Robin Leadbetter (aka The Boss!) & Jane Leadbetter:Our current family consists of 1 Jack Russell terrier called Todd, 3 cats .... Bramble, Marmalade & 'the stray that came to stay' Tom! Along with 5 chickens (Liquorice, Blackie, Cheeper, Fudge & Stroppy Chops!) plus 3 cockerels Snowy, Freckles & Scrumpy.

We feel privileged to have such a dedicated team of Vets & Nurses working for us.

Dr Hamish Denny F(fellow)RCVS:We are extremely honored to have Dr Hamish Denny using our practice for his orthopaedic referals. Dr Denny graduated at Cambridge University in 1968. He then worked at Langford Veterinary School between 1968-1997. He has been performing orthopaedic surgery at Fernlea since 1997. Dr Denny lectures to Veterinary Students all over the World. In his spare time he takes pride in his garden & making sculptures.

Matthew Linnell:I graduated from Bristol University in 1996 and have been working at Fernlea Vets since I returned to the city in 2002. I focus particularly on orthopaedic surgery, and hold the RCVS Certificate in Small Animal Surgery. Away from work, I have a deep love of travel, music and photography, and am attempting to improve at wood-turning.

Richard Evans:I have been working as a Veterinary Surgeon for Fernlea since 2002 and have completed my certificate in small animal medicine. My interests are ultrasonography & feline medicine. I have an elderly cat called Basil who I rescued from a farm 15years ago.

Kate Dawes:I qualified as a veterinary surgeon from Liverpool University in 1998 and have worked at Fernlea vets since 2003. I am interested in medicine, and am currently studying for a certificate in advanced veterinary practice. Outside work I enjoy playing the viola in a local orchestra and am kept busy at home by my young daughter.

Jenny Achilles:I joined Fernlea at the start of October after relocating to Bristol, following six months spent exploring and working in New Zealand. I graduated from the University of Bristol in July 2009 and before travelling, worked in a 100% small animal practice back at home on the Wirral. Outside of work, I am learning to figure-skate and enjoying Zumba, as well as visiting the theatre, shopping for lots of pretty shoes and finding time to bake yummy cakes! I am enjoying working with the Fernlea team very much and am looking forward to meeting everyone.

Sue Mitchell:I started working with Mr Leadbetter in 1984 as a Saturday Girl. When I left school I worked full time as a Veterinary Nurse and approximately 7 yrs ago I became a Practice Manager for Fernlea & I deal with all the office management side of the practice.

Michelle Read:I qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in 1995 after studying at Langford and have been working at Fernlea Vets forever! well, since 1995 anyway! I have been Head Nurse at the practice for about ten years. I currently only have a horse who takes up much of my time, but I am also currently studying to be an animal behaviourist which I will be completing in September. So if anyone has any behaviour problems that they need help with, I will be taking cases from September 2011!

Amy Ricks:I have been working in practice since 1996 & qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in 2005. I am interested in all things feline! I have 2 rescue cats, one of which has epilepsy & I also own a bearded dragon!

Emma Jenkins:I have been working as a Vet Nurse at Fernlea Vets for 11 years & qualified in 2002. Dogs are my passion! Although I love working with all animals! I am a Qualified Dog trainer with the APDT (MAPDT 01010) & work as a branch instructor for the Clever Dog Company. I run puppy socialisation & training classes, follow on courses, adult classes, one to one & fun club nights in Kingswood. I am very lucky as I absolutely love my job! I own 2 cats called Stitch & Wilbur (both rescues) & I have taken on a rescue dog from Ireland called Foxy, who was badly neglected & consequently has many behaviour issues which is my on going training adventure! I am also a qualified assessor & help train students to become a qualified Vet Nurse.

Jane Tarling:I have been in Small Animal Veterinary Practice since leaving school. I qualified as a Vet Nurse in 1984 so obviously enjoy this role very much! I have a special interest in surgical nursing, in particular orthopaedics. I have a cat of my own called Genghis.

Claire Perkins:I have worked as a Veterinary Nurse at Fernlea Vets since 1999. I have two young children who keep me very busy! I also have a cat called Chloe, two bunnies (Bert & Ella) & two guinea pigs (Fudge and Rolo).
I am classed as 'The bunny nurse' of the practice!

Claire Coombes:I starting my placement at Fernlea Vets in Janurary 2005, as part of the training for my degree in Veterinary Nursing at the University of
Bristol. I qualified in 2008 with a Bsc (Hons) and have continued working at fernlea as I enjoy my work there very much. I love
running my chocolate Labrador at his agility classes and spending time with my young daughter.

Kelly Hicks:I am currently completing a Bsc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing Science Degree at Hartpury College. I have been working at Fernlea Vets for two years and have an interest in surgical nursing. Since working at Fernlea I have assisted Emma with her Clever Dog Company puppy training classes and also fun dog agility & training classes. I also have a ginger cat called Ozzie who is now two years old.

Hannah Joy:I started work at Fernlea in September 2008 as part of my National Diploma in Animal Management. I have now started my Vet Nurse training which I am thoroughly enjoying & I can't wait to be fully qualified! I love working with all animals and I own a cat called Amber and a horse called Symphony. I also like to help Emma with puppy training.

Rachel Matthews:I am currently on my sandwich year of my BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing degree at Hartpury College. I chose Fernlea as my work placement, as my old dog Honey was a regular & I found the staff members friendly & approachable. Outside of work I help my Mum run her dog boarding business. We are licensed to have up to 10 dogs staying at any one time-so this keeps me very busy!