Introducing Our Practice Team

Everyone at our practice is committed to providing you with the very best in pet healthcare. Our veterinary team bring a wealth of experience to the practice and have individually obtained high standards of professional qualification.

Katharine Nelson: Vet Surgeon, Clinical Director & Deputy Principal; MA MSc VetMB PG Cert(SAS) GPCert(SAM) MRCVS RCVS Advanced Practitioner; Katharine has been working for us since her graduation from Cambridge in 2003. Her post-graduate qualifications include the GP Certificate in small animal medicine (2007), an MSc in Clinical Animal Behaviour from Lincoln University (2017) and the Postgraduate Certificate in small animal surgery (2018). Katharine is recognised by the RCVS as an Advanced Veterinary Practitioner in both Small Animal Surgery and Companion Animal Behaviour. Katharine sits on the Canine Advisory Behavioural Panel and has had surgical case reports published in both the Companion journal of the British Small Animal Veterinary Association and the Veterinary Times. Katharine's surgery certificate allows the practice to offer our clients an expanded range of surgeries that might otherwise have required referral to a specialist centre, including Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy (TPLO) to treat cruciate ligament disease. She has past experience working for dedicated veterinary emergency centres in Luton and Milton Keynes, and has even been known to say that she enjoys the adrenaline rush of a genuine emergency in the middle of the night! Katharine lives locally with her husband and two sons and feels particularly lucky to have been seeing some of the same clients and patients for many years.

Sheldon Middleton: Veterinary Surgeon - Managing Director & Principal; MA VetMB MRCVS GPCert(Ophthal); Sheldon joined Acorn House in September 2007. He graduated from Cambridge University and has a particular interest and a GP Certificate in ophthalmology. He is involved with the British Small Animal Veterinary Association both locally and nationally. He is a member of the British Association of Veterinary Ophthalmology. Sheldon enjoys travel, skiing and hill walking.

Gaynor Dudley: Vice-Principal & Practice Manager; AssocCIPD; Gaynor joined the practice in 2002. Gaynor is responsible for the day to day running of the surgery. In her spare time she enjoys gardening, riding her horse, walking her dogs and cycling all over Bedfordshire.

Rosie Theakston: Veterinary Surgeon - Education Co-ordinator; MA VetMB MRCVS; Rosie started working for the practice after graduation from Cambridge in 1998. Rosie enjoys all aspects of small animal veterinary work and has some very good relationships with her many longstanding patients and clients. Rosie is currently undertaking a Postgraduate Certificate in Veterinary Education, and is responsible for managing the educational experience that Acorn House offers to veterinary students visiting the practice to observe our work.

Sarah Fallow: Veterinary Surgeon; BVetMed MRCVS; Sarah graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in London in June 2016, and joined the practice straight away. She enjoys all aspects of Veterinary Medicine, but has a keen interest in working with exotics pets and has extra experience in the husbandry and care of many species. Sarah has completed a certificate in Exotic Animal Practice

Kathryn Pearson: Veterinary Surgeon; MRCVS; Kat graduated from Cambridge in 2010 and has been working locally as a small animal vet since then. She enjoys all aspects of practising as a vet but particularly likes feline medicine. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her two small children and her cat, Cobweb.

Frances Connerton: Veterinary Surgeon; MRCVS; Frances qualified from the University of Cambridge in 2014. As a new graduate, she started work in a mixed practice in her home county of Kent, before undertaking an accelerated course in Emergency and Critical Care and working in a dedicated “out of hours” clinic. Since moving to the area in 2017 she has worked in a busy hospital practice in Cambridgeshire where she has developed a strong interest in internal medicine. She is currently studying for a certificate in small animal medicine and enjoys diagnosing and managing medical cases, while still continuing to be passionate about emergency work. Outside of work Frances enjoys catching up with friends, skiing and running.

