Team
Meet the Heathside Veterinary team
Meet our Vets
David Sewell
BVM&S BSc Cert VC
I qualified from Edinburgh University in 2003. My main area of interest is cardiology, and I gained my Royal College certificate in veterinary cardiology in 2011.
At Heathside we have all the facilities required to offer a full cardiology service, including dedicated ultrasound, ECG and Holter (a portable monitoring vest).
I also enjoy medicine, imaging and anaesthesia and I am currently studying towards additional post-graduate qualification (A 2nd Certificate) in the subject of internal medicine.
In 2024 I became Senior Vet and Clinical Lead for the veterinary team following the retirement of our founder and Clinical Director Jeremy Giles.
I am also a qualified mentor for newly qualified veterinary surgeons, also authorised to issue Animal Health Certificates for pet travel to the EU. Finally, I am experienced in performing laparoscopic (key hole) procedures and BOAS surgeries (for dogs with difficulty breathing due to short noses).
Alina Raznoveanu
MRCVS MSc
I joined Heathside Veterinary Surgery in 2015. I grew up and studied in Bucharest, the capital of Romania. I studied Veterinary Medicine In Bucharest for 6 years and finished with a Master’s degree.
I have a particular interest in dentistry, medicine and dermatology. I am dedicated to my job, seeing patients every day, giving cuddles and thoroughly enjoying each day.
At home, I am married and have two girls who love to keep me on my toes. In spare time I enjoy dancing, singing, roller skating and baking.
Jennifer Kristoffersson
DVM MRCVS
I grew up in a small town in Sweden and studied Veterinary medicine in Lithuania for 6 years. I have grown up with pets my entire life including cats, dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs.
I currently have a border terrier called Elsie.
I love learning new skills, and my main interests are reproduction, dermatology and ophthalmology. The best part of my job is having good client relationships and take care of their lovely pets.
Thanos Kroustalis
DVM MRCVS
I graduated in 2015, from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece) and have been practising in UK as a Small Animal Clinician since 2017.
I completed a Small Animal Rotating Internship Programme with Vets Now at the Glasgow Emergency and Specialty Hospital in August 2021, working alongside Specialists in different disciplines. This was followed by the completion of a Surgical Internship at Fitzpatrick Referrals focused on orthopaedics and neurosurgery in August 2022.
I enjoy all aspects of first opinion but have a special bias towards surgery. I served in the Hellenic AirForce as a Veterinarian Aircraftman & also worked at my hometown’s municipality as a Veterinary Surgeon at the Stray Animals Office & Dog Shelter right after my graduation.
I have a dog named Irma that was previously a stray and now lives with my family back in Greece that I miss a lot. I have a soft spot for Italian Greyhounds and Border Terriers and aim to adopt one with my partner anytime soon.
Toby Ellard
BVSC MRCVS
I joined Heathside Veterinary Surgery in September 2024. I moved to the area late last year after graduating and spending most of my life in Bristol.
As I recently joined Heathside in September 2024, I am most looking forward to meeting our clients and their pets, as well as learning new skills and extending my knowledge in the veterinary industry.
Back at home I have two cats and two dogs. In my spare time, I enjoy baking, going to the gym and enjoy sports.
Meet our nurses
Meg Goodrum
RVN
I started at Heathside in 2014 doing work experience whilst at school. I fell in love with nursing and have worked my way up from a Sunday Receptionist to Head Veterinary Nurse. I trained at Sparsholt College and have been qualified since 2019.
I love my job and how everyday is different. I enjoy training the student nurses, watching them grow and flourish.
I love dogs, especially Spaniels. At home I have a gorgeous, cheeky English show Cocker Spaniel, named Rupert. Outside of work I love going on holidays and walking Rupert with my Husband.
Gemma Tandy
RVN
I qualified as a registered veterinary nurse in January 2021 and have been with the team at Heathside since July 2021. I am passionate about patient care, and I am a huge advocate for our feline patients. I have a keen interest in emergency and critical care and feline nursing.
I am currently on Maternity leave, after having my little girl in August 2023. At home I also have two cats Tyler and Max who keep me busy with their antics.
Outside of work I keep busy with lots of gardening and looking after my hundreds of house plants.
Poppy Mackean
RVN BSc
I have been at Heathside Veterinary Surgery since July 2021. I completed my training at Harper Adams University and graduated in 2022.
I enjoy all aspects of my job, however I really enjoy inpatient care, doing nurse appointments with our clients and their pets and scrubbing into any day patient surgeries.
In my spare time I love spending time with my friends and family.
Nickie Veal
RVN CertVNECC
I have been with Heathside Veterinary Surgery since September 2022, I started my journey to become a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2007 where I was an Animal Nurse Assistant for a charity vets. I moved on to train in 2010 and I Qualified in 2013.
Since I Qualified as a Veterinary Nurse, I have had the pleasure of working with lots of species including Foxes, Badgers, Snakes, Lizards and even a Seal.
I have a passion for learning, I have completed my certificate in emergency and critical care. I am already looking at what to do next. I have recently become a clinical supervisor, where I am responsible for guiding and training the new generation of nurses.
I love doing nurse consults where I get to meet all our lovely patients and clients.
