Veterinary Nurses
Ruth Heldreich RVN C-SQP (Head Nurse)
Ruth qualified in 1999 and joined Ark in 2004 as our Head Nurse. She has also worked round the country as a locum for several years. Her qualifications include: Veterinary Health and Nutrition Advisor, Pet Diabetes Advisor, she also has NVQ Assessor status in Veterinary Nursing.
Ruth has particular expertise in animal dentistry and runs our practice dental clinics.
Outside of work, Ruth enjoys spending time with her husband Ali and son Will, walking her dog, Meg and looking after her joint-owned horse. She has a keen interest in water colour painting, badminton and rock and roll dancing. She adopted another of Ark’s waifs and stray’s, Pat, a black and white cat.
Cassie Alldred RVN (Veterinary Nurse)
Cassie qualified in 2001 and joined Ark in 2004 as Deputy Head Nurse. Her qualifications include: Veterinary Health and Nutrition Advisor, Pet Diabetes Advisor and she has NVQ Assessor status in Veterinary Nursing.
Cassie is now back from maternity leave. She had a baby boy named Jack in February 2011 and returned to work in January 2012.
In her spare time, Cassie enjoys spending time with her boyfriend Tom and son Jack and visits her parents at their home in Norfolk on a regular basis. She also enjoys horse-riding.
Lucy Davies RVN (Veterinary Nurse)
Lucy joined Ark in 2003 as a trainee nurse and qualified in 2005. Her qualifications include Veterinary Nutrition and Diabetes Advisor. She has recently achieved a Distinction in a Feline Friendly behaviour course.
Lucy runs our Rabbit clinics.
Lucy got married in September 2011 to her husband Richard.
In her spare time, Lucy likes to go walking with Richard and her dog Holly, whom she re-homed from a local rescue centre. They are keen followers of the good beer guide and frequently end up in a local pub following one of their long walks. She also enjoys reading thriller novels.
Richard is an avid cricket fan and during the summer, Lucy can often be found with him at Trent Bridge.
Carla Etches RVN (Veterinary Nurse)
Carla joined Ark in 2006 as our Receptionist but then expressed an interest in training to become a qualified Veterinary Nurse. She qualified in August 2010.
She is passionate about animal welfare and enjoys fund-raising.
Carla enjoys horse-riding, partying at Rock City and has 3 cats, Woody, Winston and Womble.
Carla will be leaving us in May 2012 to take a six-month sabbatical to Australia with her boyfriend Steve. We look forward to welcoming her back in November.
Katie Woods FdSc RVN (Veterinary Nurse)
Katie joined Ark in December 2008 as a trainee veterinary nurse from Nottingham Trent University.
She passed her final exams in April 2011 and she graduated in July 2011.
Katie’s interests outside of work are: spending time with her boyfriend, Liam, walking her dog, Cassie, and socialising with friends.