Meet the small animal team

Vets

Leslie Cox BVM & S, MRCVS (Senior Partner)

Les graduated from the Royal (Dick) Veterinary College in Edinburgh in 1973. He spent two years in a mixed practice in North Cheshire before moving to Ripon with his wife Janet in 1976. Les became a partner at Bishopton Vets in Ripon in 1978 and has remained there ever since. Along with his partners at Ripon, Les became a partner at Toft Lodge in 2006, and consults at Easingwold on 3 to 4 days each week.

Les's time is now spent almost exclusively treating small animals.His interest in alternative medicine lead him to gain his Acupuncture Certificate from the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society in 1997. In 2008 Les was honoured to take over as President of the Association of British Veterinary Acupuncturists. His hobbies include reading, history and showing ponies.

Nicky Lumley BVM & S, MRCVS (Partner)

Nicky qualified from Edinburgh in 1991. She is from a local farming/auctioneering family and spent many happy days as a student on work experience at Toft Lodge. Having gained experience working in mixed practices in Scotland, Cheshire and New Zealand, Nicky returned to Easingwold in 1995 and has been a familiar face at Toft Lodge ever since. In 2006 she took the decision to work exclusively with companion animals.

In 2004 Nicky studied acupuncture and has been treating animals regularly ever since. She enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine and surgery. Nicky is married to Chris, a local farmer, and they have two young children, Daisy and Joe. When time allows Nicky tries to fit in some hockey and tennis.

Kate Clarke, BVM&S, MRCVS  (Vet)

Kate graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 1996 and spent her first year working in a large mixed practice in Cambridgeshire, where she developed an interest in small animal practice. She then worked in dedicated small animal practices in Southampton and Leeds before taking up a post at Bishopton Vet Group in 2002.

Since 2006 Kate has also been a member of the small animal team at Toft Lodge. She enjoys working with our friendly practice team and our clients, and is interested in chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, and establishing effective treatment regimes. Kate has a particular fondness for rabbits and Labradors.

Veterinary Nurses

Alex Clark V.N. (Head Nurse)

Alex joined our team at Toft Lodge in 2001 after working for several years in a large petstore where she gained experience looking after various exotic animals. After three years studying Alex gained her Veterinary Nursing qualification in 2007, and she now runs our training programme for veterinary nurses. Alex organises our nurse clinics and is a familiar face to most of our clients. She recently started running puppy training classes at the surgery.

Alex is particularly interested in looking after wildlife and exotic species of animals and birds. She lives on a farm with husband Michael and a menagerie including Hamish the horse, dogs, various cats, rare breed sheep and Kune Kune pigs. Alex spends any leftover time riding Hamish or walking with Eley her dog.

Felicity Lee (Trainee V.N.)

Felicity joined the team at Toft Lodge in 2008 as a student veterinary nurse at Askham Bryan College. She has recently completed her first year of training and embarked on her final year.  Felicity assists Alex and the vets with all nursing tasks, as well as her studies.

Felicity owned rabbits and guinea pigs as a child, then graduated onto her own collie and spaniel. She enjoys walking her dogs, and is keen to learn horse-riding when she can find the time.

Support Staff

Lindsey Venables (Reception)

Lindsay joined the Toft Lodge team in 2010, having 5 years of experience working at a small animal practice in South Yorkshire. She moved up to the North end of the county with her partner, a stockman on a local pig farm.

In her spare time Lindsey enjoys walking her black labrador, Roxy. She also has a lovebird, Peaches, who she rescued from the jaws of a cat! Lindsey enjoys travelling the world and attending various music events.  

Jo Jobbins (Accounts Administrator)

Jo has been responsible for keeping the accounts at Toft Lodge in order since 2006. She also helps out with reception duties frequently. Jo was born and bred in Easingwold, and enjoys meeting familiar faces at the surgery.

Jo lives with husband Gary, children Adam and Libby, and their cocker spaniel Belle, and African Grey parrot Peggy. Jo's hobbies include spending time with her family, reading, and attending concerts by various dubious 'boy-bands'!

Gill Dalton (Evening/Saturday Reception)

Gill joined us at Toft Lodge in 2003 having run her own shop in Easingwold for many years, so is experienced in most aspects of running a business. Gill covers reception on most evenings, and also Saturday mornings.

During their spare time Gill and husband Robert travel to the Lake District to go walking with their dog Ellie.