Medivet Darlington Stanhope Rd

Cecile Spring

Lead Veterinary Surgeon

I qualified as a vet in 1998 from the University of Zurich, Switzerland. Initially interested in all things cow and farming related, I spent the first part of my career in mixed and specialised farm animal practice both in Switzerland and England. Having my first child brought a massive change, not least in the direction of my career as a vet. I hung up my wellies, turned my back on farming and joined Stanhope Park Vets in 2010. I enjoy the variety of being a “GP-vet”, with a bias towards internal medicine and all things furry. In 2019 I challenged myself to learn a new skill and I am thrilled to be able to spay bitches by keyhole surgery. For me the most rewarding part of the job is being able to accompany clients and their pets from the first vaccination to the trials of old age and everything in between. I divide my time mainly between the surgery in Middleton St George and the Darlington hospital, but will spend the occasional day at our Cats and Exotics branch. Outside of work I enjoy spending time outdoors with my family and training and competing in agility with our pack of dogs.

MRCVS

Devon Lycette

Veterinary Surgeon

I qualified in 2018 from Edinburgh and have been working in Teesside ever since. My primary interests are exotic pets and wildlife, particularly reptiles, fish, and marine mammals - I’m currently working on my aquatic medicine certificate (CertAqV.) At home I have a mischief of rats, a corn snake, a bull snake, a Leachie gecko, two giant African land snails, and a veiled chameleon. Outside of work I enjoy dance, sewing, gardening, and being outdoors.

MRCVS

Joanna Metcalfe

Veterinary Surgeon

I graduated from Liverpool University in 2001. After 2.5 years in mixed practice I decided my heart lay with specialising as a small animal vet. I joined the Stanhope Park Team in June 2013 and enjoy the variety of pets and people we get to meet here. My spare time is spent with my family and I enjoy cycling, reading and travelling. We have two cats, “Teddy” and “Turbo” who were brought into the surgery as 2 week old rescues and hand reared, and a Standard Poodle called “Peanut” who loves long walks.

MRCVS

Jeanette Tungesvik

Veterinary Surgeon

I graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 2010 and worked in a small animal practice in Australia for 3 years, before joining the team at Stanhope Park Veterinary Hospital in July 2013. My veterinary interests are surgery and preventative medicine. Together with my partner, we have a brain damaged rescue Bearded Dragon called Boris, Dani the Leopard Gecko, and in the spring of 2020 we welcomed Hazel the Irish Terrier puppy into our family.

MRCVS

Ana Merle Porta

Veterinary Surgeon

I graduated from the University of Cardenal Herrera CEU (Valencia) in Spain in 2011. Afterwards I moved to England and did some work experience in small animal practices before completing an Internship at Rutland House Referrals. I joined Stanhope Park Veterinary Hospital in May 2015. I enjoy all aspects of my job, particularly internal medicine and dermatology. At home I like spending time in the garden with my partner, and cooking. I have got a lovely Border Terrier called “Cheeky”. We are always together, and he loves coming to work with me and sitting on the sofa with me watching TV!

MRCVS

Rosie Turner

Veterinary Surgeon

My first job, after graduating from Edinburgh university in 2003 was to give a wildlife vet a well earned holiday and manage a wildlife hospital for the RSPCA. After working in the northwest as a farm, small animal and camelid vet I crossed the Penines to Darlington to work for small animal charities in the region before joining the fantastic team here in Medivet Darlington. I really enjoy ultrasound imaging all things furry and find exotic and wildlife medicine absolutely fascinating. We have a beautiful rescue part-Labrador, part-seal, called Billie who keeps my family and I busy out and about around the River Tees.

MRCVS

Charlotte Turley

Head Registered Veterinary Nurse

I qualified in 1998, but have been nursing now since 1993 and have enjoyed gaining lots of experience along the way. I have formed some fantastic friendships with our clients and their pets over the years. I continue to strive to the best of my ability in all aspects of veterinary work. I have a daughter called Millie and a funny Dachshund called Betty, who keep me on my toes!

Laura Weldon

Patient Care Assistant

I joined Stanhope Park Vets in January 2019 as an auxiliary nurse. I enjoy all aspects of the job, but especially looking after the animals during their stay. In my free time I am kept busy with my horse and my three dogs whom all compete at agility.

Georgia Hogan

Student Veterinary Nurse

Hi, my name is Georgia (aka crazy rabbit lady)! I have 6 bunnies, and two crazy dogs - a Labrador called Jax and a cocker spaniel called Mylo - who keep me very busy in my spare time away from work. You might recognize me from reception, but I’ve recently moved onto the nursing team to live out of my dream in becoming a veterinary nurse, and I look forward to still meeting all the lovely clients and of course all the lovely pets and being more involved with them, and offering endless cuddles and attention when in the hospital with us.

Phillippa Elliot

Student Veterinary Nurse

After doing work experience for a couple of months, I was lucky enough to be offered a full time receptionist role at Stanhope Park Vets. After doing this role for just over a year I was over the moon to be offered an auxiliary nurse position! I have a gorgeous (but noisy) Lorikeet called Zazu, 2 handsome cocker spaniels Buddy and Bullseye, and Shelby - a cat that I hand reared from being 1 day old. I am fascinated with exotics and reptiles, and have quite the collection at home, which includes Dennis the Tortoise, Snippy the gecko and a number of snakes.

