Meet the team
At Andrew Mellor Veterinary Surgery we aim to provide the best service possible for your pets
Veterinarian Surgeons
All veterinary surgeons working in the UK have to be registered with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) most veterinary courses take a minimum of five years to complete and after qualifying they have to continue studying to remain on the register.
Andrew Mellor BVMS MRCVS KORE Dip
Andrew qualified as a Veterinary Surgeon in July 1997 from the University of Glasgow Veterinary School and started working at the surgery straight away. Andrew particuarly likes developing his surgical skills and is a member of The Assocoiation of Veterinary Soft Tissue Surgeons (AVSTS) whose members include specialist surgeons from the UK and abroad. Andrew has also developed muscle testing and acupuncture skills by training to be the first veterinary KORE therapist in the world. Andrew is also an Official Veterinarian (OV) for the Department of the Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) .Teaching has always been important to Andrew and the surgery is a registered teaching practice so vet students and student veterinary nurses attend the surgery during practical placements. Recently Andrew became an advisor on the RCVS Graduate Development Programme (vetGDP )so he can support graduate vets to further their clinical and professional abilities post qualifying.
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Andrew was born and raised in Lytham. He is married with two children.
In his spare time, he enjoys DIY with as many gadgets as he can cram into his garage, stargazing through his telescope, watching films, reading, walking his dogs and managing his small area of woodland, planting new trees and cutting dead ones down with his chainsaws.
Favourite animal: Tiger
Favourite films: The Shawshank Redemption, The Lord of the Rings and The Matrix
Favourite TV series: The Big Bang Theory, The Repair Shop and Top Gear
Favourite books: The Discworld series by Terry Pratchett and The Stoner Eagles
Favourite aspect of the job: Surgery
My least favourite aspect of the job: RSPCA cruelty cases
Nathaniel BVetMed (Hons) MRCVS Lead Vet.
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Nathaniel qualified in June 2021 from the Royal Veterinary College University of London, but had some practical placements at Andrew Mellor Vets ,so you may have seen him before 2021. He has special interests in medicine and cardiology and is currently studying for a certificates of advanced veterinary practtice in both cardiology and internal medicine.
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Nathaniel was born and raised in Blackpool and lives locally with his partner and dog Ted. Any spare time is spent hiking in the Lake District, mountaineering, at his climbing club or undertaking any water sport.
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Favourite Film: Top Gun films
Favourite colour: Purple
If you were to come back as an animal what would you be: A wolf climbing mountains no better place to be wild and free.
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Attila MRCVS
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Atilla has been our regular locum vet for 12 years,working when other vets are away studying or on holiday. "After working all over the UK in several clinics I have found my ultimate 'permanent locum' position, [its] like working in a big family".
Attilla is married and is the father of twin boys. In his spare time he enjoys paragliding, scuba diving and painting., you may see some of his art in the surgery.
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Favourite Animal : Dog any breed
Favourite Films: Dancing with Wolves, Big Blue, Groundhog Day, About Time
Favourite TV Series: Game of Thrones, Stranger Things
Favourite Books:Flow, Lord of the Rings, The Shadow of the Wind & all of James Herriot'
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​​​​Carlos MRCVS
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Carlos started working in the surgery in 2007 and left in 2020 to become a lead vet in orthopaedic surgery. He has now become a locum & occasionally returns if we require additional help. Many of our clients will know Carlos and of course he knows our team.
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In his spare time he enjoys drawing,painting,playing the guitar & piano
Carlos lives locally with his wife, two daughters, Dino the Hermanns tortoise, Guille, a Greyhound cross Bedlington terrier & Leona a a springer cross cocker spaniel.
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Favourite Animal: Wolf
Favourite dog breed: Greyhound
Favourite Films: The Young Frankenstein, Master & Commander & Pulp Fiction
Favourite Books: The Conerstone, The Physician & All Creatures Great & Small
Favourite TV Shows: David Attenborough documentaries, Downton Abbey & Friends
If you were to come back as an animal what would it be? A majestic eagle so I would'nt have to pay to fly anywhere
Favourite Aspect of the job: Interacting with the patients & their owners and surgery
Least Favourite Aspect: Working long hours
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Veterinary Nurses
All qualified Veterinary Nurses( RVN )have to be registered with the RCVS in order to practice as a veterinary nurse.
