Meet those at the heart of our practice
Our Team
Our Vets
Nicholas & Giovanna
Principle Vets & Practice Manager
Giovanna is originally from a small village called Otavalo in Ecuador. She moved to the UK with family and attended school in Bath, shortly after landing a job in London working as a stylist in high fashion for Harvey Nicholls and Joseph. Giovanna met Nick when she was 14 and they have been together since she was 15 years old, sharing a deep passion for all animals and the veterinary practice they built together.
The couple have 4 German Wire-Haired pointers, all related, as they bred them for a few years. Grandma Scarlett, siblings Ash & Holly and baby Bean, the Grandson. However, no cats since the loss of Giovanna’s special and beautiful cat Sisco.
Giovanna loves working and is one of the most Senior Veterinary Managers in the UK. Outside of work Giovanna enjoys gardening and has been dancing most of her life; anything from urban-kiz to salsa, tango, street, bachata and souk. Together, with Nick, Giovanna loves the outdoors and has been lucky to have travelled the world both snowboarding and surfing and is probably one of the oldest free-ride snowboarders. Their motto, “Making Life Better” can be seen in their approach to the business, the veterinary profession, their staff, animals, friends & family.
Nick grew up in Neston near Corsham and, after graduating from Jesus College in Cambridge, decided that starting his own practice was the way to go. Nick met Giovanna and they dated throughout his veterinary studies. Shortly after this in 1986 the childhood sweethearts established Thameswood Vets where Giovanna began her nursing training with Nick as her teacher.
In turn, she taught him about business management and together devoting their time and sticking to family values they grew Thameswood into the award-winning practice it is today. Of course, Nick and Giovanna are not alone at home and have never spent any time in their lives without a pet. The couple have 4 German Wire-Haired pointers, all related, as they bred them for a few years. Grandma Scarlett, siblings Ash & Holly and baby Bean, the Grandson.
In his spare time Nick is a keen Swindon Town supporter and on his weekends off can often be found in the stands. He likes to be eco-friendly and cycles to work daily and likes to spend time in the garden. Together they are not ones to sit around and they love nothing more than going out dancing or heading off to the slopes snowboarding.
Birol
Senior Veterinary Surgeon
Birol was born and raised in Istanbul and graduated from Aydın Adnan Menderes University’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. After a year of working in a clinic, he opened his own practice in Istanbul, where he served as head veterinarian for over four years, transforming it into one of the top clinics in the area. Birol has a strong interest in surgery.
Birol is married with a son and has two beloved cats, Ruhsar and Firdevs. He adopted Ruhsar while in university, and Firdevs came into his life after being left at the door of his clinic with a broken leg. After successfully treating her, Birol couldn’t resist giving her a permanent home
In his free time, Birol enjoys mountain hiking and snowboarding. Although he used to play guitar, he now spends much of his spare time reading veterinary articles, which reflects his dedication to his profession.
Bilal
Veterinary Surgeon
Bilal is a Newly Graduated Veterinary Surgeon who qualified from Istanbul University in 2023 and registered in the UK and the RCVS. Bilal is interested in advancing his surgical skills and is popular with clients when consulting. He has a special interest in dentistry.
Bilal has a 3-year-old cat called Girgir (the sounds she makes) and a bird called Cibili – named after a Turkish actor.
Bilal is a keen musician and plays the drums in a band. He enjoys cooking and cuisine.
Gemma
Veterinary Surgeon
Gemma is an experienced veterinary surgeon who came to the UK in 2023 after 9 years of referral work in Spain. Gemma works between our Greenbridge clinic and Main Hospital.
Originally from Catalunya, Spain, Gemma graduated from a University in Barcelona and has special interests in both neurology and ophthalmology.
Outside of work, Gemma has a keen interest in photography- particularly urban and symmetry, as well as other artistic interests such as reading and music.
Tanya
Veterinary Surgeon
Tanya (Tan) has been working at Thameswood for the past 4+ years whilst studying towards her degree in Veterinary Medicine. She qualified in July 2024 and is a well-liked and respected member of the surgical team. Tan is popular with clients due to her excellent communication skills and caring nature.
Tan is keen to develop her interest and passion in emergency medicine and aspires to be an Emergency & Critical Care (ECC) specialist in the future. At home, Tan is mum to her cat, Benji, who keeps her on her toes and lives the life of a king!
In her spare time, Tan likes to explore the countryside and camp in the UK with her partner as well as enjoy holidays to new countries. Tan plays netball and likes cross-country running.
Our Veterinary Nurses
Gemma
Head Nurse and Clinical Coach RVN
Since qualifying in 2010 Gemma has been a familiar face at the clinic both at Greenbridge and then as Clinical Lead at our Main Clinic. Since qualifying Gemma has undertaken her clinical coach training and is a level 4 teacher trainer so she is always a supportive role for our students and new staff members.