Kim Hart: Veterinary Surgeon; MRCVS; Kim graduated from Bristol in summer 2018 and started working at Acorn House as soon as possible. She enjoys working with our lovely clients and their pets. Originally from the North-East, Kim enjoys exploring and getting to know the area in her spare time.

Ola Chwalinska: Veterinary Surgeon; MRCVS; Ola graduated from University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Pl in 2009. While studying she was doing annual student internship in a busy small animal practice in Wesseling, Ge. After graduation she joined 2 years trainee program at the Department of Epizootics and Infectious Diseases of Animals of the University of Life Sciences in Lublin. Then she opened her own mixed practice at the village close to her home town. In 2016 decided to move to the UK looking for self-improvement and different standards in veterinary medicine. She worked in several practices in area. Joined Acorn House team in 2021 Ola's main interests are surgery, dentistry and dermatology. Her spare time she spends with her partner at the gym or travelling. Her biggest hobby is home decor and interior design.

Alina Vulpe: Veterinary Surgeon; MRCVS

Wynne Fong: Veterinary Surgeon; MRCVS; Wynne graduated from Royal Veterinary College in London in 2018. She is originally from Hong Kong but has lived in England since 2011. She loves doing surgery and enjoys all parts of general practice. In her spare time, she is a homebody that likes knitting and spending time with her two cats, Wayne and Freya.

Henry Phillips: Veterinary Surgeon; MRCVS; Henry graduated from the University of Cambridge in July 2020 and joined Acorn House straight away. He loves all areas of veterinary medicine but has a particular interest in diagnostic imaging and feline internal medicine. In his spare time, he enjoys music and following his beloved West Ham United.

Rupert Oakley: Veterinary Surgeon; MRCVS; I graduated from RVC in 2020 and joined Acorn House after starting my veterinary career in equine practice. I am interested in surgery and internal medicine. In the future I hope to be able to practice abroad. Outside of work, I enjoy sports and camping.

Nadia Kopec: Veterinary Physiotherapist; BSc Hons; Nadia studied for her BSc Hons in Physiotherapy and qualified in 2006. Nadia worked in the NHS for 10 years before deciding to further her studies in the animal sector became a Category A member of ACPAT in June 2015. Having spent the last year completing research in canine kinematics Nadia has extended her knowledge further whilst continuing to develop her veterinary physiotherapy skills.

Kerry Skinner: Head Nurse; Dip AVN(surgical) Cert VN ECC RVN; Kerry passed her RCVS examinations in July 2000. She has worked at Acorn House since August 2001. Kerry is one of our assessors responsible for student nurse training. Kerry passed the Diploma in Advanced Veterinary Nursing (Surgical) in 2007. Kerry has a pony called Elkie

Sharon Dawes: Deputy Head Nurse; RVN; Sharon is our longest serving member of staff having joined the practice in April 1993. She is one of our training assessors and has a keen interest in nursing clinics and dental care. Sharon has a cat that she rescued from the surgery.

Jo Woodcock: Deputy Head Nurse; RVN; Jo joined the Acorn House team in 2006, she previously worked in a small animal practice in Kent where she qualified in 2003. She has a keen interest in feline and canine behaviour. In her spare time she enjoys cycling and looking after and riding her horse.

Kelly Sharpe: Senior Nurse; Cert VN ECC RVN; Kelly qualified in 2002 and worked in a practice in Milton Keynes for 5 years before joining us in 2011. Kelly has a particular interest in emergency work and has recently gained a certificate in Emergency Nursing and Critical Care. She has a little Bichon Frise called Bella and loves any white fluffy creatures.

Claire West: Senior Nurse; RVN; Claire originally qualified as a veterinary nurse with us in 2005 she then went on to travel and work at another practice. She came back to Acorn in 2014 and now works as a veterinary nurse and is our health plan co-ordinator.

Carla Gelder: Registered Veterinary Nurse; RVN; Carla qualified in 2015 and joined the Acorn House team in November 2016. Carla owns a black cat called Sapphire that has an attitude problem! In her spare time she enjoys walking, camping and painting.

