01728 861289
OUR TEAM
At the heart of Debenham Veterinary Practice are our people - all dedicated to providing the very best care and medicine for you and your pets. Each of us is passionate about pets, each bringing our own unique blend of experience and expertise to the practice.
PETER WILSON
BSC VET BSC(HONS) BVMS CERTVOPHTHAL MRCVS
Veterinary Ophthalmologist and Practice Owner
-
Peter graduated from Murdoch University, Australia, in 2000 after a first degree in Environmental Sciences. He came to the UK to work in 2001 and gained his Certificate in Ophthalmology in 2008. He started Debenham Veterinary Practice in January 2014 and heads the ophthalmology department with particular interests in corneal, glaucoma and cataract surgery. Peter shares his home with Doggit a broken, rescue French Bulldog and Toothless a magnificent rescue cat.
FRANCESCA CAPALDO
RCVS ADVANCED PRACTITIONER IN VETERINARY OPHTHALMOLOGY DVM MPHIL PGCERTSAOPHTHAL MRCVS
Veterinary Ophthalmologist
-
Francesca graduated from the University of Naples in 1999 and gained her both her Masters in Veterinary Science and her Certificate in Ophthalmology in 2017. Francesca undertook a Research Fellowship in Ophthalmology at Penn State University before moving to the UK, where she worked first at The AHT before joining our ophthalmology department in 2019. She loves her Yamaha motorbike, is passionate about her family and misses the sun in Italy. Francesca enjoys teaching and her particular interest and research is in tear film production. Francesca shares her home with Zorro and Luna her Parsons/Dachshund crosses and Amber a miniature poodle.
BEN GARLAND
RCVS ADVANCED PRACTITIONER IN
SMALL ANIMAL SURGERY
BVETMED CERTAVP (GSAS)
MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Ben graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2014 and gained his Certificate in Small Animal Surgery in 2020. Ben previously worked in referral practice where he attained his Advanced Veterinary Practitioner status before joining us in 2021 and setting up our surgical referral service in 2022. When not in surgery or working out he loves nothing more than planning surgeries. Ben shares his home with Fred his mongrel dog.
HEATHER COLLINSON
BVETMED MRCVS
Head Veterinary Surgeon
Heather graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 1995 and chose to work in first opinion and emergency care settings enjoying the challenge of a varied caseload. Heather joined us in 2021 bringing experience and a particular interest in endocrine disease and is studying for a Certificate in Medicine. Heather shares her home with Bramble and Truffle the miniature poodles, Olaf a Lovebird, Clover and Dandelion the rabbits, Paws the cat and a tank of tropical fish.
JAMES GIBSON
BSC(HONS) BVETMED MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
James graduated from the RVC in 1995 and is currently studying for a Certificate in Veterinary Ophthalmology. After first working in the UK in general practice he spent ten years in Uganda with his family where he taught and worked at Makerere University. James joined our first opinion team in 2019 on his return to the UK and is also involved in the planning of our Radioactive Iodine Unit. He brings a lot of humour to the team, likes dancing, dislikes bad grammar and is passionate about his family. James shares his home with his spaniel Thor, Lulu the gerbil and Oreo and Saffron the guinea pigs.
MARIE BEALES
BVSC GPCERT(EM&S) PGC SAEMS MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
-
Marie graduated from the University of Bristol in 2016 and gained her Certificate in Small Animal Emergency Medicine and Surgery in 2021. Marie joined our first opinion team in 2020, loves emergency care and is currently studying for a Certificate in Imaging. She is a master cake baker, enjoys the countryside and walking and has a love for all things related to cows. Marie shares her home with Lily, Ellie and Stanley her beloved Labradors and Wilma her cat.
PIPPA CHILDS
RCVS ADVANCED PRACTITIONER IN
VETERINARY OPHTHALMOLOGY
BVETMED PGCERTSAOPHTHAL
MRCVS
Veterinary Ophthalmologist and Surgeon
-
Pippa graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 1997 and gained her Certificate in Veterinary Ophthalmology in 2021 shortly followed by her Advanced
Practitioner status. Pippa worked at another large independent practice before joining our ophthalmology department in 2021. Pippa is a keen poultry keeper and shares her home with Muffin and Dot her mongrel dogs alongside James and Bumble her cats.
JOE POACHER
BVMSci MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Joe joined us for professional work experience during his veterinary degree, asked to come back and then asked us if he could join the team permanently. Joe is a Lego and Mini enthusiast and shares his home with Woody the German Sheperd.
