The practice currently employs many people who all provide a vital role in the service you receive.
Graeme Pack BVSC MRCVS (Clinical Director)
I grew up in South Africa and moved to England after completing my veterinary degree at the University of Pretoria in 1994. Working in congested London for 7 years eventually drove Jocelyn and I to the countryside in 2002 with our seven cats. We live near Wroughton and have added 2 spaniels and a horse to the family. After working in the practice as clinical director for 5 years I bought the practice in 2007. Jos and I have always wanted a practice of our own where we are free to offer the best care to patients and not be controlled by the policy makers in impersonal multi-branch corporate practices. I have a long standing interest in diagnostic imaging (xrays and ultrasound) as well as in dermatology. In my spare time I walk the dogs and take photographs of the countryside. If you'd like to see some of my photography stop by at CatsEye Photography.
Jos Lander RVN DipCABT (Business Director)
I am a registered veterinary nurse, an animal behaviour therapist and nurse at Purton Veterinary Group. I gained my diploma in South Africa in 1994 and worked in a university hospital for 3 years. Since moving to England in 1998 I have worked in many small animal practices but have finally settled in Purton as co-owner with my partner, Graeme Pack. I have a special interest in animal behaviour and training , having gained my qualifications through COAPE (Centre of Applied Pet Ethology). I also enjoy attending continuing education courses especially in Medical and Surgical Nursing.I am currently doing a certificate in Practice Management and Key Skills. I have 6 cats, 2 dogs and a horse which tend to keep me busy when I'm not working. I am an avid Manchester United supporter but also a bit partial to a good game of rugby!
Selina Walters MRCVS (Veterinary Surgeon)
I graduated from Bristol
University Vet School in 2002. Following graduation I realised my passion was
with companion animals and after a short period in mixed practice in Bristol I
decided to specialise in this area. After five enjoyable years working in
small animal practice in the Bath area I took the opportunity to live and work
abroad. For three years I worked in a busy British run Veterinary
Hospital in Dubai. Although I enjoyed this experience I missed the English
countryside and move back in early 2011 to start with the Purton Veterinary
Group.
I enjoy all aspects of
working in general practice, but have a special interest in endocrinology and
abdominal surgery. I have a genuine love of animals and get a huge sense of
reward from being a dedicated and caring veterinary surgeon.
I live on a Dairy Farm with
my husband Matt, our two much loved Labradors Huxley and Harry, and my rescued
Burmese cat Pushkin. I enjoy keeping fit, walking my dogs, riding, and
socialising with friends and family.
Michelle Townley BVM&S MRCVS (Veterinary Surgeon)
I graduated from The Royal (Dick) Veterinary College in Edinburgh in 2002 and spent the first 6 years 'up north' in various small animal practices and a large small animal hospital in Leeds. In 2008 I had the opportunity to come back home and worked at a veterinary hospital in Swindon where I developed an interest in small animal internal medicine, especially feline medicine. I am currently working towards my Cert GP in Feline Practice and Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice. I joined Purton Veterinary Group in November 2011 as I wanted to be part of a smaller and more intimate practice. I have 2 and 3/4 puss cats at home (one of them only has 3 legs!) called Stan, Vicki and Bob. Outside the practice I enjoy going to the Gym, Fencing (the sword variety) and socialising with friends.
Ida Gilbert BVSc CertVOphthal MRCVS (Veterinary Surgeon)
Ida graduated from
Bristol in 1995. She obtained the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons’ Certificate in Veterinary Ophthalmology in 2001 and now provides referrals for eye conditions and ocular surgery. Ida has a busy family life with 2 children, a dog and cats which naturally take up a large slice of her spare time. She does however also enjoy pursuing her interests in dance, gardening and travelling home to her beloved
Norway .
Rachael Purser RVN (Head Nurse)
I moved from my home town in South Wales to work for Purton Vets and have worked for the practice since August 2006. Before working in the veterinary profession I completed a Higher National Diploma in animal science and spent two years working for the Cats Protection adoption centre in Bridgend. I was promoted to Head Veterinary Nurse in July 2010. I have a three legged naughty cat called Clarissa who keeps me entertained and is a lot of fun! My special interests include feline behaviour and reducing feline stress within the practice. I have completed a certificate in Advanced Feline Nursing through COAPE and the Feline Advisory Bureau (FAB). I hope to undertake more feline medical nursing courses in the future.
