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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.
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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.
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Joining the practice in 1990 was something of a homecoming for Steve originally hailing from Stoke. He 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.
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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.
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.
John and his wife Jo enjoy horse riding, winter sports, sailing and travelling.
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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.
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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.
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Nick holds the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Certificate in Small Animal Surgery. Nick joined the Practice full time in 2005 after many years working here as a student. Nick graduated from Bristol University with honours and spent a short time working for a charity hospital in Romania.
Nick's particular interests lie in small animal surgery, especially the treatment of joint and bone disease. He also has experience in the management of complex cancer surgery, wound management, cruciate ligament injury using the TTA technique, dislocating knee-cap surgery and fracture management amongst others. Nick is also interested in small animal medicine. Nick has also written articles for veterinary periodicals.
Nick and his wife Kate (who is also a vet) enjoy snowboarding and mountain biking together when they are not working.
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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Lewis is the latest addition to the veterinary team. He joined the Practice in July 2010 having graduated from Liverpool University in the same year. Lewis hails from Kent where he grew up surrounded by animals great and small on his grandfather's farm. He has a particular interest in equine medicine having completed a four week elective during his studies at the Philip Leverhulme Equine Hospital based at Leahurst. Lewis is equally at ease treating small animals, his forte lies with rabbit medicine and surgery. Out of work Lewis is a keen sportsman playing rugby and hockey, he also enjoys karaoke given the chance!
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 management of the 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 the new member of the family 'Doyle'.
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Michelle joined the Practice as a trainee veterinary nurse in 2009 and qualified in January 2011. She has completed a degree in veterinary nursing and practice management from Harper Adams University. She is now the head nurse at the Rugeley surgery.
Outside of work Michelle is a member of Newport Young Farmers and is a keen horse rider.She also enjoys spending time with her cat ' Tiddles '.
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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.
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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 the Practice 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 towards a further qualification in animal physiotherapy.
Nikki has recently taken up horse riding and her keen interests at work are her diabetes clinics.
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Another long serving team member, Liz joined the Practice 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 who was named Pet Health Counsellor of the Month for her achievements with her weight clinics at the Practice .
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. In summer 2009 she became a qualified veterinary nurse.
She is also now a clinical coach within the practice and currently has two students working towards their VN qualification but alongside all that hard work she has recently enrolled at Harper Adams University to study the advanced diploma in veterinary nursing.
She enjoys spending time at home on the farm, riding her horse 'Magic' and walking her dogs 'Fly' and 'Cracker Jack'
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Lisa joined the Practice in September 2008 and passed her final exams with Caroline in summer 2009.
Lisa is currently undertaking the new veterinary care assistant course and enjoys walking her dogs in her spare time.
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Lucy joined the Practice in 2004 as an animal nursing assistant, Lucy has just qualified as a veterinary nurse this summer . 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 Beshlie .
She has a cat called 'Pugsly' who she adopted as a stray from the surgery.
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Zoey joined the team in January 2011 after gaining her RVN qualification in September 2010.
She enjoys socialising, going out to the cinema with her husband and spending time with her German Shepherd dog 'Sid'.
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Natalie joined the team in April 2010 while she was studing for her veterinary nursing foundation degree at Harper Adams University and has recently gained her qualification Fdsc RVN. She enjoys eventing her horse 'Edward'.
'Ellie' her German Pointer is a keen gun dog currently working towards her field test. Natalie recently lost one of her chickens 'Penny' which has now returned with several new baby chicks to boost her chicken family.
Natalie also milks cows 3 times a week for a local farmer in her area.
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Leah first worked at the Practice 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, her NVQ II and is now working towards her level 3 diploma in veterinary nursing.
Leah adopted, 'Maddison' a dog from the surgery and enjoys socialising with friends and shopping.
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Emma is studying veterinary nursing and practice management at Harper Adams University and is currently on her year work placement with us.
She enjoys spending time out in the countryside , horse riding and socialising with her friends.
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Anna like Emma is on her placement from Harper Adams University which 'she loves'
Anna describes herself as a 'country bumpkin stuck in the city life!'
She loves the outdoors and socialising with friends , especially on nights out where she's never far from the dancefloor!
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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 competing and spending her spare time with her horse 'Wilf'.
Support Staff
Penny joined the Practice 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.
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Becky started work in the large animal office in June 2009 and, along with Penny is responsible for co-oodinating the equine and 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. She has a passion for animals and in particular dogs, she owns three dogs including a Newfoundland Bernese Mountain Dog and Spaniel.
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Donna joined the team in 2008 as a cleaner, then successfully gained the position of kennel assistant in 2009 . Outside of work Donna likes to spend time with her family but most of her time is spent chasing her Husky dog Heidi around the village.
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Les has been our Practice handyman for many years. Local to the area he is often seen with a paint brush in his hand singing as he works!
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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.
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The first face you’ll see behind the reception desk at the Penkridge hospital, Suzanne has been a member of the team since 2000.
In her spare time she enjoys socialising and travelling.
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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.
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Ann joined the team in 2008 her interests include socialising with her friends and walking her mad dog 'Scooby'.
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Lindsay joined the team back in November 2009 she enjoys spending time with her dogs 'Juno' and 'Huxley'.
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Belinda also joined the team in November 2009, she enjoys spending time with her three dogs 'Rosie', 'Barney' and 'Freddie'.
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Kezia joined our branch surgery at Rugeley in February 2011 as the receptionist. When not at work she enjoys spending time with her three dogs.
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 Ltd • The Veterinary Hospital • Cannock Road • Penkridge • Stafford ST19 5RY Telephone 01785 712235 • email info@straitonvets.co.uk • view map |
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