Meet the Avenues' team

Ronan hails from Loughgall, County Armagh and graduated from Glasgow University Vet School in 1988. He spent the first ten years of his working life in the Lake District and Northumberland working with equine, farm and companion animals. He worked as the only veterinary surgeon at Rutherglen in the early years of the practice. Ronan and Nicola have three children, three dogs( Scooby, Ruby and Mallow) and two cats ( Zebo and Juno). Ronan has a large collection of stories – some of them are true.

Nicola grew up in Lochgilphead in Argyll. She graduated with merit from Glasgow Vet School in 1989 ( shhh). She worked in farm and companion animal practice in Lancashire and Hexham for over ten years before returning to the West of Scotland to take over The Avenues with Ronan. She juggles a lot of roles in the practice ; clinical work, HR and accounts as well as attempting to manage Ronan. She enjoys walking with the dogs and is devoted to her ginger cat Zebo, and the three kids.

Charlie is the youngest member of the veterinary team. She qualified from University of Glasgow Veterinary School in 2017, having previously completed a degree in Microbiology at the same university. Charlie has a special love of black cats, and her veterinary interests currently include Feline Medicine and Surgery, Anaesthesia and Evidence based Medicine. Charlie is also working towards her Cert AVP(small animal medicine) and PGcert(Veterinary Professional Studies) with the University of Liverpool. Outwith work she is a talented saxophone and trombone player and is the leader of Charlie and the Batchelors, a Glasgow based 10-piece swing and soul band. She  also achieved her ABRSM diploma in saxophone performance in 2014.

Tracey qualified from Glasgow University Veterinary School in 2001 and has worked in small animal practice all over the UK including a few years in a cat only clinic. She has known The Avenues Veterinary Centre since 2012 when she first worked as a locum for us. After having twins she joined the team in 2017 on a part time basis. ‘I enjoy working with this caring and slightly animal daft bunch of colleagues. We pride ourselves in looking after your pets like they are our own and providing them with a high standard of care and compassion’

In her spare time, Tracey looks after her sons, visits friends and loves walking her Welsh Springer, ‘Brooke’ and getting lots of cuddles and purrs from her Ragdoll kitten, ‘Sapphie’

Karen joined The Avenues Veterinary Centre in 2015. She qualified from Glasgow University Veterinary School in 2010. She worked in small animal practices in Glasgow before joining The Avenues. Karen has a keen interest in Feline medicine and recent CPD includes attending the ISFM feline congress 2020 but she also enjoys the varied caseload a busy small animal practice brings. She is working hard to help The Avenues achieve Cat Friendly Clinic accreditation.

Outside work Karen is kept very busy with her 2 small boys and she enjoys yoga when she finds the time.

Niki joined The Avenues Veterinary Centre in 2003 and is therefore our longest serving employee. She qualified from Glasgow University in 1991. She has been present throughout all the changes at The Avenues including the various building projects to the staff developments from 5 staff back in 2003 to the current role of 19!   ‘same pride and dedication’

Niki enjoys surgery and particular favourite intestinal foreign bodies have been; Baby Annabelle’s teddy and the Rainbow unicorn hair removed from a cat who found it irresistible. ‘I really enjoy a caesarian section when the whole team are involved in the care of bitch or queen and resuscitating puppies or kittens’.

Niki enjoys her spare time with her family and border terrier ‘Lily’.

Abigail joined The Avenues in 2018 , having come to us on work experience while still at school.

She is currently in her final year studying Veterinary Physiotherapy at Berkshire college of Agriculture while still working full days at the surgery. Abigail assists the nursing staff in caring for the patients and maintaining our cleaning and infection control strategies.

Outside of work she is a keep fit enthusiast, keen horse rider and has several dogs; ‘Ollie’ the springer spaniel, ‘George’and ‘Milly’ the jack russells and ‘Fletcher’ the wire haired dachshund.

Jess is our full time veterinary nursing student. She joined The Avenues as a receptionist in 2017 before embarking on the veterinary nursing course in 2018. Having achieved top student in her 2nd year at SRUC Oatridge College, she is now well through her last year of studies.

Jess is a keen snow boarder and before joining The Avenues she spent a couple of years in France and Austria as a snow board guide. She is also a keen hill walker and has conquered many of Scotland’s Munros.

Stacey joined the nursing team at The Avenues in April 2019 as a locum to cover a maternity leave.

Following the cancellation of plans to travel in Australia earlier this year, Stacey has stayed with us. Stacey qualified as RVN in 2013 and has a particular interest in veterinary physiotherapy and general practice.

In her spare time she is an enthusiastic snow boarder and loves to travel. At home Stacey has a very sassy, 12yr old Shih Tzu called ‘Miya’.

Hannah is the most recent addition to the veterinary nursing team, joining The Avenues in October 2019. She qualified with an Honours degree in Veterinary Nursing from Napier University in 2018. Prior to joining The Avenues Hannah worked in an Out of Hours Emergency Clinic bringing to the surgery her experience of emergency anaesthesia and critical care.

