Staff

Anne Nelson BVMS Cert SAO MRCVS

Anne graduated at Glasgow University Veterinary school in 1982. She spent a year as a house surgeon at Glasgow, followed by a year at the Royal Veterinary College. She then spent two years in private practice followed by two years at the PDSA in South Croydon. In 1988 she joined what was then Michael and Mark Nelson. In 1997 Anne gained her certificate in Small animal Orthopaedics and this continues to be her area of interest.  Anne and Mark have two daughters, Rebecca and Nicola who are at university studying History and Politics. Anne currently owns seven horses and regularly competes in show jumping. Anne also owns Jasper a Jack Russell, Sky – a naughty whippet, and three cats!

Anne is happy to take referrals from surrounding practices for orthopaedic surgery.

Obi Amazu  DVM MRCVS – Veterinary surgeon

Obi graduated from the University of Nigeria in 1992 and after a further 2 years spent at the RVC (Royal Veterinary College) London, he gained his membership to the RCVS. After 9 years spent at a Veterinary surgery in High Wycombe,he started working at Nelson vets in 2004. His main interests are Internal medicine, Abdominal ultrasonography and soft tissue surgery. At home he has 2 cats, Pickles and OJ. Out of work he enjoys playing tennis, travelling and learning Spanish.

Ashley Wells Bvetmed MRCVS –Veterinary surgeon

Ash joined the practice in August 2008, having studied at the RVC where he graduated in 2007. After his graduation Ash worked at a companion animal practice in Hertfordshire for a year, before moving down to join Nelson vets and be closer to family and friends. His interests are Cardiology and diagnostic imaging, as well as soft tissue surgery. Ash owns a cat called "Pepper" which he re-homed recently from our surgery. Pepper loves eating shoes, cat grass and generally making a nuisance of himself!

Mary Coleman MVB MRCVS - Veterinary Surgeon

Mary has recently joined part of the team here at Nelsons. Mary has worked both in Ireland, where she originates from, and the UK. She qualified from University College Dublin in 1994 and has worked in both mixed and small animal practice. Her most recent position was in a busy hospital in Kilkenny.During her spare time, Mary enjoys pilates, walking and reading.

Vicky Murphy RVN A1 PHC– Veterinary nurse and Practice Manager

Vicky first came to the practice as a locum Nurse in Sept 2007 and took up a permanent position as practice manager in March 2008. Vicky started nursing in 2001 and has worked in several companion animal practices in that time. She enjoys all aspects of veterinary nursing, in particular nurse clinics and interacting with clients. She is also a PHC Pet health counsellor and can advise on dietary and preventative health care. Vicky is the Lead Assessor at the practice and so is involved with the training of the student nurses and other assessors.  She enjoys running the practice and is constantly striving to provide excellent service to our clients. Out of work Vicky enjoys going to the gym, socialising and making cakes! Vicky has  2 cheeky cats Tiger and trouble.

Elle Stevens RVN – Head Veterinary nurse

Elle is responsible for leading the team of nurses here at Nelsons. She qualified as a veterinary nurse at the University of Pretoria, South Africa in 1998. After which she worked in Cape Town for 2 years.  Over the next couple of years, Elle travelled around America and Europe before joining us at Nelsons in 2003. Elle is the owner of a Tabby cat called “Hobbs”, and also would love to be the proud owner of a Jack Russell soon! In her spare time, she loves the outdoors and anything madly adventurous that goes with it!

Elle has a keen interest in small animal Physiotherapy and is currently studying a Diploma in this. She will in the near future be setting up her own clinic times for patient rehabilitation.

Dawn Bas RVN A1 PHC – Senior Veterinary nurse

Dawn qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in 1996. She has gained a lot of experience in various practices including large animal and equine. Dawn worked in a large practice in Bristol where she obtained her PHC –pet health counsellor status and set up and ran various nursing clinics, with particular interest in behaviour and senior pets clinics. She originally came to Nelsons as a locum but became a permanent member of staff in Nov 2003. Dawn enjoys all aspects of nursing and also has the A1 assessor qualification, which means she assists with training the student nurses.

Karen Davison Bsc RVN A1 – Veterinary nurse

Amanda Hunter Fdsc RVN PHC – Veterinary nurse

Amanda graduated with a foundation degree in Veterinary nursing from the RVC in March 2008. Throughout her degree course she worked in several companion animal practices including The Queen Mothers Hospital in Hertfordshire as well as here at Nelsons. She then became a permanent member of staff here. Amanda finds her job truly rewarding and satisfying and is interested in all aspects of nursing care; in particular Anaesthesia, medical cases and orthopaedics. In her spare time Amanda enjoys singing, dancing and spending time with her 2 cats Joey and Simba. Amanda has recently become a Royal Canin Pet Health Counsellor.

Rima Baki RVN – Veterinary nurse

Jemma Laycock SVN – Student Veterinary nurse

We regularly have student nurses on placement with us here at Nelsons, and you will see them around from time to time.Some of our regulars are:


Josephine Ellison SVN and Shelley Ottewill SVN

Jo Jupp – Receptionist

Bernie Gill – Receptionist

Bernie has worked at Nelsons since 2005. She enjoys communicating with clients and offering support when needed and says that no two days are the same! At home Bernie has two Cocker Spaniels, Millie and Grace and two cats Buffy and Miffy.  She also looks after her son’s snake Tango whilst he is away at university.

Ian Batten BVSc MRCVS - Veterinary Surgeon

Claire Markwick - Head Nurse

Claire joined Nelsons back in 1996 as part of an animal care course and has never looked back!

Claire is responsible for leading the team of nurses and the day to day running of the Thornton Heath surgery. She is interested in anaesthesia and surgery, assisting with Ultrasounds, the daily care of in-patients and interacting with clients. Claire has four cats at home. 'Jinx' a 4yr old British Shorthair, 'Solo' a 2yr old Bengal as well as 'Mickey' and 'Nancy' who she hand reared from 2 days old and are now almost 11years old!  She enjoys going out with her friends, reading and going to the cinema.

Stacey Crowfoot - Student Veterinary Nurse

Keira Downie – Student Veterinary Nurse

Natalie Whitworth – Student Veterinary Nurse

Natalie joined Nelsons in 2008 after previously carrying out her placements from the Royal Veterinary College. She is interested in Animal Behaviour and enjoys assisting with surgery. She is continuing to progress with her studies which will lead her to become a Qualified Veterinary Nurse.

Natalie has a Guinea pig called ‘Frankie’ who is 2 years old and very mischievous! Natalie enjoys shopping, studying and going out with her friends.

Elaine Ferguson – Receptionist

After working as a PA and private secretary to the Building Surveying President of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors for many years, Elaine decided on a complete change of direction. Having a lifelong love of animals, that direction was not hard to choose!

Elaine has been at Nelsons since 1995 and is consequently the longest serving member of staff. As you can imagine, there have been many changes over the years and many people have come and gone; however Elaine has established a close working relationship with numerous clients and, indeed can claim many personal friends amongst our clients. Her particular passion is for cat rescue and thanks to close links with animal charities connected to the practice; she has been able to send many cats on to a better life. The total so far is approximately 400 and counting!