Emily. RVN BSc AS (Animal Science) Cert VN ECC
Head Nurse
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Emily born & raised in Blackpool started at the practice in June 2009 and qualified as a veterinary Nurse from Myerscough College in 2012. Following qualifying as a vet nurse she completed a degree in Animal science and then achieved a certificate in Emergency and Critical Care.Emily has also completed a certificate in surgical nursing .
Emily has three kittens and In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking and trying new craft projects.
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Favourite animal: Cow
Favourite dog breed: Great Dane
Favourite films: Airplane,Miss Congeniality and Memoirs of a Geisha.
Favourite books: Anything by James Patterson, JR Ward or Lee Child
If you were to come back as an animal what would it be and why: 100% cat so she can sleep all day and be pampered.
Favourite aspect of the job: Monitoring patients under anaesthetic and watching surgery
Least favourite aspect of the job:Euthanising healthy but aggressive animals.
Heather. RVN
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"Princess"Heather started at the surgery in November 2006 and qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse from Myerscough College in October 2009. Heather has completed a course in Advanced Anaesthetics.
Born and raised in Blackpool she lives with her husband, two children , Buzz the tortoise & Loki her black Labrador.
On her weekends she enjoys spending time with her family going to parks, farms and the beach. She also loves going out for tea and especially the odd date night!
Heather has commenced a certificate in feline behaviour which is a two year course.
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Favourite animal cat
Favourite dog breed: Labrador
Favourite films: Dirty Dancing, Marvel films and of course Disney
Favourite books: Anything by Jill Mansell
Favourite TV shows: Schitts Creek and Vampire Diaries
If you were to come back as an animal what would it be and why: 100% cat so I can sleep all day and be pampered.
Favourite aspect of the job: Taming fractious cats and anaesthetics
Least favourite aspect of the job: Slimy, frothy vomit!
Lisa RVN
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Lisa started at the surgery in July 2011, and qualified as an RVN in February 2015. Lisa has completed the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) Oral Care course.
She was born and raised in Blackpool and lives with her husband and two sons.
In her spare time she enjoys dancing, singing and going to see musicals. She is part of an amateur dramatics company where she performs musicals at the Grand Theatre. She has previously starred as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, Cha Cha in Grease and Violet Newstead in 9 to 5.
She has three cats and a dog – Minnie, a ginger domestic longhair; Mickey, a black domestic shorthair; Scar, a black & white domestic shorthair; and Kipper, a small black crossbreed. Kipper was a rescue dog who came to the practice as a stray, paralysed and needed major spinal surgery in his neck to fix it.
Favourite animal: Tiger
Favourite dog breed: Labrador
Favourite films: Sex and the City, The Little Mermaid and Dirty Dancing
Favourite book: Marley and Me
Favourite TV shows: Modern Family, Miranda, Orange is the New Black and Sex in the City
If you were to come back as an animal what would it be and why: A cat so she could lie in front of the fire all day and do nothing!
Favourite aspect of the job: Nursing poorly animals, giving TLC and making them feel comfortable. Helping anorexic animals to start eating is very rewarding!
Least favourite aspect of the job: Having a patient not make it after all your hard work and when you have gained a bond with them
Jess. RVN NCert .SAN
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Jess started at the surgery in July 2011 and qualified as an RVN in September 2016. She gained a certificate in Canine and Feline Veterinary Health Nutrition in 2018. She was born and raised in Blackpool. She lives with her husband and daughter and many pets, two dogs - a Pomeranian cross papillon called Rocket and Ember– and two cats called Xander and Ronan. She also has a chinchilla called Kupo and two guinea pigs called Zog and Duggee.
In her spare time Jess likes walking her dogs, jogging and and playing video games.
Currently Jess is part of the team involved with the processing of insurance claims.
Favourite animal: Red Panda
Favourite dog breed: Silken Windhound
Favourite films: Jurassic Park, Jurassic World, 300, Guardians of the Galaxy and Princess Mononoke.
