Your Devoted Vet Nurses

Nicola Bircher, RVNback to top

Nicola is a registered veterinary nurse and is head nurse at the practice. She has a NVQ in veterinary nursing and is A1 assessor.

Before joining the practice, Nicola helped out at a local animal sanctuary on a voluntary basis. She attended Brooksby College for 3 years and completed a first diploma in animal care and a national diploma in animal care. She joined Cockburn Veterinary Group as a trainee nurse, going on to qualify and successfully complete the assessor course before being nominated head nurse.

Her specific areas of interest are dental clinics and in-house training with the trainee vet nurses. She enjoys working as part of a friendly team and the variety of challenges she faces give her great job satisfaction.

Amy and Kathryne are currently sharing Nicola's duties while she is on maternity leave.

With her new addition, Nicola doesn't have much spare time but she still manages to enjoy walking her dogs and reading.

Amy Knight, RVNback to top

Amy is a registered veterinary nurse, and acting joint head nurse (with Kathryne) while Nicola is on maternity leave.  Amy has her Btec National Diploma in Animal Care and NVQ level 3 in veterinary nursing.

Since qualifying, Amy has worked with a range of animals.  She would like to work towards a certificate in advanced veterinary nursing and does not have a specific area of interest, preferring to gain experience and knowledge in all areas of the job so that she has the flexibility to provide assistance in most areas. 

Amy relishes a challenge, likes to perform under pressure and enjoys the team spirit of working closely with her colleagues at the Cockburn Veterinary Group.   She is a born organiser and likes to think that she has helped improve the orderliness of the practice with her frequent cleaning and checking the vaccines in the fridge.

When she’s not keeping us in order, Amy enjoys walking, camping, gardening (she grows giant courgettes) running and dog agility, not forgetting her favourite pastime: cleaning!

Kathryne Wrigley, RVNback to top

Currently joint acting head nurse with Amy, while Nicola is on maternity leave, Kathryne is a registered veterinary nurse with a long list of post qualification diplomas to her name, as well as being a Kennel Club accredited breeder  and nurse most likely to recognise any breed of dog!

Kathryne worked at a busy breeding / show / boarding kennel and cattery for eight years where she was also involved in the rescue of German shepherd dogs. 

She began voluntary work experience at Cockburn Veterinary Group and became trainee veterinary nurse in February 2003, qualified in 2005, became an assessor in 2006 and, since then, has been involved with the training of three student nurses who are now qualified VNs. 

Kathryne particularly likes medical nursing and radiography and is an Insuvet pet diabetes advisor.  However, her main interest is in canine reproduction and she runs antenatal clinics for inexperienced breeders to promote responsible breeding.  In 2008 Kathryne was awarded a British Veterinary Nursing Association Bursary which is enabling her to study for a dog breeding diploma.

Kathryne’s main hobby is dog showing and breeding but she’s also a a keen rugby fan, supporting Leicester Tigers and  England, and attends as many matches as she can. 

Laura Jones, RVNback to top

Laura is a registered veterinary nurse and a member of the British Veterinary Nursing Association, having spent two years at Brooksby College working on her HND in animal science.  She has NVQ veterinary nursing level 3 and is a qualified first aider.

Her particular interests are in homeopathic treatments, behavioural medicine and puppy training parties, but she also particularly enjoys surgical nursing, nurse clinics, anaesthetic monitoring in theatre and treatment of hospitalised patients.

Laura loves getting involved in unusual cases and enjoys working with clients to achieve a positive outcome for their pets.  She is also experienced in liaising with rescue and charitable organisations to achieve the best outcome for homeless animals too.

Laura makes terrible tea!  But we'll forgive her because she writes "The Vet Nurse Blog", which helps to keep patients and colleagues informed and amused with news, updates and tales of life in the practice..

Alice Starkeyback to top

Alice is a trainee veterinary nurse and has a national diploma with triple distinction in animal management.  She has spent two years at Brooksby Melton College studying animal management, and one year part time work in a pet food store.

She enjoys working with the qualified veterinary nurses, particularly the satisfaction of seeing difficult cases make a full recovery, and has achieved some personal goals around fears whilst working in the Practice.

At home, Alice enjoys horse riding and taking care of her pets.

Sophie Jamesback to top

Sophie works as a student veterinary nurse, having previously attended Brooksby Melton College where she studied the National Diploma in Animal Management.  She has recently achieved her NVQ level 2 in veterinary nursing and she is particularly interested in helping with large and small animal surgical procedures and care of inpatients.  She enjoys being part of a team and learning new procedures.

Her main interests are riding her two horses, looking after all of her animals and walking.  She also enjoys baking, which we all appreciate with a nice cup of tea!

Emma Bullback to top

When Emma was offered the position of trainee veterinary nurse at Cockburn Veterinary Group, she gave up her national diploma course in Animal Management to achieve her lifelong ambition. Emma, who has always enjoyed science, is now keen to resume her studies on a veterinary nursing course.

Emma enjoys walking her German short haired pointer, Boris. Boris is not as young as he used to be so Emma is gaining first hand experience of caring for the older pet. Emma’s other interests are horse riding and shopping though her parents have forbidden her from buying any more clothes as her wardrobe is overflowing.

Donna Bonser RVNback to top

Donna is a registered veterinary nurse and has first and national diplomas in animal care.

She particularly enjoys working with in-patients, especially the more complex procedures, whether assisting in theatre or caring for the hospitalised patients before and post operation.

Donna enjoys working together with everyone in a team, and appreciates our regular meetings which help to ensure that we are continually improving the service we provide.

Donna’s interests include walking her dog, eating out and baking (when time allows).

She is also fond of her overseas holidays, particularly exploring America and a little known fact is that Donna was married in Las Vegas, but not by "Elvis"!