Meet the Team

Practice Manager

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    Gill Tansey

    Practice Manager

    Gill joined our team in 2016, having previously spent 27 years working for Lloyds bank and four years in the optical industry. She believes she has the best job in the world, as there is always a four-legged friend to spend time with! When she’s not working, she enjoys looking after her springer spaniel, Harvey, watching sport with her family, cooking and going to the gym.

Clinical Directors

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    Carla Balnave

    Clinical Director

    BVSc BSc MRCVS

    Originally from Hampshire, Carla completed an animal behaviour degree before qualifying as a vet surgeon in 2007. She joined our team in 2015 and has a special interest in soft tissue surgery and behaviour – she is always happy to offer advice on behavioural matters. She has a husband, two children and a Jack Russell at home, and is a keen rounders player!

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    Caroline Foalks

    Clinical Director

    BVetMed CertAVP(EP) MRCVS

    Caroline graduated from the Royal Veterinary College, London in 2008 and then completed an Internship at the University of Liverpool‘s Leahurst Equine Hospital.

    Following a period of ambulatory practice in Wiltshire, Caroline started at Aireworth Vets in 2011. For the last couple of years Caroline had been involved with Export work before returning as Clinical Director in January 2024.

    Caroline has the further qualification of a Certificate in Equine Practice enjoying all aspects of equine work but spends a lot of her days focusing on Lameness and Vetting’s.

    Outside of work Caroline has a busy family life, two Guinea pigs and Peter the Shetland Pony!

Small Animal Team

Small Animal Vets

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    Carla Balnave

    Clinical Director

    BVSc BSc MRCVS

    Originally from Hampshire, Carla completed an animal behaviour degree before qualifying as a vet surgeon in 2007. She joined our team in 2015 and has a special interest in soft tissue surgery and behaviour – she is always happy to offer advice on behavioural matters. She has a husband, two children and a Jack Russell at home, and is a keen rounders player!

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    Abigail Robertson

    Veterinary Surgeon

    BVM&S MRCVS

    Abby graduated from Edinburgh Vet School in 2017, and joined us in 2020 after a few years at another mixed practice. She has a particular passion for small animal medicine and is working towards a certificate in the field. She spends much of her free time outdoors, and enjoys fell running, caving and being part of her local mountain rescue team!

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    Amy Thornton

    Veterinary Surgeon

    BVMedSci BVM BVS MRCVS

    Amy graduated from the University of Nottingham and officially joined the Aireworth Vets team in 2024—though she’s been part of the family since the age of 16, when she first started seeing practice here. She enjoys all areas of small animal work and has a particular passion for soft tissue surgery, which she’s excited to develop further in the years ahead. Outside the clinic, you’ll likely find Amy out for a run, at the gym, or off exploring new places to eat. She also loves a good book and any excuse to travel somewhere new.

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    Bethan Cosgrove

    Veterinary Surgeon

    BVSc MRCVS

    Coming Soon

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    Femke Smits

    Veterinary Surgeon

    BVM BVS MRes MRCVS

    Coming Soon

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    Lucy Ives

    Veterinary Surgeon

    BVSc MRCVS

    Lucy studied agriculture at Nottingham University before graduating from Liverpool Vet School in 2001. She has gained a variety of small animal experience since then, and joined our team in 2006. When she’s not at work, she loves spending time with family, gardening, painting and walking her greyhound, Merlin – when he can be bothered to get off the sofa!

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    Matty Dixon

    Veterinary Surgeon

    DVM MRCVS

    Matty completed his training at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Budapest, and joined us in 2021. He has a keen interest in exotic animal medicine and animal welfare, as well as all things wildlife and conservation. A passionate baker, he often brings in baked goods for his colleagues to try, and is hoping to improve his amateur photography skills.

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    Stuart Kerr

    Veterinary Surgeon

    BVSc MANZCVS Pharmacology BSAVA PGCertSAS MRCVS

    Stuart brings an international perspective to our team, originally hailing from New Zealand. He graduated from Massey University in 2006 and began his career as a large animal veterinarian. Over time, his focus shifted, and he now works exclusively with small animals. Stuart holds a certificate in Small Animal Surgery and has additional qualifications in Pharmacology. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family, walking, and travelling.

