Our team is made up of
Vet, Vet Nurses and Toxicologists
Nicola joined the VPIS as an information scientist in February 2015 and is currently our Head of Service. She oversees the operational side of both the VPIS and Animal PoisonLine and looks at ways to expand the service, particularly abroad. She qualified as a veterinary surgeon from Cambridge in 1999 and, prior to VPIS, worked for 16 years in small animal and equine private practice in the UK and Australia. She has a zoology degree and is a Trustee at Marwell Zoo in Hampshire as well as chairing their ethics committee. She lectures on toxicology and is passionate about educating owners on how to keep their pets safe.
Stella joined VPIS as an information scientist in Nov 2011 and is currently the Clinical Operations manager at ESMS Global, parent company of VPIS.
She studied Biochemistry with a focus on toxicology and has worked for the MHRA analysing medicines. In addition to managing the 24hr team, she has contributed to CPD course and writing publications for the VPIS service.
She studied Biochemistry with a focus on toxicology and has worked for the MHRA analysing medicines. In addition to managing the 24hr team, she has contributed to CPD course and writing publications for the VPIS service.
Emilija has a degree in Pharmacology and has worked at VPIS for 3 years. She is involved in training new staff. She is bilingual in Russian and English.
Nicola has worked in human and veterinary toxicology for over 25 years. As well as providing emergency advice via telephone she has written extensively on veterinary toxicology. She is currently the congress abstract editor for the European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists (EAPCCT), a Registered Clinical Scientist with the Health Professions Council (HPC), an associate member of the British Veterinary Association (BVA) and involved in the WHO work on guidelines on the management of lead poisoning.
Shannon is a Registered Veterinary Nurse and qualified back in 2018. Shannon started out by working at a small animal first opinion veterinary hospital in Bedford before moving to a larger multidisciplinary small animal referral hospital in Hertfordshire, where she still participate in some clinical work from time to time. Shannon undertook a certificate in emergency and critical care nursing which I completed in Spring 2021 and it was here that she found a real interest in toxicology and emergency care and was keen to further her knowledge. Outside of work, you will probably find Shannon out walking with her two very cheeky setters, Cooper and Wilbur, who keep her on her toes!
Alison joined the Veterinary Poisons Information Service in July 2021 as an Information Scientist.
Alison qualified as a veterinary surgeon from the Royal Veterinary College in 1993. Before joining VPIS she worked in small animal practice in a variety of clinical settings, including dedicated emergency clinics and charity shelters. She works with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons as a new graduate mentor and assists with the training of vet students. She also worked with the NHS as a clinical contact caseworker during the Covid-19 pandemic. Alison lives on the south coast with her husband, three teenagers, her cockapoo and her cat, who all keep her very busy. She is very much enjoying being part of the VPIS team.
Alison qualified as a veterinary surgeon from the Royal Veterinary College in 1993. Before joining VPIS she worked in small animal practice in a variety of clinical settings, including dedicated emergency clinics and charity shelters. She works with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons as a new graduate mentor and assists with the training of vet students. She also worked with the NHS as a clinical contact caseworker during the Covid-19 pandemic. Alison lives on the south coast with her husband, three teenagers, her cockapoo and her cat, who all keep her very busy. She is very much enjoying being part of the VPIS team.
Moises has a degree in Biomedical Sciences and a masters in Clinical Drug Development. He has been an integral part of the VPIS team for over 3 years. Apart from being a massive foodie, the resident joker, a company social committee member and playing football at every opportunity, Moises is responsible for training new staff. Mo absolutely loves cats and dogs, be sure to say hi if you see him at a VPIS exhibition!
Hayleigh joined the Veterinary Poisons Information Service in December 2018 after qualifying as a registered veterinary nurse in late 2016. Hayleigh deals with all aspects of Admin and Business administration including attending events such as Crufts and BSAVA. In her free time Hayleigh enjoys traveling in her campervan and spending time with her cat Figg.
Jane is one of the senior information scientists at the VPIS, having started her career in human toxicology at the National Poisons Information Service at Guy’s Hospital. In addition to working on the 24-hour team, she provides CPD courses on small animal poisonings, lectures at conferences and to veterinary practices and their clients, and writes for a number of publications.
Nick has worked in toxicology, both human and animal, for over 40 years and is a Fellow of the European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists (EAPCCT). He helps provide the VPIS 24 hour service, is involved in training of veterinary professionals, and is currently a WHO consultant in poison centre development.
