Meet the team
Our caring veterinary team pride themselves on delivering great care to local pets and owners.
Sam Burnell, BVSc BSAVA PGCertSAM MRCVS
Clinical Director and Veterinary Surgeon
Originally from Burley in Wharfedale, Sam graduated from Liverpool University in 2004, after which she gained experience at practices throughout Yorkshire. She has been part of the Ashlands family since 2014, and particularly enjoys small animal medicine (an area which she holds a postgraduate certificate in) and caring for small pets.
Ben Ogden, ADCBM RVN
Practice Manager and Veterinary Nurse
Ben has been working in veterinary practices since 2004, and qualified as a registered veterinary nurse in 2008. He has been our practice manager since 2022, and enjoys volunteering as a scout leader at a local scouting troop in his spare time.
Nikki Holt, BVetMed MRCVS
Clinical Director and Veterinary Surgeon
After graduating from the Royal Veterinary College in 2009, Nikki worked at a mixed practice in Wales, before returning to her hometown of Wakefield and joining our team. She is an RCVS advanced practitioner and certificate holder in small animal surgery, and can often be found in the operating theatre at our Ilkley branch. Outside of work, she is kept busy with her three daughters and farmhouse.
Jenny Chapman, RVN CertVNECC NCert (TMedNsg)
Clinical Nurse Manager
Jenny first joined us in 2004 while completing her veterinary nursing training. In 2018, she achieved the BSAVA veterinary nursing merit award in emergency and critical care and anaesthesia. She became the head nurse at our Ilkley site the following year, before going on to complete certificates in emergency and critical care and transfusion medicine. She enjoys spending her free time with her cats and dog.
Arron Longman, BVMS MRCVS
Senior Veterinary Surgeon
Arron graduated from Glasgow University in 1994 and has been with us since 2006. He has a passion for veterinary dermatology, and has attended the World Veterinary Dermatology conference and is a member of the British Veterinary Dermatology study group, as well as the British Rabbit Council. In his own time, he enjoys running marathons, learning languages, exercising, cooking and growing his own vegetables.
Ana Devesa, PgCert SAS MRCVS
Senior Veterinary Surgeon
Ana studied and worked in Portugal before moving to the UK in 2016, and spent time at a practice in East Yorkshire before joining us in 2018. She has a particular interest in surgery, an area which she holds a certificate in. She also works to support the welfare of brachycephalic breeds as an approved assessor of the Respiratory Function Grading Scheme, which is run by the Kennel Club and the University of Cambridge.
Rosie Marshall, BVetMed PGCertSAECC MRCVS
Senior Veterinary Surgeon
Rosie hails from Yorkshire and graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2006. She is an advanced practitioner in small animal emergency and critical care, and is currently completing a certificate in small animal medicine. Outside of work, she enjoys playing football and running, having completed several marathons over the years. She also has a dog called Fonzie.
Bianca Olivier, BVSc MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Bianca is from South Africa and graduated in 2020, after which she spent a year working as a state veterinarian there. After moving to the UK, she spent time at the Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. She has a keen interest in small animal medicine and surgery, as well as emergency and critical care, which she is currently completing a certificate in. She is one of our wellness champions, and her hobbies include hiking and exploring the outdoors.
Cynthia Hodge, MA VetMB MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
After graduating from Cambridge University in 2003, Cynthia worked at practices in the Lake District and Peak District. She joined us in 2022 and is happy to be back in her native Yorkshire. She is interested in all aspects of small animal medicine, and works between our Ilkley and Skipton branches. In her free time, she enjoys walking her dog in the Dales or around the coast.
Elli-Ioanna Papazoglou, MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
After graduating in 2018, Elli worked in a 24-hour veterinary hospital in Greece, before moving to the UK the following year. She has been with us since 2019, and her main interests include medicine and dermatology. She is currently working towards a certificate in small animal medicine.
Hayley O’Reilly, BVSc, MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Spike Tatton, BVSc, MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Spike qualified from the University of Bristol in 2025 and has started his journey as a new graduate vet at Ashlands.
