Our Coalville veterinary practice brings together a talented and dedicated team, all working under one roof. Get to know us, and discover what inspires the care we provide every day.
Veterinary Surgeons
Diane Storer
Diane Storer
Hi, I’m Diane, and I’ve been working at Cockburn Vets since the mid ‘90s. I was raised on my family’s farm in Northern Ireland, where I grew up with a love of all animals. I qualified as a vet from Edinburgh University’s Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in 1989, and then worked in practices in Cheshire, Staffordshire and Berkshire before moving to Cockburn Vets in 1995.
For me the best part of veterinary medicine is the variety it brings and the lovely pets and people I get to help. My primary aim is to ensure that I give all my patients the most up-to-date treatment options, so a few years ago I completed a 4-year diploma in veterinary professional studies, obtaining a distinction by scoring over 70% in each module. Outside work, I enjoy spending time with my family, our cat Denzel, going to spin classes, walking, reading and embroidery.
Cathy Churchill
Hi, I’m Cathy, and I joined Cockburn Vets in November 2014, having worked in a number of practices over the years. Whilst I have a love of all things veterinary, my main love is surgery, and I have introduced keyhole surgery to Cockburn’s so that we are now able to offer laparoscopic surgeries for spays, abdominal biopsies, removal of cryptorchid testicles and foreign body retrieval.
I have recently swapped my pedals for power and have started riding a motorbike – come rain, hail or shine … but not snow! I am a Bath Rugby Club supporter (sorry, Tigers fans. Bath? Please! Of all the clubs in the Premiership…) and an avid reader of both fiction and non-fiction books.
Nadine Wainwright
Hi, I’m Nadine, and I enjoy all aspects of general practice but have a particular interest in medicine and feline medicine and am one of the Cat Advocates for the practice. I also really enjoy surgery – especially soft tissue surgery.
Having completed a degree in Physiology, I went on to fulfil my ambition to become a vet, qualifying from the University of Liverpool in 2007, and after several roles elsewhere, I joined Cockburn Vets in May 2018.
In my spare time, I enjoy going to the cinema, gym and spending time with family and friends.
Nyika Tanton
Hi, I’m Nyika, and I graduated from Bristol Vet School in 1998. Over the years, I’ve worked in a number of veterinary practices but I particularly love working at Cockburn Vets because it is an independent, family-owned practice. I am fascinated by animal behaviour and have recently completed an MSc in Clinical Animal Behaviour through Lincoln University.
At home, I have rather a menagerie of horses, dogs, cats, chickens, hamsters, and not forgetting Bob, the goldfish!
Maria Tokarska
Hi, my name is Maria, and I qualified as a vet from the University of Life Science in Lublin, Poland, in 2014. Straight after graduation, I moved to the UK and started work as a companion animal vet, joining Cockburn Vets in January 2023. I have a special interest in feline medicine and love naughty cats, and I’m always up for a challenge. I also find palliative care and end-of-life medicine a very rewarding part of my job
At home, I’m a proper cat mum with my 3 babies, and in my spare time I enjoy baking cakes and bread and going jogging.
Caitlin Birchall
Hi, my name is Caitlin, and I graduated from Nottingham University in 2023, although I am originally from the North East.
I enjoy all aspects of being a vet, but I have a real interest in imaging and emergency care. However, nothing beats kittens and puppies!
Outside of work, I enjoy performing arts and exploring new places with my partner and our dog, Tatum.
Alex Trayer
Hi, I’m Alex, and I graduated from the University of Surrey in 2024, although I’m originally from North Yorkshire.
I have a keen interest in both medicine and surgery. I enjoy the variety of cases in general practice as well as meeting different people and helping their pets!
Outside of work, I enjoy going on walks and spending time outdoors with family and friends.
Mihaela Dumitru
Izzy Simmonds
Veterinary Nurses
Maxine Treadwell
Hi, I’m Maxine, and as Head Veterinary Nurse, assisted by my wonderful team of veterinary nurses, my aim is to give your pets the best possible care. I went straight into veterinary nursing from leaving school in 2007 and qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2013, starting to work as a member of the Cockburn Vets’ team in January 2015.
I have a keen interest in anaesthesia and emergency and critical care patients, and hold a Nurses Certificate in Anaesthesia. This specialist qualification provides advanced knowledge of safe anaesthesia and effective pain management.
To relax, I enjoy going to the cinema, reading and spending time with family and friends.
