Our team fulfils the four C’s; Care, Commitment, Capable and Compassionate

Our team of passionate vets will look after your pet with the same care and attention they would give their own

Dr Katie Kyle – BVetMed MRCVS – Clinical Director

Katie graduated from the Royal Veterinary College, London in January 2002. She then spent a short amount of time working for DEFRA during the foot and mouth crisis, before joining us as at Bay Vets. Today Katie works mainly from the Morecambe surgery. She loves her small animal general practitioner role and takes a particular interest in feline work. Outside of work Katie spends her time walking, cycling and gardening. She has a cat named George who was brought in as a stray a number of years ago, and a black Labrador called Molly who loves joining her on many walks in the lakes and dales.

Dr Colin Houston – BVM&S  CertSAS MRCVS – Director of Referral Services

After graduating from Edinburgh University in 1999, Colin worked in mixed practice in Cumbria for 3 years. He then spent a couple of years travelling and working in Australia and New Zealand. On his return to the UK, Colin worked in a first opinion and referral practice in Norfolk, where he obtained his certificate in Small Animal Surgery. He then returned to Cumbria to work in an orthopaedic referral practice before joining our team at Bay Vets in October 2011. Colin has a keen personal interest in orthopaedics and soft tissue surgery. He is married to Catherine, one of our vets who works at the Milnthorpe surgery, and has three energetic children, Finn, Dougal and Rona.  When he has time he enjoys walking and mountain biking.

Dr Gary N Gibbons – BVetMed MRCVS

Gary graduated from the Royal Veterinary College, London in 1993. He spent 5 years working in a busy mixed practice which was interspersed with a little global travel. Gary then worked predominantly in the East Anglia region of the UK where he concentrated increasingly on small animal work. The draw of the hills became too much however, and he moved north to join Bay Vets in 2005. Today he continues to develop his personal interest in small animal medicine. Outside of work Gary enjoys mountain biking, climbing, running, skiing, and in particular keeping his three Border Collies fit in the surrounding fells.

Dr Eleanor Skinn – BVMS MRCVS GPCertSAM

Ellie graduated from Glasgow Vet School in 2002. She spent her first 5 years in small animal practice near Middlesbrough then moved to Lancaster to join our Bay Vets team in 2007. Ellie is married to a chef named Stephen and together they have two children; Emily-Jane and Kieran. The family have a variety of animals at home including a dog, a cat, 2 guinea pigs and several fish – most of them originating from Bay Vets.

Dr Catherine Houston – BVM&S  MRCVS

Catherine graduated from Edinburgh University in 1999. After working for 3 years in a mainly small animal practice in York, she spent 2 years travelling in Australia and New Zealand. Back in the UK, Catherine worked in companion animal practice in Norfolk for 5 years before moving to Cumbria with her husband Colin; Director of Bay Vets Referral Services. Catherine enjoys her role as a small animal practitioner and has a particular interest in medicine. In her spare time, Catherine loves to get out onto the hills with her 2 young boys Finn and Dougal.

Dr Sophie Lawson – MA VetMB MRCVS

After graduating from Cambridge University in 1998, Sophie spent two years in mixed practice in Cornwall. Following six months travelling and working in Australia, she worked for a large small animal hospital in Plymouth. Sophie moved to Cumbria with her husband in 2004 and has worked in companion animal practice in the local area since then. Sophie joined Bay Vets in 2014 and particularly enjoys the diversity of small animal practice. She has three young children and a menagerie of pets, including a Sprocker Spaniel, a cat, a tortoise, rabbits and chickens, to keep her busy at home. Sophie is a keen runner, cyclist and swimmer but when she is not doing something sporty, she enjoys baking.

Dr Louise Tulley – BVM&S MRCVS

Louise graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1999. She initially worked in mixed practice in Cornwall before taking time out of the profession to have her 4 children. Louise is married to Will, also a Vet, and they have recently returned from a few years living in New Zealand where Louise was working as a small animal vet. In between working and looking after the family, her spare time is limited but she enjoys walking, swimming and reading.

