The Staff

Jim qualified from Edinburgh in 1961 and worked initially in Nottingham before moving to Sleaford in 1963 as an assistant to Hugh Frost. Partnership followed with Frost & Kirk which grew until Hugh retired in 1986. J O Kirk and Associates went through a period of major building improvements and the purchase of Newgate Lane Veterinary Surgery. In 2001 Jim and Angus joined in partnership and a new era with KirksVets and the big move from Highfield, Eastgate to Lions Way, East Road.

Angus joined the practice in 1998 taking on the responsibility of the day to day running of the practice. Having working in the banking industry for the previous nine years and having economics, accounts, and law qualifications was at a distinct advantage in streamlining the practice in anticipation of expansion. In 2001 Angus became a partner as the Sleaford practice began planning for a move to new premises. Being heavily involved in the negotiations and planning of the surgery took up much time until the grand opening in May 2002. Angus has four children, a greyhound and ferrets.

Julian qualified from Liverpool University in 1987 and joined us in October 2007, having had 20 years experience in Practice.

I qualified from The University College Dublin in June 2012 and started working at Kirks Vets in the September. I have always had a keen interest in animals and they have always played a central role in my life. I have particular interests in both Cardiology and Ophthalmology and look forward to furthering my education in these fields. Art is one of my hobbies that I enjoy doing in my spare time and entertaining my three Chihuahuas, Harry, Lucy and the crazy puppy Charlie.

I graduated from Glasgow University Veterinary School in 2011 and after a few months of locuming I joined the Veterinary Team at Kirks in February 2012. I work at both Grantham and Sleaford branches and enjoy all aspects of being a mixed veterinary practitioner and am happy to see all animals from hamsters and rabbits to cows and horses. Outside of work I enjoy playing hockey for Lincoln Roses.

I qualified from The Royal Veterinary College University of London in 2004. I have worked at Kirks since graduating. My main interests are production animals and feline medicine. I enjoy baking in my spare time, especially cakes. I have two cats which I have hand reared from kittens. Harry and Amos were rescued after being brought in to the surgery as strays.

Tracey joined KirksVets in September 2001, taking on the routine day to day work of banking and account reconciliation. Tracey's role has developed considerably over time and she now plays an active part in the overall running of the practice, from dealing with account queries to now being the Grantham Practice Manager and running our very successful pet shop on Northgate in Sleaford. She is a qualified SQP (Suitably Qualified Person) or animal medicine advisor. Tracey has 2 retired greyhounds and an old lurcher and is a keen rider with the Cranwell Bloodhounds.

I have worked at Kirks since 1999 and qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in 2004. I progressed to Clinical Coach to train Student Nurses and hold the SQP-C qualification. Outside of work I am a judo instructor in local schools and enjoy competing at national level. My pets include seven cats and five dogs.

Hayley completed an animal care course at Caythorpe College with a distinction, specializing in animal grooming. Hayley’s experience enables her to act as head groomer as well as Head Nurse for Sleaford. She attended University studying Animal Science and Behaviour management before joining KirksVets full time; she has since completed a short course in animal behaviour through the practice, and can advise on basic problems. Hayley completed her formal Veterinary Nurse Training in 2005.

I have been nursing for 18 years, qualifying in 2009 and have been at Kirks since 2007. During my time here and with the support of the practice, I worked towards an exam in Anaesthesia and Critical Care, which I passed in 2010. In March 2012 I gained a certificate in Emergency and Critical Care for which I received a distinction. I have two horses, Sharn and Roscoe, who enjoy a relatively easy life and our house is run by a cat called Reggie, who was rescued as new born and hand reared. I am proud to be part of an experienced and dedicated nursing team, which provide excellent care for your pets.

I have worked at kirks vets since January 2010 and qualified as a veterinary nurse in August 2012. I enjoy working in theatre and I am keen to further my education in anaesthesia. Outside of work I enjoy socialising with friends and spending time with my animals. I have 2 cats Rodney and Reg as well as a guinea pig called Rolo.

I have worked at Kirks since July 2006 as a Nursing Assistant. I enjoy working in theatre and am planning to start my Vet Nurse Training in the future. Outside of work, most of my time is spent with my husband and two year old son Cameron. I am an active member of The Sleaford Town Runners and will be running the London Marathon in 2013. I have a cat at home called Lucy.

I am a full time Nursing Assistant at the Grantham surgery since 2008. I own a naughty tortie and a loving corn snake, both were rescued. I also foster animals needing homes form dogs and cats to guinea pigs and giant tortoises. I volunteer for a number of dog rescue homes helping to re home, raise funds and increase awareness. When I am not working I enjoy swimming and playing squash.

I am currently in my final year of Veterinary Nurse Training at The College of Animal Welfare in Leeds. I have been working at Kirks since 2009 as a Student Veterinary Nurse and am looking forward to being fully qualified. In the future, I plan to pursue a qualification in equine nursing. My pets include Meg and Inca (Labradors), Whisky and Tipple (Border Lakeland’s). I also have three horses Seamus and Defence who are retired and a 5yr old pony called Fudge who is being schooled at present. My main hobbies are horses but I also enjoy socialising with friends.

I have been working at Kirks since 2009, after finishing at University. My main subject of interest is animal behaviour and I am currently working towards a Master’s Degree in clinical animal behaviour. I enjoy travelling and have volunteered with animal charities around the world.

I joined kirks Vets in September 2012 to complete my Veterinary Nursing Training. I am in my final year at Warwickshire College and hope to be fully qualified by July. I love to travel and am going to South Africa volunteering in a wildlife sanctuary. Reading is a passion of mine and I am currently writing my own novel. I don’t have any of my own pets at the moment but when I am settled I would love to re home a dog such as a husky. ‘I have swam with dolphins, walked a tiger, cuddled a koala, been to the pyramids of Egypt and I have taken part in a marine mammal keeper experience programme when on holiday in Florida where I got the amazing chance to go behind the scenes for the day in Sea World (a marine mammal park). I had the most fantastic experience working with seals, manatees, dolphins, beluga whales, walruses and polar bears.

I began working for Kirks in 2008 as a Veterinary Receptionist. I have completed two NVQs in Customer service team leading. I enjoy my varied job which is never the same from day to day and I am proud to be part of a team supporting your pets. Outside of work I enjoy socialising and taking part in quizzes.

I recently joined Kirks as a Receptionist at the Sleaford branch in December 2012. My plans for the future are to complete an NVQ in Veterinary Reception and have previously worked in retail management. I have two children named Henry and George. My pets include a miniature dwarf hamster called Baby, Flopsy who is a Lion Haired Rabbit, Tilly the working Cocker Spaniel, Flash the Jack Russell and My horse Winnie Woo the cob. Interests of mine are cooking, walking, riding and spending quality time with my family.

Heather joined our busy grooming team in June 2004. She has a First Diploma (Distinction) and a National Diploma in Small Animal Care, which included practical and theory of dog and cat grooming. Before joining KirksVets Heather had spent two years grooming and has proved to be a valuable asset to the grooming team.

I first joined Kirks as a shop assistant in KirksPets (Northgate, Sleaford) in October 2012. I hope to qualify as an SQP (Suitably Qualified Person) once I have finished my School exams. At home I have two miniature Schnauzers, Maggie and Peppa, as well as four chickens. My interests include reading and playing the piano.