Who we are
Bonnie Jaques
Veterinary Surgeon
MRCVS, Cert SA Ophthalomogy Advanced Practitioner Small Animal Ophthalmology
Bonnie qualified from Edinburgh Veterinary School in 2009 and has worked in Kent ever since. In 2016 she took further RCVS examinations and obtained her Certificate in Small Animal Ophthalmology. In 2017 she was awarded the postgraduate certificate in ophthalmology enabling her to work as an Advanced Practitioner in Ophthalmology.
Apart from being passionate about eyes and all aspects of veterinary medicine she also enjoys seeing the backyard chicken and was known as the Chicken Vet in her previous practice!
Bonnie has two young, very active ( ! ) sons, an active ( ! ) labrador, a cat called Minstrel and four guinea pigs.
Aleksandra Leon-Kolodziej
Veterinary Surgeon
BVetmed MRCVS
Aleks has worked long term in the UK in extremely busy first opinion and emergency clinics. She brings a depth of medical and surgical knowledge. Aleks spends her time outside of veterinary looking after her family or doing DIY in the family home. At weekends you are as likely to find her leaving her kids to youth group or clubs, plastering a wall or plumbing in a radiator. Amongst all of those talents, Aleks is also fluent in English, Polish, Spanish and speaks German to a very good level. She's a good talker !
She says she has free time for herself and her husband but can’t remember when it happens.
Irina Andrei
Veterinary Surgeon
BVetMed MRCVS
Irina is an experienced veterinary surgeon, working many years in the UK gaining a passion for ultrasonography. This is such an important part of diagnostics and amongst its many functions, it can enable vets to “see inside” without having to perform surgery. All our vets are experienced using ultrasound and Irina wants to gain the RCVS qualification in veterinary imaging. Irina played rugby at school, scrum half being her preferred position. Now she prefers the gentler ( ! ) pastimes of holding cats, long distance walking, off road biking and horse riding. When not studying veterinary text books, Irina is reading cook books. We’ve learnt the hard way that if she says she is going to bring in a traditional dish for us to try then it is best to have not eaten that day as the portions will be very tasty and incredibly generous!
John Thompson
Veterinary Surgeon
BVSc MRCVS Cert SA Orthopaedics
John was brought up on his father’s dairy farm in the mid-ulster region of Northern Ireland. He qualified from Liverpool University in 1984, gaining his RCVS certificate in Small Animal Orthopaedics in 1993. He worked for the PDSA for 10 years and spent 3 years as senior vet, building up a very busy clinic in Bournemouth. He has owned a number of small animal practices near Maidstone, Kent. At university, he met his wife Verity-Anne who is from Kent and they have lived most of their lives in Kent.
Clair Caldwell
Auxiliary Nursing Staff and administrator
Clair started training as a veterinary nurse in 1994. She has worked in a number of veterinary surgeries in the area, taking time out to bring up her family of three handsome and talented boys. Clair prefers the reception side of veterinary now and just loves talking to clients, putting them at ease, sharing the gossip. Clair loves running and she raced competitively when at school and still competes in marathons. She particularly enjoys running off road with her rescue dog, Jess.
Louise Manton
Registered Veterinary Nurse
RVN
Louise qualified in 2009 and has lots of experience with surgery cases, caring for the routine admits and nursing our poorly patients on the wards. Louise is another very kind member of staff with loads of passion when it comes to looking after clients and their pets.
As well as loving her job and her dogs very much, Louise also loves Liverpool FC. Mornings at the surgery can be a very noisy affair when nurses are dissecting out the referee's decision or why wasn't VAR used or who should have been playing on the left wing. Louise gave up a career as a horse jockey to train as a Veterinary Nurse.
Louise Rickman
Registered Veterinary Nurse
RVN
Louise is a competent nurse who quietly and calmly goes about her job. She loves all aspects of veterinary nursing but particularly the surgical side and looking after an animal that is in one of our ward beds, recovering from an operation or being treated for some sickness or other that requires more attention than just a visit to the vet’s consulting room. Another prolific baker who also ensures staff are well looked after!
Hannah Best
Registered Veterinary Nurse and Clinical Coach
RVN
Hannah has worked in the profession since 2016 and qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2019. Hawkinge Veterinary Surgery became a veterinary nurse training practice in 2023 and Hannah became the RCVS Clinical Coach, responsible for delivering all the nurse training. She is enthusiastic about all aspects of Veterinary Nursing and is particularly keen to further her knowledge in anaesthesia.
Hannah loves being outdoors hiking and also spends a lot of time at the gym on strengthening exercises in order for her to follow another of her passions, rock bouldering and rock climbing.
Rosie Philips
Veterinary Receptionist
Rosie gave up her full time position with us as an auxiliary nurse to look after her two young and active boys. Now that she has time to breathe, she is a part time member of our delightful receptionist team and her smile will always brighten up anyone’s day. When ( ! ) life returns to normal she hopes to start her training to become a Registered Veterinary Nurse. We know she will make a brilliant, caring and diligent veterinary nurse
Chloe Petts
Veterinary Receptionist
BSc hons
Chloe is another cheerful member of our receptionist team. Her first degree was in animal health and her goal is to be involved in the rehabilitation of injured animals either following surgery or after an accident. By completing her Masters degree, she hopes to further pursue her passion. She is an accomplished equestrian and competes regularly in eventing and show jumping.
Claire Dodson
Trainee Veterinary Nurse
Claire Dodson
Claire has made the move away from veterinary reception work to animal auxiliary nurse. She hopes to start her training to become a Registered Veterinary Nurse. Claire nearly works full time and still has energy left over for her family of hubby and small boy as well as a few ( ! ) cats. When not working, her favourite time is spent walking with family and friends. Claire is a great baker. Some members of staff have regretted her joining us because of the incredible cakes she bakes and brings into work.
Karen Barr
Receptionist
Karen has been involved in the veterinary industry for more years than she cares to remember or is prepared to admit to. She has owned a successful business as a dog groomer and has been involved in the Bulldog breeders’ association. Another great member of our receptionist team, she now prefers to work part time to enable her to see more of her grandchildren and to travel. There will always be a shoulder to cry on with Karen and a cup of tea made if you need one.