Our Staff and Pets
At Chestnuts you will always find a friendly face, whether it is one of our receptionists, vets or nurses. To find out more about any of our staff please click on the relevant section below.
Angus Buckling
Angus joined Chestnuts in 1971 from Glasgow University. He became a partner in 1973. Angus has seen the practice change and develop from the predominantly farm and equine practice of the seventies, to the modern and extensively equipped small animal and pets practice of today. He is based mainly at our Hertford, Fore Street branch and has a particular interest in all aspects of surgery. He is also closely involved in rescue centre work, looking after the waifs and strays that pass through the Blue Cross adoption centre in Kimpton. Out of work, Angus enjoys spending time with his young grandchildren,when he is not on the golf course!
Michelle White
Michelle qualified from the RoyalVeterinary College in June 1995 and has worked at Chestnuts ever since. She became a partner in 2000. She has a particular interest in all aspects of feline medicine and surgery, along with the special care required for critical and intensive-care patients. She frequently attends national conferences to keep up-to-date with the most current and state-of-the art techniques, ideas and equipment available to us. Michelle is also keen to promote an understanding of the relationship between behaviour and disease, and how this can improve the quality of life of our patients and their owners!
Michelle is heavily involved in the organisation of the practice, ensuring we strive to maintain and exceed current RCVS practice standard schemes. As a trained nursing assessor, she also has responsibility for the training of student veterinary nurses. Michelle also updates our ‘Twitter’ page on behalf of Scooter, the Chestnut’s resident cat – do look us up under Chestnutvets on www.twitter.com.
At home, Michelle has a tabby cat called Archie, and a very demanding Siamese called Ernie. She is currently learning Portuguese and enjoys travelling to put her language skills to good use!
Paul Walden 
Paul qualified from the Royal Veterinary College in 1989 and has been with our practice since 1993. He became a partner in 1995 and is based mainly at our Hoe Lane branch in Ware.
Paul has a wealth of experience in all aspects of veterinary medicine and surgery, being particularly interested in the orthopaedic and soft tissue surgical cases. He is heavily involved in the management of the practice, and is responsible for keeping our website up-to-date with the latest information.
Away from work, Paul enjoys participating in and watching sports, being a keen skier and badminton player. Paul is also kept very busy with his two young sons.
Fiona Smith
Fiona graduated from Cambridge University and joined our practice in 2005. She is interested in all aspects of soft tissue surgery, medicine and imaging but has a particular interest in cardiology, performing many of the cardiac assessments including ECGs and doppler echocardiograms for the practice. She was awarded her post-graduate RCVS Certificate in Small Animal Medicine in 2010.
Fiona regularly attends local and national conferences, and is actively involved with the regional BSAVA committee helping to organise talks by renowned speakers in the veterinary field for local colleagues, and acting as a mentor for veterinary surgeons studying for the BSAVA post-graduate certificate in small animal medicine. She is keen to promote animal care in the local community, regularly organising and running workshops in local schools. She also writes a monthly ‘blog’ for the online Hertfordshire Mercury paper, and organises and supervises the placements we offer for veterinary students at our practice.
In her spare time, Fiona is a keen musician, playing saxophone in a local jazz band. She also enjoys horse-riding and is kept busy by her very active young Springer Spaniel called Daisy, and her family’s small herd of alpacas!
Jackie Baillie 
Jackie graduated from Glasgow University and joined us at Chestnuts in 2005 following a year in mixed practice in Essex.
Jackie has experience in all aspects of veterinary medicine and is a versatile surgeon enjoying both soft tissue and orthopaedic surgical procedures. Since working at Chestnuts, Jackie has adopted two scruffy stray cats, Alfie and Molly.
In 2010, Jackie became a Mum to baby Caitlin. She returned to work part-time at our Hoe Lane surgery in 2011 but will soon be on maternity leave for her second baby. In her spare time, she is a keen skier and plays netball in a local team.
Catherine Hemingway 
Catherine joined Chestnuts in 2007 having graduated from the Royal Veterinary College the previous year. She has a particular interest in dermatology but enjoys all aspects of medicine and surgery. She would like to develop her interest in orthopaedics, and is looking forward to starting to study for a general practice certificate in small animal practice in the future. Catherine has completed her training as a student nurse assessor and is now actively involved in the veterinary nurse training in our practice, and in the organisation of regular ‘open evenings’ in the practice for our registered clients.