Alongside Education, Training and Development Gemma is passionate about Geriatric nursing and palliative care as well as medical nursing and consulting.
She is just as active outside work as she is within the practice and enjoys running and spending time with her family. She is mum to 2 children and her home is completed with a Bedlington Terrier called Blossom and a cat called George.
Sarah
Nursing Administrator/Consulting Nurse
Sarah is one of our longest-employed members of staff at Thameswood, starting her career as a work experience student before gaining her nursing registration. Sarah performed the role of Head Nurse before starting her family and now can be seen in the clinic performing nurse consults and advising owners on care and treatments available for their companions.
Sarah supports the nursing team as well as the practice manager with administration duties.
Sarah has a geriatric cat called Leia at home who frequents work regularly for ongoing care.
Stacey
Senior Veterinary Nurse and Behaviourist/Nutritionist
We welcomed Stacey to the Thameswood team in 2021 and holds many additional qualifications including small, exotic and Zoo animals. She is currently studying for her advanced higher diploma in Animal Behaviour and Nursing Certificate in Clinical Animal Nutrition.
Her interests within the profession include holistic nursing which not just focuses on the medical condition but the lifestyle and circumstances of the pet alongside practical nursing one-to-one.
Outside of work when not studying she enjoys Line Dancing, walking with her parrots in the countryside, Needlework (knitting, crocheting, sewing, embroidery) and Community support especially care homes alongside St John Ambulance.
She shares her home with 4 cats and many, many Parrots from the smallest to the biggest!
Lizzie
Senior RVN - Cat Clinic
Elizabeth (or Lizzie) finished her third year at university in 2023. Her motivation for becoming a veterinary nurse stems from her love for animals and desire to provide and enhance animal welfare and well-being in the form of nursing care and medical treatment.Lizzie plans to continue to her 4th year to complete her dissertation whilst working in the Cat Clinic.
She has previously volunteered at a couple of stables and completed her university placements in a variety of small animal and exotic practices, in London and Oxfordshire.
Lizzie always had chickens and cats growing up and still has a cat now called Wilbur and a little Yorkshire terrier Bella. She also owns two crested geckos who are a breeding pair called Romeo and Juliet
Emma
RNV
Emma gained her nurse registration in 2020 and joined Thameswood in January 2025. Emma always wanted to help out and be around animals and will be providing nursing care and consults across all 3 of our clinics.
Emma has a variety of pets: a Patagonian Conure called Dougal, an Oshamo Cockeral called Beast, 2 quails called Mrs Brown & Mrs White, a dwarf rabbit called Smudge as well as a Frenchie called Tilly!
Outside of work Emma enjoys spending time with her hobbies which are cars and motorbikes.
Lottie
Student Veterinary Nurse
Lottie (or Charlotte) is on a long-term placement with Thameswood whilst studying at Hartpury for a Veterinary Nursing Degree. Whilst in practice, Lottie has to perform and log practical skills including a wide range of tasks and for a variety of species.
Lottie enjoys practising her Schedule 3 skills and cycling to work. Lottie has a cat who she visits back home whenever she gets the chance.
Kelsey
Student Veterinary Nurse
Dani
Student Veterinary Nurse
Dani started her career at Thameswood as a receptionist before turning her attention to nursing. Dani completed her Animal Nursing Qualification with Distinction and is now working towards her Veterinary Nurse Qualification via Apprenticeship.
Dani loves medical cases and nursing animals who are poorly. Dani particularly likes rabbits as she has her own called ‘Thomas the Tank’ who frequents the clinic.
Outside of work, Dani is a mum of two boys and also looks after her 3 ponies, 2 rabbits, geriatric dog Robbie, rescue dog Mabel, 4 guinea pigs and a tortoise!
Jess
Student Veterinary Nurse
Jess is currently with Thameswood on placement while studying at Warwickshire College and University Centre for a Veterinary nursing degree.
Jess loves being able to provide the best care to the patients in the vets and is looking forward to improving her clinical skills throughout her training.
At home, Jess enjoys spending time with her 2 dogs, Todd and Nala, and her turtle, Crush.
Lauren
Student Veterinary Nurse
Lisa
Lead Animal Nursing Assistant
Lisa works alongside other line managers ensuring smooth running of the day/practice. Lisa leads and trains her own team of animal nursing assistants.
Lisa gained her Level 2 Animal Nursing Assistant Qualification with Distinction which means she is able to assist the nursing team alongside the front-of-house team on reception.
Lisa can be found mainly in the clinical area, preparing your lovely pets for their procedures and giving them lots of fuss and cuddles during their stay. At home, she is joined by her two girls, husband and much-loved cat Jessie.
Siobhan
Cat Clinic Animal Nursing Assistant
Outside of work Siobhan lives wither her family, has two children, 2 birds and a one-eyed hedgehog who she rehabilitated.