Linzi Davis

Student Veterinary Nurse

I have worked at Stanhope Park Vets since July 2021, initially on reception, then as an auxiliary nurse and finally in September 2023 I started my Veterinary Nurse training! I have loved working here from day 1 as I have always wanted a job with animals, and I am so excited to continue my nurse training and become a Registered Veterinary Nurse. My job is extremely rewarding and I love the variety each day brings. At home I have a handsome golden retriever called Albie and a naughty cat (who I rescued from work after being brought in as a stray) called Norman and they are the best of friends. I also have my 4 cat siblings Bowser, Binky, Milo and Bella so have been described as a crazy cat lady!

Bette H

Veterinary Nurse

I have been an RVN since 2019, my key interests are in canine mobility, geriatric canine care and dentistry and I have been a member of the Stanhope Park team since 2021. I have a crazy bull terrier cross called Sully, he's a 'tri-pod' pooch missing his front leg and he comes with me to the practice everyday!

APVN (Small Mammal) RVN

Kathryn Jobling

Veterinary Nurse

I have worked at Stanhope Park Veterinary Hospital since May 2017, and I love my job as it is very rewarding. I assist in everything from admitting patients, looking after them from arrival to going home, setting up theatre, making sure your pet’s stay here is as comfortable as possible, and much more in between. I love the variety the job brings, and enjoy learning new things and hope to become a Qualified Veterinary Nurse here at Stanhope Park.

Laura Wells

Veterinary Nurse

I qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in 2004 from Houghall College in Durham, but I have been nursing since 1999. I joined Stanhope Park Veterinary Hospital in April 2011. I like all aspects of nursing but have a special interest in surgical nursing and enjoy caring for the inpatients. When I’m not at work my little girl and boy keep me busy. We are looking forward to getting them lots of pets when they are older.

RVN

Laura Beahan

Veterinary Nurse

I started working in a veterinary practice in 2003. I qualified in 2006 and completed a BSc (hons) degree in Veterinary Nursing and Practice Management in 2007, and I joined Stanhope Park Vets in September 2014. In May 2022, I became Deputy Head Nurse at our Middleton-St-George branch, where you will find me 3 days a week, with the other 2 days working at Stanhope Road. My constant companion is Lev the Labrador who joined me at 8 weeks old in October 2017. He is named after explorer Levison Wood. We enjoy going on our own walking adventures, his favourite is along the beach. I have brother and sister cats Bagheera and Miura who I have had from kittens and they love to wake me up in the morning for their breakfast. Working at Stanhope Park has fuelled my love of reptiles and I completed an Advanced Programme in Veterinary Nursing of Reptiles and Amphibians and now have my own zoo of many snakes, geckos and a bearded dragon - many of them are rescues via RSPCA. To continue my development, I am now studying an Advanced Programme in Veterinary Nursing of Birds to enhance the care I can provide our feathered friends.

APVN (Reptile & Amphibian) BSc (hons)

Nicole Burn

Veterinary Nurse

I began working at Stanhope Park in 2009 as a Saturday receptionist, following on from a school work placement. I graduated from Harper Adams University in 2017, with a degree in Veterinary Nursing and Practice Management. I love the variety that this job brings, no two days are the same! I am interested in medical nursing and complimentary therapies and would like to learn more about these in the future. At home I have two Rough Collies, five cats and two silkie chickens, which all keep me very busy!

BSc RVN

Amber Donald

Veterinary Nurse

I started working at Stanhope Park Veterinary Hospital in 2012 as a receptionist whilst studying Animal Management. I then went on to work as an Auxiliary Nurse before becoming a Registered Veterinary Nurse. My main interests at work are hand rearing and rehabilitating wildlife but at home I love working and riding my many horses. I have always wanted to work with animals and have grown up with lots of weird and wonderful pets. You may see my sidekick, Rodney, a crazy cocker spaniel as he comes to work with me everyday.

RVN

Lisa Lewis

Veterinary Nurse

I started working in a mixed veterinary practice in 1996 on a voluntary basis, which led to permanent employment a year later. After attending college, I qualified as a veterinary nurse in 2000. I came to work at Stanhope Park in November 2002. I find animal welfare very interesting. My goals are to further my knowledge in nursing rabbits, guinea pigs and other small furry patients, animal nutrition, surgical nursing and also emergency and critical care.

RVN

Lindsay Murray

Veterinary Nurse

I joined Stanhope Park Veterinary hospital in 2012 whilst completing a Veterinary Care Assistant qualification, and have since completed my nurse training to become a qualified Registered Veterinary Nurse. I have always wanted to work with animals and I couldn’t see myself in life doing anything else – it’s such a rewarding career. There’s nothing more rewarding than helping an animal in need. I have a handsome Yorkshire terrier called Hugo and a gorgeous mischievous working cocker spaniel puppy called Eric.

Sarah Potter-Service

Veterinary Nurse

I'm Sarah and I first joined Stanhope Road in 2007. Starting out as a work experience student, I then went on to qualify as an RVN in 2012. I took a couple of years out to live and work in Cyprus with my family, returning to the UK and back to Stanhope Road in 2022. I have an interest in reducing patient stress in the clinical environment, we are currently working towards Dog Friendly Clinic Status which is very exciting! I assist our visiting ultrasound specialist once a week and I enjoy taking feline dental x-rays at our Duke Street Cats and Exotics Branch. I'm also a clinical coach; helping to train the next generation of amazing RVN's. I have a cat named LouLou who I rehomed from the vets in 2015 after she was dumped with her litter as a kitten and a Dog named Rex, a stray we fell in love with in Cyprus and brought back to the UK. Rex and LouLou have become firm friends.