Harriet McAuslan
BVetMed BSc(Hons) MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Harriet joined us after completing two degrees and working at another local practice. She enjoys polo in her spare time and is also a Mini enthusiast
JO STEPHENSON
Head of Clinical Nursing
Jo is part of our Senior Nursing Team and along with all her experience she has a particular interest in CT and imaging and a real love for cytology. She was Head Nurse at another large practice before joining us and is passionate about her team. She has a black belt, has fished all over the world, has recently picked up her paintbrushes again and is a woodworking marvel. Jo shares her home with dogs Eider, Steller and Rusby, Milo the cat, Flora and Runa the ferrets and a host of tropical fish and chickens.
LAURA BARTHOLOMEW
Head of Nursing Management
Laura is part of our Senior Nursing Team and is a Feline Champion at the practice.Before joining us she ran another practice, and is instrumental in the smooth running of our pharmacy. She loves swimming and has a very dry sense of humour. Laura shares her home with Riley the whippet and Caesar the rescue Burmese cat.
ALISON DEVONSHIRE
Senior RVN
Alison is part of our Senior Nursing Team and is our senior anaesthesia and cataract nurse. She is currently studying for a Masters in Anaesthesia at the University of Edinburgh and develops our nursing CPD programme. She enjoys the great outdoors, regularly paddle boards and canoes and is a Crossfit devotee. Alison shares her home with Bess the spaniel, Joey and Remus the gerbils, Eddie the axolotl and Mrs. Chicken (the chicken).
LESLEY RAMSAY
Senior RVN
-
Lesley is part of our Senior Nursing Team and is our wildlife champion at the practice. She is passionate about nursing clinics and the benefit of preventative pet health services and has been instrumental in the setting up of our compassionate euthanasia service. Lesley shares her home with Daisy the Labrador.
ELEANOR WOODWARD
RVN
Eleanor headed a large veterinary nursing team at another independent practice before joining us in 2021. She is passionate about post-operative and in patient care and enjoys working with owners. Eleanor shares her home with Harry and Fluffy her cats.
SARAH KELLY
RVN
Sarah joined us in 2021 and is currently studying for a Certificate in Emergency Care. Sarah shares her home (at a distance!) with her partner’s snakes and is about to bring home a very beautiful Labrador puppy.
HANNAH DURLING
RVN
-
Hannah joined us for study periods whilst training as a Veterinary Nurse during which time she won an award for her dissertation on diabetes. After spending time in both referral and first opinion practice as a qualified RVN she has returned to Debenham Vets to further her career. She remains passionate about nursing clinics and preventative healthcare and has a secret love of alpaca's. Hannah shares her home with Ola a 10 year old diabetic cat she has adopted since returning to us.
CHARLOTTE COOPER-KEEBLE
RVN
-
Charlotte completed her training with us and particularly enjoys theatre nursing and ophthalmology. She is the rabbit champion at Debenham Vets and is passionate about rabbit care in both the home and clinical environments. She enjoys socialising and sleeping. Charlotte shares her home with Pedro, Dante and Leo her mischievous cats.
SOPHIE OLDHAM
RVN
Sophie joined the practice as a maternity cover nurse, quickly became a permanent member of the team and has a particular interest in imaging. She was previously a chef but says that she is much happier working with animals than cooking them. She loves cocktails and the great outdoors and is another spectacular baker. Sophie shares her home with Jeremy her beloved cat who was an ophthalmology client before Sophie joined us.
KIRSTY SKUDDER
RVN
Kirsty joined us in 2021 and really enjoys emergency nursing, patient care and client relationships. She has always wanted to work in the veterinary field and enjoys sewing and dressmaking in her spare time. Kirsty shares her home with Myrtle, Loki and Marcel her cat collective.
JESS BEWLEY
RVN
-
Jess worked in library and prison services before moving to veterinary nursing and completing her training with us. She has a particular interest in surgical nursing and has become an avid houseplant collector. Jess shares her home with Teapot, Tadpole and Toad her cats.
JEMMA FRY
RVN & IRVAP PHYSIOTHERAPIST
-
Jemma previously worked in the physiotherapy department of a large referral centre before retraining as a veterinary nurse and completing her training with us. She particularly enjoys inpatient care and physiotherapy and loves paddle boarding and horse riding. Jemma shares her home with Bracken and Wilbur the whippets and spends a lot of time in the saddle.