Favourite books: A Song of Fire and Ice series, Jurassic Park and The Walking Dead graphic novels
Favourite TV shows: Modern Family, The Witcher and What we do in the Shadows
If you were to come back as an animal what would it be and why: A police dog so she could scare criminals and bite them, but get praised for it!
Favourite aspect of the job: Discussing nutrition with clients and caring for exotic patients such as small furries
Least favourite aspect of the job: Seeing animals badly hurt or killed in road traffic accidents.
Ellie. RVN
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Ellie started at the surgery in 2016 as a trainee Veterinary Nurse and and qualified in January 2020. She has a Diploma in canine fear aggression and reactivity.
She was born and raised in Blackpool and lives with her husband son and two fox red labradors Kiki and Vinnie two cats and a hamster.
Her interests include dog walking,nature, knitting and shopping.
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Favourite animal: Cats
Favourite dog breed: Fox red labradors
Favourite films: Anything animated that isn't sad.
Favourite books: Thrillers / Psychological thrillers crime or historical novels.
Favourite TV shows: The Office US
If you were to come back as an animal what would it be and why: A cat so she could sit in front of the fire and sleep all day
Favourite aspect of the job: Anaesthesia and surgery. Seeing a patient go home after we have worked hard over the days they’ve been in to make them better
Least favourite aspect of the job: Dealing with cruelty cases
Abigail. RVN
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Abi started at the surgery after qualifying as a Veterinary Nurse at Myerscough College in 2019. She was born and raised in Blackpool . She lives locally with her dog a Hungarian Vizsla Wallace, bearded dragon Taz and cat Ruby. Abi has a further qualification in theatre practice and surgical nusing and is developing her schedule 3 skills which means she is able to undertake minor acts of surgery such as stitching wounds and removing small lumps. Ultimately Abi would like to complete her surgical certificate. Her other interests of dentistry and exotic animals are in line to be developed.
Abi is a great social organiser and has organised the practice nights out and charity cake stalls. A champion of well-being in the workplace she is also going to start a First Aid in mental Health. In her spare time Abi enjoys walking Wallace, listening to music watching films and developing her skills in make up.
Favourite Animal: Orangutan
Favourite Dog Breed: Hungarian Vizsla and Bulldog
Favourite film: She is a a film fanatic but especially loves Disney and Marvel films
Favourite TV series: Friends, Gavin & Stacey, Sex & the City
If you were to come back as an animal what would you be and why: A sloth, she enjoys her chill time and sleep!
Favourite aspect of the job: The puppies of course but I also enjoy anaesthesia and surgery
Least Favourite part of the job: Untidiness
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​​​​​Amy. Animal Nurse Assistant.
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Amy joined the surgery in June 2024 and lives locally with her family, daschund Milo and Shelley the cat. Amy soon became very proficient at all aspects of her role and is hoping to start training as a veterinary nurse.
When not working her favourite hobby is shopping, going to the cinema or listening to music.
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Favourite Films: Comedies & romances
Favourite TV series: Derry girls, Friday night Dinner, Miranda
Favourite Animal: Giraffe
If you were to come back as an animal what would it be and why? A cat, to be able to sleep all day.
Favourite aspect of the job Caring for the animals & making them feel comfortable & loved.
Least favourite part of the job: Seeing families lose their much beloved pets.
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Administration team
Karen. RN IOSH Practice Manager
Karen is Andrew's sister and was a qualified human nurse (RN)working as a Director of Nursing in Devon until Andrew took over the business, then she moved her family to become the Practice Manager. She was born and raised in Lytham. Karen lives with her son and two dogs an Italian Spinone called Lily and Belle a Lurcher who was a rescue puppy brought into the practice by the dog warden.
In her spare time Karen enjoys DIY, gardening, flower arranging, sewing and is a passionate cook!
Running the practice inolves many skills organising schedules, equipment, policies, awareness of employment law, human resources, health and safety. Karen has a Diploma Level 4 in Management .