His interests include internal medicine, soft tissue surgery and diagnostic imaging.
Outside of work Spike enjoys music, cooking, going to the gym and being at home in the Yorkshire Dales!
Lizzie Pratt, MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Lizzie qualified from the University of Nottingham in 2024 and joined Ashlands for her first job as a new graduate vet. She has a strong passion for small animal soft tissue surgery and emergency and critical care, but is excited to explore all aspects of veterinary medicine. Outside of work Lizzie enjoys weightlifting, and long walks in the Yorkshire Dales with her silken windhound, Retter.
Ryan Newman, MVDr, MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Ryan graduated from the University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Kosice in Slovakia in 2018. He started at Ashlands in August 2018, and enrolled on the Vet Partners new graduate programme He has a cat called Jim and enjoys running outside of work.
Amy Sansby, BVM, BVS, MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Stuart Black, BVMS, MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Stuart graduated from the University of Glasgow in 2014, He has since worked in small animal practice for 2 years in Newcastle area before moving and working abroad for a further 2 years in Australia and New Zealand whilst travelling around in a camper van! He returned to the UK in 2018 where he joined the Ashlands team. He is interested in all areas in small animal practice. When not working Stuart enjoys hiking and camping particularly in the Yorkshire Dales.
Galina Harrison, RVN
Lead Veterinary Nurse
Galina qualified as a registered veterinary nurse in 2008, and worked at a veterinary dental referral practice before joining the Ashlands team in 2018. She has a particular interest in surgical nursing and is currently completing a diploma in behaviour. Much of her free time is spent crafting, gardening and taking care of her own pets.
Steph Ellis, RVN
Lead Veterinary Nurse
Sam Holmes, RVN NCert (AnaesthNsg)
Lead Veterinary Nurse
Sam completed a placement with us in 2013 while studying at the Royal Veterinary College, and qualified as a registered veterinary nurse three years later. She has been the lead nurse at our Skipton branch since 2022, and holds a nursing certificate in anaesthesia. In her own time, she enjoys walking her dog, relaxing with her cat and PC gaming.
Judith Smith, RVN
Veterinary Nurse
Jenny Sutton, RVN BSc (Hons)
Veterinary Nurse
Before qualifying as a registered veterinary nurse in 2018, Jenny worked with large animals and horses. She holds a degree in equine sports science and a level three diploma in small animal hydrotherapy, and has competed in a range of equine-related disciplines up to national level. She shares her home with her two cats and tropical fish, and enjoys mountaineering, rock climbing and growing produce in her garden.
Becky Wright, RVN
Veterinary Nurse
Becky qualified as a registered veterinary nurse in 2007, and worked at practices in Leicester, Guildford and Portsmouth before joining us in 2021. She has a passion for nurse consults, client care and education, and was named Pet Health Counsellor of the Year in 2015 for her work with clients, students and our community. In her own time, she loves watching films, knitting and cross stitching.
Zoe Andrews, RVN
Veterinary Nurse
Zoe studied at Myerscough College and qualified as a registered veterinary nurse in 2021. She has two Shetland ponies that she carriage drives, as well as four guinea pigs that she adopted from a local rescue centre.
Charlotte Jackson, RVN
Veterinary Nurse
Charlotte worked as a patient care assistant before qualifying as a registered veterinary nurse in 2019. She enjoys the varied nature of her role, but especially loves diagnostic imaging. Outside of work, she has a smallholding and a dog called Bishop, who sometimes accompanies her while she cares for her sheep and chickens. She is also an avid PC gamer.
Georgia Forder, RVN
Veterinary Nurse
Georgia has been working in vet practices since 2017, and completed her nursing training at Myerscough College four years later. She has a particular interest in surgical nursing and theatre work, and previously studied lemur behaviour in Madagascar. In her spare time, she loves playing netball, travelling, baking (and eating) goodies and cuddling her cat, Dobby.
