Jenny Payne

RVN

​Head Veterinary Nurse

Jenny joined EVR in May '24 taking over the reins as Head RVN from Isobel & Debbie.

Jenny qualified as an RVN in 2003, and has worked locally her whole career. She is kept busy at home with 3 children & 2 furbabies; Bertie, a Boston Terrier & Ernie, a (very naughty!) British Bulldog. Welcome to the Team, Jenny!

Roux

Greyhound x Rough Collie

Roux is the baby of the EVR dog pack, having joined the team in June. He is a terror with shoes & loves to play!

Marty

Greyhound x Rough Collie

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Eleven-year-old Marty loves belly scratches and being a draught excluder.  He specialises in cardboard boxes and games of tug.

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Bartek qualified from the Wroclaw University of Environmental & Life Sciences in 2021. During his studies, he undertook externships in both Poland and the UK, and since then he developed a keen interest in ophthalmology. He completed an internship and worked in a small animal ophthalmology practice in Poland. In 2022 he was granted a scholarship from the East European Society of Veterinary Ophthalmology and spent a month in Rowe Veterinary Referrals in Bristol. 
He really enjoys expanding his knowledge and getting to meet clients and their pets. Outside of the consult room he loves playing tennis. 
Bartek owns a dog called Pchelek and a rabbit called Precel.
He joined Elham Valley Referrals in January '23.

Isobel Dorr

​RVN, ISFM Cert. Adv Fel Behaviour

Registered Veterinary Nurse.

Isobel qualified as an RVN in 2013, having completed a degree previously, and joined EVR as Head RVN in October '23. Due to a change in her circumstances, Isobel now offers holiday and sickness cover for the EVR team.

Isobel can also be found working for the local veterinary emergency service out of hours at the Barton Veterinary Hospital some weekends, and has special interests in feline medicine & behaviour, and ECC.

Rebecca qualified as a vet from the Royal Veterinary College London in 1987.  She initially worked as a GP vet, returning to the RVC for a Residency and gaining the RCVS Diploma in Veterinary Ophthalmology - the highest level of specialisation for UK vets - in 2002.  She was appointed Lecturer in Ophthalmology and Head of the Clinical Ophthalmology service at the RVC's Queen Mother Hospital for Animals, responsible for teaching undergraduate vet students and at postgraduate level.  She worked as a private Ophthalmology consultant from 2004 before setting up Elham Valley Referrals in 2008.

Katherine Elks

Business & Practice Manager

Katherine joined the clinic as Practice Manager in 2017, having had an extensive teaching career in London. Katherine brings a wealth of experience to the EVR team, and now works part time in conjunction with Debbie to ensure the smooth running of the EVR team & clinic.

At home she has 2 dogs; Arlo a Cockerpoo, & Raphie, a Cocker Spaniel.

Kate Bartelsmeier

RVN

Registered Veterinary Nurse

Kate qualified as an RVN in 2016, and has worked locally within Kent for much of her career. She joined the EVR team as an experienced RVN, and currently works Tuesday to Friday. At home she has 2 children that keep her busy!

Emma 

Labrador Retriever

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Emma acts as a blood donor, mainly because of the treats she gets afterwards.

Elham Valley Referrals

Debbie Summers

RVN, NCert (Anaesth) CVLM

Practice Manager

​​Debbie qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in 1997, and has worked in a wide variety of referral and general practices. Prior to joining EVR in 2013, Debbie was an assessor & IV for student veterinary nurses, and also gained the RCVS Examiner qualification for the RVN practical exams. Debbie has a keen interest in anaesthesia, in excellent patient care, and in continuing to improve the care we offer to our clients & patients. She was appointed Head RVN April 2018, and Practice Manager January 2024.

At home Debbie looks after Sirius, a long haired Miniature Dachshund, and Emma, a Labrador and one of our blood donors.

Rebecca Elks

BVetMed DVOphthal MRCVS

Veterinary Ophthalmologist

Milo 

Border Collie x Greyhound

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Milo hasn't quite grown into his legs yet.  He is an expert chewer and will lick any unguarded elbows.

Becky Hackett

Admin and Accounts Manager

Becky is  responsible for arranging referral appointments and taking care of clients when they arrive.  She also looks after the practice accounts.

Meet our staff

FOR

PET OWNERS

Veterinary Ophthalmology

Sonia Chenais

Receptionist/Administrator

With a background in languages and education, we are delighted to have Sonia on the team.  She is an animal enthusiast , especially her beloved dogs.  In addition, she gives her time to working with animal rescue and fostering charities both internationally and in the UK. 

FOR

REFERRING VetS

Bartek Bielecki

DrVetMed MRCVS

Veterinary Ophthalmologist

​Sirius

​Miniature Dachshund

Sirius is EVR's self-appointed staff welf​are dog....giving cuddles to any staff who need them!

Pchelek

Wirehaired Fox Terrier

Pchelek loves nothing more than laying upside down on the sofa, or in office doorways!

Reece Young

RVN 

Veterinary Nurse

Reece graduated from Middlesex University in June 2024 and is joining the EVR nursing team over the summer. He has a particular interest in anaesthesia, and is looking forward to working with our highly skilled vet & nurse team and developing his skills & knowledge. Reece & his family own a Bulldog named Lola. and Reece himself has a cat called Jinx who rarely leaves his side!

01303 840499

reception@elhamvalley.com

Emily Goff

Animal Nursing Assistant

Emily joined us in February

'24 as a part time ANA, however her 

'normal' job is as a highly experienced 

hairdresser! Welcome aboard Emily 

& we are very happy to have you as

part of the team!

MEET OUR

STAFF

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