Meet Our Team
We are so lucky to have such a fantastic nursing team. Our Veterinary nurses run regular clinics for routine healthcare checks –please phone reception and ask for a nurse appointment if you need one. Our veterinary nurses can: Check your pet’s general health, spot problems early, and show you how to examine your own pet. Check your pet’s weight and guide you in the best ways to control your pet’s weight. Provide and administer routine flea and worm treatments - choosing the medications most suited to your circumstances. Advise on diet and feeding. Advise on behaviour and training. Check your pet’s teeth and gums regularly and advise on dental healthcare. Clip nails and show you how to do it properly if you’d like to do it yourself. Show you how to administer tablets and other treatment. Help you get the best out of your pet insurance. Discuss and guide you with any healthcare problems or worries. Discuss diet, medication and treatment costs and help with economical planning. Help you with phone advice before you book your appointment.
Read Below to learn more about our lovely team!
Dr Samantha Hird-Veterinary Surgeon and Owner
BVSc MRCVS qualified Liverpool Uni 1999
Sam was born at the family farm near Settle, North Yorkshire. Being brought up on a farm and trekking centre, my life and interests have always revolved around animals, both “great and small”. I just loved being with and caring for all the animals around me. From rescuing injured rabbits whilst out riding on my shetland pony, Ringo, down to training calves to jump and even riding my pet Cow "Terror" around the local bridleways as well as teaching her to jump cross country jump courses!
I rescued my first stray kitten when I was 10yrs old, Mitton. Currently we have two cats, both of which I have re-homed from the practice. They love living on the farm and spend most of their time out roaming the fields and woods or sleeping in the comfort of the house.
Sadly, we no longer have any dogs, following te loss of Spot, our 5th generation of border Collies on the farm, all bred and trained by Sams dad.
I always knew my life would continue to be centred around animals, I either wanted to be a farmer or a vet and now I do!
I was educated at Bentham Grammar School and spent much of my time playing various sports especially Hockey for the 1st XI's. I was also a keen member of the local Young Farmers Club which involved me in various activities including cattle and pony judging and public speaking.
I chose to pursue a vet career and I graduated from Liverpool University in 1999 and joined the Veterinary Health Centre (Daisy Street Vets) in 2003 as a locum and became a partner in July 2004. I had gained experience in mixed practice in Blackburn and Carnforth, before working in a small animal practice in Lytham St Annes.
I love working with all species of animals (except spiders I am afraid!) and my veterinary interests include soft tissue surgery (anything delicate where you need a womans touch), dentistry and diagnostic imaging. We are all in practice with one aim – to make animals better and there is nothing I enjoy more than helping a poorly animal get better.
Outside work I am still a keen horse rider and can be found many a weekend hacking around the beautiful bridleways of the Yorkshire Dales National Park either on my horse Tekoda.
I was also a “Flyball” enthusiast, and for many years was found competing all over the country with my two Border Collies “Pip” and "Taz", and "Bess" my rescued terrier cross. Sadly all our flyball dogs have now passed away but I highly recommend the sport to anyone with a dog who loves playing with a ball.
As well as running the family farm with my small flock of 30 ewes, I also run a small livery yard, with currently 7 horses. Life is always busy at Rawlinshaw. Take a look at my website and enjoy the photos of farming life in Yorkshire . I also love to sing and perform, with my partner Jez, in our Duo "The Little Things" - you will even see me appearing with my horse Takoda in one of the videos!
Dr John Davies-Veterinary Surgeon and Owner
BVM&S, MRCVS
I was born in Whalley and grew up in the village of Tottleworth, near Great Harwood. My sister and I grew up with cats, dogs, rabbits, fish, hens and a horse. My greatest pal was Tina our boxer dog. She slept on my bed every night even though my parents banned this. She snored very loud. She came with me almost everywhere: she pulled my sledge, played football and cricket, I even made a lift to get her into my tree den. She lived till she was sixteen.
My veterinary interests are everything veterinary, especially cats and exotics. Puppies too. I get paid to work with cats and puppies! Wow. Getting animals better when they are ill is a great feeling. Preventing ill health in animals is satisfying too. I enjoy working with their owners. People who have pets are usually nice. Unfortunately I have developed an allergy to rabbits, so I do try to get my colleagues to see the rabbits.
I first worked at Daisy Street Vets when I was at school. Some clients still remember me from those early days. I used to cycle here from Tottleworth. When I was at Edinburgh University Veterinary School I regularly worked here in my holidays learning to do operations.After becoming a vet I worked in farm animal practice in Selby and Glasgow before moving to a companion animal practice in Bolton. I always kept in touch and was delighted when a position came up here in 1996.