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    Tasha May

    Veterinary Surgeon

    BVM&S MRCVS

    Coming Soon…

Small Animal Nurses

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    Adele Welsh

    Senior Nurse

    Sip RVN

    Adele qualified as a vet nurse in 2009 and has a keen interest in behaviour and wound care. She spent 15 years working for an animal welfare charity before joining us in 2016, and her passion for feline medicine has been put to good use as our ISFM cat friendly clinic advocate. She has many animals of her own, and enjoys reading and walking

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    Carli Shaw

    Senior Nurse

    BSc Dip RVN

    After finishing her psychology degree, Carli joined our team as an animal care assistant in 2009. She completed her nursing training with us and was named student of the year at her college. She enjoys all aspects of nursing care, but particularly likes medical and intensive nursing and rabbit care, and has two rabbits of her own at home called Percy and Turnip.

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    Shelley Hudson

    Senior Nurse

    RVN

    Shelley joined our team in 2011 and qualified as a nurse four years later. She has since achieved certificates in hydrotherapy and canine and feline veterinary health nutrition, and can often be found exploring the countryside with her horse, Olivia, in her free time.

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    Amie Rawling

    Veterinary Nurse

    RVN

    Amie joined the Aireworth team as an animal care assistant in 2017. She spends much of her free time crafting, reading and volunteering outdoors with the Lancashire Countryside Service.

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    Emma Hellard

    Veterinary Nurse

    RVN

    Coming Soon

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    Louise Hardy

    Veterinary Nurse

    RVN

    Louise joined us in March 2017 having studied Animal Management at College gaining a Distinction*. She later trained for her Veterinary Care Assistant qualification at the College of Animal Welfare. In 2022 she was awarded Apprentice of the year at the Keighley and Airedale Business awards and then went on to qualify as registered Veterinary nurse in November. Louise has two Border Collies called Blitz and Benson and outside of work she enjoys going out for food, socialising with her friends, and going on holidays.

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    Rachel Smith

    Veterinary Nurse

    RVN

    After thirteen years working as a childminder, Rachel decided a career change was on the cards! She worked at an animal charity for several years before joining our team in 2018, and loves that her job gives her the flexibility to spend time with her children. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, gardening, horse riding and fostering cats for an animal charity.

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    Sam Collins

    Veterinary Nurse

    RVN

    Coming Soon…

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    Sarah Kirk

    Veterinary Nurse

    RVN

    Sarah worked with us while completing her nursing training, and has a great deal of experience with animals, having previously worked at livery and stud yards and equine competitions. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, crocheting, cross-stitching, watching films, and looking after her dog, cats, chinchillas and corn snake.

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    Holly Misfud

    Student Veterinary Nurse

    Holly joined us as an animal nursing assistant in 2021, and enjoys learning about animal behaviour – especially when dogs are involved. When she’s not walking her own two rescue dogs, she also loves riding her pony, Ditto

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    Leanne Oliver

    Student Veterinary Nurse

    Coming Soon…

Small Animal Nurse Assistant

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    Dolly Mercer

    Animal Nursing Assistant

    Coming Soon.

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    Elysia Walker

    Animal Nursing Assistant

    Elysia joined our team in September 2023, after completing her Business Apprenticeship Course at Vets4Pets and gaining a distinction. She has always had a passion for the welfare of animals and has a special interest in the aftercare provided due to pet loss. In her spare time, Elysia likes to spend time with her grandparents, going to concerts!

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    Kelly Owlett

    Animal Nursing Assistant

    Kelly joined our team in 2015, and enjoys learning about canine behaviour and manning our Thursday evening puppy parties! She has a bearded collie called Ria and a border collie called Ted at home, and loves going on dog walks in the countryside and helping out at a local dog hydrotherapy pool.

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    Molly Christie

    Animal Nursing Assistants

    Molly joined the Aireworth team in 2022 after newly graduating in Animal Health and Welfare Bsc, as well as being presented with the RSPCA’s Farm Animal Welfare award. Molly has a Jackapoo called Charlie who loves long walks in the countryside. In her spare time Molly likes socialising with friends and photography.

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    Victoria Summersgill

    Animal Nursing Assistant

    Coming Soon

Small Animal Admin Team

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    Jenny Savage

    Clinical Manager

    BSc Hons RVN

    Jenny has been with us since graduating from the Royal Veterinary College in 2006. After 10 years in our senior nursing team, she swapped her greens for office wear and took a foray into management, making sure everything runs smoothly! Outside of work, she is kept busy with her young family and enjoys baking, sewing and gardening.

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    Kylie Hargreaves

    Client Services Manager

    Kylie came to work for us in 2006 as a part time receptionist. She now manages the reception team & is our client services manager full-time dealing with insurance claims & client/account queries. Kylie has recently completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Veterinary Business Management with Liverpool University.

