Meet the Team

Partner/ Veterinary Surgeons

Christopher Whalley

Christopher established Abbey Veterinary Centre in the spring of 1994. He divides his time between clinical and managerial work; working at both branches of the practice. Christopher has three dogs (a wire haired Dachshund and two wire haired hungarian vizslas) and guinea pigs.

Chris Robinson

Chris qualified from Edinburgh in 1984, and spent the following years, working in Yorkshire and briefly, Lancashire before joining Abbey Vet Centre in 1998. At that time, there was Christopher, him and a part time vet to cover the Durham and Chester surgeries! His interests are all things veterinary, and is really interested in treating, cats, dogs, rabbits, reptiles, birds and anything furry, scaley or feathered, but not farm animals! His other interests are most things outdoors, cycling, walking, camping, and travelling to distant countries although having a young son has curtailed that one! He has at the moment 2 pets, a rickety whippet cross called Jess and a pale ginger cat called Ari!

Veterinary Surgeons

Brian Love

Annet Krabbenborg

Annet is especially interested in abdominal scanning, as well as internal medicine. In her spare time she plays squash and lots of different exercise classes, reading books and travelling as well as spending time with her terrier

Inge Wright

Inge started working at Abbey Vets in 2006. She has a special interest in ophthalmology. She's now off on maternity leave until September as she's expecting a daughter in February. She likes to spend time with her family, her Border Terrier Milo and her two cats.

Monique Klein Koerkamp

Monique began working as part of the veterinary surgeon team in 2011. She enjoys all parts of working in a small animal practice but especially surgery. Monique loves the outdoors and spends alot of her free time walking in the lakes and Scotland with her 2 border terriers.

Veterinary Nurses

Emma Dodds

Head Veterinary Nurse Emma started work here in 2007 as a qualified veterinary nurse after working voluntarily in China with Animals Asia helping moon bears. she became head nurse in 2009 after Gail went on Maternity leave. Emma has 2 rescue dogs Tess and Paddy and a dales pony Chance to keep her busy

Lauren Jamieson

Lauren has worked as part of the nursing team for 3 years, after training with us whilst at college. She has 5 border collies which she competes at a high level of agility with.

Philippa Jefferies

Phil has worked as part of the veterinary nurse team since 2004 and has worked in animal care for over 10 years. She has a whippet called Sky, 2 cats called Billy and Charlie and fosters 2 guinea pigs called Charlie and Lola. In her spare time, she likes to walk in the country, especially the west coast of Scotland and the Lakes.

Leanne Johnson

Leanne qualified as a veterinary nurse in 2010 she works at the durham and chester-le-street branch. she has two dogs sky a lab cross and tim a collie cross

Gail Hopper

Gail has worked in the veterinary field for 18 years. She started working with us in 2002 and now works part time since having a little girl. She has a Jack Russell called Stella who she likes spending her spare time with.

Caroline Calder

Caroline qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in 2001. She has a particular interest in wound management and anything cat related! She owns Millie a longhaired tortoiseshell cat. In her spare time she loves to salsa dance.

Michelle Bates

Auxillary Nurse/ Pet Shop advisor Michelle has worked at Abbey vets for 10 years, she has a 4 year old Jack Russell called Tetley

Rebecca Rickaby

Trainee Veterinary Nurse. Rebecca started working with us in June 2011. She owns 2 cocker spaniels and a horse and in her spare time likes to socialise with friends.

Administrators

Mairead Martin

Receptionists

Charlotte Luke

Charlotte has worked as part of the Chester-le-Street reception team since 1999 and now works at both surgeries as Head Receptionist. In her spare time, she loves going to the gym

Dawn Bailey

Dawn has worked at Abbey since 2000 but has worked in the veterinary world for 40 years. She qualified as a vet nurse in 1974 but now works happily as a receptionist and paws petstore advisor and buyer. She has 4 dogs, 2 of which are rare slovakian rough haired pointers. Her hobbies are dog related and in her spare time loves cappucinos!

Liz Munro

Liz has been working as part of the reception team since 1998, in her spare time she enjoys walking her black labrador and scuba diving

Helen Snowdon

Helen has worked as part of our receptionist team since 2007 and loves her job. Since then she has left for a few months to have a baby and returned to work part time between the two practices. She has a German Shepherd but has had many pets from horses to guinea pigs but having children has stopped all of this.

Lisa Jackson

Lisa has worked with us since 2007. She has 2 dogs, a border terrier called Holly and a jack russel called Gypsy.In her spare time she likes to walk.

Catherine Rooker

Catherine joined us in 2011, she has a Miniture Schnauzer called Cupar and in her spare time enjoys caravaning and walking

Kathy Mcnay

Kelly Groundwater

Kelly joined our practice in 2011. She has five dogs of all different breeds. In her spare time she is a film fanatic and even enjoys making her own films. She also loves travelling to far away places.