I have been nominated for PetPlan Vet of the Year in 2008, 2014, 2016, 2017 and have again been nominated this year for the 2021 awards. Thank you to all those who have nominated me. It gives me a lot of satisfaction to know you appreciate what I do.
July 2021 I am still living in Whalley with Angela, my daughter Helena, Helena’s boyfriend Tom and Alex. Angela works from home for The Royal College of Nursing defending nurses. Helena is an ecologist and works in Clitheroe, Tom is about to do an engineering masters in Bath and Alex is still at Clitheroe Grammar school. Alex has swapped Judo for Scouts. Juliet and Kieran have moved into their new home in Great Harwood and will make me Grandad in September. Felicity is at Bristol University studying biology after spending a year as an Au Pair near Lake Garda in Italy.
We have 3 cats now. Little My had three kittens Lazlo, Nandor and Treacle. We kept 2 and Juliet took Nandor. Unfortunately Little My became very ill one Saturday night, my staff were unavailable . I had to take her to Armac, the emergency vets in Bury. She had pyelonephritis and polycystic kidneys. Her renal parameters were off the scale. It was an experience for me, seeing things as a client would. I was so grateful when they pulled her round. Thanks Armac. Unfortunately Little My may not live much beyond 7. We still have goldfish.
Apart from all that I am still getting older. 55 now. How did that happen? Managed to achieve Grade 7 electric guitar (the family still don’t like my playing) cycle to work 3 x a week and exercise when I can.
August 2019 Still live in Whalley. My 4 children have become 4 adults and 1 child. The extra adult is Kieran, Juliet, my 22 year old daughter's boyfriend, who has moved in. Juliet is working in Blackburn as an accountant. Helena, my 20 year old, is away at Durham University studying geography, we all miss her a lot when she is away during term time. Felicity is 18 and has taken a year out while she decides what she wants to do. Alex is 12 and a Judo fighter. My mum Jean still works here at the vets every monday. My dad Garry is allergic to dogs and cats, but has still ended up having pets for most of his life. My wife Angela has started working full time as a solicitor. Although she pretends she doesn't like pets, she secretly cuddles our new kitten when she thinks no one is watching.
Pets have changed. Tummy died at twenty one and a half with kidney disease. We were all very sad. No room for a dog now. We have a kitten called “Little My” named after the character out of the Moomintroll books. She is a Siberdoll (Siberian cat cross with a ragdoll). She is wonderful.
Fish still going strong. The oldest one was won, by Juliet, without my permission, from a fair about 15 years ago. They now have a new bigger tank as the old one sprang a leak last week. The other fish has gone yellow.
Apart from being a vet, I am getting older, can no longer do contact sport due to ancient injuries. Passed my Grade 5 electric guitar exam this summer. The family still dislike the things I play so no change there. Cycle to work twice a week and exercise when I can.
August 2017 I live in Whalley with my wife Angela, four children, Tummy the cat and two goldfish. We've had many pets over the years but right now Tummy will not allow anyone new to join the family. She clearly thinks she is the boss and we
are her slaves. She could not be more different to Tina. She likes to sleep on crackly things like plastic bags or newspapers. She hates being picked up. She was brought to me to be put to sleep because she was very thin and had no fur. She was really nice and friendly so I asked the owner if I got her better could I keep her. She was born on 1st January 1998.The owner was delighted with this so that is how she acquired us. She had cystic ovaries, bad teeth and eczema. I sorted out her bad teeth and ovarian problem with surgery. She is very old now and sometimes misses her litter tray and sicks fur balls up every week, usually on someone's bed. My children do regular dog-walking for an elderly neighbour at weekends as they miss not having a dog around the house.
My other interests cycling and keeping fit. I have recently taken up the electric guitar (much to my wife's dismay). It is great fun. I use the guitar to relax in the evenings. Not sure it relaxes the rest of my family. Tummy hates it. She runs off as soon as I get the guitar out of the case. (I will need to improve!).
Caroline Ashworth-Head Veterinary Nurse
CertVNES RVN
(This is Fleur Caroline’s dog)
Caroline joined Daisy Street Veterinary Centre in 1999 and qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in July 2002, being awarded a credit from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Caroline also qualified as a CertVNES in 2015, which is a specialised nursing Certificate in Exotic Species, including birds, reptiles and amphibians, small mammals and British wildlife. She attained an Oral Care Nurse Certificate with the BVNA and British Veterinary Dental Association. She has a particular interest in microbiology and can be often found looking down a microscope.
