our team
Aubrey Kumm BVSc MRCVS
Joint Venture Partner and Veterinary Surgeon
I qualified as a vet surgeon from the University of Pretoria, South Africa in July 2000. Since then I have worked in small animal practice and I have developed a particular interest in Endoscopy (keyhole surgery) for which I gained a GP Certificate in 2011. The training for this type of surgery was extensive, requiring travel to both France and the USA to train with some of the world’s foremost endoscopists.
I also have a great interest in Diagnostic Imaging (ultrasound/x-rays and MRI among others) and am working toward a certificate in this currently.
I joined Companion Care in August 2002 and was fortunate to become sole director in the Harlow Companion Care in 2008, in 2011 was able to take on 3 new partners. I’ve recently opened my second practice at Chingford and divide my time between the 2 surgeries, which is testament to the team I have around me. If you haven’t met us before then please take a look at the team, or better still come and visit the surgery.
Chris Venter BVSc MRCVS
Joint Venture Partner & Veterinary Surgeon
Chris graduated from Pretoria in 2008. He spent some time locuming in South Africa and then moved to the UK in 2009 where he has spent most of his time in small animal practice, coming to Companion Care in January 2010. Chris comes from a Game Farm in the Limpopo district of South Africa and classes all of the wildlife roaming his home 500 hectares of bushveld as pets. He loves the outdoors, being active, travel, sports, music, Braai and spending time with good friends and family, but most importantly, practicing his profession as a Veterinary Surgeon.
Chris became a partner in the practice in June 2011 and is expanding his skill set exponentially. Chris’ passion is surgery, especially orthopaedics (bone surgery) and he has been responsible for saving the limbs of many of our patients. He also joins our head nurse in being a clinical coach responsible for the training of our student nurses.
Garrick Ponte BVSc MRCVS
Joint Venture Partner & Veterinary Surgeon
Garrick graduated from the University of Pretoria in 2005 and has now spent several years in the UK. He came to us from a practice in Dartford, having enjoyed 2 years with them. Garrick became a partner in the practice in June 2011 and prefers the medicine side of veterinary work over surgical procedures and is currently pursuing his General Practitioners Certificate in Small Animal Medicine. He is particularly successful in helping clients to maintain the quality of the their pets life during terminal illness.
His pet dog Tokoloshe (translates as small evil spirit) has stayed home in Johannesburg with his much adored family, whilst he is here. Garrick has a passion for sport and can be found, summer weekends, playing cricket on local village greens.
Nicola Taylor
Veterinary Surgeon
Nicky graduated from The University of Bristol in July 2011, and worked as a locum in several practices before joining us in September. She loves every aspect of general practice, but particularly exotics, having also completed a degree in Zoology. She spent a year studying penguins at Bristol Zoo and, while she doesn’t expect to see many penguins in Harlow, she is looking forward to treating many rabbits, guinea pigs and other small furries! She spends most of her free time reading, watching rubbish TV and scuba diving as well as reprimanding her rabbit, Tina, who has taken it upon herself to harass any passing neighbourhood cat!
Ruth Cook VN CertSACN D32/33
Joint Venture Partner & Practice Manager
Ruth is originally from Harlow and qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in 1987. She worked in a variety of practices until 1995 when she moved to the pet food industry, gained a Certificate in Small Animal Nutrition and helped provide information and training to vets and nurses nationally. Ruth returned to nursing in 2002 and has been with Companion Care since the beginning of 2008, becoming a partner in the practice in June 2011.
Ruth’s main interest now is in helping to provide our customers with excellent service and value for money in her role as practice manager, as well as providing support for all of our staff and training for our student nurses. Ruth is reported to have the naughtiest Toy Poodle in existence (Hector) however he is kept in strict order by her cat Algenon Fosdyke the Third, who is very proud to appear in some of the practice literature.
