MEET THE TEAM

I’m Deborah and I qualified from the University of Cambridge in 2003. I have always worked in the North East and have been with the Gilmoor Vets since 2005, becoming part owner in 2016. I work mainly at the central branch in Durham, or our Spennymoor surgery.

I have completed further study and examinations to gain a European qualification in Exotic Animal Medicine and Surgery (GPCert ExAP) which means I am better able to work with the weird and often very wonderful exotic pets that come to see us. I am regularly recommended by local animal charities and other veterinary practices for my work in these species and have helped the practice gain its Silver “rabbit friendly practice” award from the National Rabbit Welfare Association, and achieved rabbit friendly practice of the year 2016. I also enjoy working with dogs and cats especially all aspects of small animal medicine and diagnostics with a special interest in cytology and tumour investigations.

Out of work I am kept busy looking after my hairy lurchers, mischievous cats, and various reptiles. I also practice Capoeira (a Brazilian martial art) and am trying to turn my muddy garden into tasty vegetables.

You can follow me on Twitter @vet_that_tweets

I’m Keith Stewart, a 1994 graduate of Glasgow University Veterinary School.

I’m originally from central Scotland but since qualifying have worked entirely in the North East and Yorkshire, originally in mixed practice, but for many years solely small animal practice. I joined the practice back in 2006.  Like all the vets in the practice I am involved in consultations but my main area of expertise is in surgery. I am very experienced in orthropaedic and soft tissue surgery, which forms a large part of my caseload. I also was involved in racing greyhounds with Francis Allen for many years and still see racing and working dogs on a regular basis.

I enjoy running, hill-walking and regularly compete in Mountain Marathons and Ultras. I also own a beautiful but slightly mad spaniel called Bailey.

My name is Judit Porszasz. I graduated from the University of Glasgow in 2022.

I started working at Gilmoor Vets straight after graduation and I really enjoy working with such a talented and knowledgeable team. I have an interest in cytology and soft tissue surgery. Although I love my furry patients, I am keen to develop my ability to treat some more feathered and scaly patients as well.

In my spare time, I like to dance and go on adventures.

I am Irina and I graduated in 2013 in Romania, Cluj-Napoca and did 1 year of emergency internship thereafter and worked in a small animal practice.

I moved here in 2019 and worked on small animal practice in North West side, but I am happier to be here, not only for the Gilmoor team, but for the landscapes and warmer people as well.

I have developed in time a love for feline medicine as they seem not to respect any general medical rule, as they do in day-to-day life as well. I like internal medicine more, that is in both cats and dogs, as I can’t ever choose which I like best.

In my spare time I like to spoil my cat Princess Tiabenie (yes, she is royal), read a good book or do yoga.

Sion graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 2018 and joined Gillmoor Vets in October 2021. Prior to working for Gillmoor he has worked in a mix of general practice and as an assistant in dermatology referral. Sion’s main areas of interest are internal medicine and dermatology. In dermatology his spesific interests are in canine and feline allergy and ear disease. In his work up of canine and feline skin disease Sion utilises interdermal skin testing for enviromental allergens and video otoscopy, a specalised endoscopy technique used to visualise and treat ear disease.

Outside of work Sion enjoys cooking, gaming and getting out with his partner and their 4 dogs.

My name is Adele Harrison, I graduated in 2003 from Glasgow Veterinary School. I spent my first 5 years in a mixed practice in Oban and moved down to Bradford in 2008 to work in a small animal practice, hoping to further my interest in small animal medicine.

I joined the practice in November 2010 and my professional interests include small animal internal medicine, emergency medicine, anaesthesia and canine and feline behaviour management and training. I will be starting a certificate in Internal Medicine early in 2023 and I have recently become the practices Clinical Lead for Medicine which means I am responsible for maintaining the clinical standards within our practice.

I have 5 lovely dogs that you might see around the practice – 2 Golden Retrievers, a couple of collies and an Australian Kelpie. In our spare time we compete in agility.

I am generally found consulting at the Durham.

Hi, I’m Claire, I have been working at Gilmoor since April 2000 and qualified as a veterinary nurse in January 2008. I am one of the Head nurse’s here at the practice, I over see the nurses day to day duties, running of the day, nurses rota’s & the hospital wards & operating theatre.

When I am not at work I enjoy spending time with my children, husband and pets, and socialising with friends and family.

Hi, I’m Deborah, I have been in full time employment at Gilmoor Vets since 2004. I qualified as a veterinary nurse in January 2008.

Outside of work I enjoy horse riding, eating out and socialising with friends.

My name is Hannah Jones, I have been working here since 2012 when I started my training to be a qualified Veterinary Nurse and qualified in 2016. I love every aspect of my job, I find it very rewarding I wouldn’t change it for the world!

In my spare time I enjoy going on long walks with my two dogs and socialising with my friends. I also enjoy playing football and I play for the women’s football team, Consett belles.

Hi, I’m Michelle Percival and I started my journey at Gilmoor Vets in 2004. I qualified in January 2009. I love being a veterinary nurse and find my job very rewarding.

I left the practice in July 2014 to spend time raising my ever growing family and rejoined again in September 2021. I love all aspects of my job and am very happy to be part of the Gilmoor team.

Hi I’m Sarah, I am a Student Veterinary Nurse and love being part of the Gilmoor team. I am now in my 4th (final) year of studying, Veterinary Nursing with Companion Animal Behaviour, at Harper Adams University. I have worked at Gilmoor vets alongside my studies for 5 years, starting with work experience to recently completing a full year placement as part of my university course. I have always had a passion for working with animals and when leaving school in 2012 I went onto study Animal Management at college. I then worked in a dog grooming salon for 4 years before deciding to go to university to pursue my dream career as a Veterinary Nurse.