Catherine recently got married, and enjoys travelling and salsa dancing with her husband along with looking after her naughty kitten ‘Monkey’
Christopher Pennelegion
Chris qualified from the Royal Veterinary College in July 2009 and joined Chestnuts shortly after this to cover Jackie’s maternity leave. He has
now returned to the RVC to study for a PhD entitled ‘The use of CRD-Fc fusions proteins to enhance pathogen killing’. He still works part-time at Chestnuts, working some Saturdays. In his spare time, Chris is an avid baker and likes playing squash.
Cathy Curtis
Dermatology Specialist (Referrals)
Cathy qualified from the RVC, London in 1989. After a few years working in general practice, she worked and travelled abroad for 10 months before returning to the RVC to undertake a dermatology residency. She gained the RCVS Diploma in Veterinary Dermatology and was appointed a RCVS-recognised specialist in dermatology in 1997. She now holds specialist dermatology clinics at the Hoe Lane practice twice a week. Cathy's outside interests include foreign languages and cooking, although her two young children take up most of her spare time!
Phillipa Dobbs
Phillipa qualified from the Royal Veterinary College in 2011, graduating with honours. She completed a number of her formal training
placements here with us at Chestnuts, and we are excited to welcome her into our team. Before training to be a vet, Pip worked at Paignton Zoo in Devon, and also completed an honours degree in Animal Science. She has a wide interest in all aspects of veterinary medicine, but a particular interest in, and a wealth of knowledge relating to our exotic patients. Her husband is also a keeper at London Zoo!
Out of work, Pip has two cats called Molly and Sox, and a Border Terrier called Bracken who she enjoys training with a local flyball team.
Julia Newman
Julia qualified from the Royal Veterinary College in 1994, and initially started her career with us here at Chestnuts. Following this, Julia expanded her breadth of experience at a number of different practices but in 2003 she returned to us in Hertfordshire. Following the birth of her two children, Julia has continued to work with us on a part-time basis, mainly at our Ware Road clinic. She enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine, but has a particular interest in surgery. She has also completed training in complementary medicine and acupuncture and runs our regular acupuncture clinics at our Ware Road branch.
At home, Julia has a labrador called Lily, and two young kittens called Big Bad Billy, and Ruby.
Rachel Cox
Rachel graduated from Cambridge University in 1998, and built up experience in a variety of small animal practices in the South East of England. She joined Chestnuts in 2003 but left to raise a young family – we are pleased she has returned to work part-time on some Saturdays for us.
Hannah Forrest
Head Nurse and Qualified Veterinary Nurse (on maternity leave)
Hannah joined us at Chestnuts in 1995 and commenced her formal nurse training in 1999. Shortly after qualifying in 2002, she was promoted to the position of Head Nurse. Hannah plays a pivotal role in the management of our nursing team and having qualified as a student nurse assessor in 2003, is actively involved in the training of nurses within the practice. Hannah has a wealth of experience in all aspects of medical and surgical veterinary nursing. She also plays a big role in promoting animal welfare in the local community, helping to organise and run workshops for local children.
At home, Hannah has a lovely fluffy cat called ‘Inca', ideally named to reflect her love of travel and adventure, having climbed mountains such as Kilimanjaro, and completed expeditions including the Inca Trail. She is also a keen skier in her spare time. From the start of 2012, Hannah is on maternity leave following the birth of her first child.
Gemma Glover
Qualified Veterinary Nurse and Head Nurse
Gemma completed a four-year degree course in Veterinary Nursing and became qualified and listed in July 2005. During her degree course she completed a placement with us at Chestnuts, and we were thrilled that she took up a full-time nursing position with us following her graduation. Gemma has a particular interest in animal behaviour and nutrition, and has completed additional courses on the specific role nurses can play in the management of patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes. Gemma has also now taken up the position of Head Nurse.
Gemma has two dogs at home – a Jack Russell called Ralph, and a Springer Spaniel called Ella. She writes a regular ‘blog’ about their antics on the local website ‘The Best of Hertford’.
Claire Burt 
Qualified Veterinary Nurse and Senior Nurse
Claire joined the practice in 1990, originally being based at our Fore Street Surgery in Hertford. She completed her formal qualifications in 2000 . Claire has a wealth of knowledge in the veterinary field, and is experienced in all aspects of medical and surgical veterinary nursing. She has also completed further training in the specialist advice required to guide our clients on animal nutrition.
Claire has a spaniel called Kojak, and two Shetland ponies. She now works part-time at our Hoe Lane branch, being kept busy with her two young children, Harrison and Matilda.