Ali Connellan
Hi, I’m Ali, and I love to provide lots of care to my patients. I particularly love nursing our poorly in-patients, giving them lots of TLC and sharing in their owner’s joy when they recover and go home.
I have two very energetic little ginger boys, Alfie and Dillon, who like to get up to mischief regularly, but who can always manage to wrap me round their tiny paws!
Charlotte Matthews
Hi, I’m Charlotte, and I love being a veterinary nurse. I’m particularly interested in caring for inpatients and monitoring anaesthetics. I take great pride in my work and love to ensure the greatest care is given to every patient in my care taking pride in treating them as if they were my own.
At home I live with Martha and Tigger, who was hand-reared by me. Needless to say they live a life of luxury!
Terri Cripps
Hi, my name is Terri, and I am one of the Registered Veterinary Nurses. I have been at Cockburns since September 2024, after qualifying in Norfolk in 2014 and moving about.
My favourtie part of the job is consulting and anything behaviour related, I love to give advice and help our clients. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, including my little doggy Betty.
Amy Woolman
Hi, my name is Amy, and I’m a registered veterinary nurse. In practice, I enjoy nursing patients and getting to know each one as an individual. I also love the variety that working in a veterinary practice brings.
In my free time, I enjoy crafting and playing my piano.
Daisy Johnson
Hi, I’m Daisy, and I joined the team in 2021 as a veterinary care assistant and I particularly love to care for all inpatients. Having completed my Veterinary Care Support: Level 2 Apprenticeship (Animal Care and Welfare Assistant) in the summer of 2023, I am now studying to be a veterinary nurse, which has always been my dream. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my Jack Russell Terrier, who is called Pippin. Pippin enjoys going on very long walks and especially likes playing fetch with her favourite toy. I also spend a lot of my time with Arna, my horse, who is very mischievous and keeps me on my toes with her outgoing personality!
Sophie Reynolds
Hi, I’m Sophie, and I joined the team in July 2024 as a 2nd year student veterinary nurse. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family. I enjoy going on adventures with my dog Bentley, who is a miniature dachshund. Whilst at work, I really enjoy theatre work monitoring anaesthetics, but I also like to meet the clients and build bonds with their pets, as I feel this skill is so valuable to the team.
Support Team
Chloe Lakin
Hi, I’m Chloe, and as a key member of the practice leadership team, I use my organisational skills to help run the practice (and keep the team in check!). Following graduation from Nottingham Trent University in the summer of 2011, I started working as an RVN in July that year. I joined our team at Cockburn Vets in October 2012 and, since then, undertook the prestigious Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) Level 5 Certificate in Leadership and Management in 2019. I am now actively involved in the day-to-day management of the practice.
Outside work, I enjoy life with my husband and children, and we all love to go for long walks in the countryside with our energetic dogs – Jingo the Border Collie and Peppa the Jack Russell Terrier.
Elaine Bircher
Hi, I’m Elaine, and I’ve been working at Cockburn Vets since 2007. Many of you may remember me as a member of the reception team before I migrated upstairs to become our Office Manager in the summer of 2019.
My house is a bit of a menagerie – horses, a rescued cat, all sorts of animals and birds seem to enjoy living with me – including wild pheasants, a fox family and lots of breeding swifts who like to nest in the stables and keep the horses company.
Martyn Storer
Andie Chapman
Hi, I’m Andie, and many of you will know me from greeting you either by telephone or in person. I’ve been working at Cockburn Vets since 2007 and, over the years, have been nominated for a number of reception awards. I love working with our patients and their owners and will always try my very best to help you.
Rachael Oliver
Hi, I’m Rachael, and I am proud to be the longest serving member of the reception member, having joined Cockburn Vets back in 1998.
I’m a creative person, and I love to create fabulous waiting room displays and notices.
Debbie Kennison
HI, my name is Debbie, and I am a member of the reception team. I joined Cockburn Vets in May 2023 and have loved getting to know all the lovely staff and clients. I have made lots of new furry friends!
I have 2 Schnauzers, Stella and Ted, who I love to take on good walks. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, listening to music and dancing (even though I have two left feet). I love to watch my local football team, Coalville Town.
Lucy Knight
Hi, my name is Lucy, and I have been part of the reception team here since August 2024.
I have a very cute little doggy called Waffle, and I enjoy going on adventures with him in my spare time.
Bev Pallett
Hi, my name is Bev, and I joined the reception team in September 2024.
I have a crazy cavapoo called Ava and a chilled-out cat called Chester.
I am really enjoying my new role here at Cockburns and have already met loads of our lovely clients and their furry family members
