I’ve always wanted to work with animals. As a teenager, I spent weekends and school holidays working at a kennels and cattery, and I was usually the person volunteering to walk all the neighbours’ dogs too.

I left sixth form to join a small mixed animal practice in Yarm, North Yorkshire, before moving to a veterinary practice in Middlesbrough, where I completed my training and qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in 1986. I later worked for the PDSA in Middlesbrough before moving to Milton Keynes in 1990, where I joined an independent mixed practice, followed by the PDSA in Northampton.

After taking time away from veterinary work to bring up my family, I spent 10 years working as a Teaching Assistant at a local primary school. In 2014, I joined Beech House Vets, initially returning to veterinary nursing before deciding that reception was where I was happiest. I’ve been part of the reception team ever since and really enjoy being one of the first familiar faces clients see when they come through the door.

Outside work, I enjoy gardening and walking my dogs, Jess and Bruce, who are both German Shepherds. I’ve recently discovered watercolour painting after going to a ‘sip and paint’ evening at my local pub, and I’m also a member of a local wine tasting group. Over the years I’ve had all sorts of pets, from budgies to horses, so animals have always been a big part of my life.