Helen King
Qualified Veterinary Nurse – Head nurse at our Ware Road branch
Helen joined us in 1996. Following a short break to raise a family, we have welcomed her back on a part-time basis at our Ware and Ware road branches. Helen is experienced in all aspects of medical and surgical veterinary nursing. She has recently completed an in-depth anaesthesia course with the Royal Veterinary College, which is one of her particular interests.
At home, Helen has a gorgeous black labrador called Wilma, who you may see sometimes with her at work.
Mel Berry 
Qualified Veterinary Nurse
Mel started to work at our Hertford Fore Street branch in 2002 where she completed her Animal Nursing qualification. She transferred to our Hoe Lane branch in 2004 to complete her formal Veterinary Nursing training, and she qualified in 2007. Mel enjoys all aspects of veterinary nursing and has a particular depth of knowledge regarding the special care of exotic species. Mel also takes a special interest in the laboratory and microscopy component of veterinary nursing, and the role this plays in the diagnosis of various diseases.
Mel has recently been on maternity leave following the birth of her daughter, Ruby, but has returned to us on a part-time basis.
Mel owns a cat called Izzie, and a Staffordshire Bull Terrier called Harvey, who sometimes comes into work with her. She also has a ferret and a lizard! Mel also regularly looks after abandoned or ill ducklings in the Spring, which she then releases onto her parents’ pond.
Carolyn Burton
Qualified Veterinary Nurse
Carolyn joined us at Chestnuts whilst completing her formal placements in practice, during her foundation degree in Veterinary Nursing. Following qualifying and registering in 2009, we are pleased she has commenced a full-time position with us at our Hoe Lane branch. Carolyn has an enviable knowledge on the specific care of exotic patients, having owned a variety of such pets herself, from reptiles such as her bearded dragon Eddie, through to rats, degus, guinea pigs, rabbits and gerbils to name a few! She has also attended courses dealing specifically with the veterinary care of these species to expand her experience in this field.
Carolyn also has a special interest in anaesthesia and the essential role our nurses play in the constant monitoring of surgical patients.
At home, Carolyn also owns two very bouncy Labradors called Riley and Amber.
Jodie Hill 
Qualified Veterinary Nurse
Jodie splits her time between our Ware Road and Hoe Lane surgeries. She was previously an Animal Nursing Assistant based at our Hertford Fore Street Surgery, where she gained her ANA qualification, achieving a well-earned distinction. Following this, she stayed with us to complete her formal veterinary nursing training, and qualified and registered as a Veterinary Nurse in 2010. Jodie is involved in all aspects of veterinary nursing but has a particular interest in the nursing care and rehabilitation of critically ill patients. At home, Jodie has a lovely Ragdoll kitten called Crystal.
Siobhan Griffin
Qualified Veterinary Nurse
Siobhan initially started her career at Chestnuts at our Fore Street branch. As a fully qualified and registered Veterinary Nurse she now alternates her time between our Ware Road and Hoe Lane branches.
Siobhan has developed a keen interest in Animal Behaviour. She has completed a large number of relevant courses and is currently studying for her Ncert(AMBEH), an Improve International nursing qualification in animal behaviour. Siobhan is establishing regular socialisation classes for new puppies that are registering at our practice where she will also be able to advise on preventative health care.
A keen traveller, Siobhan is a talented scuba diver and enjoys visiting exotic places during her holidays.
Lorraine Langmead
Qualified Veterinary Nurse
Lorraine has completed a Foundation Degree in Veterinary Nursing through the Royal Veterinary College, having already been awarded a first class honours degree in Pharmacology. As a student she was awarded the Kennel Club Charitable Trust Veterinary Nursing Degree Bursary at the BVNA Congress in 2008 for her excellent work. She completed her formal training placements here with us at Chestnuts, and subsequently commenced a full time position with us here as a qualified and registered Veterinary Nurse.
She has a wealth of experience in relation to exotic patients, having three rabbits, two guinea pigs and a chinchilla at home, and an enviable knowledge of the care and husbandry of many of the more unusual patients that we see.
Lorraine also has a special interest in obesity and the negative impact this can have on a patient’s health. Consequently she has set up an ‘obesity scheme’ allowing clients to regularly see her for free of charge appointments to chart their pet’s progress and discuss their specific needs in losing weight and getting them back to optimum health and fitness.
At home, Lorraine is kept busy with walking her dog ‘Cody’, who you may have also seen in our reception.
Emma Hugill
Qualified Veterinary Nurse
Emma has recently qualified as a Veterinary Nurse, having completed a four year degree course at the Royal Veterinary College.