    When she is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, watching football & walking with her Cockerpoo Blue. She also has a rescue cat Mike, & a new addition to the family, her hand reared kitten, Stevie.

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    Nicola Lillie

    Reception Team Leader

    Nicola worked as an event organiser before becoming a full-time mum to two lovely children, and after a couple of years away she was itching to get back to the world of work. She joined our team in 2016 and hasn’t looked back! When she’s not at work, she loves nothing more than spending time with her family, going for long walks and going on holiday.

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    Adele Nasir

    Receptionist

    Adele joined us in 2009 as a part-time receptionist. After working for Inland Revenue for 25 years, she opted for a complete career change, made easier by her love of dogs! She has a keen interest in canine health and social skills, and now runs a home boarding service with her husband and foxhound, Skylar. Films and food help her relax after a long day.

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    Angela Robinson

    Receptionist

    Coming Soon

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    Lauren Carpenter

    Receptionist

    Coming Soon…

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    Megan Parry

    Receptionist

    Megan is from Yorkshire, and enjoys exploring the Yorkshire Dales and going on long walks with Ted her cocker spaniel. When Megan is not out enjoying the countryside she regular visit live music events and like to spend her weekends watching rugby with her dad.

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    Monica Broadley

    Receptionist

    Coming Soon…

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    Sue Robertshaw

    Receptionist

    A life-long animal lover, Sue has always had cats and dogs and is the proud owner of a fostered basset hound named Jasper. She joined our reception team in 2015 and loves cooking, crocheting and growing her fruit and vegetables in her greenhouse in her spare time.

Equine Team

Equine Vets

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    Caroline Foalks

    Clinical Director

    BVetMed CertAVP(EP) MRCVS

    Caroline graduated from the Royal Veterinary College, London in 2008 and then completed an Internship at the University of Liverpool‘s Leahurst Equine Hospital.

    Following a period of ambulatory practice in Wiltshire, Caroline started at Aireworth Vets in 2011. For the last couple of years Caroline had been involved with Export work before returning as Clinical Director in January 2024.

    Caroline has the further qualification of a Certificate in Equine Practice enjoying all aspects of equine work but spends a lot of her days focusing on Lameness and Vetting’s.

    Outside of work Caroline has a busy family life, two Guinea pigs and Peter the Shetland Pony!

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    Christine Threlfall

    Equine Veterinary Surgeon

    BVetMed MRCVS
    Christine graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2011 and went on to intern with Minster Vets in York. Christine enjoys all aspects of her role having been in equine practice for over 14 years. Her passions include stud medicine, dentistry, lameness investigations and internal medicine.
     Outside of work, she enjoys looking after her companion pony and eventing her horse.  She is also a keen runner taking part in regular 10km and fell races.
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    Daniel Paterson

    Equine Veterinary Surgeon

    BVetMed MRCVS PGDipVCP

    Originally from Durham, Danny graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2023 and continued his studies there with a hospital internship the following year, where he achieved a postgraduate diploma in veterinary clinical practice. There he developed a passion for diagnostic imaging and lameness investigation, but still enjoys all aspects of equine medicine, with a particular emphasis on emergency and critical care. When not at work Danny loves to travel, hike, and play hockey.

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    Hannah Marrow

    Equine Veterinary Surgeon

    BVMS MRCVS

    Hannah graduated from the University of Glasgow in 2023, with a keen interest in foal based work she is looking forward to meeting lots of foals over the summer months. Originally from Chorley but having spent some time in the lakes Hannah enjoys nothing better than getting out and about in the fresh air on long walks with her pointer Drift.

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    Jenny Eden

    Equine Veterinary Surgeon

    BVSc CertAVP MRCVS

    After Jenny graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2002, she started her career in mixed practice before moving into Equine practice in 2006. Additionally Jenny spent time working in the veterinary pharmaceutical industry and more recently has worked covering emergency call outs.  Jenny’s main areas of interest are equine medicine and reproduction
    Outside of work, Jenny’s two children keep her busy, attending football matches and dance classes and any spare time she enjoys outdoor activities including walking and horse riding.

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    Linda Greaves

    Equine Veterinary Surgeon

    BVetMed BSc CertAVP MRCVS

    Linda grew up in Cheshire and graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2011 completing an internship at Leahurst Equine Hospital before going to work in equine ambulatory practices. Linda gained a certificate in equine practice at a Large Animal Hospital and developed a passion for equine dentistry, colic and metabolic disease. Linda particularly enjoys working with geriatric horses and donkeys. She likes to spend any spare time with her family, walking, baking and her Doug and Kenny her cocker spaniels!

