotherapy etc.
More.......
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Becky was brought up in the South of England, moving North at the age of
8. She was educated at Casterton School, Kirby Lonsdale and feels most at
home in the North West. Becky is a keen rider and was vice-captain of the
university riding club. Her weekends are spend walking with her dog Mr
Jackamo, going to weddings (she's at that age) and doing DIY with husband
Dan. |
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Claire Barton
Claire joined the practice in 2006 as a
nursing and reception assistant. She has since
trained
as a Hill's pet nutritional advisor.
More.......
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Claire previously studied
Criminology at Blackburn Higher Education Centre. She loves camping (in
her VW camper van), visiting Scotland, going to the gym, socialising, and
her 3 cats Jack, Evie and Tommy, and dog Molly. |
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