Your Devoted Vet Nurses
Amy, Kathryne, Nicola, Donna, Laura and Sophie are all qualified veterinary nurses (VNs), while Alice is currently studying and training to become a veterinary nurse. As well as providing assistance to our vets, our veterinary nurse team provides free clinics and advice on pet healthcare and nutrition for your companion animal.
Read more about our veterinary nurses below and your vet nurse services and free clinics. Or, if you’re interested in training as a veterinary nurse, click here.
Amy Knight RVNback to top
Amy is a registered veterinary nurse and as the Practice Co-Ordination Manager jointly leads the veterinary nursing team with Kathryne. 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
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! She is our Training and Development Manager and jointly leads the veterinary nursing team with Amy.
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 enabled her to study for a dog breeding diploma, which she has recently been awarded.
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.
Nicola Bircher RVNback to top
Nicola is a registered veterinary nurse. She has a NVQ in veterinary nursing and is A1 assessor and is a member of the our Senior Nursing Team.
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 veterinary nurse, going on to qualify and successfully complete the Veterinary Nursing assessor course.
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.
Having a young family means that Nicola doesn't have much spare time, but she still manages to enjoy walking her dogs and reading. Nicola is expecting her second child in October and is currently on maternity leave.
Laura Cowlishaw 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 member of our Senior Veterinary Nursing Team.
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 has recently had her first child and is currently enjoying spending time with her on maternity leave. Laura 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. Alice started nursing college in September 2011 and is enjoying her course.
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 cat, Mitzy.
Sophie James RVNback to top
Sophie works as a registered veterinary nurse, having previously attended Brooksby Melton College where she studied the National Diploma in Animal Management. She has recently achieved her NVQ level 3 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 including a variety of birds and reptiles. She also enjoys socialising with her friends at the weekend!