I have had many pets over the years including small furies, birds and dogs. I have also cared for and taken home many young and underweight wildlife, after being brought into the practice, including Mr Prickles (the hedgehog) and Paddy (the Pigeon), who are now living their best lives back in the wild.

I currently have two Budgies, Ross and Rachel (who are NOT on a break… at the moment) and four dogs… Toby (a very cheeky Patterdale) and three chihuahuas, Luna (AKA Princess Luna), Brian (the sock thief) and Mouse (the smallest but the boss!).
In my spare time I enjoy walking my crazy dogs and socialising with friends.

Hello my name is Sarah Willetts and I joined Glimoor Veterinary group at the end of 2015 as an auxiliary nurse. I previously completed my work placement here back in 2010 and ever since have had my mind set on working within a veterinary practice.

I love every aspect of my job and I feel I am very passionate about animals having previously worked with a wide variety of different types, breed and species!

I have a springer spaniel called Bonnie who I enjoy taking out for walks. I also enjoy socialising with my friends in my spare time and spending time outdoors.

Hello my name is Toni Carr,

I have worked at Gilmoor vets since I was 16-year-old, I have worked here for 6 years in total. I started here as a practice cleaner then progressed to a VCA and now I am currently working as a Senior Animal Nurse. My plans for the future are to start my Student Veterinary Nursing in September 2022. I have previously done a year at Houghall College doing my pre nursing in 2019, which I thoroughly enjoyed; I have also achieved my animal care course in 2018. I have lots of love and affection to give not only my own pets but our client’s pets, I try to work to the best of my ability throughout my day, willing to learn and achieve more each day.

My general interests outside of work include socialising  with my friends, spending time with family and my own pets. At home I also have 4 dogs Milly, Tia, Tinkerbell and Elsie. I also have 2 cats at home my cats are called Dino and Hagi, I adopted Dino from our practice when he was brought in as a stray 3 years ago and been honored to have him ever since I have loved watching him grow. I thrive on being a Mam to all my fur babies.

Hi, I’m Georgia, I’m new to the team at Gilmoor Vets joining in January 2022 however I have already been made to feel like part of the family here! I work as a VCA in the practice and I love every aspect of my role. Come September I will start Houghall College to begin my exciting journey of becoming a Veterinary Nurse.

I’ve always had a love for animals and a keen interest in their wellbeing so working in a veterinary practice means I leave work fulfilled and ready for the next day, caring for you pets.

I have always had pets of my own since being younger, a rescue Staffordshire Bull Terrier and a crazy Springer Spaniel called Bella who we rescued 5 years ago and there’s probably going to be more to come. In my spare time you’ll usually find me walking my dog, cuddled up in bed watching Netflix together or out with friends.

Hi, I’m Ella, recently new to the team since 2022. I work as a VCA at the practice, and I am loving all aspects of my job, from the cleaning up to looking after all of your fur babies. I have always had an interest in animals, I previously volunteered at a doggy day care/grooming centre. However, I wanted to expand my career and interest into a veterinary practice and hope to start my journey as becoming a Veterinary Nurse in the near future!

In my spare time you will find me socialising with friends and family, keeping active or spending time with my two dogs!

I’ve been working for Gilmoor vets since 1991 on leaving school, having previously attended for work experience.

I went on to pass my nursing exams and here I find myself many years (and a few grey hairs!) later in the role as practice manager.

I am immensely proud of our practice and aim to continue to provide the high level of care that our clients deserve.

My name is Amy, and I am proud to say I have worked in veterinary care for nearly nine years. Firstly, on front of house as a receptionist before moving into part of the management team.

I am extremely passionate about showing outstanding customer care, as coming into a veterinary practice can not only be a joyous occasion when registering a new member of the family whether it be a puppy, kitten, or rabbit, but it can also be an uncertain and worrying time if your beloved pet is poorly.

Working front of house and behind the scenes enables me to help both clients and colleagues through these times, which in turn gives me great job satisfaction.

If you can help even one person, then you are making a difference, and here at Gilmoors we go above and beyond to help everyone who walks through our doors.

I joined the practice in 1990 as a part time receptionist which soon turned into full time hours. I work mainly at Durham but cover holidays at Spennymoor. I find the job very rewarding and love meeting both clients and their animals – two days are never the same! Over the years I’ve seen a great many changes within the practice, the biggest being the move to our present building and the advances in the medicine and equipment the practice now uses.

My interest in animals started at a very young age, being brought up in Hett Village where there were lots of farms. I started riding horses at the age of three and they have been a big part of my life since. Over the years I have owned a variety of animals and at one time used to show guinea pigs and rabbits. After I married we got our first dog, which was a Cairn Terrier, this was joined by another Cairn a few years later. Since then we have owned, bred and shown Airedale and Norfolk Terriers, and more recently a Sealyham which is one of the Kennel Clubs “at risk breeds”. The highlight was qualifying and showing our first home-bred Airedale at Crufts. My other interests include gardening and weekends away in our motorhome.

I first worked for Gilmoor Vets from 2002-2010 and then rejoined the practice in September 2019, it felt like coming home.  You can usually find me working on reception at either Durham or Sunderland.

In my free time I like to travel and have spent time touring America and working as a volunteer in a wolf sanctuary in Colorado which I found to be a life changing experience.It makes me very happy and proud to be part of a team so dedicated to the wellbeing of the animals in their care.

Hi I’m Amber, I joined the amazing Gilmoor team in September 2021 as a receptionist and I am loving all aspects of the job. My favourite is meeting all of the pets that come in and seeing all of their individual personalities.

I have had an interest in animals from a young age as when growing up I had a range of pets from dogs and cats to reptiles! When I am not working I am often at home with my two cats Loki and Stitch.