Introducing Our Practice Team  Everyone at our practice is committed to providing you with the very best in pet healthcare. Our veterinary team bring a wealth of experience to the practice and have individually obtained high standards of professional qualification. Additionally here at Orchard House we have elected not to 'contract out' our Out of Hours Emergency Service. We continue to provide this service to our registered clients which means in the event of your pet requiring emergency treatment you will be seen by either Tim, Jill or Linda at one of the two surgeries.

Tim Pearson Veterinary Surgeon BVMS. MVM. MRCVS   Tim qualified from Glasgow University Veterinary School in 1988, winning the Dr Ian Lauder prize in Small Animal Medicine. In 1989, he was awarded a Master of Veterinary Medicine (MVM) degree for his work on the treatment of arthritis in dogs. Before returning to Tynedale, Tim worked in practices in Newcastle, Kent, London and in a Harrogate Veterinary Hospital with a Dental Specialist. Tim now spends the majority of his time at the main surgery in Hexham, and is the practice owner, along with his wife Cath. He and Cath have two daughters Eleanor and Imogen. He also has a Border Collie called Howie, who is on the payroll as Assistant Practice Manager. Jill Crawford Veterinary Surgeon BVMS. MRCVS   Jill also qualified at Glasgow, in 1982. Jill is married to Ian and they have a teenage son and daughter as well as a Border Terrier called Enzo (named by Jills son after a Ferrari, for goodness sake!!). Jill has extensive experience in all aspects of veterinary practice having followed Ian around the country prior to settling in Northumberland. She has a particular interest in Veterinary Dermatology. Jill also practices Veterinary Acupuncture and is willing to take referrals in this discipline. Jill usually consults at the Stocksfield branch, as well as helping out with the surgical work load at Hexham. Linda Clarke Veterinary Surgeon BVMS. MRCVS   Linda also trained at Glasgow University Vet. School qualifying in 1985. She was delighted to join the Orchard House Veterinary Team in February 2006. Apart from a three year stint down in York and Selby, she has practiced solely in the North East. Linda enjoys all aspects of small animal practice with a particular interest in emergency medicine and surgery. Linda is also involved with the Veterinary Benevolent Fund and the training/support of recent Veterinary graduates. Linda is married to Kenneth - a fellow vet who works for the Food Standards Agency - and has two teenages Jennifer and Stuart. The 5th family member is Molly - a rather scruffy looking Lurcher. Catherine Waters Head Verterinary Nurse VN   Catherine is our Head Nurse; she qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in 2003 and after gaining plenty of experience in local practices for over twelve years, joined our team in April 2006. Catherine is our Health and Safety Supervisor and Qualified Veterinary Nurse Training Assessor. She is currently studying Canine Psychology, is a Pet Health Counsellor and has a keen interest in animal behaviour, nutrition and medical nursing. Catherine is owned by a handsome mongrel dog called Jasper, he takes her to Obility classes (mixture of obedience and agility) and they both enjoy long walks in the countryside with partner Mark. Emma Tucker Veterinary Nurse VN   Emma joined us in April 2005 as a locum, but we liked her so much that we persuaded her to stay. She has extensive experience, having worked in Veterinary Nursing for over 14 years. She took her finals and became fully qualified in March 2004. Emma's responsibilities include drug ordering, stock control, fire officer and practice first aider as well as all her regular nursing duties. As a Pet Health Counsellor she has an active interest in pet nutrition, having attended a course with Royal Canin and is always more than happy to provide nutritional and general nursing advice. Outside of work, Emma and her partner can be found at numerous VW weekend rallies alongside Boom their blue beatle. Rachel Cannell Veterinary Nurse   Rachel has considerable nursing experience having worked in a number of local practices for the last ten years. She joined Orchard House in July 2006, completed her training with us to become a fully qualifying Veterinary Nurse in March 2009. Rachel is a very enthusiastic member of the team and she relishes the challenges that Veterinary Nursing brings. Rachel is married to Gary - they currently have a large family comprising of two dogs, a few Guinea pigs and a horse. Rachel is currently on maternity leave following the birth of her son Harley, last October. Gillian Swaile Financial Administrator   Gillian has worked for many years in various capacities within Veterinary Practice from nursing, receptionist to practice manager. Before moving to Northumberland from her native Scotland six years ago she had also worked for a Veterinary wholesaler, a saddlery retailer and the Civil Service. Gillian joined our team as a receptionist in 2003 becoming Practice Manager six months later. In 2008 Gillian took over the newly created position of Financial Administrator and is responsible for overseeing all of the practice finances. In her spare time Gillian and her husband Chris enjoy long walks with their very energetic German Wirehaired Pointer Molly. Claire Harding Practice and Client Care Manager   Claire has worked in a veterinary environment continuously over the past 19 years, starting with a Saturday job as part of her Duke of Edinburgh award, whilst still at school! Claire joined Orchard House five years ago as Client Care Manager and was promoted to Practice Manager in 2008. As well as overseeing the smooth running of the practice, she is responsible for all client accounts, co-ordinating Insurance Claims and ensuring the Pet Passport scheme runs efficiently. Additionally she has the challenging job of organising the staff holiday and on call rotas - not an easy task! Claire is married to Tony, a local farmer and as well as all the farm livestock they also have three cats Billy, Missy and Minnie and Coco the Labrador. Cris Paterson Receptionist   Cris is our receptionist at Stocksfield having joined Orchard House in February 2006. She has a wealth of experience in both administration and client care having worked for many years in the retail car trade. Cris regards it as her dream job as she thoroughly enjoys interacting with clients and their pets. This year Cris has embarked upon a further qualification in customer service She has a grown up daughter Jen who lives and works locally. She has two canine companions Floss, the lovable Golden Retriever and Maisy, the mischievious Jack Russell. Cris is considering a career change to become a Rodeo Cowgirl having recently returned from an adventure holiday on a ranch in New Mexico! Penny Hamman Receptionist   Penny joined the practice in January 2007. She has over 24 years of experience in secretarial and administrative support including over 3 years working in a reception environment. The Orchard House team are delighted to have her on board as she must have the fasted typing fingers in the North! Having moved to the North East with her partner Paul over 2 years ago, she enjoys walking in the countryside and intends taking up cycling to try and get a bit fitter. She has two moggies, Harry and Henry, who enjoy their days doing as little as possible, when they are not eating or sleeping. In fact they have Penny wrapped around their little paws. Howie Pearson Assistant Practice Manager   Howie is really not a lot of use, but does have a role in Client Relations and will greet people and some dogs when they arrive, when he can be bothered! He also keeps a tight rein on the dogs belonging to the other vets and staff which seem to accumulate on most days in a sort of �Canine Creche� in the office upstairs. Howie has a pet called Tim, who is mainly well behaved but has been known to snap at the staff (very occasionally)!