Debbie Leonard RVN (Veterinary Nurse)
I joined the practice in 2009 as a qualified and registered Veterinary Nurse. I live near Cirencester with my Golden
Retriever Ollie. My hobbies include horse riding, wake boarding and mountain biking. I have a certificate in Training for the Future: Puppy Instructor by Alpha Education and I run regular puppy socalisation classes in practice. I have an A-Level in Psychology and I am currently working towards the COAPE Advanced Diploma in Companion Animal Behaviour and Training. I enjoy learning about animal behaviour and I think the more we understand about how animals think and learn the stronger and happier the relationship we can have with them. I currently run desensitisation clinics for animals who find coming to the vets very stressful and I work with a variety of other behaviour problems clients may be experiencing with their pets.
Kirsty Lewis RVN (Veterinary Nurse)
Before I
started here at Purton Veterinary Group, I worked at The Blue Cross
Small Animal Adoption Centre in Burford, where I helped rehabilitate and
re home many dogs, cats and small furries. I learnt a lot there but then
was lucky enough to have the opportunity to train as a veterinary nurse
so jumped at the chance and I qualified in 2010. At home I have a lively Jack Russell Terrier with whom I regularly attend training classes and agility. I have a
passion for horses and have been lucky enough to own and ride them most
of my life, and am most likely to be found down the stables.
Sarah Perrin RVN (Veterinary Nurse )
I qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in 1999 and have worked in a variety of small and mixed practices. I first joined Purton Veterinary Group in 2002 and worked here on and off before taking a great oppertunity in 2006 to work at a college teaching student Veterinary Nureses. After returning from maternity leave, I now work part time, and enjoy all aspects of nursing. I live with my husband Rich, my little boy Mark and our cat Shadow.
Emily Oswald RVN (Veterinary Nurse )
I have returned to nursing after some time out to raise my children and a period of time abroad. I have been qualified for 13 years and have worked in a variety of practices, large and small. My main interests are surgical nursing and radiography. In my spare time (if I get any!) I enjoy cooking, especially baking cupcakes.
Sam Blake (Client Care Manager )
I joined the practice as a receptionist in October 2007. I had previously worked as a receptionist for a Veterinary practice in Marlborough for 3 years where I completed an NVQ Level 2 in Animal Care and a BTEC award in Veterinary Client Care. I live in Swindon with my fiancee and son Joshua and we have 2 guinea pigs, lots of fish and a horse to keep us busy!
Sally Ann Brown (Receptionist)
I have been working part time at Purton Veterinary Group for a few years and love every minute of it. The rest of my time I spend with my 4 Springer Spaniels, Monty, Billy-Boy, Mollichop & Jess, also 3 horses, Teddy, Midge & Tiny and my husband Garry, in that order!! I enjoy eating out with friends and I am a shopaholic!!
Debs Riley (Receptionist)
Previously working at the Great Western Hospital in
the Out Patients department, Debs joined the practice in December 2008, as a
part time receptionist.. She used to volunteer for the Blue Cross
in Burford walking their dogs, and for the second year running she
has been a volunteer for R.I.A.T. She has 2 cats Bunce and Binker who came from
the Cats Protection. In her spare time Debs likes to go hiking and spend time watching
old movies.
Catherine Ayling (Receptionist)
I joined the practice in October 2010 as a part-time receptionist looking for a change and a new challenge. I have a passion for all animals, big and small, and I love meeting them everyday at work. I grew up in Purton and now live in North Swindon with my husband and cheeky pug, Charlie.
Katherine Elliott (Receptionist)
After a 17 year career in teaching I have decided it is time to swap naughty students for animals! I joined the practice as a receptionist in March 2011 and have loved every minute of it.
I live with my husband and our two Pekin Bantams- Sophie and Edith, but it is Gizmo our cat that rules the roost at home. He joined us at the ripe old age of 17 from Cats Protection and several years on is still going strong keeping us on our toes!
As well as looking forward to meeting you and your animals on reception, I will be working hard to help Cats Protection re-home the cats we have here in the cat cabins, so don't be suprised if you end up going home with more than you bargained for!!
Flo (Practice Cat)
Flo arrived at the practice in April 2010 after a member of the public brought her in as they were concerned about her health. She had very sore and inflamed gums and horrible teeth which was making eating difficult. After providing her with extensive dental work and removing most of her teeth, we found she had an underlying virus. The virus may cause her to have ongoing problems with her mouth and gums throughout her life. The virus may also start to affect her in other ways such as joint problems. Flo was very sweet but very nervous and we were concerned about finding her a suitable new home. We decided to see how Flo liked living here with us so gave her free-roam of the kitchen and upstairs office. After hiding on top of a cupboard in the kitchen for a week, she began to settle in and venture down for a cuddle. Flo is now much more happy and confident and spends much of her time sprawled out on the kitchen table trying to steal our lunches!
Map