Kelsey Stanley BA(Hons) RVN D32/33
Head Nurse and Clinical Coach
Kelsey moved to Veterinary Nursing in 1997 after trying the conventional commuting 9 to 5. She trained at a local veterinary hospital where she then eventually took the head nurse role in 2001. Kelsey remained at that practice until 2006 when she left to have her son, Henry. Kelsey joined us on a part time basis in 2008, became our Head Nurse in 2009 and is a valued member of staff. She is instrumental in training our student nurses, many of which are about to complete final exams. Kelsey is about to embark on a two year course of study, the Diploma in Advance Veterinary Nursing, to further her skills and enable her to provide advanced care to our patients.
Away from the practice Kelsey likes to spend time with her family and socialise with friends. Kelsey posses one of the largest cats ever seen, Alan, who lives with his much smaller friend, Princess Bobbsie
Sharlene Bull
Student Veterinary Nurse
Sharlene started Veterinary Nursing in 1998 where she completed her 1st year of training, before being lured away into the pharmaceutical industry. After having 2 children, Paris and Archie, Sharlene decided to return to her first love of Veterinary Nursing and joined us in January 2009. Sharlene has since successfully juggled her two children and family with a full time, very demanding job and studying for her nursing qualification. She has nearly finished the final year of her training. Sharlene has 4 cats, including two that she rehomed from practice clients who were unable to keep them.
Coral Donoghue
Student Veterinary Nurse
Coral came to Companion Care, Harlow in 2009 on placement from her university course. Most students have a 12 week placement and move on to another practice, Coral loved it here so much she decided to stay and work for us full time and is now in her final year of her Veterinary Nurse qualification. Coral divides her time between working, studying and caring for her horse Millie. She has just taken on a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Purdy who is keeping her on her toes.
Melanie James
Student Veterinary Nurse
Melanie started Veterinary Nursing in 2008 when she started a degree course at the Royal Veterinary College. She came to Companion Care as a placement student and loved working with us so much she applied for a training position with us and gave up her degree placement. Melanie is now in the final year of her Veterinary Nurse training and is doing very well.
Lynette Bonnema
Veterinary Nurse
Lynette qualified as a nurse from Onderspoort in South Africa in 2000. She worked in rural practice in South Africa for four years before coming to the UK to work in an exotics practice in Cambridge. Lynette returned to South Africa to get married, but missed the UK so emigrated back and landed in Harlow in 2010. Lynette lives with her husband and her cat 'The Bear'.
Chris Webkin
Receptionist
Chris has been with the practice since 2003. Prior to this she spent 20 years at Arrow Electronics as a picker and receptionist. Chris enjoys working with the public and meeting new clients and takes great pride in the fact that she can recall the names of most of our clients and their pets. Chris has two grandsons whom she dotes over along with a variety of pets which include a dog Gunner, cat Fi Fi, parrot Hector and rabbits, ferrets and fish.
Diane Pavelin
Receptionist
Diane has been with Companion Care since 2005 after working as a child minder whilst her children were small. Her boys, Andrew and Jack, keep her busy at home along with husband John, dogs – Sid and Tia and rabbits and birds. Diane has ambitions to move from the front of house and into veterinary nursing when the position arises.
Rosie Hyde
Receptionist
Rosie has been with Companion Care since 2006. This is her second job, her first being nanny for 2 small girls. Rosie deals with much of the administration for our Practice Manager and is a very capable and valued staff member. Rosie has recently taken on a rescue Jack Russell terrier called Prima and they are adjusting to life together very well.
Irene Wetherell
Receptionist
Irene came to Companion Care in 2008. She is a valued team member and is always giving her time covering other staff for holidays and time off. Irene has two adult children, of whom she is very proud, Hayley and Darren, and a very special new granddaughter Amelia. Irene is kept busy at home with husband Fred and her dog Tommy.
Elisha Kavanagh
Receptionist
Danielle Longman
Receptionist
>back to top
|
