Meet the Langford Vet Practice Team

James graduated from Liverpool and started his career in Newport South Wales where he worked for several years, eventually becoming a director of the practice in 2007. In 2011 he decided to take a position with the Langford Vet Practice, where he hopes to be able to pass on to the students some of the skills that he has developed.

Since 2011 James has been appointed Clinical Lead, a role in which he is responsible for the clinical performance and standards of the practice team. During that period he has worked with the practice manager and head nurse to improve the practice's focus on client and patient care and to maintain consistently high standards whilst continuing to provide education to the students training within the practice.

James has always had an interest in cats and completed the ESVPS Feline Practice Certificate in 2005 where he learnt a lot about the different illnesses that cats get and how best to look after them.

Shelley spent the first 14years of her career as a Veterinary Nurse, working at vet practices in Bristol and Swindon.  She joined the University of Bristol in 2004 as practice manager for the Small Animal Practice (now called Langford Vet Practice).  When she first started, the practice worked out of small premises towards the back of the Langford site and then only had a team of 5 staff.  Over the years, she has helped the practice to grow and is proud to work alongside an incredible team of 36 staff! 

Clare qualified from Bristol in 1998, shen then worked in mixed practice for 3.5 years before moving to the RVC's Beaumont Sainsbury's Animal Hospital. Here worked as a general practitioner and taught London's final year veterinary students for 10 years.

She then relocated to the South West and coordinated our busy CPD programme. Clare now works as a Veterinary Surgeon in our Small Animal Practice.

Colin has been working in general small animal practice since 1993, with a special interest in exotic animal medicine. He qualified from the Royal Veterinary College, London, having spent the last part of his course studying with the veterinary department at the Zoological Society of London.

He then spent four years working in a mixed animal practice in Essex, gaining general experience but also building up expertise with the more exotic species when ever the opportunity arose. This was followed by time working for an avian and exotic veterinary centre in Berkshire before moving to Nailsea where he established an exotic clinic alongside his other clinical work.

Colin moved to the Small Animal Practice at Langford in July 2006 with the remit to expand the exotic case load increasing the exposure of the students to the more unusual species that are becoming increasingly common.

Celia qualified from the University of Liverpool in 2016. Since graduated she worked for several years as a general practitioner around London before moving to Bristol.

In May 2022 Celia started a certificate in small animal Ophthalmology so enjoys all things eyes, as well as teaching soft tissue surgery.

In her spare time, Celia enjoys exploring the South west with her naughty Norfolk Terrier.

Siân qualified from the Royal Veterinary College in 2013 and has since worked in companion animal practice in the UK and Australia. She has a particular interest in surgery and achieved a post-graduate certificate in this field in 2021. In addition to performing operations, Siân especially enjoys caring for elderly patients to ensure their health and wellbeing needs are being met during their golden years. Outside of work Siân can be found playing netball or hiking with friends.  

Claire qualified from the University of Bristol in 2020 and began her career in mixed practice in Devon for 1 year before moving into small animal practice. She joined Langford Vets in 2025. Claire enjoys the variety that the job brings but particularly enjoys consulting and getting to know clients and their pets. She also finds teaching veterinary students very rewarding. Outside of work Claire enjoys walking and exploring the local area.

Georgina has been qualified since 2004, where she started work in mixed practice that was later consolidated to small animal. Georgina was Head nurse in her previous practice for 10 years. She is an SQP, Assessor/Clinical Coach and an OSCE Examiner for the RCVS and City & Guilds

Fallon has been a familiar face at the practice since 2009, when she first joined us for work experience. She trained at Langford Vets, qualifying in 2013 and has since risen to the role of Deputy Head Nurse, where she balances her clinical time with supporting the nursing team. While she enjoys all aspects of patient care, she has a particular interest in anaesthesia and the fast-paced environment of emergency and critical care. 