She loves travelling and has visited Malaysia, Thailand and Barbados. Hannah hopes to volunteer at an elephant sanctuary in India in the future.

At home she has a very adoring Cockapoo called ‘Molly’

Alex joined the Avenues as a student veterinary nurse in 2016 before qualifying in 2018. She is our wildlife expert and before studying nursing, specialised in wildlife rehabilitation for SSPCA. Alex also has a master’s degree in Zoology and Ecology and has recently embarked on the Advanced Programme of Veterinary Nursing of Exotics, Wildlife and Zoo animals.

Outside work Alex loves nothing more than a glass of wine and a good book to read while cuddled up with her chihuahua, ‘Blake’.

Lauren started at The Avenues Veterinary Centre on placement as a trainee veterinary nurse in 2009. She qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2012 and accepted a role of fulltime veterinary nurse within the team. Lauren has a specialist interest in nutrition gaining a distinction in her Certificate in Canine and Feline Veterinary Health Nutrition in 2017. She is our go to nurse for dietary advice. She is also interested in radiology and diagnostic imaging.

In her spare time Lauren looks after her young son and enjoys spending time with her horse, ‘Inchy’ and mad cat ‘Gizmo’.

Lisa qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2007 and after a period of time working at an Out of Hours clinic came to work at The Avenues in 2008.

She is a clinical coach, providing a high standard of practical training of nursing skills to the trainee nurses. Lisa is our anaesthesia specialist nurse achieving a merit award in veterinary anaesthesia with a particular interest in pain control. She also works hard with our infection control strategies.

In her spare time Lisa enjoys camping trips, hill walking and spending time with her young red Labrador, ‘Aida’

Linsey started her association with The Avenues while doing her Animal Care Course in 2001 coming to the surgery on placement. After qualifying as a Registered Veterinary Nurse she worked in a practice north of Glasgow before coming to work at The Avenues Veterinary Centre in 2008. She was promoted to the role of Head Nurse in 2018.

Apart from managing the nursing team and coaching our trainee nurses, Linsey organised the launch of our Pet Health Plan and helps manage the day to day running of the surgery. She is always enthusiastic to help with puppies and kittens and is interested in exotic pets.

Out with the surgery Linsey has spent time in South Africa at a cheetah sanctuary and also completed a trek in the Himalayas in aid of the Cats Protection League.

Linsey enjoys spending time at home with her pets, ‘Murphy’, an elderly Springer Spaniel, ‘Jura’, a cocker spaniel, ‘Binx’, a gecko and crazy ‘Arlo’, her kitten.

Lorna Bain worked at The Avenues Veterinary Centre way back in the beginning, before the current owners, as a trainee veterinary nurse. She was tempted back to the surgery in 2011 to take on the role of Practice Administrator. Lorna organises our stock control, finances and invoicing, maintenance and multiple other tasks to keep us running every day as well as reception work. When not being our very own Carol Vorderman she loves nothing more than trotting through the fields with her horse ‘Oscar’. Lorna is ably assisted in all her tasks, by her loyal companion ‘Sasha’ her jack Russell. She also has 3 cats at home, Breagha, Diofaraichte, and Tank.

Laura is the newest member of the reception team, joining The Avenues in 2018. Laura came from an events and leisure background where she won awards for her reception skills. As a newcomer to the veterinary industry, she learned very quickly and always maintains a happy disposition at reception. Laura is also a trained holistic and advanced massage therapist although this has always been a hobby. She is interested in pet bereavement counselling and hopes to complete a course in this shortly. At home she has two rescue dogs – ‘Diego’ and ‘Churro’.

Irene came to The Avenues in 2017 having previously worked with Guide Dogs for the Blind for 20 years. Being the caring animal lover she is, she also volunteers in her spare time at Hessilhead Wildlife Centre. Irene is also a keen gardener and enjoys time in her outdoor space. At home she is kept busy with her loving spaniel ‘Bonnie’, Fudge’ the rabbit and ‘Pip’ the parakeet.

Gemma joined the reception team in 2016 having previously worked as a riding instructor for several years. She was well known to The Avenues, having attended on work experience several years earlier. Gemma is our eco – warrior making sure we recycle correctly and efficiently.

Outside work she enjoys walking, cycling and days out at the park with her young son. At home Gemma has a handsome Border Collie called ‘Brego’ and an elderly cat,‘Calvin’.

Emma joined The Avenues in 2009 and is our longest serving receptionist. She is an expert at keeping a cool, level head even at the most stressful of times. She is also our social convenor, organising Christmas nights out and fundraising events.

Outside of work Emma is a talented baker and enjoys spending time with her young family. She has 4 pets – Daisy, the cocker spaniel, Max, the cat and her two guinea pigs Mac and Cheese