Mrs Heather Joyce – RVN – Nurse Manager

Heather worked as a Personal Assistant until she was in her thirties, at which point she made a career change to follow her childhood ambition of becoming a veterinary nurse. As well as her impressive nursing skills, Heather is very involved with other aspects of practice administration such as promotions and newsletters. Heather loves nothing more than spending time with her various pets, but most of all her dogs.  She spends her spare time helping her husband work their spaniels on game shoots and being outdoors.  She also enjoys travelling and seeing new places and cultures.

Miss Vicky Jones – RVN – Head Nurse (Milnthorpe)

Vicky has been with us at Bay Vets for over 10 years and is mainly based at our Milnthorpe surgery. In 2007 Vicky worked in a vet practice near Brisbane, Australia for a year. She then spent a month in Koh Phangan in Thailand where she volunteered in an animal sanctuary. At home Vicky has three dogs; two Vizlas named Fen and Yours Truly, and a German Wire-haired Pointer called Jai. She also has several birds of prey and ferrets.

Miss Lauren Sykes – RVN FdSc Head Nurse Behaviour

Lauren qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in 2009, and joined us at Bay Vets in February 2012. She enjoys all aspects of nursing and has a keen interest in companion and animal behaviour. Outside of work Lauren can be found outdoors horse riding. She also spends her spare time agility training her much loved Labrador, Beau, and working gundog tests.

Mrs Joanne McCartney – RVN & Cat Advocate

Jo joined us as a receptionist in 1997. However, she soon became more hands on with the animals and qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2004. Since having her two children, Jo works part time at our Lancaster surgery. She enjoys all aspects of her job, but is especially keen caring for felines, and has three of her own at home. Joanne along with her colleague Diane have successfully made our Lancaster surgery accredited with the ISFM Cat Friendly accreditation and is now known as one of our Cat Advocates.

Mrs Mary Bench – RVN BSc(Hons) Veterinary Nursing

Mary has been nursing for 4 years and recently qualified with an honours degree in Veterinary Nursing from UCLAN. She enjoys the varied nature of nursing, from puppy parties to assisting vets in theatre, and everything in between. In her spare time Mary is busy looking after her son, James. She enjoys going to music festivals and gigs, and looks after her pets including her cat and energetic retriever, Cloud.

Mrs Emma Read – RVN BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour and Welfare

Emma completed a National Diploma in Animal Care, and a Degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare at Myerscough College. She then went on to achieve her dream job of becoming a veterinary nurse; qualifying in 2009. She joined us at Bay Vets in 2010 and genuinely enjoys all aspects of her job. Emma doesn’t have much spare time as her little girl Pippa and all her pets fill it! However outside of work Emma enjoys catching up with friends and family and looking after her animals; Stella the Labrador cross (who likes lying in dirty puddles) and Thomas, the lovely old foster cat from Cats Protection

Miss Susan McArthur – RVN – Head Nurse (Lancaster)

Susan joined the team in 2013 after moving to the area from Scotland and became Head Nurse of our Lancaster surgery early 2016. Susan qualified as a Veterinary Nurse from Edinburgh Telford College in 2012 with an RVN Diploma. Susan is interested in all aspects of Nursing, especially diabetes and runs regular clinics for our diabetic patients. At the weekend Susan can be found competing on her horse Hope locally.

Mrs Stephanie Lindsay – Animal Nursing Assistant

After completing a Diploma in Animal care at Lancaster and Morecambe College, Stephanie joined our Morecambe surgery. She has been an auxiliary nurse at our practice since 2004. Stephanie is trained in all areas of veterinary nursing including both pre and post-operative care as well as regularly working at the reception desk. Stephanie is married with three teenage children and their house is home to a number of pets including 2 long legged lurchers, Bramble and Jet.

