Meet the Team

Julia qualified from the University of Bristol in 2001, and worked in mixed practice in the Lake District and Huddersfield before joining us in 2018. She has a particular interest in canine and feline medicine. When not at work she’s kept busy being a farmer’s wife and mummy to two young children, and loves to bake, read and catch up with friends.

Claire has worked in small animal practice in West Yorkshire since qualifying as a vet from the University of Bristol in 2003, and joined the Palmer and Duncan team in May 2019. Outside work she loves to explore the great outdoors with her loveable, but stubborn, Staffordshire bull terrier, Lexi.

Eleanor graduated from the University of Bristol in 2019 and joined Palmer and Duncan shortly afterwards, having previously carried out a number of university placements with us.
In her spare time she plays netball and likes to explore the countryside with her cockapoo, Pepper.

Laura has lived and worked in the area since the 1980s, joining the team in 2008, initially as a full time veterinary surgeon, but now working part time. When not at work she likes to spend time exercising, grooming and showing her four home-bred Italian Spinoni and knitting for the newest generation of the family.

Kirsten started with us as a Saturday girl before studying at Liverpool University, qualifying with distinction in 2012. She worked at a busy first opinion and referral hospital before joining our team in 2013. She holds a postgraduate certificate in surgery, and is on the VetPartners mentoring team for newly qualified vets. She enjoys walks with her young family, baking and growing fruit and veg in her garden.

Christophe qualified from the University of Bristol in 2004 and worked in an equine practice before starting in small practice.  He joined Palmer & Duncan in 2021.  He has extensive surgical experience after working for the PDSA for over a decade. Outside work he has 2 young boys, 2 cats and enjoys swimming, the cinema and going to music festivals and gigs.

Alison has been a part of the team since the practice opened in 2000 and has worked in veterinary practice since 1979. She is the clinical supervisor for our student nurses providing coaching and support. She has a particular interest in nurse consultations and canine behaviour. She has two dogs, Kaiser and Lylaand a hand-reared cat called Roger, and enjoys spending time with family and going for long walks.

Jane joined the team as we opened in 2000, the same year that she completed her studies and qualified as a registered veterinary nurse. She enjoys surgical nursing and anaesthesia. She has a lively flat coated retriever and equally lively son! She loves the great outdoors and helps to run her local Beaver Scouts club.

Karen joined us in 2005 and qualified as a veterinary nurse in 2009. She is particularly interested in physiotherapy and is qualified to run rehab clinics for our orthopaedic patients and mobility clinics for geriatric patients. In her spare time she enjoys competing with her cocker spaniels, and has been regularly placed at Crufts.

Joanne joined Palmer and Duncan in 2001 as a trainee nurse, and qualified in 2005. She holds the International Society of Feline Medicine certificate in feline nursing. Her favourite part of the job is dedicating a lot of individual care and attention to our patients. She has a springer spaniel called Riley and a cat called Rosie, both of whom are rescues from the practice.

Ellie-May joined team P&D in 2019 as a student nurse and has loved being here since day one. In her spare time she is usually riding her horse Naz or walking her two working cocker spaniels Bert and Eddie. Once qualified she hopes to specialise in critical care nursing as she finds it very rewarding being able to nurse a patient back to full health.

Kelsey joined the team in 2016 as an assistant on a Saturday, whilst studying animal care in college, and rejoined us in 2019 to complete her student nurse training. She has two cats, Nellie the two year-old old tabby and Fluff, a black and white 12 year old. Once qualified she hopes to specialise in geriatric care.

Leigh joined our team in 2017. Her favourite part of the job is working in the hospital ward making sure our patients have everything they need. At home she has two dogs, two cats, three rabbits and a horse, most of whom she has adopted after having been rescued.

Tracy has worked in the veterinary sector since 1977 and joined us in 2007 with a wide variety of experience of veterinary auxiliary nursing, veterinary reception work and work outside the industry, including running holiday cottages in Portugal. She competed in show jumping until a bad fall in 1989, and now keeps retired horse Nette, as well as four very active dogs.

Caron joined us in 2004, originally on a temporary contract that soon became permanent. She breeds Labradors and is involved in the show scene, becoming an A1 Labrador judge in 2003 and judging shows all around the world. Her other big passion is music, and she watches live shows as often as possible, usually with one or two G&Ts in hand!

Mandy joined the practice in 2012, after previously working as a qualified psychiatric nurse and then in share dealing. She soon realised that she much prefers working as a veterinary receptionist! She has a little Jack Russell terrier called Chips, who is her everything!

Sue has been a part of the team since 2015 and enjoys getting to know and helping to care for pets and their owners. She has a sweet golden retriever who she loves to spend time playing with and walking in the countryside. She loves good food, music, concerts, the theatre and relaxing with friends.

Jade joined the P&D team in July 2021. Jade has a passion for animals and is the owner of 4 dogs and 2 cats as well as her own flock of pedigree Poll Dorset sheep and a small herd of Hereford cows. When not at work Jade enjoys being on the farm, baking and going on long walks with her dogs.

Chris joined the team in September 2023 after spending many years in the motor industry.  At home he has a Labrador and very noisy cat.  He is the father of twin boys who he helps train at their local football club.  He enjoys the countryside, walking, and following his favourite football team.  He also volunteers and raises money for a charity very close to his heart.  

Janine joined the Palmer & Duncan team in August 2021.  Janine loves animals and has several dogs as well as chickens, ducks and a Tortoise called Clive.  Your pet will feel special if Janine is working as there are always cuddles and treats on offer.

When not at work she loves getting away in her motorhome or to her holiday home in Italy.