Our Team Members
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Nicki
Nicky joined us in 2020 as a veterinary receptionist. Nicky has always enjoyed working with animals and has previously worked in kennels and doggy day care. In her spare time Nicki is kept busy with her family, they love travelling and going on long walks with their Labrador teddy and pony buttercup.
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Samantha
RVNSamantha Palmer joined us in 2020. She is a qualified RVN and works between practice and a Veterinary Nursing University. She has a young lurcher called Hunter, who loves walks in the woods.
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Wendy
Wendy joined us in 2022 and has experience in banking, insurance and customer services. In her spare time she enjoys reading, spending time with her family and travelling.
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Carole
Practice Manager
Brought up around animals, Carole’s mum was in animal rescue and they still work together outside of Willows, assisting animals to find loving homes. Previously Carole worked in a bank for 20 years, before she decided to commit her efforts to animal care. Carole’s pets are her life including two dogs, Mylo and Roxie.
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Kamal
Clinical Director
Kamal has been a veterinary surgeon since the early 1990s, working with small animals and their owners to provide outstanding pet healthcare services. For the first 12 years he gained experience with a leading regional veterinary group, following which Kamal opened Willows in January 2004. Outside of practice Kamal enjoys spending time with his family, travel and keeping up to date with global politics and economy.
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Ana
Veterinary Surgeon
I qualified in Zagreb, Croatia in 2018. I worked in mixed practice for a few years before Joining Willows in 2020. My biggest passion is surgery, and I am currently working towards my certificate in small animal surgery. In 2022 we started to offer Laparoscopic surgery as a less invasive alternative to a routine spay surgery, I have loved having this option to offer our clients the highest standard of care that we can. I love to spend my free time walking with my husband and our 3 Croatian Sheepdogs, foraging & travelling.
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Nisha Raghukumar
Veterinary Surgeon
I qualified from the University of Edinburgh Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in 2023 and am originally from Canada. Prior to being a vet, I used to extensively volunteer in animal shelters and wildlife rehabilitation, and enjoy working with a variety of species. As a vet, I am particularly interested in feline medicine, and small animal dermatology.In my spare time, I enjoy painting, drawing, alternative music, video gaming and attempting to garden. However, my biggest passion in life is doting on my rescued cat, Rumpus. -
Victoria
Head Nurse
Vicky joined Willows in 2009 as a newly qualified veterinary nurse, before rejoining in 2019 after spells teaching veterinary nursing and working in a referral centre. Her love of animals started in primary school and she has grown up with a huge range of pets. Outside work her time is occupied with two dogs, Lola and Rascal, Alan the cat and Star the horse.
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Iain
Head Nurse
Iain joined the Boldon team in August 2014, bringing over three decades of experience as a veterinary nurse, including eight years as head nurse at a veterinary hospital in Darlington. Gracie and Mia, two little dogs, take up most of Iain’s time and he enjoys walking with them in the Lake District and keeping fit.
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Beth
Deputy Head Nurse
Beth joined the willows team in 2020 as a registered veterinary nurse. She has always loved animals from a young age and always knew this is the career she wanted. Previously she worked in a veterinary hospital. Beth has recently become deputy head nurse at our South Shields branch. She spends her spare time with her Labrador Callie, enjoying long walks and exploring new places. She also has two horses, scarlet and Bruno, and two rabbits Millie and Willow.
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Iona
RVN
I grew up with a menagerie of animals, including two rescue dogs, three cats, two rabbits, four rescue guinea pigs and a rescue chinchilla, encouraging me to pursue my career in the veterinary industry. I Qualified as an Auxiliary Nurse in June 2016 and started working for Willows in November 2016. I was then given the opportunity to start training as a veterinary nurse in 2018 and Qualified in May 2022. I love spending my free time either caring for my animals,1 cat, 1 dog & 2 rabbits or out running with my local running club.
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Demi-Lee Wheldon
RVN
Demi is a registered veterinary nurse and the most recent addition to our nursing team. Prior to starting at willows demi studied at university and worked in a veterinary hospital. Demi enjoys spending time with her family and pets outside of work.
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Harriett Mcewan
Student Veterinary Nurse
I have always loved being around animals and rescuing animals from a young age. I’ve worked in a range of animal environments from pet shops to cat cafes. I’ve work in a veterinary hospital for 6 years and hope to complete my training soon to be an RVN. in my spare time I like to go on long walks in the woods and lake district and spend time with my dog Helga 2 cats Oscar and Mabel and my hedgehog stevie.
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Amber
Veterinary Surgeon
I’m originally from Texas but qualified in 2019 from the University of Glasgow. I worked in mixed practice for a few years before joining Willows in 2023. I enjoy all aspects of general practice, but my passion is in surgery and emergency medicine. Outside of work, I like spending time with my pets as well as travelling.
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Lynsey
Surgical Support
Lynsey has worked with Kamal since she was 16, and was one of the first members of the Willows team. She is an extremely experienced non-qualified nurse, and assists with all aspects of veterinary care. Outside of work Lynsey enjoys doting on daughter Maisy, eating out, going to the cinema and theatre, and spending time with her niece and nephew.
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Summa
Veterinary Care Assistant
In 2021 I started as a student and qualified as an ANA with help from the Willows team. I absolutely love it here! I grew up with a lot of pets which gave me the passion I have for animals. I always knew as a child I wanted to work around them. Being able to do my job is a dream come true. In my spare time my favourite thing to do is spend time with my family and adopted cat Bruce.
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Jade Kendrick
Veterinary Care Assistant
I have been a VCA since 2015 & joined the Willows Team in 2023. I have always loved caring for animals & feel lucky that I am in a career where I can do what I’m most passionate about. Outside of work, I spend my time going on long walks with my dog, Atlas & having cuddles with my 3 cats: Kovu, River & Rogue.
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Lauren Henley
VCA
Hello! I’m Lauren a veterinary care assistant! I’m originally from south Devon and I relocated up to the chilly north a couple years ago!I previously spent my life travelling and working abroad and in my spare time I love to be outdoors, eating as I’m a massive foodie or getting more stamps on my passport and planning my next trip! I’mA cat mum to two kittens and my pride and joy is my Labrador Mabel! -
Ruby James
Student VCA
Ruby joined the Willows team in January 2024 as a volunteer while studying animal care. She then, as of September 2024, joined the team as a Veterinary care assistant. She spends her spare time with her two Staffies, Blu and Nala.
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Caitlin
Receptionist
Caitlin joined the team in 2019 and is loving every minute of her time here. She has a diploma in animal management and has spent time as a dog groomer. Originally from Richmond in North Yorkshire, she has lived in South Shields since 2014, and enjoys allowing her three children, three dogs and two cats to keep her busy.
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Anne
Receptionist
Anne was manageress of a local wine bar in South Shields before joining Willows in 2006, which along with a range of computing courses, stands her in good stead as a receptionist! Born and bred in South Shields, Anne enjoys travelling, particularly the Middle East, as well as spending time with her family and grandchildren.