Miss Gemma James – RVN Lancaster

Gemma is an auxiliary nurse at our Lancaster surgery. She previously worked as a zookeeper at Blackpool Zoo for 14 years, and has experience working with all animals from kangaroos and elephants to cats and ferrets. In her spare time Gemma enjoys walking in the countryside with her lively spaniel, Poppy, and spending time with her family and friends. She is a keen runner now too, having completed the Manchester 10km race.

Mrs Jane Whiteley – RVN BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour and Welfare – Head Nurse Morecambe

Jane started work at Bay Vets in 2012 as an auxiliary nurse. She loves the job and has progressed quickly to become a great addition to the Morecambe team. Her job as a community nurse involves organising trips to schools, educational evenings and fundraising events. Occasionally you may see her out and about driving the pet ambulance. Outside work she enjoys going to the gym and keeping fit, walking and spending time with her family. In 2004 Jane did a Degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare and successfully passed. In 2016 she then went on to be a qualified Veterinary Nurse.

Miss Demi Ann Seddon – Student Nurse

Demi joined our team in the fall of 2015 as an Auxiliary Nurse. Demi has been passionate about animals since a young age and started horse riding at the age of 4. Since then Demi has owned a variety of animals including: Budgies, Hamsters, Dogs & Bunnies. Demi currently has a Staffie called Tia, a bunny called Cookie and a hamster called Jerry. In her spare time she enjoys long walks with her boyfriend and the dogs, horse riding and cuddling with her pet rabbit. Demi has a Level 3 Diploma in Animal Management and a Level 2 in work based Animal Care Skills as well as specialist wildlife training from the RSPCA. As well as caring for domestic pets, Demi is also passionate about the rehabilitation of wildlife and she hopes to help out any wildlife passing throughout the surgeries.

Miss Georgia Lambert – Student Nurse

Georgia joined the Bay Vets team officially in the Summer of 2016 after taking a gap year following on from her A Levels at Lancaster Girls Grammar School. During this time, Georgia gained experience in veterinary nursing by volunteering at the Lancaster Bay Vets Surgery. Georgia is interested in all areas of veterinary nursing and hopes to gain the qualification in the future. During her spare time, Georgia enjoys walking in the Lakes with her Chihuahua Bailey, and hopes to start horse riding again after taking a break to concentrate on sixth form. She also enjoys music festivals and going to see her favourite bands.

Mrs Diane Bain – Auxiliary Nurse & Cat Advocate

Diane joined Bay Vets in November 2010. Diane loves all thing cat and has recently completed a Level 3 Dipolma in Feline Behaviour, and is at hand to solve all your cat troubles. In her spare time Diane is mummy to Noah, wife to Brett and head staff member to cats Olivia and Cody. Diane has worked towards making our Lancaster surgery accredited with the ISFM Cat Friendly accreditation with her Cat Advocate colleague Jo McCartney.

Miss Helena Ransome-Prince – Auxiliary

Helena helps at the Lancaster branch on a Saturday, as she is currently studying for her A levels at Lancaster Girls Grammar School and wants to become a Veterinary Surgeon. She really enjoys working at Bay Vets and is gaining lots of valuable experience, after joining in the autumn of 2016. Outside of work and sixth form she likes to take her 2 Irish wolfhounds, Toowoomba and Tangalooma, for long walks, and also enjoys horse riding.

Miss Hannah Coates PgDVetPhys – Veterinary Physiotherapy

Hannah has recently joined our team and is offering her services to our clients as a Veterinary Physiotherapist. She has a particular interest in the treatment of older pets and post-injury rehabilitation. Hannah is a member of the National Association of Veterinary Physiotherapists and completed her training at Harper Adams University, after first gaining a degree in Equine Science from Aberystwyth University. As well as dogs and small animals, Hannah also treats horses. In her spare time she enjoys walking, mountain biking and riding her young horse Rudi.

