Meet our professional and friendly team of Vets, Nurses, Reception and Support Staff.
Heidi Svensgaard BVMS MRCVS – Veterinary Surgeon
I trained as a vet at Glasgow Vet School, qualifying with honours in 1987. I have always worked in practice in Yorkshire and started End Cottage Veterinary Clinic in 1996, and have remained here ever since.
I enjoy being part of a busy, friendly team and continuously learning about animals and their needs. I like to provide lifelong care for pets and know many of the animals for their entire lives.
When I’m not in the clinic, my four pet dogs and a small flock of sheep keep me busy and give me a great deal of pleasure.
Edward Pettifer BVM&S PG Cert SAS MRCVS – Veterinary Surgeon
I qualified in 1998 from the University of Edinburgh and from there moved into mixed practice, where I enjoyed the variety of farm and companion animal care.
Ed has a keen interest in small animal surgery and game bird work. He completed his Post Graduate Certificate in Small Animal Surgery and he is also undertaking a second certificate in Endoscopic Surgical Techniques.
Outside of work Ed enjoys time with his kids and is well known for his passion for fly fishing.
John Sleigh BVMS MRCVS – Veterinary Surgeon
I joined the End Cottage team in 2016. Having attended the University of Glasgow, I qualified as a veterinary surgeon in 1986.
I have enjoyed an extensive career in mixed practice so far and have a special interest in companion animal surgery.
Away from the practice I’m a dedicated follower of sport and particularly enjoy watching my sons play rugby.
I am a keen outdoor enthusiast and can often be found skiing, mountain biking or playing golf, or letting my dog, Nellie, takes me for a walk.
Andrew Moll BVETMED MRCVS – Veterinary Surgeon
I joined the End Cottage team in 2016. After graduating from the Royal Veterinary College, London in 2004 I began work in mixed practice, becoming a practice partner in 2011.
I enjoy all aspects of mixed animal care and have a particular interest in companion animal medicine.
In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family and ever expanding collection of horses, chickens and sheep.
I enjoy many outdoor pursuits and am an avid fan of any sports.
Inigo De Los Santos Respaldiza MRCVS – Veterinary Surgeon
Mayleen Cook BVMS MRCVS – Veterinary Surgeon
Since qualifying from Glasgow University in 1986 I have enjoyed a varied career as a vet working in mixed practice in North Yorkshire and for the PDSA before joining End Cottage in 2017.
Having recently joined the practice I am enjoying meeting and getting to know new clients and their many pets.
These days my main interest lies in companion animal medicine.
Zoe Gilbert BVETMED MRCVS
Laura Moll BVETMED MRCVS – Veterinary Surgeon
Scott Kerss BVMS MRCVS – Veterinary Surgeon
Simone Richardson RVN
I have worked at End Cottage since 1998 and started my veterinary nurse training in 2006. I qualified with merits in 2008 and was also named Student Of The Year.
I enjoy all aspects of nursing especially running weight and rehabilitation clinics. As a clinical coach I support our student veterinary nurses in their training and find this role particularly rewarding.
Andrea Abba RVN – Head Nurse
In 2005 I started working at End Cottage vets, and went on to train to become a veterinary nurse, qualifying in 2015 as The College of Animal Welfares Student Of The Year.
I now act as a clinical coach and help other students train to be veterinary nurses. My main interests are surgical nursing and orthopaedic rehabilitation.
At home I have two dogs, Winnie and Nellie and a cat called Garfield.
Emma Osborne RVN
I started my career at a practice in Selby in 2006 where I gained my Animal Nursing Assistant qualification with distinction which then allowed me to train as a Veterinary Nurse at The College of Animal Welfare in Leeds, passing with merit in 2011.
I joined the team at End Cottage in 2012.
I am particularly interested in anaesthesia, surgical nursing and as a qualified Clinical Coach I help to train the student nurses in our practice.
I share my home with a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, two cats and two guinea pigs.
Michelle Crawford RVN – Deputy Head Nurse
I joined our nursing team in 2012 from a local practice where I had worked for 18 years. Since qualifying in 2000 my primary interest has remained in surgical nursing, but I also have a passion for bunnies!
Outside of work I enjoy horse riding, watching stand up comedy, going to music concerts and the theatre.
I share my home with two rescue cats, Maisie and Buzz.
Holly Allitt RVN
I started working at End Cottage in 2016 after working at a local practice for three years. I recently passed my Foundation Degree in Veterinary Nursing at Askham Bryan College and have twice been awarded student of the term.
I enjoy all aspects of my nursing role and now work in practice full time.
Not long after starting at End Cottage I adopted Keith and Reggie a kitten and a puppy that needed homes.
In my spare time I enjoy horse riding, socialising and walking Reggie.
Alice De Little RVN
Johanna Freear RVN
Yvonne Paterson VNA
Having been employed in a nursing capacity in the veterinary industry since leaving school, I began working at End Cottage in mid 2005 and went on to train and qualify as a Veterinary Nursing Assistant in 2013.
I have a special interest in reptiles especially tortoises, which I breed and love and also have 2 Italian Spinones and a Basset Hound at home.
Rebecca Beal – RVN
I came to work at End Cottage in August 2017 and in 2021 I qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse.
I enjoy all aspects of working in the veterinary industry and look forward to starting my veterinary nurse training at CAW Leeds in January 2019.
My husband, young son and I enjoy trips to the seaside and walks on the beach with our cocker spaniel in our spare time.
Julie Bielby – Receptionist
When given the opportunity to join the End Cottage team in 2016 as a receptionist I decided to give up my career in childcare to fulfill a lifelong dream of working with animals.
Outside of work I love to spend time walking our two dogs and spending time with my husband and four children.
Lynne Best – Receptionist
I’m Lynne one of the receptionists who started at End Cottage in May 2017. As well as working on the front desk I help to maintain the records for our practice Health Care Plan.
I have two grown up children, three grandsons, two cats Mabel and Tango and also Ada the border terrorist who keeps us all on our toes!
When I’m not at work you’ll more often than not find me sitting behind a sewing machine.
Annie Fielden – Receptionist
Santino Di Placido – Receptionist
Isobel Bielby – Receptionist
Mary Barthorpe – Practice Manager
In 1993 after a career in the armed forces I was fortunate to be offered the opportunity to work as an accounts administrator for a local practice, and went on to become Practice Manager at the same surgery a few years later.
When invited to join the End Cottage team in 2012, I jumped at the chance to become part of such a well respected independent practice. I thoroughly enjoy helping to improve the service we provide and the diversity of my role here.
I try to keep fit by cycling, running, practising yoga and digging down at my allotment, where I also care for my adopted cat Alastair – when he allows it!
Claire Sparks – Administrator
I joined End Cottage in 1998 and have seen the practice develop into the success that it is today. I work mainly on the reception and also deal with a variety of administration duties.
When not at work I enjoy walking with my border collies, camping, skiing and socialising with my friends.
Kate Wilburn – Administrator
After many years as an interior designer I joined the End Cottage team in 2011.
You won’t often see me at the front desk as I spend most of my time in the office completing insurance forms and invoicing.
I have always loved animals and look after a rescue dog, horse and a cheeky Shetland pony
Laura Parker – Nurses Assistant
Sophie Johnson – Nurses Assistant
Pete Spivey – Cleaner