She started with us as a ‘Saturday girl’ at our Ware Road branch in 2004, and we have been thrilled to have her train with us through her degree during her practical placements. Her recent qualification is very well deserved and she will be a great asset to our team. At home, Emma has a bouncy Golden Retriever called Benson, and a rather chunky cat called Hyper! She is also a talented dancer.
Sarah Stevens
Animal Nursing Assistant
Sarah joined the practice in February 2008. She is based at our Fore Street branch and qualified as an Animal Nursing Assistant in June 2009, achieving a distinction. Her next step is to start training to be a qualified Veterinary Nurse. Sarah has two rabbits, Bella and Benny.
Jan Gill 
Animal Nursing Assistant
Jan joined the practice in 2003 as a receptionist at our Hoe Lane branch. In 2007 she transferred to our Fore Street branch where she qualified, with distinction, as an Animal Nursing Assistant at the age of 54! She has two cats, Razzle and Tilda. Jan regularly cares for cats in their homes whilst their owners are on holiday.
Sue Lobb 
Animal Nursing Assistant
Sue joined the practice in 2000. Based at our Fore Street branch she is a qualified Animal Nursing Assistant and qualified canine beautician. She owns a lovely 11 year old staffie called Maisie, and Belle a lovely welsh cob that she enjoys hacking and taking on sponsored rides.
Jane Weiss
Qualified Veterinary Nurse
Jane is a qualified Veterinary Nurse. She started working at our Fore Street branch in 1984 as a young girl fulfilling her dream of working with animals. Over the years she has built up a wealth of experience and is a familiar and friendly face for many of our longstanding clients. She also has a keen interest in weight clinics and is always willing to offer advice and tips on how to help our pets maintain a slim waist-line. She now works part-time as she has a young family.
Mrs Beckham, Red and Tango are her three lovely fluffy cats. She is a keen netball player and is also treasurer of Ware Riding Club, often commentating at their charitable events.
Jacqui Butler 
Head Receptionist
Jacqui
started work at our practice 27 years ago and consequently has seen a huge variety of patients and their conditions over the years. She left work to raise two children, but returned to our Hoe Lane branch in 1994 as our Head Receptionist.
At home, Jacqui has a bearded collie called Joshua and two cats called Freddie and Chloe, She has a particular soft spot for British Short-haired cats
Jacqui Davey
Accounts/Administrations Officer
Jacqui joined our practice in 2003 and is in charge of our accounts department. She also plays a pivotal role liasing between our different departments. She shares her desk with Scooter, our resident cat who you may see over the counter in our Hoe Lane surgery!
At home, Jacqui has two cats called Bubbles and Poppet. In her spare time she is a keen outdoor bowler.
Marie Pentecost 
Receptionist
Marie started working at Chestnuts in 2003 and enjoys seeing the variety of patients that we have coming into our clinic. She is the proud owner of Izzy, who is a very well behaved working Springer Spaniel you may see lying under our desk in reception when Marie is working!
Marie enjoys walking in the local countryside with Izzy, and in her spare time is a keen and talented skier.
Georgie Seaman 
Receptionist
Georgie joined our practice as a receptionist in 2000. She has a caring approach to all our patients, but has a special bond with greyhounds – actively supporting the Greyhound Trust in her spare time, by walking and helping with fundraising.
Leigh Lawrence
Receptionist
Leigh has been working at Chestnuts since 2002. As well as owning two cocker spaniels called Ted and Betty, she has a menagerie of pets at home including rabbits and guinea pigs. Leigh has a vast amount of experience in the husbandry and care of such pets and is always willing to advise and offer tips to our clients on the special care of these smaller patients! She spends much of her time out of work offering a home boarding service for rabbits and guinea pigs when their families are away on holiday.
Mo Lloyd 
Receptionist
Mo has been with our practice since 1999 and is heavily involved in processing and resolving problems relating to completion of insurance claims applications on behalf of our clients. Mo has two rescue German Shepherd dogs called Jake and Megan, and a rescue ‘teacup’ Yorkshire Terrier called Alfie, who thinks he’s a German Shepherd!
Julie Babbage
Receptionist
Julie joined us at our Hoe Lane branch in 2008. Not new to the field of medicine, Julie had previously had a very successful career as a ‘human’ nurse, before leaving work to have a family. She now enjoys combining working in a medical environment with day-to-day contact with animals as well!
Julie has three lovely cats at home called Harry, Tim and Wilf, and has a particular love of the ginger cats that come into the clinic!
Scooter 
Scooter is our adopted practice cat who lives with us at Hoe lane. She broke her back after falling from a flat window as a kitten and we gave her a home as we can look after her here.
Kelly
Qualified Dog Beautician
