Veterinary Surgeons
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Dr.Carina Palmer B.V Sc.MRCVS
Carina qualified from Bristol University in 1992. She then worked as a locum across the U.K. in order to gain experience from as many different types of practices as possible before settling down to work for Harris Hill and Warner in Warminster, Westbury, Trowbridge and Bradford on- Avon. Here she concentrated on small animal and Equine medicine and surgery.
In 2000 Carina set up her own business initially doing ambulatory equine work whilst overseeing the building of her new practice premises. The new building opened on the 1st June 2001, one month earlier than expected!
Over 27 years qualified Carina still enjoys the variety of challenges that occur in her profession. Having worked full time since qualifying, apart from 6 weeks off when her daughter was born, she still finds it amazing how something new can be seen or learnt everyday.
In her spare time Carina enjoys skiing, horses and socialising with her friends. She is also a passionate rugby fan and watches Bath and England whenever she can.
Carina has a very energetic Springer Spaniel called Jessie and a rescue kitten called Gordon. She also has too many horses according to her husband!
Dr.Sarah Richards BSc BVSc MRCVS
Our South African-born veterinarian Sarah graduated from Onderstepoort, University of Pretoria in 2013.
She has since been working in several high-paced small animal hospitals alongside renowned
medicine and surgical specialists.
While in South Africa, she cared for many exotic species at a wildlife hospital and developed special interest and skill in avian medicine and surgery.
Sarah enjoys most the challenges of soft tissue surgery as well as internal medicine and has a soft spot for elderly pets.
Sarah is a mum to two little girls and enjoys running, cooking and being outdoors with the family.
Her pets include two Pomeranians, Murdock and Little
Dr Abigail Syme BVM&S.MRCVS
Scottish Lassie Abi graduated from the University of Edinburghs Royal(Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in July 2022. Abi enjoyed numerous placements with us during her training and loved the practice, clients and patients so much she decided to join us! She is excited to start her Vet career managing such a variety of cases and patients. Taking extra interest in surgery, dentistry and pathology.
Having relocated from Scotland she is now enjoying living in our lovely Wiltshire countryside in the (slightly) warmer weather. Growing up surrounded by many small fluffy mammals, fields of sheep and cows, horse-riding and regular dog sitting developed her love for all animals. In her free time Abi is all about fitness and is an avid Crossfitter, who loves skiing, swimming and dancing. She also enjoys gaming and obsesses over tv shows and musicals. You can usually find her either covered in fur from too many cat and dog cuddles or singing and dancing in the back prep room! Shortly after joining us she rescued an adorable crazy sprocker called Ted.
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Veterinary Nurses
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Head Veterinary Nurse
Pippa Dawkins RVN
Pip has a wealth of experience having qualified in January 2000 whilst in a practice in Westbury with Carina. During her career she has worked in various types of practices before spending eight years working with leading veterinary drug manufacturers,.
This has given Pip extensive knowledge and expertise which we now have to benefit from here at the practice since Pip joined us in 2013.
Pip is owned by her Boarder Terrier Scrumpy, whose presence at reception is often noticed due to her snoring (scrumpy not Pip that is!). She also has recently adopted a stray kitten, much to Scrumpy's disgust!
Pips hobbies include walking Scrumpy, mountain biking and upholstery. She also enjoys cooking and baking and we all appreciate the delicious cakes she brings to work.
Nicole Grist RVN
Nicole started work with us whilst still at school. She helped out on a Saturday mornings and in her holidays in order to get experience to pursue her dream career of becoming a Veterinary nurse. After school she studied at Lackham College where she completed her studies a BTEC Level 3 in Animals Management as well as working with us. In 2015 we were able to welcome Nicole here as a Student Veterinary Nurse where she qualified in 2018.
Nicole has four much loved pets, Mitzi and Matilda her cats. In her spare time, Nicole enjoys socialising, cooking and shopping.
Laura Goddard RVN
Laura joined us in January 2020 from another veterinary practice in Salisbury where she worked as a receptionist for over 2 years. She has now completed three years of Veterinary Nurse training at Sparsholt College, and in June 2023 fully qualified as a Veterinary Nurse. We are very proud of her. Laura has experience with a wide range of animals having grown up on a local farm, and she now has her own flock of sheep with her husband. She also spent 6yrs riding and training camels, doing lots of charity performances with them. In her spare time she enjoys walking her four dogs and her hobbies include horse riding, flower arranging and growing her own flowers.
Zara Hues SVN
Zara joined the team in August 2020 as part of her work experience placement. She soon realised that she loved what she was doing and she started her training to become a Registered Veterinary Nurse at Sparsholt College in September 2021 and is now in her third year of the three course.
Zara has grown up around animals on a farm and when she is not working she enjoys baking (which everyone at the practice enjoys too!), walking her Labrador Bumble, meeting friends and shopping.
Receptionist/ Veterinary Care Assistant
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Hayley Maytom-Yalland
Hayley started working at the Paddock Veterinary Practice way back in 2001 when it very first opened.She came to us straight from school and despite at that time us not having a position for her she was so keen we allowed her to come in on a voluntary basis. During her first day we realised what an asset she was and created her a job.She is extremely passionate about all animals but also very knowlegeable .She left us for a while when she had her lovely 2 boys but is now back part time.The list of animals she has is almost too long to mention , but here goes, Horses,cows, sheep,pigs,chickens,goats.dogs and cats !