OUR TEAM
Meet the experts behind our care
Our Vets
Matt
Together with his wife Sam, Matt opened Cornish Paws in August 2019. He has been a vet in Cornwall since graduating in 2007. Matt is an experienced small animal General Practitioner with an interest in animal behaviour and nervous patients.
Since the huge rise in corporate veterinary ownership, Matt has really enjoyed growing this independent practice.
The Cornish Paws team strives to provide the highest level of service possible and an enjoyable working environment for our lovely staff.
Bill
Bill qualified in 2011 from Cambridge and has worked in small animal practice ever since. He enjoys the variety that comes with general practice and has a keen interest in medicine, completing a post graduate certificate in 2018. Originally from Sheffield, Bill met his wife Kate at veterinary school and she first introduced him to Cornwall, her favourite part of the country. They are now very happy to be settling here with their 18 month old son and terrier cross Dillon. Outside of work Bill enjoys walking, cycling and tennis.
Marissa
Marissa has recently relocated from Bristol, and has been settling into her new role here at Cornish Paws.
She enjoys all aspects of small animal veterinary care, but is particularly keen on our feline friends.
Outside of her work she is kept very busy with her young family, alongside a senior cat called Luna.
Herself and her family are keen to explore all that Cornwall has to offer, which makes a wonderful change after experiencing city life.
Alex
I qualified from Cambridge in 1997 and have worked in Cornwall ever since, first in mixed practice and then in small animal practice for the last 10 years. I gained the Certificate in Veterinary Radiology in 2003 and continue to like taking pretty pictures. I enjoy almost all aspects of small animal work, especially medicine, soft tissue surgery and neurology.
I live with my partner and 3 daughters (9,9- yes twins, and 11) and we have a dog, a cat and 3 rats. Outside of work, I like mountain biking, running and being on, in or under the sea. I love showing the girls what an awesome place Cornwall is to grow up.
In my spare time I volunteer on the BDMLR seal pup hospital vet team treating sick and injured seal pups picked up from around the coast of Cornwall before they go on to rehab at the Seal Sanctuary or RSPCA West Hatch, it is currently the busiest part of the season and we have 9 pups in.
Sam
Sam has been working in Cornwall as a vet since 2013. Prior to that she worked in mixed and small animal practice in Devon and Norfolk. She enjoys all of general practice and tries to consider the individual animal and its owner when finding solutions to specific problems.
When not working at Cornish Paws, Sam works in wildlife disease surveillance and health, and also volunteers with
BDMLR on beaches and at
their seal hospital.
Sam loves to be outdoors, be it walking on the West Penwith moors with her aged dog
or surfing at the beautiful
Cornish beaches.
Visiting Experts
Katie
After qualifying in 2001, Katie worked in mixed, then small, animal practice, quickly developing an interest in all aspects of small animal surgery.
Katie gained her Certificate in Small Animal Surgery in 2007 and became a RCVS recognised Advanced Practitioner in Small Animal Surgery. She has many years of experience in first opinion and referral practice.
She provides advice on case management and radiographs and allows us to treat advanced surgical cases at our practice, by visiting us, when needed.
Katie Lenton
BVSc CertSAS MRCVS
Oliver
Oliver is an RCVS recognised Advanced Practitioner in Veterinary Cardiology. He graduated from the University of Bristol Veterinary School in 2002. After working in mixed practice for two years he trained in veterinary cardiology, working at a busy animal hospital practice in Bristol. Working alongside Dr Luca Ferasin, he obtained his Certificate in Veterinary Cardiology in 2010. Oliver has since worked in animal hospital vet practices and has been accepting cardiology referrals since 2010.
In 2014 he moved to Cornwall and became the first resident veterinary cardiologist in the county. In 2018, Oliver established an independent mobile small animal vet cardiology service providing care for patients in the familiar surroundings of their primary care practice.
Oliver works at Cornish Paws as a resident vet, two days a week, as well as being available for scanning.
Oliver Garrod
BVSC Cert VC MRCVS
Our Nurses
Vicky
Vicky has been working as a veterinary nurse since qualifying in 2013. She has two gorgeous Golden Retrievers and a feisty old cat. Vicky has fostered quite a few dogs over the years for Last Chance Hotel and found it very rewarding.
In her spare time, she enjoys walking and hanging out with her dogs.
Vicky - Head Veterinary Nurse
Wendy
Wendy has been a veterinary nurse for over thirty years in various places all around
the country.
She recently moved back to Cornwall with her husband, two children, two cats and a geriatric spaniel which are all rescued (the pets - not the husband and kids!).
Wendy - Veterinary Nurse
Sonya
Hi, I’m Sonya and while writing this have a cat planted firmly on my lap, he says he’s helping, but I’m thinking he’s just after the warmth! Having recently moved to Cornwall from Devon, where I was a zoo nurse for the last seven years, I’m looking forward to settling in and getting to know the local area, starting my veg patch and introducing more chickens to my flock. I’m also looking forward to working with my new colleagues at Cornish Paws and meeting all the lovely new animals that would like a cuddle, rather than thinking I look like a tasty snack!
Sonya - Veterinary Nurse
Rosie
I'm Rosie, I started out volunteering as a school student and then went on to do my vet nursing training and qualified in 2013, I enjoy all aspects of nursing, I find nursing very rewarding and an honour to be able to help look after everyones much loved pets.
At home I live with my husband Ben and two daughters Ella and Harriet along with our many animals, including 20 Chickens, 3 Ponies and Border Terrier Percy. Any time away from work and the weekends are normally full of pony activities and adventures.
Rosie - Veterinary Nurse
Kelley
I have been nursing in Cornwall for over 20 years. I love being a veterinary nurse and all the variety that it brings but I do have a particular love for anaesthesia and surgical nursing.
I’m very excited to become a part of the Cornish Paws team and I’m looking forward to meeting you and your pets.
Out of work I’m kept busy on our smallholding with my husband Matt, our 3 children and an array of animals of our own including 3 horses, 3 dogs, 2 cats and 30 hens.
Leanne
I qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in 2012. Fortunately I love all aspects of nursing, and thoroughly enjoy nurse clinics as I enjoy meeting people and their pets. My husband and I are owned by 5 cats, Molly, Saffie, Patsy, Poppy & Sushi, and in my spare time I enjoy reading and knitting and taking coastal walks.
Our Receptionists
Jen
Before joining the Cornish Paws family, Jen worked as a veterinary receptionist in her previous practice for 14 years. She is now looking forward to sharing her experience here.
Jen’s favourite breed of dog is a Labrador and she enjoys walking and spending time with her family.
Fiona
Fiona is originally from London where she was a registered nurse. Upon moving to Cornwall over ten years ago, Fiona’s animal family began to grow when she moved in to veterinary reception work.
She has five, fairly naughty dogs, six very demanding cats, a guinea pig herd and a couple of chinchillas and a degu. Fiona also loves walking the Cornish coast.
Veryan
Before joining the lovely team at Cornish Paws I worked as a veterinary receptionist in another practice and in various customer service roles.
I have a house full of animals including Bella my beautiful LabxCollie, 3 cats, 3 VERY naughty ferrets, a bearded dragon and various colonies of exotic beetles... and my husband Dave!
I have a keen interest in Medieval history and Archaeology and have qualifications in both subjects.
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