Small Animals Staff

In case of Emergency please phone: Pets: 01422 354999 Equine/Farm: 01422 354106

Associate Veterinary Surgeons

Eddie Burt

Michael Lightwood

Kirsty Baird

Eddie Burt -
BVSc. MRCVS (Partner)

Eddie graduated from the University of Liverpool in 1985, and joined Hird and Partners in November of the same year, and subsequently became a partner in the practice. Eddie has a wealth of clinical expertise in all areas of small animal medicine and surgery. Recently, Eddie has attended CPD courses on feline medicine and BSAVA congress in Birmingham. Away from work, Eddie has a busy family life, spending much of his time with his children as well as finding time to enjoy walking.

Michael Lightwood - BVSc MRCVS BSAVA PG Cert SAM

After graduating from the University of Bristol in 2007, Michael joined Hird and Partners as an associate small animal Veterinary Surgeon. His professional interests include canine and feline emergency medicine and diagnostic imaging. He has completed an intensive course in ultrasonography and carries out most of the scanning in the small animal practice. Michael has recently completed his BSAVA Post Graduate Certificate in Small Animal Medicine. Michael’s interests include walking his Border Terrier, Roger, and spending time with friends.

Kirsty Baird - BVMS. MRCVS (Clinical Director)

Kirsty graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1991. After spending time working in mixed general practice, and a period working in the Caribbean, Kirsty made the move to Hird and Partners in February 2006 as a small animal practitioner. Kirsty is interested in all areas of general practice, and has recently attended the North American Veterinary Congress. Outside work, Kirsty enjoys mountain biking, travelling, and walking her dogs, Ruby and Florence. Kirsty is currently undertaking her GP certificate in Small Animal Medicine and has a keen interest in Veterinary Acupuncture.

Richard Flook

Mary Lees

Emily Long

Richard Flook - MRCVS

Mary Lees - MRCVS

Emily Long - MRCVS

Andrew Ayers

Andrew Ayers - MRCVS

Olivia Grace

Olivia Grice - MRCVS

Jonathan Dunn

Jonathan Dunn - MRCVS

Nursing Staff

Rebecca Westwood

Rebecca Mitchell - MRCVS

Maree Broadhead

Maree Broadhead -
BSc. RVN AI

Head Nurse

Maree joined Hird and Partners in 2004, whilst studying towards her BSc. in veterinary nursing at Hartpury College. Maree attained her BSc. with Honours in 2005. Maree has particular interests in small animal dentistry and surgical nursing. Recently, Maree has attended numerous CPD courses including Veterinary Anaesthesia, a VN assessor workshop and most recently BSAVA congress. Away from work, Maree enjoys cooking and taking care of her horse, dogs and chickens on her small holding.

Rachael Warne

Rachael Warne - Bsc Hons RVN Deputy Head Nurse

Rachael joined Hird and Partners in September 2006 as a work placement whilst she completed her veterinary nursing degree at university. Rachael enjoys all aspects of her job but particularly enjoys nursing inpatients back to health after surgery and illness. Rachael has completed CPD in various subjects but enjoys topics relating to rehabilitation and hydrotherapy and physiotherapy. Outside of work Rachael enjoys meals out with family and friends and is a big film fan so loves going to the cinema. Rachael has a little cat called Theo who she rescued after he had been hit by a car when he was only 10 weeks old. He recovered brilliantly thanks to the Hird and Partners team and is now very happy with a new life with Rachael.

Helen Dugdale

Helen Dugdale - RVN

Ripponden

After graduating from the University of Central Lancashire with a BSc. in Animal Behaviour and Welfare in 2006, Helen became a Nursing Assistant in 2007, previously having worked as a receptionist at our old Blackwall centre. Professionally, Helen enjoys canine and feline behavioural medicine. After completing her training with Hird and Partners – Helen qualified as a registered Veterinary Nurse in 2010. Helen has recently attended CPD covering feline aggression, blood transfusions and feline hyperthyroidism. In her spare time Helen enjoys socialising with friends, travelling and films.

Laura Wheelwright

Laura Wheelwright - Nursing Assistant / Receptionist

Grace Bamford

Grace Bamford - RVN

Victoria Lund

Kate Peacock

Kate Peacock - RVN

Emma Newsome

Annette Baverstock

Diane Wynne

Diane Wynn - RVN

Head Nurse - Walsden

After leaving school, Diane started her long career within the veterinary industry. She completed her vocational qualification in 2006 and qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse. She worked at the same Veterinary Practice for 20 years, and worked her way up the career ladder to work in the position of Senior Nurse. After qualifying, she also went on to gain her A1 Assessors Award.

New challenges lay ahead, so Diane moved into the education sector and taught Animal Care and Animal Management at a Vocational College for 4 years.

Diane joined Hird & Partners in July 2018 as Head Nurse at the Walsden Branch. She has attended numerous CPD lectures and courses over the many years in practice, and has a keen interest in Anaesthesia.

Outside of the workplace she likes to socialise and also plays the Oboe in Huddersfield Wind Band.

Molly Peek

Briony Norman

Briony Norman - RVN

Molly Peek

Rebecca Bailey

Stacey Weston

Stacey Weston - RVN

Walsden

Bryony Jenkins

Rebecca Emsley

Jo Entwistle

Jo Entwistle - RVN

Walsden

Claire Haigh

Claire Haigh - VNA

Reception and Administration

Lucy

Debbie Brook

Debbie Brook - DPCHM, MIPTI, BHSAI

Practice Manager

Debbie joined the practice in May 2018 after an extensive period in the NHS, mostly as a GP Practice Manager, with additional roles for the local CCG (Clinical Commissioning Group) and the LMC (Local Medical Council). Debbie can be found at King Street, Shelf Equine Hospital along with our smaller branches at Walsden and Ripponden. Away from work Debbie is a horse and dog lover.

Lisa Oates

Lisa Oates SQP -
Head Receptionist

Bath Mallinson

Beth Mallinson
Account Manager

Beth joined Hird and Partners in June 2014 having previously worked at Design & Display Ltd, managing personnel and accounts. Beth enjoys spending time with family and friends, photography, long walks and touring in camper van with husband and 2 dogs, Badger and Doug.

Janet Allan

Janet Allan - RVN

Janet joined the practice in 1981 as a veterinary nurse. Nowadays, Janet is involved in the administrative side of the practice, chiefly with the processing of small animal insurance claims. In her free time she enjoys being with her family, walking and reading.

Valerie Lord