Veterinary Nurse Karen joined the practice in 2023, she has lots of experience, mainly in small animals in the South West area. Karen qualified as a VN at Bristol University in 1993! She also gained a feline nursing and a clinical coach qualification.

Karen is especially interested in nurse clinics, surgery and anaesthesia nursing, and inpatient care, with a soft spot for anything feline. She also loves teaching student nurses. 

She’s passionate about cat‑ and dog‑friendly practice and is excited by the positive changes in how animal behaviour is approached.

Sadie qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in 2005 & gained her Nursing Assessor/Clinical Coach Certificate shortly after. She came to work in the Small Animal Practice in 2009. She successfully completed her Level 3 Canine Hydrotherapy Certificate & started to run the Hydrotherapy Unit also. For 2 days a week, alongside working in the Hydrotherapy Unit, she worked in the Surgery Ward in the Referral Hospital. This was so she could work closely with the Surgeons and she could assist them in the rehabilitation of their inpatients. In 2013 Sadie left Langford to become Head Nurse at another practice. She also assisted and ran Puppy Classes for a year. In 2017 Sadie worked as a Locum RVN and Canine Hydrotherapist, which took her all over the region. In early 2019 she returned to Langford to work in the Small Animal Practice as a Part Time RVN Sadie has a keen interest in canine rehabilitation and dog behaviour.

Louise came to Langford Vets in 2014 as a volunteer while completing an Animal Care Assistant course. She joined the team as a full time Receptionist in September 2015.

Lucy started work experience in the Veterinary profession in 2013 and then underwent a veterinary care assistant qualification before becoming a registered veterinary nurse in 2021.

Lucy joined Langford Vets in May 2025 alongside her other job as a canine hydro therapist. 

Lucy’s keen interests are medical nursing and enjoy giving patients lots of TLC and making them better. 

Helen began her journey with Langford Vets in 2013, starting out as an Animal Care Assistant in the Small Animal Hospital. Her passion for animal care quickly grew, and she soon moved over to Langford Vet Practice to begin her nurse training. In 2018, she proudly qualified and registered as a Veterinary Nurse. She spent several years in the first opinion practice, building her skills and confidence, before moving into the Small Animal Hospital where she worked closely with surgical and neurology patients.

In 2021, Helen followed her passion for rehabilitation and completed her Level 3 Certificate in Canine Hydrotherapy. She then joined a dedicated rehab clinic, helping pets regain strength and mobility after surgery. Even while working elsewhere, she stayed connected to Langford, regularly picking up nursing shifts across both the hospital and practice.

Late 2025, Helen decided to return to Langford part-time, combining her love for hands-on nursing with her external rehab work. She has a soft spot for senior pets, enjoys being involved in surgical care, and is always excited to support patients on their road to recovery.

Julia studied veterinary medicine in Poland and Spain and qualified in 2018. She spent 2 years working in general practice in UK after which she decided to follow her passion and focus on emergency medicine. She worked as a night vet in a busy 24 hour hospital as well as an out-of-hours vet in various clinics across the country. She achieved a post graduate certificate in small animal emergency and critical care in 2024.

Julia joined Langford Vets in 2025 as an out of hours vet. She enjoys the clinical challenges of dealing with emergencies as well as being able to support the owners when they need it most. Outside of work she is a keen rock climber and general outdoor enthusiast.

Jo graduated with a degree in veterinary medicine from the Royal Veterinary College in 2021, having also completed a BSc in veterinary conservation medicine at the University of Liverpool in 2017.

She went into first opinion small animal practice and then spent a year working in a charity clinic in London, providing a range of low-cost services including emergency surgery and hospitalisation for animals whose owners were unable to afford private veterinary care. This began her love of emergency and critical care and she decided to leave London and seek out a new career as a dedicated out of hours vet, starting at Langford Vets at the beginning of 2026.

She enjoys all aspects of emergency work and is planning to study towards a post graduate certificate.

At home she has two senior rescue cats and spends her free time knitting, indoor climbing and playing role-playing games.