Rachel Payne: Registered Veterinary Nurse; RVN; Rachel joined us in 2015. She spent two years studying for a national diploma in animal management and obtained straight distinctions! Rachel then went on to to complete a 4 year degree at Edinburgh Napier University. She has 3 rescue cats called Bella, Lucy and Daisy.

Naomi Jones: Registered Veterinary Nurse; RVN; Naomi started working at Acorn in April 2017 and qualified in 2018. Naomi has a husky named Sky and enjoys horse riding in her spare time.

Michaela Puddephatt: Registered Veterinary Nurse; RVN; I started working with Acorn and qualified in 2017. I returned to Acorn in 2019 after going travelling. I have a cat called Maisie who I rehomed from the practice. I also enjoy going swimming outside of work and have done extra studies in helping Mental Health in the workplace.

Amy Bowler: Registered Veterinary Nurse; RVN

Carla Smith: Registered Veterinary Nurse; RVN

Lucy Clark: Registered Veterinary Nurse; RVN

Aimee Spilling: Registered Veterinary Nurse; RVN

Rachel Potts: Student Veterinary Nurse; SVN; Rachel joined us in March 2018 having previously worked at a veterinary referral practice as a Kennel Assistant. She has 2 cats, a chilled black and white cat called Phoebe and an extremely "Naughty Tortie" called Tallulah. In her spare time Rachel enjoys spending time with friends and family and travelling.

Lauren Newman: Registered Veterinary Nurse; RVN; Lauren started her training with us after finishing her A-Levels in Biology, English and Art. Lauren qualified in 2021. When she is not working, Lauren enjoys horse riding, although she doesn't have a horse of her own, and walking her rescue dog, Hank, a Collie x Pointer. Lauren also spends lots of her time drawing portraits, mostly of horses and dogs.

Sophia Johnson: Student Veterinary Nurse; SVN; Sophia used to work in a GP surgery doing clinical care. She has 15 rescue dogs in Spain and two at home, one of which is Spanish. Sophia is currently training to be a Registered Veterinary Nurse and has always wanted to care for animals. Sophia enjoys going to the gym and would love to travel the world.

Frankie Smith: Trainee Veterinary Nurse; I previously worked in a variety of fields with animals such as grooming, volunteering at a rescue centre, and running my own pet sitting business before I realised nursing was what I wanted to do. I have a labradoodle, a blue tongue skink and two canaries, one of which I took on from the practice. One of my favourite things about the job is getting the opportunity to work with exotics and learn more about them.

Paul Harris-McCulloch: Deputy Practice Manager; Paul joined Acorn House when we were at De Parys Avenue in 1998 as a Trainee Veterinary Nurse (TVN), and later qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN). He left Acorn House to further his career as a head nurse for a veterinary practice in Luton. After several years there, he decided to follow his dream of becoming a veterinary nurse and animal care lecturer. Paul worked for a college in Cambridgeshire, where he gained his Certificate in Education (Cert Ed). He returned to Acorn House in July 2011 and, after a long nursing career, he is now our Deputy Practice Manager. Paul has recently passed a Higher National Certificate in Business (HNC) with a Distinction! At home, Paul is a Harry Potter fan and manic collector. He has been on the Harry Potter studio tour 3 times! “Acorn House has always had a special place in my heart, and I feel incredibly lucky to be working with such a dedicated, supportive and wonderful team.”

Karen Longridge: Dispensary Manager; RVN; Karen is our second most long standing member of staff having arrived from Ireland in Sept 1993. Karen is responsible for ordering the stock for the practice and managing our dispensary.

Michelle Riddle: Assistant Administrator; Michelle originally joined the practice as a trainee nurse in 1991. After maternity leave, Michelle joined the customer care team. She is renowned within the practice for her encyclopaedic knowledge of pets and their owners! Michelle has now joined our Practice Administration Team.

