Chris Tomlinson
Veterinary Surgeon
I have worked as a vet for over 40 years starting in Cornwall then to Tanzania and since 1991 in Norfolk. My wife Shawn is a priest at Badersfield (the old RAF Coltishall base) and we have 6 children and 6 grandchildren who bring us much joy!
Building community is very important to me and animals play a really important role in this; bringing comfort in difficult times and joy most days! It’s a real privilege to be able to walk alongside owners through the life of their pets sharing in the different emotions this brings.
I have had a vision of a practice where people of diversity are able to work, as so often pets are important to them. So Rackheath Vets was born in 2023 as a diverse community passionate about caring for people and their pets, allowing people to grow in their abilities to provide the best they can for animals in their care.
I see my role as someone who helps owners to make sense of the challenges that come with owning a pet! From looking after a young puppy or kitten and all that entails, to the challenge of treating injuries, skin issues, upset tummies and a myriad of other issues and then the care for the older pet so that they can enjoy their final years. Accompanying people and their pets on this journey is a great privilege and the reason I am still going!
Owen Davies
Veterinary Surgeon
I have been a vet since qualifying from Bristol University in1991 and have worked mostly in mixed and small animal practices. I have visited India several times treating village animals and from 2014 to 2017 was living and working in Nepal.
I am a keen surgeon and a member of both the Association of Soft tissue Veterinary Surgeons and the British Orthopaedic Veterinary Association. I enjoy learning to help keep my skills up to date and have been awarded a MSc from the Royal Veterinary College and a PGDip from St Andrews University.
Outside of work I have an allotment, enjoy reading and cycling, am a member of a local church and most Saturday mornings I will be at a parkrun with my wife.
Amelia Burton
I have always wanted to work with animals, having lived on a working farm all my life, helping particularly with the sheep from the age of seven. My mum, who locums at Rackheath, is a vet and she has inspired me to work in the veterinary industry. I’m currently a patient care assistant, hoping to become an RVN. I really enjoy my job, particularly helping out in theatre. At home, on the farm, I have my two dogs, a collie cross and a shnauzer cross, Ella and Acorn who I love to walk on the beach and in the woods. I also spend a lot of time with Flora, the sheep who grew up in the garden with my dogs. Lambing time is my favourite for that reason!
Felicity Lawrence
I have always had animals at home and felt passionate about them so at 14, I started working in a riding school to gain experience. I stopped due to A- Levels but realised how much I missed it. Therefore, I started volunteering here in January and
in May started my position as a Patient Care Assistant with
hopes to train as a Veterinary Nurse.
In my spare time, I enjoy competing my Cob, Jeromy
Natasha Hudson
Registered Head Veterinary Nurse
I am Natasha and I’m a Registered Veterinary Nurse. I have worked within the Veterinary Industry for the past 15 years and qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in 2014. At home I have an excitable JRT x Chihuahua called Norman, Mollie the sassy black cat and two naughty guinea pigs Bubble and Pop.
Piene Cuppens
Registered Veterinary Nurse
I have been a Registered Veterinary Nurse since 2007. I have always wanted to work with animals and thoroughly enjoy my job, every day is different! My favourite aspect of the job is helping with in-patients and find it rewarding when they go home after having to stay with us for a while. I love the caring aspect of the job and like it when you gain an animal’s trust through caring for them. I am also looking forward to using laser therapy to help animals with various conditions.
In my spare time I like bike riding, dog walking, cooking and spending time with my family,
Kayleigh Earl
Registered Veterinary Nurse
I began working in a Veterinary practice as a Receptionist in 2013 before moving into an Animal Nursing Assistant position the following year. I started my training to become a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2015 and qualified in 2018. I enjoy all aspects of my role, but particularly enjoy nursing medical patients and training students. In my spare time you can find me walking my border collies or horse riding.
Jessica Denton
Registered Veterinary Nurse
Hi, I’m Jess, I moved to Norwich in 2019 after qualifying as a Registered Veterinary Nurse and have worked in a few local practices. I had a year out of nursing before starting at Rackheath Vets so I’m ready to get stuck back in. I have a pet snake at home and love all things exotic! Out of work I love climbing, exercising and going to live music events and festivals with friends.
Claire Stockell
Student Veterinary Nurse
Maria O’Dowd
Registered Veterinary Nurse
Jackie Moore
Practice Administrator/Welfare Officer
I have always lived and worked in Norfolk and after many years working in the Library Service, I worked as the Practice Administrator for a local vets before retiring in 2017. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to come out of retirement to become part of the Rackheath Vets family. I have completed the BVRA Bronze Level Accredited Receptionist Award, as well as the BVRA Competent Veterinary Dispensary Award and the Virbac Dental Care course.I have a tiny toy poodle who is a real character and 5 cats of my own plus 2 feral cats who were born in our garden. We trapped, neutered and released them and one of them now has become a house cat living with the rest of the gang. My spare time is spent volunteering as a fosterer for a cat rescue. I also help with rehoming the cats that find themselves in need of the rescues help. I have a passion for baking and enjoy making cakes and sweet treats for friends and family
Sam Robinson
Head Receptionist
I joined Rackheath Vets having previously worked as a Dental Receptionist for the last 17 years. Having always been passionate about animals I am very excited to now be part of the team here. I have completed my BVRA Receptionist Bronze award and am looking forward to complete the Silver award in the near future. I am dedicated in providing excellent customer care and love meeting new people and their pets. I am from Norwich and live at home with my family and our pets. I have two dogs, Cassie and Honey. I also have two cats Simba and Tinkerbell. In ,my spare time I love nothing more than being out walking my dogs. In the summer time we love to go camping.
Shannon Loveday
Receptionist
I live on a working farm in Horsford with my husband and two little girls. I grew up on a farm and have always had a love for the countryside and animals. I started off working at Anchorage Veterinary practice as a kennel maid every evening after school which I absolutely loved. After I finished school I was offered a full time job as an Auxiliary Veterinary Nurse and did that for about 7 years. I then started working as a Receptionist at Glaven Veterinary Practice in Holt.
Outside of work I help my husband on the family farm. We have a mixed farm arable along with cattle and pigs. I enjoy lots of lovely family walks with our three dogs. I have a border collie and two working cocker spaniels. I also show our cattle at all the local agricultural shows.
Jayne Giddings
Receptionist
My name is Jayne, before joining Rackheath Vets I previously worked as an Early Years Educator for 12 years supporting children and their families. I have recently completed my BVRA receptionist bronze award and look forward to completing my silver receptionist award in the future. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family and walking my dog Lila
Becky Newton
Receptionist
I have most recently worked as a Teaching Assistant and before that my role was a Receptionist. I have always wanted the opportunity to work with animals and this opportunity arose so I followed my dreams and here I am.
I have lived in Norfolk all my life. As a young girl I had horses and now I have a dog, a cat, lots of fish and a tortoise called Bolt. At the weekends you will find me walking the dogs or spending time with my family.
Georgia Abrahams
Apprentice Veterinary Receptionist
I have always loved animals and knew that I wanted to work alongside them. While I was studying at school I had a part-time job at a local pet nutrition store.
After completing my GCSE’s in June, 2024, I am excited to be starting my journey in the veterinary industry at Rackheath Vets.
In my spare time I enjoy walking with my two Cockerpoo’s, Belle and Bruno.
Lisa Spencer
Veterinary Receptionist
Before I started at Rackheath Vets I spent 8 years working for the NHS. I have always wanted to work with animals, and this was the perfect opportunity for me.
In my spare time I love being outside either on a coastal walk or exploring the woods with my daughter.