Mrs Cheryl Dixon-Baldwin – Head Receptionist – Lancaster

After working in the hospitality industry for 10 years Cheryl decided on a career change. In 2007 she is quoted to have “landed my dream job” as our receptionist at Bay Vets. Cheryl loves meeting and greeting clients and enjoys rewarding animals for being brave with lots of cuddles and treats. Out of work Cheryl enjoys socialising with family and friends, watching sport and looking after Gnawbert and Betty, her rabbits.

Miss Angela De Lacy Roberts – Receptionist

Angela is one of our long term receptionists. She is one of the friendly faces you will see on reception at Morecambe. She enjoys spending time with her daughter, going to the gym and spending time with family and friends when not working. She also has a dog and a cat.

Miss Charlotte Eames – Receptionist

Charlotte joined us at Bay Vets in the Summer of 2015 after previously working in the hospitality industry for 3 years in a busy city centre establishment. In her spare time Charlotte likes to help her dad on his local farm. She has a keen interest in all types of animals and even looks after her own pets being sheep, dogs, ducks, chickens and guinea pigs. Charlotte is looking forward to spending her future with Bay Vets and sharing her past experiences from her time in hospitality and the love of all things on 4 legs.

Mrs Vanessa Boismaison – Receptionist

Vanessa has joined us in the Spring of 2016. After eight & a half years in banking Vanessa is really pleased to be starting a new role at Bay Vets. Vanessa loves animals and working with people. At the moment she only has tropical fish but we are sure that will soon change. Vanessa has two grown up children and loves spending time with her family. She also researches and visits places of local history in her spare time.

Mrs Victoria Orange – Receptionist

Victoria joined us in the spring of 2016. Victoria is excited to be joining the team as a receptionist, after 15 years working as an optical dispenser. She has a passion for animals, and loves to work with people, so she feels this is the perfect job for her. Victoria has 3 cats of her own, a rescue cat called Tinker, and 2 strays called Lady & Edwin. In her spare time, Victoria loves walking with her husband, especially coastal walks in Britain. She enjoys spending time with her family and likes to sketch outdoors. Victoria also practices Hypnotherapy….she says it keeps her nice and calm.

Miss Stacey Murphy – Receptionist

Stacey joined us at the start of 2017 and is usually based at our Milnthorpe surgery. Stacey has worked with Animal’s since leaving school and has experience in working with birds of prey, horses and then worked in a kennel & cattery for 9 years. In her spare time Stacey loves spending time with her family, walking her dogs and horse riding.

Mrs Alyson Wakefield – Receptionist

Alyson left school to study at Durham College of Agriculture and Horticulture, where she gained a qualification in the National Certificate in the Management of Horses. After a year out working in an eventing yard and Point 2 Point yard, Alyson returned to college and gained a diploma in Equine and Business Studies.

Alyson moved into the area from Yorkshire in 2002 with her husband Paul, they have 2 children, Holly and Jack.  They gave a forever home to their rescue dog Max who is a white golden retriever in 2011, he loves to pop into the Milnthorpe branch for a gravy bone!

Mrs Louise Gilbert – Credit Control Manager

Louise started working as a nurse/receptionist for the vets back in 1989, before the merger that established Bay Vets Ltd. She later went on to have children and upon her return, took up the role of Credit Control Manager, working mainly part time. As well as credit control, Louise also enjoys sorting out the animal insurance claims. Outside of work Louise loves spending time with her family. She also has a young energetic Labrador who requires lots of walks. Her interests include dog walking, crafts and reading.

Mrs Suzanne Kitching – Business Support

Suzanne has recently returned to Bay Vets after having a family. Her new role is in Business Support, which fits well with her previous experience in Finance and Administration. Outside of work, Suzanne is kept busy looking after her children Megan & Sophie and Zabby their Jack Russell Terrier. She and her husband enjoy walking with the family and Suzanne is a keen baker with a particular talent for cake decoration.

Gillian Bell – Pet Transport

Bio to Follow.