Annette Pulleine: Assistant Administrator; Annette has been a veterinary receptionist since 1998. She joined Acorn House in 2012 then left 2 years later, to move to Bristol. After having her son, her family moved back to the area and was reunited with the Acorn House team in October 2017. Annette now works in the admin department and runs the practice health plan.

Tracie Martin RVR: Customer Care Manager; Tracie joined the practice in November 2014 with almost 20 years of customer care management experience under her belt. Tracie owns two Jack Russell terriers called Bridget and Alfie. In her spare time Tracie likes to go to London to visit her son and to go shopping and sightseeing. Tracie has completed her Gold Level Companion Animal Accredited Veterinary Receptionist Award. This has enabled her to become a Registered Veterinary Receptionist.

Clare Munyard: Customer Care Advisor; Clare joined the team in 2013 after running her own pet care business. Clare shares her home with her cat Rupert, who is a bit of a character! Clare has successfully completed her degree in History which she has been studying part-time for the last 6 years. In her spare time Clare loves being with her family, baking, and reading.

Jodie Sutton: Customer Care Advisor; Jodie joined the practice as a customer care advisor in July 2014. She has three dogs, one cat and a rabbit. Jodie enjoys horse riding and spending time with her family.

Sally Smith: Customer Care Advisor; Sally joined us in 2006, after leaving a career in human nursing. She owns a dog, two cats, two goats and a horse.

Amy Freeman: Customer Care Advisor

Dawn Bunting: Customer Care Advisor; Prior to joining Acorn house in May 2019, Dawn worked in education for 15 years. Looking for a change in career, she followed her dream and began studying part time for a degree in animal science and management, finishing her first year with a distinction. During this time she also worked for, and then ran an animal education company, which is where she developed a passion for engaging with people about animals. Dawn has a special interest in exotics and has her own menagerie of rescues and re-homes, including snakes, lizards and invertebrates. Special mention has to go to Molly the skunk and Stevie and Pickle the guinea pigs, who are well known at the practice! In-between working and studying, Dawn enjoys photographing her animals, reading, music, films, baking and spending time with family and friends.

Marianna Mazza RVR: Customer Care Advisor; Marianna joined the practice as a Customer Care Advisor in September 2019. She shares her home with her husband, two teenagers and Willow their Cockapoo. In her spare time, Marianna enjoys baking, sewing and spending time with her extended family and friends. Marianna has completed her Gold level Companion Animal Accredited Veterinary Receptionist Award. This has enabled her to become at Registered Veterinary Receptionist.

Ness Munro: Customer Care Advisor; Ness joined our Acorn House family in March 2020. She is married and has a chocolate Labrador Mila and two gorgeous grandchildren. Ness comes from a long background in customer care and loves the great interaction both with her clients and most of all their four-legged friends.

Sam Rehberger: Customer Care Advisor

Dawn Lindsay: Customer Care Advisor; Dawn is a qualified teacher and graphic designer. She is also a published novelist and illustrator, but her dream job has always been to work with animals; a dream that was finally realised when she came to work at Acorn House. Dawn has taken in and raised countless rescue animals including dogs, cats, rabbits, rats, chickens, giant African snails, and stick insects. She has also been proud surrogate ‘mother’ to four ducklings who had to be hatched in an incubator. Dawn currently shares her home with an extremely chatty rescued Siberian husky, a previously abandoned Maine Coon cat (who has many complaints about the standard of food and service), and her long-suffering partner and son. She loves reading, drawing, and gardening and would like to be a Polar explorer when she grows up.

Ann Stevens RVR: Customer Care Advisor; Ann has recently joined Acorn House after moving to Bedford this year from Surrey. She has worked in the veterinary small animal practice world for 8 years and loves the contact with clients and staff daily. Ann has an 8kg white cat called Casper (half Maine Coon and half Persian) who is deaf; he was rescued from Qatar and is now easily the most spoilt animal in Bedford! Ann’s passion is all things feline, but she loves all the creatures she comes across at Acorn House.