Sarah Kitching, RVN
Day and Night Veterinary Nurse
Prior to joining our practice, Sarah worked as a receptionist and animal handler, before qualifying as a registered veterinary nurse in 2008. She enjoys all aspects of her role, but has a particular passion for emergency care, having completed her Vets Now emergency and critical care certificate in 2015. Outside of work, she enjoys walking her dogs in the countryside and trying her hand at DIY.
Laura Nelson, RVN
Night Veterinary Nurse
Laura has always loved animals, and completed an animal management course before qualifying as a registered veterinary nurse in 2015. She has a particular interest in medical nursing, and has been working as part of our nighttime emergency and inpatient care team since 2020. In her own time, she loves walking her dogs, Jazz and Poppy.
Megan Whitehead-Edwards, RVN
Registered Veterinary Nurse
Niketa Thorpe, RVN
Registered Veterinary Nurse
Ellie Judd, RVN
Registered Veterinary Nurse
Ellie joined the team in 2021 as an animal nursing assistant, and is studying veterinary nursing at Myerscough College. When she’s not working, she enjoys taking her dog, Dotty, for long walks in the local countryside.
Megan Fowler, RVN
Registered Veterinary Nurse
Megan has been a member of the Ashlands Nursing team since 2017, joining the Nursing register in 2021. Megan has a keen interest in medical nursing.
Mia Thomas
Veterinary Care Assistant
Tom Hawcroft
Veterinary Care Assistant
Tom has been surrounded by animals all of his life, which inspired him to pursue a career in the veterinary world. He loves that no day is the same, and enjoys getting to help our patients and clients every day.
Leah Loughran
Veterinary Care Assistant
Megan Rose
Animal Care Assistant
Amy Thornbarrow, RVN
Administrator
Amy began her career with our practice in 2006 and trained as a registered veterinary nurse at Myerscough College, qualifying in 2009. She later took on the role of deputy head nurse at our Glusburn branch, before progressing to deputy practice manager. She has a keen interest in physiotherapy and medical nursing, and is currently enrolled on a hydrotherapy course.
Judith Phillips
Client Services Manager
Before joining our team in 2005, Judith worked at a local doctor’s surgery. She has two grown up sons, and shares her home with her rescue cat and dog.
Alison Fortey
Receptionist
Before joining our practice in 2017, Alison spent 14 years working as a teaching assistant in a primary school. She loves spending her free time with her daughter and her cat, Tigger.
Francesca Wanley
Receptionist
Janet Gibbs
Receptionist
Julia Sabin
Receptionist
Julia was a client of ours for many years before joining our team in 2021, and has two dogs called Rhubarb and Eddie. When she’s not working, she enjoys walking in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales and helping wildlife recover from injuries, so that they can be released back into the wild.
Katie Harrison
Receptionist
Rachel Mawson
Receptionist
Rachel has been part of our reception team since 2016. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her children, horse riding with her family and taking care of her dogs.
Victoria Sievewright
Receptionist
Sylvia Graham
Receptionist
Jane Strachan
Finance
Since joining our practice in 1997, Jane has worked as part of our lovely veterinary nursing and accounts teams. She took a short break from our practice in 2016, but returned the following year to help out with the financial side of things.
Cathy Lamb
Insurance Administrator
Cathy joined us in 2008 and qualified as a registered veterinary nurse two years later. She looks after our in-house lab and deals with all of our insurance claims. Her own dog is a patient at our practice, and she is delighted that he is doing well after having surgery to treat a congenital abnormality, meaning he can go on long walks along the moors with her.
Mandie Anderson
Maintenance and Logistics
Mandie has been with us since 2014, and her role involves maintaining our sites and stepping in to assist our receptionists and animal care assistants when needed. She has many pets of her own – two dogs, five rescue cats, a parrot and 18 hens to be precise! She also holds a diploma in animal management, and has worked at a local farm park, with the RSPCA and as a puppy walker for Guide Dogs.
Samuel Holden
Veterinary Receptionist
Amy Lodge
Veterinary Receptionist