Tenterden Team
Esther Masso- MRCVS-Veterinary Surgeon
Esther qualified from the University of Bellaterra (Barcelona) in 1993. She came to England in 1995 where she has been working in Small Animal practice ever since. Esther joined our Tenterden branch in 2009 where she provides care and treatment for all the small animals and also assists our referral orthopaedic specialist, Mr Gary Clayton-Jones. Her pet companion is Paella, her rescued cat.
Gary Clayton-Jones - BVetMed DSAO, DVR, HonFRCVS - Referral Orthopaedic Specialist
Gary is one of the most eminent orthopaedic surgeons in the UK. Gary is one of the very few vets in the UK to hold two RCVS Diplomas (the highest RCVS qualification) in both orthopaedics and radiology and was made a Fellow of the RCVS in 2008. Gary is also a scrutineer for both the BVA hip and elbow dysplasia schemes.
Rita Dingwall - MCMI, CVPM - Group Practice Manager
Rita is a former president and regional organiser of the Veterinary Practice Management Association (VPMA), and was the VBJ practice manager of the year in 2008. Rita is also a member of the RCVS Communications board and the BVA In Practice Editorial board. Hobbies include reading, cycling, horse riding, skiing and she has a strong interest in technology. Rita has in the past, produced show horses and competed in endurance riding events and crewed for the British teams abroad. She is also currently Chief Horse Steward for the Heathfield Agricultural Show.
Cheryl Morris - Branch Manager
Cheryl joined our Tenterden branch in 1997 as a Receptionist and became Branch Manager in 2009. She spends her spare time walking her Golden Retriever, Josh who also accompanies her at work most days. She spends most weekends at horse shows where her daughter competes their coloured cob, Joey in dressage and showing classes, being placed at The Kent County Show in 2011. Cheryl has also rescued many pets over the years including a tortoise, a ferret and a rabbit.
Katherine Butler - VN - Head Veterinary Nurse
Katherine has been working as a Veterinary Nurse since leaving school and qualifying from Bristol University in 1992. Katherine has been working at our Tenterden branch since 1999 and became Head Nurse in 2008. She passed her SQP exam in 2009 which allows her to oversee the dispensing of medications, and gained her Royal Canin Pet Health Counsellor qualification in 2011 which enables her to advise on a wide range of beneficial healthcare issues. She enjoys the variety of working in both the General Practice and also with Mr Clayton-Jones, our orthopaedic referral specialist and enjoys using her skills in our nursing clinics. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her husband, two children and extended family. She also enjoys reading, gardening and socialising with her friends.
Karen Wall - RVN - Veterinary Nurse
Karen began nursing in 2002 and qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in 2005 whilst working in a busy 24 hour veterinary hospital in London. Karen joined our Tenterden branch in 2006 where her duties include nursing for our veterinary surgeon Esther aswell as Mr Clayton-Jones, our orthopaedic referral specialist. Karen also looks after the in-patients at our Kingsnorth branch in her role as the on-site practice nurse. Her pet companion is her cheeky cat, Puzzle.
Sarah Ramsden - ANA - Animal Nursing Assistant
Sarah started working originally at our Kingsnorth branch in 2001 until 2008, also helping out our Rye and Lydd branches from time to time. She qualified as an Animal Nursing Assistant in 2006. In 2009 Sarah returned to work at our Tenterden branch where she nurses for our veterinary surgeon Esther aswell as Mr Clayton-Jones. In her spare time she enjoys gardening and looking after her cat Mikey.
Frances Beach - ANA - Animal Nursing Assistant
Frances started as a nursing assistant at our Rye branch before joining our Tenterden branch when it opened in 1991. She left in 1997 to start a family, returning in 2005 at our Hawkhurst branch to continue her nursing. In 2010, Frances returned to our Tenterden branch as a qualified Animal Nursing Assistant. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her two children and horses, and also has a keen interest in gardening.
Maggie Alcock - Receptionist
Maggie joined our Tenterden branch in 2009 as a Receptionist. She came to us with a vast knowledge of animal husbandry gained through years of keeping a variety of animals including horses, dogs, cats and chickens.
Joanne Buss - Receptionist
Joanne has worked in veterinary practice since 1993 where she nursed until the birth of her son in 2003. She returned to work as a Receptionist in 2004 and joined our Tenterden branch in 2009. Her spare time is taken up with looking after her two children, assisting on the family farm and looking after her pets.
Verity Baker - Secretary
Verity originally started working for Cinque Ports Veterinary Associates in 2001 as Secretary to Mr Clayton Jones. After leaving in 2004 and having two children Verity then returned to work again as Mr Clayton Jones Secretary in April 2010. Verity has two dogs, Molly and Elsie who she loves to go walking with and also has a hamster called Nibbles. Verity is Vice Captain of a netball team who compete in the Ashford Netball League. With any other spare time Verity also enjoys making and decorating cakes.
