Veterinary nurses

Clinical Coach and Head Veterinary Nurse

Ray started his career at Filham in 1996, qualifying as a veterinary nurse in 2001 having studied at Bicton College gaining the pre and student veterinary nursing qualification. He has also gained the A1 assessor teaching qualification and clinical coach qualification. He has a keen interest in orthopaedic surgery, anaesthesia and pain and wound management. Ray has completed a BVNA wound care certificate, which will benefit the patients and practice ensuring a gold standard approach to wound care. He has a rescue Jack Russell called Lenny and also a cat called Squeak and three ferrets. In his spare time he enjoys spending time at the different beaches Devon has to offer with his wife and two children. They also enjoy visiting local National Trust properties.

Paula started veterinary nursing in 1987 and has worked in small and large animal practices. She was first employed in Oxfordshire but then moved to the South West in 1988 where she has worked ever since. Paula attended Bicton College of Agriculture in Budleigh Salterton and Duchy College in Cambourne. Paula qualified as a veterinary nurse in 2003. She recently joined the Filham Park team in 2016. Paula’s interests within the practice are anaesthesia and surgery, nurse clinics, orthopaedics, physiotherapy, first aid and critical care. Paula has had Labradors and cats over the years but currently owns a rescued Doberman cross Great Dane called Tyler. He had been abandoned in Bristol but was fortunately rescued by the RSPCA. Paula has a keen interest in all animals, marine and dolphin life, horses, dogs and especially cats. In her spare time Paula enjoys walking on the moors and on any beach and enjoys spending time with her granddaughter.

Clinical Coach

David started working for the practice in 1999. He attended Bicton College of Agriculture, where he gained the NVQ Level 2 and Level 3 diploma in veterinary nursing. During his time at Bicton he also achieved an NVQ Level 2 in animal care and pre veterinary nursing. David is one of three clinical coaches within the practice. In 2016 he gained a certificate in small animal nutrition. David has been involved in multiple animal charity trips abroad in countries such as Ibiza, Greece, The Gambia and most recently Cyprus. Throughout his life he has been surrounded by animals and currently owns a rescue Parsons Jack Russell Terrier called Lizzie who was abandoned at the practice. He also has a rescue tortoise called Lola (Captain Beaky). She is approximately 15 years old and has a very odd appearance as she looks like a “pancake” and whistles when you call her name. His main interests within practice are dentistry, nutrition, radiography and laboratory diagnostics. In his spare time he enjoys socialising with family and friends, walking Lizzie and playing badminton and skittles.

Kirsty qualified as a registered veterinary nurse in 2004, after completing her studies at Bicton College. She worked at a small animal clinic in her native city of Plymouth for over 15 years, before joining the lovely team here at Filham Park Vets. Kirsty enjoys all aspects of veterinary nursing but her main interests are nurse clinics, inpatient care and nursing wildlife. She is currently studying for the City & Guilds qualification in exotic and wildlife nursing. Kirsty is owned by Riley her naughty Terrier, Winston the lazy cat, and Buffy the chicken. In her spare time she can be found exploring the beautiful beaches of Devon and Cornwall with naughty Riley in their trusty Fiat Panda.

Clinical Coach

Sophie is a registered veterinary nurse enrolled with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. She qualified in July 2012 after completing the NVQ Level 2 and Level 3 diploma in veterinary nursing at Duchy College, Rosewarne. During her time at Duchy she also achieved an NVQ in animal care and an animal nursing assistant qualification. Since qualifying she has gained her clinical coach qualification, allowing her to mentor our student veterinary nurses. Sophie is currently studying towards her graduate diploma in professional and clinical veterinary nursing at the Royal Veterinary College in which she is hoping to complete modules in emergency and critical care, medical nursing and diagnostic imaging. Sophie joined the team at Filham Park in August 2010. She thoroughly enjoys all aspects of her job and has a particular interest in medical nursing, canine behaviour and nurse clinics. Sophie owns a Fox Red Labrador called Reggie, a cat called Elvie and a tortoise called Michelle.

Beth started studying at Bicton College in 2012. She first qualified as an animal nursing assistant in June 2013, then started training as a veterinary nurse here at Filham in November 2013, qualifying in November 2016. She left the practice for a short time in 2015 but soon returned to Filham Park at the start of January 2017. Her favourite parts of veterinary nursing are client education through nurse clinics and reception displays, laboratory diagnostics and husbandry of exotic patients, mainly rabbits and guinea pigs.

Student Veterinary Nurse

Libby is currently in her second year of her veterinary nursing degree at Duchy College. She started working here at Filham Park in 2015 and will qualify in 2018. Libby’s main interests in practice are laboratory diagnostics and inpatient care. If you visit our practice on a Saturday you will see Libby on the front desk, cuddling and fussing all the animals. In her spare time she loves walking her chocolate Labrador, Tilly, and meeting up with her friends.