Susie joined Derwent Valley in 2024 having previously been a primary school teacher for over 20 years. Susie had initially studied for a BSc in Animal Physiology and Nutrition at Leeds University, had then spent a year as a veterinary receptionist following her graduation, before finally obtaining a PCGE in primary education and becoming a teacher. She loved teaching and spending time with her young students but, now her own two children are teenagers, she has taken the brave decision to go back to her first love of working with animals.

Susie and her husband John have recently rehomed a beautiful tabby cat called ‘Phoebe’. Phoebe is a real adventurer and loves climbing or squeezing herself into very small spaces. She also ‘joins in’ with Susie’s daughter’s physio exercises when the roller or theraband comes out. Although Phoebe is a super active cat, she also loves nothing more than a snuggle on your knee when there’s a quiet moment and is the PURRfect balance of fun and relaxation.

When Susie is not at work she loves long walks in the Peak District with friends, especially if the route involves a pub or two. Her other interests include horse riding and gardening, where her green fingers provide fresh fruit and vegetables for the whole family.

Information coming soon

Jane joined Derwent Valley in 2022 with no previous experience as a veterinary receptionist but a lot of experience in LIFE! She has had jobs that range from licensee to chef to working for a horse charity helping Dartmoor Hill Ponies.

Horses are one of her passions. As well as dealing with rescue ponies she has also had horses of her own and helped with the Four Shires Bloodhounds. Apparently, she is a whizz on a quad bike and is very used to dealing with more wilful horses even after a port or two. She has recently taken the sad decision to retire from riding as her family commitments are growing rapidly and requiring more of her time and energy. She and her husband have 6 children and 17 grandchildren between them! Her home is often busy with people, a lot of them quite tiny. She is relishing the role of grandparent and when not entertaining the grandchildren at home can sometimes be found going camping with them. Proper camping…under canvas….this lady is hard core!

Jane loves her job as part of the DVV team and has taken to it like a duck to water. She enjoys caring for both our two legged and four legged clients at the front desk and is a great advocate of the health plan since she has sat down and worked out how it gives such great value for money for herself. Jane has worked hard at getting up to speed with the veterinary specific aspects of the role and has completed her bronze BVRA award and is now working towards her silver.

When not at work, Jane can be found walking her two dogs Winnie and Eddie or heading out to eat. She is a great fan of a carvery and loves a Sunday where she can have a roast dinner that someone else has cooked especially if it comes with a drink and a few giggles.

Sophie initially joined the team as a volunteer, wanting to get work experience in a veterinary practice. She decided she liked it here and got on really well with all the team so we were very pleased when she accepted the job as an animal care assistant (ACA) in 2021. Her long-term plan is to work her way up to enrolling as a student veterinary nurse. Whilst with the practice she has complete her training to become a qualified ACA and is well on her way to obtaining the qualifications needed to start the Veterinary Nursing course.

Sophie is a mother to three growing boys Callum, Rupert and Logan who keep her very busy and active. Her home is made complete with her very cute crossbreed bod ‘Bella’ and her two cats ‘Pussy’ and ‘Buddy’. She has always enjoyed being with animals and says they ‘bring her a lot of happiness’. She is brilliant with out patients and a great help to the whole team. Her bubbly personality and constant smile lightens up any day.

When Sophie is not looking after her boys or her pets she likes to have lunch out with friends and is particularly partial to a good cocktail.

Claire joined Derwent Valley in 2021 with previous experience as a veterinary receptionist. She has a level of energy that cannot be matched and she truly is a “people person”. She has fitted in well with the existing team and is always ready to tackle a task head on and with enthusiasm.

As well a previously working in the veterinary environment, Claire has plenty of experience with all kinds of animals. She has worked in a pet shop and her current pet list includes “Rocky”, her horse, “Fool”, her sheep, and “Ronnie and Reggie”, her spaniels, with whom she does gundog training to keep them fit and active.
Claire likes to talk – she says herself “too much!”, however we think she is being a little hard on herself. We love the fact that she always has something to say, that she is friendly on the front desk and that when something amuses her, her laugh can be heard in Bakewell!
When Claire is not at work, she takes her dogs out on long adventures in the Peak District, she goes horse riding when she gets and chance, and much to her partner Tom’s delight, she has recently started to learn how to shoot. I think the clays may be safe for a bit yet, not so sure about Tom!