Maddie
Animal Nursing Assistant
Maddie joined the nursing team in December 2024 after being a client for 10years with her own animals. With her interest in animal care, anatomy and biology Maddie completed some further education related to animal care before deciding she wanted to work in Veterinary.
She aspires to be a Qualified Veterinary Nurse and has a special interest in diagnostics and laboratory work. Maddie has worked with horses previously and still enjoys horse riding. She has 2 Giant African Land Snails, 2 dogs called Thea and Ada and 2 cats called Dolly (pictured) and Boo.
Nimue
Part-Time Animal Nursing Assistant
Nimue originates from Joburg in South Africa and currently is in full-time education hoping to become a Veterinary Surgeon.
She completed work experience and volunteering at the vets before being offered a part-time position to help the Animal Nursing Assistants and clinical team. Nimue is looking to get all the experience she can before applying to university. Nimue has 4 dogs, 2 of which are regulars at the clinic. She cannot choose a favourite animal as it changes frequently. Nimue loves all sports in her spare time and used to do competitive archery.
Client Care & Reception
Chris
Clinic Manager
Chris Joined Thameswood in 2006 as a fresh-faced youngster straight from college where she completed A levels in business studies, psychology, sociology and health and social care. Working with animals was not what she had set out to do but soon fell in love with the profession and hasn’t looked back since.
Chris took the reins as Client Care Manager in 2010 before taking time out in 2017 to have her little boy. Returning from maternity leave she took on the role as Clinic Manager and has remained part of the practice and a familiar face at reception since.
Outside of work she enjoys walking and spending time with friends. She is joined at home by her husband, little boy, Labrador Evie, mischievous ginger cat Gus and Guinea pigs.
Louise
Client Care Manager
Originally from Royal Wootton Bassett Louise worked at local kennels after acquiring a National Diploma in Animal Management at Lackham College. Enjoying the client interaction alongside pet care Louise joined Thameswood in 2014 as ma ember of the Client Care Team before taking over as Client Care Manager In 2017 and has been a familiar face at reception ever since.
At home, Louise, her husband, son and daughter are joined by a labrador Lexi, and an energetic cat called Sprocket! In her spare time, she enjoys going on countryside walks with her children and dog and also enjoys swimming.
Hannah
Client Care
Hannah joined Thameswood in 2013 and is joined at home by her partner, two young children and an adorable Bassett Hound called Betty.
Megan
Client Care
Meg joined the client care team in 2017. She has always had a love for animals and grew up on a small holding with goats, kunekune pigs, chickens, pony, sheep and ducks.
She has a keen interest in dog behaviour and currently holds a level 2 in dog grooming and is working towards her final qualification with a view to opening up her own ‘consent based’ grooming salon which works on the basis of pets being happy and content whilst in the salon.
Outside of work she is a very keen gardener and loves baking (There’s certainly no complaints from staff when the baking ends up in the staff room!) She is also kept busy by a demanding cockerpoo Loki who we have to hand it to him gives the best cuddles.
Sarah
Client Care
Sarah joined Thameswood in 2020 after taking time out of employment to bring up her 2 boys to school age. Sarah has always had a keen interest in animals from a young age and jumped at the opportunity to start a career at Thameswood having brought her own pets to the practice before being taken on as part of the Client Care team.
Sarah has no children at home anymore and has filled that gap with 2 dogs, 2 cats and 3 rabbits. Outside of work, Sarah likes to walk the dogs with her husband Paul, explore the Wiltshire countryside and tend to her garden.
Tayler
Client Care
Tayler feels that working at Thameswood is a way of being able to give back the love and appreciation so many animals have given her in the past.
Caitlyn
Client Care
Caitlin grew up in Herefordshire countryside surrounded by dogs and farm animals, so has always had a passion for animals.
She completed her Level 3 Extended diploma in Animal Management at Hartpury college in 2018 before joining a veterinary referral centre that specialised in eyes for 5 years. Caitlin then relocated to Wiltshire with her partner and joined the Thameswood client care team in September 2024.
She has a special interest in canine behaviour and is always looking to learn and educate herself further.
Outside of work Caitlin enjoys going to the gym, playing tennis/paddle with friends and going to concerts
Administration
Sandra
Laboratory
Michelle
Laboratory Technician
Premises
Dean
Maintenance
Physiotherapist
Chloe
Physiotherapist
Most of you will know Chloe as a member of our client care team since 2019. After completing her first-class honours degree in Equine therapy, she decided to pursue a career in veterinary physiotherapy. That led to her further gaining her Postgraduate diploma (PgD) in veterinary physiotherapy and she is now working towards her master’s degree which is the highest level of qualification in the veterinary physiotherapy field.
Alongside being our in-house physiotherapist she also runs her own physiotherapy business Evolution vet physio offering a mobile physiotherapy service to Wiltshire and Gloucester.