Favourite animal: Dog
Favourite dog breed: Short haired working breeds, Dogue de Bordeaux
Favourite films: Happy Feet, First Wives Club and My Best Friend’s Wedding
Favourite TV series: Inspector Morse and CSI
Favourite books: The Amber Room, any autobiographies and cookery books
If you were to come back as an animal what would you be and why: A brown bear – hibernating seems like a great way to catch up on some sleep!
Favourite aspect of the job: The animals! The challenge, learning new skills and still being able to work with ‘people’
Least favourite aspect of the job: Being unable to finish a task on time
Jennifer. Practice Administrator
Jen started working at the surgery way back in February 1985 and qualified as a Vet Nurse in August 1987 from Myerscough College. After qualifying she continued to develop her skills in all aspects of the practice. She is now responsible for the administration in the practice working alongside Karen, the Practice Manager. She lives in Blackpool with her husband & is very proud of her gragduate son who was married last year.
In her spare time she enjoys walking at Nicky Nook and the Lake District,visiting London to see theatre shows and museums, riding pillion on the motorbike and enjoying afternoon teas.
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In February 2025 Jen has worked for 40 years at the surgery!! CONGRATULATIONS & a big thank you for all your hard work
Favourite animal: Meerkat
Favourite dog breed: Bichon Frise
Favourite films: Titanic, The Piano and Armageddon, Trolls Madagascar
Favourite TV series: Killing Eve, Strictly, The masked singer, Mare of Easttown
Favourite books: ‘The Spuddy’ by Lillian Beckwith, ‘Wibbly Pig’ series by Mick Inkpen and ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar
If you were to come back as an animal what would you be and why: A Rockhopper Penguin because they are tenacious characters
Favourite aspect of the job: I enjoy being part of a team which provides a caring professional service for pets and their owners
Least favourite aspect of the job: Cat vomit!
Natasha Henderson Lead Receptionist & Student Veterinary Nurse
Natasha started at the surgery in 2016 as a receptionist and having gained a certificate in Animal Nursing Assistance is in her final year as a student vet nurse
She lives with her partner their four parrots and three cats.
In her spare time, she enjoys seeing friends and family, going to the cinema, cycling, swimming, walking along the beach and reading.She has an interest in crystals and meditations. She also loves to travel, in her early twenties Natasha volunteered with Wild Cats for a month in South Africa She has travelled alot of America, enjoying the Northern side in particular. Natasha worked with animals at a rescue centre for 4 years, and worked as cabin crew for a year.
Favourite animal: Big cats and parrots and domestic cats
Favourite dog breeds:Golden Retriever
Favourite films: Comedies and action
Favourite books: Loves most books.
Favourite TV shows: Anything Netflix
If you were to come back as an animal what would you be and why: A beautifully coloured bird so she could fly anywhere
Favourite aspect of the job: Talking to clients, seeing the animals. Great working environment with a good team of people.
Least favourite aspect of the job: The pressures of trying to meet demand and keep everyone happy.
Reception Team.
Our reception team have the difficult task of answering the many varied queries that come in to the practice via email or telephone and liasing with the clinical and admin teams whilst remaining calm and efficient. They all receive training and continue to develop skills as they stay at the practice.
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Julie
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Julie started at the surgery in 2005 as a Receptionist. She was born and grew up in Thornton-Cleveleys. She is married with two sons.
In her spare time, she enjoys walking, listening to music, reading, drawing and gardening – her garden is her sanctuary.
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Favourite animal: Elephant – She has adopted one from the Born Free Foundation called Emily Kate
Favourite dog breeds: Golden Retriever, Cocker Spaniel and Whippet
Favourite films: Mists of Avalon, Labyrinth and the Pirates of the Caribbean films
Favourite books: Mists of Avalon, Wuthering Heights and Myth and Legend based books
Favourite TV shows: Game of Thrones, Taboo, Ripper Street and anything historical
If you were to come back as an animal what would you be and why: A wolf because they are mysterious, powerful, magical and she would definitely enjoy howling at the moon!
Favourite aspect of the job: The animals
Least favourite aspect of the job: Drool!
Cassandra. RVN & Temporary Lead Receptionist
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Cass trained as a veterinary nurse at Andrew Mellor vets in 2002 before leaving to have her three children, she returned to help the reception and insurance processing teams and then completed re -registration as a qualified veterinary nurse.