She also holds a regional certificate in Animal Care (level 1 & 2). She gained her R.V.N. Assessor qualification (A1 award) in 2003 and has completed a course with Lincoln University on the use of pheromone therapy in behaviour modification. For three months in 2008 Caroline worked at Liverpool Small Animal Teaching University training vet students in nursing techniques.
In her spare time Caroline is a qualified Level 3 Pilates Instructor, teaching in the Burnley area. She is an avid Paddleboarder, often seen meandering down local canals and waterways and enjoys the occasional wild swim. She also loves to play her acoustic guitar.
She is also a 2nd Degree Black Belt and qualified instructor in the Korean Martial Art Taekwondo, she has competed in this discipline both Nationally and Internationally. She loves surfing and snowboarding.
She lives in Burnley with her husband and four children, sharing her home with a cat and two mischievous Chocolate Labradors.
Dr Ruth Swan-RVN & Practice Manager
Ph.D. BSc (Hons)
(This Is Rhodey, Ruth Swans dog)
Ruth joined the practice in 1990, qualifying as a Veterinary Nurse (R.V.N.) in 1993. She then studied at The University of Central Lancashire and graduated in 1996 with a B.Sc.(Hons) in Biomedical Science. Throughout her studies she continued to work part-time at the practice as a veterinary nurse.
Ruth became our practice manager in October 1996 and continued to do research in molecular biology, gaining her Ph.D. in 2005. Her areas of special interest within the practice are staff training and development, she gained her R.V.N. assessor qualification in 2002.
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.
Nina Bibby-Senior Veterimary Nurse RVN
RVN Nat. Dip. Animal Care
(Nina’s Dogs Maggie & Bonnie)
Nina joined the practice in 2008. She qualified as a Veterinary Nurse (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.
Since joining the practice, Nina has become a pivotal part of the practice and is now our assistant head nurse. She also now has two children, Jacob born in 2014 and Jasmine in July 2016 and has recently returned to the practice following maternity leave.
Nina is interested in dental care, surgical and medical nursing (especially orthopaedics) and anything to do with rabbits and other small furries.
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!) as well as enjoying spending time with her children.
Emily Cottam-Senior Veterinary Nurse RVN
(This is Emily’s Cat Squishy)
Emily qualified as a registered veterinary nurse in July 2018, after completing her Foundation degree in Science in Veterinary Nursing.
Since the she has undertaken an Oral Care Nurse Certificate with the BVNA and British Veterinary Dental Association and a Cat Friendly Veterinary Professional course with the ISFM.
Emily has lived locally all her life, living in Clitheroe with her partner, beloved cat Squishy and is currently on maternity leave following the birth of her 1st child.
Amara Groves RVN-Qualified Registered Nurse
Amara joined us back in 2017 to gain work experience towards her Level 3 qualification in Animal Management with Myerscough College. After completion, Amara carried out a BTEC level 3 extended diploma in science at Blackburn College. She continued to work for us as a nursing assistant during the holidays and weekends, this was along side her part-time job as a stable hand, which she had done since school.
Amara's career ambition to qualify as a Registered Veterinary Nursing (R.V.N) was realised when she graduated in 2023 with a Foundation degree in Science in Veterinary Nursing. We were her assigned training practice throughout the duration of her studies.
Orinignally born in Surrey and relocated to the North West when she was 9 years old, she now lives with her partner and has just returned to the practice after having her 1st child at Christmas 2025.
Her hobbies are eventing and show jumping with her beloved horse Bonnie, which takes up most of her spare time.
Sara Botella Matali-Trainee
My name is Sara, and I am a veterinary nurse qualified in Spain. Since moving to the UK 8 years ago, I have been gaining hands on experience working as an ACA supporting the veterinary team while continuing to develop my skills. I have also gained experience in practice through my work with Vets4Pets.
I have worked in a pet boarding facility and on a farm, where I cared for animals and enjoyed educating visitors by giving talks about the animals.
I have an interest in animal care; From companion animals to farm animals and wildlife, and I am always keen to keep learning and developing my skills. Now that I have joined the team at Daisy Street Vets, I am excited to continue expanding my knowledge and growing within the profession.
Living with me in England I have two cats, Cleo and Claus, two rabbits, Donatella and Tomás, and a fish called McKenzie II. In Spain, I also have a dog, Tabata, and a cat, Ambar, who live with my mother.
My long term goal is to become a Veterinary Surgeon, and I am currently pursuing a degree in Biology to help me achieve this.
Receptionists
Our wonderful reception team are always here to help, either on the phone or in reception, ready to to great you and your pet's with a smile when you arrive.
Sharon Exton
Judith Gaffney