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    Poppy Fennell

    Equine Veterinary Surgeon

    BVetMed MRCVS

    Originally from Portsmouth, Poppy graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2022, before making the move to Yorkshire to join us at Aireworth Vets. Poppy enjoys all the aspects of equine practice but particularly enjoys foal care and internal medicine. Away from the practice Poppy enjoys hiking, indoor climbing and training her puppy Bean.

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    Robyn Turner

    Equine Veterinary Surgeon

    BVM BVS MRCVS

    Robyn joined us having had experience in mixed practice in the Scottish highlands. She has a passion for walking with her friends and her springer spaniel. Before becoming a busy vet she spent many years riding, competing and caring for her own horses.

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    Sandy Baird

    Equine Veterinary Surgeon

    BVMS CF MRCVS

    Sandy graduated from Glasgow in 1998. After a period in mixed practice in the Lake District Sandy moved to an Equine and Farm practice in Surrey before completing a 3 year residency at the Weipers Centre back in Glasgow developing his interest in Lameness and Surgery. Whilst at Glasgow he achieved the award of a Churchill Fellowship which allowed him to travel and study in Michigan and Florida. Sandy has subsequently worked throughout the UK from Inverness to Essex. This included a wide variety of practices including time at Rainbow Equine. Sandy has now settled in Yorkshire having been with Aireworth Vets for the past 4 years. In his spare time Sandy likes cooking and going on adventures with his partner Carolyn.

Equine Nurses

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    Anna Saul

    Senior Nurse

    BSc (hons), REVN, AVN

    Anna qualified as an equine vet nurse in 2008,and has since achieved a diploma in clinical veterinary nursing. A long-time horse owner, she has competed in various riding club activities in her time, and enjoys renovating her house, spending time with her family and taking photos at equine and canine events.

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    Alyce Whittaker

    Equine Veterinary Nurse

    REVN

    Alyce has an equine management degree and joined us in 2019, and brought her extensive experience of the farm industry with her, having grown up on a farm. Alyce qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse last year and enjoys all aspects of patient care. She has a horse called Penny who she competes in events with, a dog called Layla, and a puppy that she is currently training.

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    Steff Newton

    Student Equine Veterinary Nurse

    BSc (hons) MSc

    Steff joined the nursing team in 2016 and is working towards becoming a ERVN. S he holds an Msc in Equine Science and is a qualified AI technician. Before joining us Steff used to run her own livery yard, she now owns and rides her two horses in her spare time. Steff enjoys spending time with her young family and walking her dogs.

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    Claire Keogh

    Large Animal Nursing Assistant

    Claire started at Aireworth Vets in November 2022 as a member of the admin team, shortly after she made the move into the nursing team as a nursing assistant with the aim of completing her life ambition of becoming an equine veterinary nurse.

    Prior to working at Aireworth, Claire was head girl at a livery yard where she kept her own horse. In her spare time Claire loves nothing more than being in the great outdoors with Milo her jack Russell.

Equine Admin Team

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    Abigial Eggleston

    Equine Admin Manager

    Abi returned to the practice in 2022 as our office manager in the Equine Department. She is joined everyday by our office spaniel and team mascot, Finn! Abi graduated from UCLAN in 2013 having studied Equine Science and Physiology and is currently studying for a PgCert in Veterinary Business Management. Outside of work Abi enjoys spending time with her friends and family, walking Finn and being secretary for Kilnsey Show and Sports.

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    Amanda Barrell

    Equine Administrator

    Amanda joined the team in 2023, she comes with a wealth of customer relation experience having been in the Events Management Industry in South Africa hosting National and International Events for over 10 years. On relocating to the UK she continued to host prestigious events in the South of the UK before moving up North to join our team. In her spare time Amanda enjoys spending time with her grown up children, husband and Border Terrier Cross, Bailey.

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    Sarah Noble

    Equine Administrator

    Sarah has worked for Aireworth since 2007 starting in the Small Animal department, Aireworth Vets Pets and now works part time in our Equine office. Sarah is well organised, kind, compassionate and very knowledgeable, a true asset to the team! In her spare time she enjoys walking, riding and reading

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    Jo Butterell

    Equine Accounts Administrator

    Coming Soon…

Practice Support

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    James Credland

    VetTech & Maintenance

    R-SQP

    James joined us as a small animal nursing assistant in 2007, and later moved to worked in our equine and farm teams as a nursing assistant, before taking on his current VetTech and Maintenance role. Outside of work, he enjoys a range of outdoor activities, including camping, volunteering as a Scout leader, spending time with his family and Colliepoo Maggie