Holly joined the Veterinary Poisons Information Service in March 2021 as an Information Scientist.
Holly qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in late 2017. The same month as qualifying Holly left to embark on a gap year, helping animal charities around the world, working with both domesticated and wild animals. One of her highlights from this adventure was having the chance to hand rear an orphaned Southern hairy-nosed Wombat, whom has since been released into the wild!
Since returning from her gap year, Holly has been working in small animal practice where she has spent her time as Surgical Nurse working towards a Certificate in the same subject. She has always enjoyed all aspects of emergency nursing but is passionate about rehabilitation and client education.
Holly now lives on a quiet, spacious farm with her 25 rescue animals in Cambridgeshire. She hopes to complete her surgical certificate in November this year. In her spare time, she enjoys horse riding, reading and looking after sick or injured Wildlife.
Holly qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in late 2017. The same month as qualifying Holly left to embark on a gap year, helping animal charities around the world, working with both domesticated and wild animals. One of her highlights from this adventure was having the chance to hand rear an orphaned Southern hairy-nosed Wombat, whom has since been released into the wild!
Since returning from her gap year, Holly has been working in small animal practice where she has spent her time as Surgical Nurse working towards a Certificate in the same subject. She has always enjoyed all aspects of emergency nursing but is passionate about rehabilitation and client education.
Holly now lives on a quiet, spacious farm with her 25 rescue animals in Cambridgeshire. She hopes to complete her surgical certificate in November this year. In her spare time, she enjoys horse riding, reading and looking after sick or injured Wildlife.
Carly joined VPIS in May 2018, she began her career as a veterinary nurse in 1997, qualifying as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2000. She have worked in both small animal and equine practice but the majority of her career has been spent working as an emergency and critical care nurse. She has always enjoyed toxicology and emergency medicine. Carly took a 3 year break from nursing and joined Surrey police as a uniformed police officer within the criminal investigations department.
Her spare time is taken up by her 11 dogs (5 Manchester Terriers and 6 Black and Tan Coonhounds) The Coonhounds are shown, they visited Crufts last year along with other shows. They are also trained Search and Rescue dogs. the Manchester Terriers are shown also and are professional lap dogs!
Her spare time is taken up by her 11 dogs (5 Manchester Terriers and 6 Black and Tan Coonhounds) The Coonhounds are shown, they visited Crufts last year along with other shows. They are also trained Search and Rescue dogs. the Manchester Terriers are shown also and are professional lap dogs!
Savannah joined the VPIS in 2019, after graduating with a first-class honours degree in Bioveterinary Science. In addition to working on the 24-hour team, Savannah is involved in the social media and newsletter for the VPIS, as well as attending events such as Crufts, BSAVA Live, and Dogfest.
In her free time, Savannah fosters cats with the Cats Protection, and enjoys travelling- most recently experiencing a safari in the Kenyan Savanna!
Jade joined the Veterinary Poisons Information Service in September 2022 as an Information Scientist.
Jade qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2018 and has worked in small animal practices around Cumbria and Lancashire before joining VPIS.
Jade’s pets are not so cuddly being a growing collection of Tarantulas, spiders, scorpions, and giant African land snails, she can often be found hiding in the cosy heated cupboard she has made to keep them happy.
Outside of work Jade is often attending concerts or playing games online with her friends.
Jade qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2018 and has worked in small animal practices around Cumbria and Lancashire before joining VPIS.
Jade’s pets are not so cuddly being a growing collection of Tarantulas, spiders, scorpions, and giant African land snails, she can often be found hiding in the cosy heated cupboard she has made to keep them happy.
Outside of work Jade is often attending concerts or playing games online with her friends.
Emily is a Registered Veterinary Nurse. She has been working full time in clinical practice at busy tier 3 hospitals since 2008 and, once qualified, went on to become a clinical coach for student nurses, has been a Veterinary Nurse OSCE examiner on a few occasions and also studied to become a Canine Hydrotherapist which she used to do 50/50 at her last job alongside her RVN duties and loved it. She also took a 6 month gap from Veterinary Practice to travel South East Asia and spent most of her time volunteering for an animal charity participating in spay/neuter clinics and helping stray or neglected animals. She joined the VPIS team in 2022 and in her spare time you will find her trying to stop her Labrador from eating things he shouldn’t!