Cass enjoys spending time with her husband, children, Lottie a cross/pug beagle, Arlo a yellow labrador, three cats Romeo Iris Ivy, Caramel the crazy rabbit and a few fish.
Favourite animal: Hare
Favourite dog breed: Bassett Hound they have such lovely kind eyes
Favourite films: Harry Potter, Marvel, Dirty Dancing, Labyrinth, Moulin Rouge
Favourite TV show: Friends, House, Sons of Anarchy, Breaking Bad, Peaky Blinders,The Good Doctor, My family & other animals.
If you were to come back as an animal what would it be and why: A pampered cat who would sunbathe eat & sleep all day.
Favourite aspect of the job: All the lovely team I work with & meeting all the people who come with their wonderful animals.
Leasr favourite aspect of the job: The pain when we say goodbye to our furry friends so sad to see.
Sarah. Team Leader
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Sarah came to work in the surgery in 2021, having previously worked at two other vetsl so had plenty of experience.She lives with her wife and six cats and has a grown son.
In her spare time she enjoys yoga, gardening,reading, dining out & travelling to pagan camps with her mum .Last year Sarah was a finalist for UK veterinary receptionist of the year, nominated by client.
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Favourite Animal: Bats
Favourite dog breed: Any
Favourite films: Any horror
Favourite TV series:Game of Thrones, Walking dead
Favourite Book: I read so much impossible to pick one but any horror/thriller plus a few classics
If you were to come back as an animal what would you be and why: One of my cats all they do is eat sleep & sit in the sun.
Favourite aspect of the job: The people I work with, they are an amazing team & of course the animals
Least Favourite Aspect of the job : Seeing any cruelty or neglect cases
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Carol
Carol joined the practice in October 2021 having had a varied career, this was her first post in a vets. Using all her past experience she met this steep learning curve with ease. She lives locally with her husband and has two grown daughters
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Favourite animal: Dogs & rabbits
Favourite dog breed:Labrador & mountain dogs
Favourite films: Lord of the Rings, Hobbit, Harry Potter. Marvel or any action/thriller
Favourite TV series Line of Duty, Gogglebox,
Favourite books:Lynda La Plant novels & any murder/thriller & suspense novels
& suspense
If you were to come back as an animal what would you be and why: A dog to be taken on great walks, fed && then be able to curl up for a nap.
​Favourite aspect of the job.:Meeting all the pets who visit the surgery, we often get a cuddle. We also have a great team.
Worst aspect of the job: Seeing the grief when a beloved pet has to leave their owners for the last time.
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Jane
Jane is originally from Sheffield & was a dental nurse for 23 years. She has a dog Poppy a Shih Tzu who loves walking on the beach & in woods. In her spare time Jane loves ro go to the theatre, swim, learn to garden & decorate.
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Favourite Animal : Dogs, Orangutans & wolves
Favourite Breed: Shih Tzu, Labradors & cocker spaniel
Favourite Films: Last King of Scotland, P.S I Love You, Love Actually, Flashdance Little Mermaid
Favourite TV series : Psychoville, Inside no. 9, Last Tango in Halifax, Happy Valley
If you were to come back as an animal what would you be: A owl/eagle something with no predators
Favourite aspect of the job: Seeing poorly animals get better & go home & the puppys.
Worst aspect of the job: Seeing any cruelty or neglect cases
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Support Staff
Steph
Steph joined the surgery in January 2024. She lives locally with her husband and little daughter who helps her with her craft work including felting crocheting and sewing. Steph has three dogs and six guinea pigs.
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Favourite animal: Dogs & guinea pigs
Favourite dog breed: Cavachon, they are so loving and playful
Favourite films: The Mummy with Brenden Frasier
Favourite TV series: Monk, Pretty Little Liars & Charmed
If you were to come back as an animal what would you be and why: A guinea pig as I could squeak for food & then sleep- its my spirit animal!
Favourite aspect of the job: Seeing all the animals that visit
Least favourite aspect of the job: Seeing animals in distress