VICKY SORHAINDO
RVN
Vicky joined us to gain some voluntary work experience for a day a week and she impressed us so much that we persuaded her to train with our nursing team. She particularly enjoys cytology and pharmacology and shares her home with Teddy the bichon frise and Cleo the cockapoo.
KAYLEY ABLEY
RVN
-
Kayley trained with our nursing team and has a background in customer care and veterinary reception. She enjoys horse riding, ice skating and loves great customer service. Kayley shares her home with Charlie the French Bulldog and Leo the cat.
ASHLEIGH GORMER
Student Nurse
Ashleigh joined us in 2021 having wanted to be a zoo keeper from an early age and after a sidestep into human nursing. When not busy with us she enjoys being outside in the countryside walking, birdwatching and litter picking. Ashleigh shares her home with Timothy the Dwarf Hamster.
EF
Animal Care Assistant
-
EF joined us in 2021 to further her career having qualified with another practice.
JADE MARTIN
HR, Finance & Practice Owner
-
Jade has degrees in Theology and Law and thought that Peter was such a great vet that she married him. She has been the driving force behind finding and securing premises and now assists across the practice whilst looking after the team and focussing on development. She shares her home with Doggit the rescue French Bulldog and Toothless, a very large rescue long haired cat.
LISA WILSON
Practice Manager
-
Lisa has a background in veterinary nursing and rejoined us in 2021 as our Practice Manager. Lisa is usually to be found outdoors running, gardening or cleaning out her chickens, has a fantastic shirt collection and hates aubergines. Lisa shares her home with Ella the jack russell and many fowl.
MANDY COTTRELL
Senior Client Care Team
-
Mandy spent a large part of her career in human healthcare settings before joining us and brings huge experience and a lot of laughter to the team. She enjoys music and dress from the 1940’s and 50’s and a gardener who grows spectacular dahlias for her to enjoy in her garden. Mandy shares her home with Freddie and Felix the cats.
EMILY FORSDYKE
Senior Client Care Team
-
Emily joined us with previous banking and veterinary experience. Emily loves savoury baking and has played darts very successfully at County level. She shares her home with Arthur, Bella, Cruella, Freddy, Gizzy, Martha, Reek, Willow, Woody and Huckleberry the cats. She also has a tiny bit of space for Bandit the husky, Calamity the malamute and some chickens.
CORRAN TURNER
Referral Co-Ordinator
-
Corran worked with another large veterinary team prior to joining us and is experienced with veterinary referrals and account management. She works closely with our referral surgeons and referring practices, has just renovated an old property and is now enjoying the fruits of her (literal) labour. Corran shares her home with Rupert the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
GEMMA HAMBLETT
Client Care Team
Gemma joined us in 2021 after working previously in emergency commercial logistics and wedding planning. Gemma has her own smallholding where she looks after a flock of geese, chickens, a collection of felines and others and alongside front of house client car she also assist with our pet plans.
GEORGE REEVES
Client Care Team
-
George joined us with a customer service background predominantly in financial services. He is currently petless, loves AFC Claydon and playing football, loves people with a good sense of humour and shares his home with Mac the cat.
JULIA REGAN
Client Care Team
-
Julia joined us from a background in client care and loves being outdoors. Although Julia doesn’t share her home with any pets on a permanent basis at the moment, it is regularly full of other people’s pets that she is babysitting.
HAYLEY SCOTT-WEBB
Client Care Team
Hayley joined us in 2021 with an incredible wealth of experience in veterinary client care. She is committed to client relationships and provides a reassuring and professional welcome. Hayley shares her home with Buster, Lexi and Loulou her chihuahuas and Eric and Ernie her Oriental cats.
REBECCA PRICE
Client Care Team
Rebecca joined us having previously worked as a Veterinary Nurse and in client care. She deals with insurance and referral administration alongside support for our client care team. She shares her home with Cassie the Border Collie.
JESS WOOLRICH
Training and Research Officer
Jess worked previously as part of a large veterinary nursing team and then lectured in Veterinary Nursing before joining us in 2022. She recently received her Postgraduate Certificate in Veterinary Education from the RVC and oversees the training and CPD for our clinical teams, assists with development of our external CPD schedule and recruitment and works with our ophthalmology and surgical referral teams in their clinical research projects. Jess shares her home with Biff and Marty, two cats she brought back from Hong Kong with her.
JENNY JACOBS
Client Care Team
Jenny started out with us as a Saturday morning Animal Care Assistant and is currently a valued member of our Client Care and Clinic Nurse Teams. She is soon heading to university to study Veterinary Science, enjoys the piano and friends.
