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Meet the Team
The Vet Team
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The longest standing partner, Craig joined the practice in 1979 fresh from Glasgow University and entered the partnership in 1982. A very experienced surgeon with a special interest in orthopaedics, he also continues to enjoy his pet animal clinics, farm and horse rounds. Outside of work, Craig’s hobbies include playing football, drumming and breeding and showing Hereford cattle.
Ken followed Craig to the practice from Glasgow University in 1980, becoming a partner in 1983. While Ken enjoys all the aspects of a busy mixed practice, he holds special responsibility for the equine division and has a particular interest in the treatment of equine lameness.
Ken’s hobbies include skiing, running, photography and gardening.
Joining the practice in 1990 was something of a homecoming for Steve who, originally hailing from Stoke, had spent 6 years in mixed practice in Lincolnshire. Particularly interested in cattle health and preventative medicine, Steve joined the partnership in 1993.
A keen charity runner, Steve has completed the London Marathon five times (so far!) and also enjoys skiing and mountaineering in the Alps with his family.
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Having joined the practice straight from Liverpool University in 2001, Mark took a 6 month sabbatical in New Zealand where he worked as a cattle Vet. Mark returned to the practice and joined the partnership in 2006, bringing to the table keen interests in orthopaedics and fracture management alongside cattle health and production.
A keen rider and sportsman for many years Mark, along with his wife Natalie, continues to enjoy horse riding and skiing.
Dave, originally from Northern Ireland, studied at London University before joining the practice in 2003 and subsequently becoming a Junior Partner in 2008. A keen all-rounder enjoying farm, equine and pet animal practice Dave has particular interests in small animal and equine medicine.
Also recently married, Dave and his wife Sophy enjoy travelling, cars, biking, walking and good food and drink.
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Originally from Brewood, John was a foster student of the practice. Upon graduating from Bristol University in 2002 he joined the Straitons team formally, becoming a Junior Partner in 2008. John’s particular interests lie in the fields of pet animal and horse medicine and in wound repair.
Recently married, John and his wife Jo enjoy horse riding, winter sports, sailing and travelling.
Born and bred in Stoke, Steve studied at Liverpool University where he was a housemate of Mark. Following graduation, Steve spent 5 years in mixed practice in the Staffordshire Moorlands before becoming a much-welcomed addition to the team in 2006. He continues to utilise his skill and experience, particularly in farm and pet animal fields and, alongside Dave Gowan and Dave Talbot, divides his time between the Penkridge and Rugeley practices.
Steve was a welcome addition to the Partnership in 2010.
Steve is a keen all round sportsman (when not injured!) and a DIY enthusiast.
The longest serving vet in the practice, Dave joined E C Stration & Partners direct from London University in 1976. He went onto establish a long-standing partnership with his brother Alex and founder Eddie Straiton. For many years Dave has been the mainstay of the Rugeley practice, carrying out farm and horse work while building up his popular pet animal clinics.
2007 saw Dave leave the partnership allowing him to spend more time with his family while continuing to work as an associate of the practice.
Nick first came to the practice as work experience and became, like John, a foster student when he went onto study at Bristol University. Graduating with honours, he spent a short time working for a charity hospital in Romania.
Nick joined the practice in 2005 and particularly enjoys small animal medicine and surgery, with particular interest in treatment of joint and bone disease.He is currently studying for his Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Certificate in Small Animal Surgery.
Recently married to fellow vet Katie. When not working, Nick is a keen rugby player, mountain biker and snowboarder. Nick is often seen walking his Border Collie "Lottie".
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Richard graduated from Liverpool University in 2007 and joined the team in the same year. A keen all-rounder Richard enjoys farm, equine and small animal duties. Richard is currently studying for his certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice.
Most of his spare time is spent renovating his house though when given the chance he enjoys cooking and tinkering in his father's engineering workshop.
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After graduation Danny spent some time doing veterinary volunteer work mainly with horses and street dogs in India and Morocco before starting work at Straiton Vets in March 2009.
Danny enjoys playing sport and the guitar (both to the amusement of others) and particularly enjoys watching international rugby.
Nursing Team
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Nicky joined the team in 1997 and qualified in 2003, making her one of the longest serving nurses. She takes an active role in the management nursing team and is heavily involved in assessing student veterinary nurses.
Outside of work, Nicky spends most of her time with her family and her two dogs, "Poppy" and "Henry".
The head nurse at the Rugeley surgery, Claire joined Straitons in December 2007. She is also a nutritional advisor and a Pet Health Counsellor and spends a lot of time organising successful nurse's clinics at the Rugeley surgery.
Out of work, Claire enjoys spending time with her friends and family.
