Support team

Karen has worked for Ayres since 2002, moving from receptionist to practice administrator and most recently to practice manager in April 2015. She loves spending time with her daughter, husband and Prudence, her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Kirstie started working at Ayres Veterinary Hospital in July 2013. She loves working with animals, and at home has two dogs: a Jack Russell Terrier called Koby and a Dachshund called Laika. Kirstie enjoys helping clients and their pets, especially when she gets to meet new puppies! Outside of work she enjoys a lot of physical activities such as going to the gym, walking with her dogs and socialising with her friends and family.

Craig started working as a Receptionist at Ayres in March 2019. Craig's favourite thing about working in a vets is seeing and playing with all of the animals that come in to see us. Craig’s partner also works on reception and they have got two dogs at home, Reuben the Boston Terrier and Ginny the Patterdale cross, and also two rabbits, Sylvie and Ichabod. They all love getting up to mischief!

Doreen has worked for Ayres since 1994. She is enjoying her semi-retirement but is totally committed to the smooth running of reception and her love of animals makes her want to carry on working. Doreen enjoys her frequents visits to Portugal and to Cliff Richard’s winery.

Penny has run our Cleadon consulting rooms since 1999 and is a loyal member of our team. She has a fantastic rapport with Cleadon clients, so much so that they like to pop in to see her for a quick chat! Penny’s home life is busy too. She loves to walk with her husband and enjoys going to Michael Bublé concerts. Penny is also the administrator of our Healthy Pet Club, making sure our clients receive the best possible service.

Katy has been working with us at Ayres since July 2016 and has done additional training, including taking part in the Blue Cross Bereavement Support course. She is very conscientious in her role and is polite, friendly and proving to be an excellent receptionist. Outside work she is involved in writing, yoga and the gym.

Helen joined the Ayres team in July 2016, and shares her role with Mary Jones at our Cramlington branch. She has successfully completed all her training and enjoys her role.

Katherine joined us January 2015 as a receptionist and administrator after being a client of ours for 25 years. She has acquired two rabbits since working at Ayres called Ichabord and Marble. She also has two dogs called Reuben and Ginny who keep her fit on long country walks.

Joanne joined Ayres as a receptionist in December 2009 and works part-time at our Whitley Bay branch. She grew up on a farm with cattle, sheep, goats, free range chickens, geese, ducks, dogs and cats, and has always enjoyed being around animals. Joanne now lives in Whitley Bay with her husband, two children, some cold water fish and a liver and white Springer Spaniel named Heidi.

Joy has worked on reception at our Whitley Bay branch since 2001. She takes great pride in the branch surgery, building strong relationships with our clients and is very proud to be part of the Ayres team. Joy runs our popular puppy parties and has been a member of the association of pet dog trainers since 1996 - so we can be confident that the advice she gives to Ayres clients for their puppies is the very best. She has four dogs of her own and competes, manages and judges at bloodhound trials.