Grace Cutler
RVN FdSc
I started at Heathside Veterinary Surgery in 2019 doing work experience with Sparsholt College for a year. I then went onto studying at Royal Veterinary College in London for 3 years where I completed all my placements at Heathside. I completed my qualifications and graduated in July 2023.
I love all aspects of nursing, especially surgery and patient care. I also hope to complete a nursing certificate in the future.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, reading and going to the gym.
At home, I have a Border Terrier, called Maggie.
Laura Jennings
RVN
I started as an ACA at Heathside Veterinary Surgery in 2020 and completed an apprenticeship with Sparsholt College in September 2021. I fully qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in July 2024.
I enjoy all aspects of nursing, but particularly I love being involved and helping in surgeries. I have an interest in completing a surgical nursing certificate in the future.
Outside of work, I enjoy seeing family and creating art has always been a huge hobby of mine, from drawing to making cards.
Millie Trace
SVN
I arrived at Heathside Veterinary Surgery in December 2021 and have been studying at Sparsholt College since September 2022.
I will be hopefully qualifying in the next few months, which will be exciting! I have learnt so much, and really enjoy helping animals in an emergency. I am very interested in gaining an ECG certificate in the future.
Outside of work, I enjoy running and spending time with my dogs. I have 2 elderly cockapoo’s, Bella and Bonnnie.
Maddison Hibberd
Animal Care Assistant
I joined the Heathside Veterinary Team in January 2023. I studied at Sparsholt College for 3 years from 2016 to gain my Level 3 Diploma in Animal Management.
I really enjoy my job and find every day is different. I particularly enjoy inpatient care and making a bond between our patients.
In my spare time, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends or going for walks. I have a cat at home called Milo.
Tivoli Thompson
Animal Care Assistant
I joined Heathside Veterinary Surgery in April 2024 as an Animal Care Assistant, an opportunity I am extremely grateful for. I absolutely love animals, vertebrates and invertebrates, an have a range of pets myself from cats to snakes, frogs and millipedes. Working with animals has always been a dream of mine, and I am especially excited to start my journey in becoming a student veterinary nurse. I enjoy all aspects of my job, from supporting our reception team to supporting the nurses. Outside of work I enjoy going to the gym, playing computer games and spending time with friends and my animals. I can’t wait to continue learning more and face new exciting challenges.
Meet our support staff
Claire Howes
In 2000 I was lucky enough to join the Heathside Team as their first ever Receptionist and, having two children along the way, have been here ever since. In a Customer Care role and now as the Practice Manager.
I consider myself extremely fortunate to work with such a dedicated hard-working team and I remain as passionate about the Practice as I did on my first day. It is very rewarding to see so many familiar faces returning year after year, some with their ‘golden oldies and others with new pets excited to share their journey with us again.
To relax, I ride my horse Mango who is stabled at Pinkmead Farm in Botley. She and I enjoy eventing, dressage and hacking, in all weathers I may add!
At home I also have a Romanian Rescue dog Snoopy and a beautiful Bengal cat Stanlie
I joined the Heathside Team back in 2000 as the receptionist and re-joined again in 2015 after having my children, this time as a customer care manager. I consider myself extremely fortunate to be working with such a dedicated team. It is very rewarding to see so many faces returning year on year with some of their ‘golden oldies’ as well as their new pets.
I spend the majority of my spare time at my local riding school where I keep my horse Lady on livery. I can often be seen riding around the farm is all weathers which keeps me fit and active. At home my beautiful Bengal cats Stan and Ollie and my children keep me on my toes!
Jessica Head
RVN
I completed my nursing qualification in 2006 and started at Heathside Veterinary Surgery in 2008.
Working at Heathside over the years has enabled me to see the practice through the eyes of Head Veterinary Nurse for 5 years and now since having a young family, a Practice Administrator 2 days a week.
Cheryl York
I joined Heathside Veterinary Surgery in 2018 as their Receptionist. I thoroughly enjoy meeting new pets and forming a great relationship with our clients. It is very rewarding for me to offer any advice, care and to help our clients.
After taking a year of maternity leave in 2023 to have my Son, I returned back as Practice Administrator working 3 days a week. In the office I assist with telephone calls, general enquiries & help to continue the development of the surgery and staff.
Outside of work I enjoy family time, socialising with friends, going to the gym and taking walks with my family and our Boxer dog, Nala.
Shona Barfoot
I joined the Heathside team in 2021 as a Receptionist after working in a doctors surgery for 8 years, doing a similar role.
I enjoy all aspects of my job but particularly I enjoy greeting our client’s pets when they come into the practice. I have always had an interest in working in the animal sector and it is a passion of mine to help our clients and their pets. Every day is different at the surgery, which gives great variation.
I have always grown up with pets, including birds, rabbits, cats, dogs and a chinchilla, called John.
Outside of work I enjoy walking my dog Rex, reading and gardening.
Jasmin Barnett
I joined Heathside Veterinary Surgery in June 2024. I previously worked in a different veterinary surgery for a year before joining Heathside as a Receptionist. I studied a level 3 Animal Management at Sparsholt College.
I enjoy my job and every is different. I love greeting our client’s pets when they come into the practice. I am also very good at building a relationship with our clients, helping and giving advice where I can.
Outside of work I like spending time with family and my dog Titch.