Nicky joined the team in May 1999 and qualified in 2002. She has had some time off to have a family and now works part time. She is involved in assessing student veterinary nurses. Outside work she enjoys spending time with her family.
Jenny joined the team in 1986, qualifying as a veterinary nurse in 1990. Having taken some time off to raise her family Jenny has returned to Straitons and now heads up reception, in addition to being responsible for small animal insurance queries.
Most of her free time is spent with her family and dog "Scooby".
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Nikki joined the practice in December 2007 and is currently studying to become an A1 assessor, as well as toward a further qualification in animal physiotherapy.
Nikki has recently taken up horse riding.
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Holly joining the team in June 2008 as a student and qualified in october 2008. Holly owns a Labrador called Billy.
Also runs regular puppy parties at the practice with Lucy.
Holly’s interests include spending time with friends, horse riding, snow boarding and badminton.
Another long serving team member, Liz joined Straitons in 2002 and now undertakes the majority of the 24-hour night nurse care at the hospital.
Liz spends a lot of her spare time with her son and her spaniel "Roxy".
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Cassie is qualified Veterinary nurse, having joined the team in 2006 as a student. She is also a Pet Health Counsellor and, recently named Pet Health Counsellor of the Month, is now working toward the Pet Health Counsellor of the Year award.
Her interests include horse riding and walking her many dogs.
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Caroline joined the team in December 2006 as an NVQ II student nurse. She sits qualified as a veterinary nurse in the summer 2009.
Actively involved with Young Farmers, Caroline also owns two horses which take up a lot of her time.
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The latest addition to the nursing team, Lisa joined Straitons in September 2008 passed her final exams with Caroline in Summer 2009.
She enjoys horse riding and looking after her two border collies.
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Having joined the practice in 2004, as an Animal Nursing Assistant, Lucy hopes to qualify as a veterinary nurse and is due to sit her final exams in summer 2009. As one of the practice's Pet Health Counsellors she is jointly responsible for the very successful weight clinics, and also organises and runs regular 'puppy parties' with holly.
She has a cat called "Pugsly" who she adopted as a stray from the surgery.
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Leah first worked at Straitons while undertaking her school work experience placement, before joining the team in July 2006 as a kennel assistant. She has now achieved her Animal Nursing Assistant qualification and is training toward her NVQ II.
Leah adopted a dog, "Madison", from the surgery and enjoys socialising with friends and shopping.
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Michelle joined the team in 2009 as a trainee veterinary nurse, she is a third year student at Harper Adams University College. In her spare time she enjoys farming, horse riding and seeing her friends. Michelle has two rabbits called Polo and Roxy.
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Sarah joined the practice as a kennel assistant in 2005 and is now studying for her Animal Nursing Assistant qualification.
She enjoys spending her spare time with her horse "Thistle".
Support Staff
Penny joined Straiton Vets as a nurse back in 1981. After four and a half years she left to have a family. She rejoined the practice in 2000 and is now our office manager.
Becky started work in the large animal office in June 2009 and, along with Penny, is responsible for co-oodinating the veterinary large animal calls, as well as keeping the office running smoothly.
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Beshlie joined the practice in 2009 and worked alongside Donna in the role of kennel assistant. I have a passion for animals and in particular dogs, owning three of my own including a Newfoundland Bernese Mountain Dog and Spaniel.
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Donna joined the team in 2008 as a cleaner, the successfully gained the position of kennel assistant. Outside of work donna likes to spend time with her family and her cat Fudge
Les has been our Practice Handyman for many a year. Local to the area he is often seen with a paint brush in his hand singing as he works!
Eithne is the practice's longest serving employee starting way back in 1969! She worked for a long time as a Veterinary Nurse and now spends all her time co-ordinating the practice TB testing.
The first face you’ll see behind the reception desk at the Penkridge hospital, Suzanne has been a member of the Straitons team since 2000.
In her spare time she enjoys socialising, travelling and walking her dog, Zouga.
Pat joined the reception team in 2002, with a City & Guilds part I+II under her belt.
Her interests include walking her dogs and outdoor wildlife.
Providing a warm welcome to the Rugeley practice, Elle joined Straitons in Feb 2005.
Her hobbies include shopping and computers.
Cats
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Struggling to find a new home, Richard came to us from the RSPCA 2002 years ago. He is often found lying on the printers around the practice or strutting his stuff around the waiting room.
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Judy was brought to the practice as a stray in 2003
The staff immediately fell in love with her character and she has been with us ever since.
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Fern grew up on a local horse yard where she developed an allergy to hay!
For her own health Fern was rehomed at Straitons in 2004
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E C Straiton and partners LLP • The Veterinary Hospital • Cannock Road • Penkridge • Stafford ST19 5RY Telephone 01785 712286 • email info@straitonvets.co.uk • view map |
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