Meet the Team

Home » Meet the Team
Veterinary team

Meet The Team Of Passionate Professionals Caring For Your Companion

David Eagar Veterinary Surgeon
David Eagar
Veterinary Surgeon

David is the owner of Elm House Veterinary Centre. He is an experienced Veterinary Surgeon and has been treating pets at the practice for over 35 years.

Helping his clients is David’s true passion and this is clear to see; he can even be quoted as saying, “there has never been a day when I have not wanted to come to work.”

David’s approachable and friendly personality not only makes him a fantastic veterinary surgeon but also a great boss. He prides himself on his great relationship with his staff and believes this is a key component to the successful running of his Centre.

Away from his work David enjoys gardening, walking and following the Rugby. 

Joanna Dworaczynska Veterinary Surgeon
Joanna
Dworaczynska
Veterinary Surgeon

Joanna joined the Elm house team in 2010.

Joanna enjoys all aspect of general practice and small animal medicine.  Joanna builds stable, sympathetic relationships with her clients in order to achieve the best possible outcome for their pets. 

Animals are not only a big part of Joanna’s work life but her home life too.  Joanna is a dog lover and has a bonkers xbreed dog called Charlie.  Jo also is a horse lover and has a beautiful (sometimes naughty horse) called Roberto. 

During her spare time, Jo enjoys running and spending time at the stables with Roberto. 

Kirsten Putley Veterinary Surgeon
Kirsten Putley
Veterinary Surgeon

Kirsten qualified as a vet from Cambridge in 2005 and has been applying her expert knowledge at Elm House since November 2011. Having undertaken an internship at a referral centre in 2009 Kirsten realized that she enjoyed too many aspects of veterinary medicine to specialize in one particular area and that general practice was the best way to achieve this. That being said she finds soft tissue surgery very satisfying and always enjoys working up a good medicine case.

Kirsten particularly enjoys working cases up from the initial consultation through to diagnosis and is motivated by providing top quality care and treatment for her canine and feline patients.

Outside of work Kirsten enjoys reading, playing tennis and spending time with her two children.  Kirsten also has a 3 legged cat called Wonky. 

Sarrah Zakaria
Veterinary Surgeon

Sarrah Joined the Elm house team in 2023.

Sarrah graduated from the RVC in 2018 and worked for a busy veterinary practice in London before relocating to Essex.

Sarrah worked at a busy hospital and soon became a branch vet.  Following that, Sarrah soon realised her love for building close client relationships, both getting to know both pet and owner alike. 

Sarrah likes a variety – loving both surgical and medical cases, and also has a love of small furries.  

In her spare time, Sarrah enjoys travelling, going for long walks with her rescue greyhound Atlas and carrying out lots of DIY in her old, new home. 

Zoe Gresham
Veterinary Surgeon

Originally from Chelmsford Zoe joined the Elm house team in 2024. 

Zoe qualified from Bristol in 2010 and obtained a post graduate certificate in small animal medicine in 2015. 

Zoe enjoys getting to know pets and their owners and particularly enjoys medical cases, managing chronic conditions and treating Guinea Pigs.  

Outside of work Zoe enjoys reading, swimming and running with her Staffordshire bull terrier called Cooper. 

Zoe is also a Guinea Pig enthusiast and has 7 rescue Guinea pigs at home. 

Sharon Heard RVN
Sharon Heard RVN
HEAD Veterinary Nurse

Sharon started with Elm house in 2010 and heads up our fantastic team of Veterinary Nurses. Her commitment, keen eye for detail and brilliant organisational skills play an important role in making sure our centre runs smoothly.

Holding nurse clinics is one of Sharon’s favourite things about working as a Veterinary Nurse. She also enjoys caring for our patients, trying out new procedures and working as part of a close-knit team.

Away from the centre, Sharon has her three young children to keep her busy. With the little time she has left, Sharon also enjoys running, trips to the zoo and socialising with her friends. She also loves travelling to hot countries, relaxing and reading a good book.

Sarah Strange RVN Veterinary Nurse
Sarah Roberts RVN
Deputy head Nurse

Sarah has been nursing since 2007 and joined the Elm house team in 2016. 

Sarah enjoys all aspects of nursing but has a particular interest in patient care. 

At home Sarah has two cats and a toddler to keep her busy. 

During her spare time Sarah enjoys spending time with friends and family, baking and the odd Joe Wicks workout!

Gemma McGuire RVN Veterinary Nurse
Gemma McGuire RVN
Veterinary Nurse

Gemma, as well as being a superb Veterinary Nurse, is also a qualified clinical coach and assessor. The coaching skills that Gemma possesses are very important for the progression of our Student Nurses and our team as a whole.

Admitting patients, administering anaesthesia and taking care of general admin are just some of the other duties that Gemma carries out within the centre. She believes that the most rewarding part of her work is being able to see the improvement in her patients post-surgery, and also enjoys the variety her work offers.

When she’s not working, Gemma enjoys spending time with her two sons.

Eloise Bay RVN
Veterinary Nurse

Eloise graduated from the RVC in 2016 and has worked at a couple of practices before joining the Elm house team back in December 2019
Eloise has a varied role within the practice which includes carrying out general nursing care, clinics and to process insurance claims.
Eloise has a passion for medical nursing and enjoys spending time fussing and nursing the in-patients.

In her spare time, Eloise enjoys family company, going out for dinner, watching films and travelling.
At home Eloise has a much adored, rescue cat called Pearl. 

Nikki Waters RVN
VETERINARY NURSE

Nikki is our newest member of the team and joined us in June 2021.

Nikki has worked in a mixture of different practices including referral since qualifying in 2000. Nikki enjoys all aspects of nursing but is particularly fond of nurse clinics and anaesthesia.

During her spare time Nikki enjoys baking cakes with her two children and running. 

 

 

Lydia Cown
Ward ASSISTANT

Lydia Joined us in 2022 after doing her work experience with us. 

She has a passion for animals and wants to progress onto becoming a veterinary nurse once she has completed her VCA course. 

In her spare time Lydia enjoys spending time with her dogs Ralph and Arlo, as well as giving lots of love to her guinea pigs and seeing friends and family. 

Ashleigh French
Animal Care Assistant (ACA)

Ashleigh joined the Elm House team as an animal care assistant in April 2024.

Ashleigh previously worked for our OOH service Vets now as an ACA. Ashleigh has taken a step away from emergency work to hopefully complete her veterinary nursing training. 

Ashleigh loves spending time with her family and pets. She has a springer spaniel  called Snoopy, 2 cats, a rabbit and a hamster to keep her busy during her spare time!

With the little spare time she has left, Ashleigh enjoys doing arts and crafts, which helps her relax after a busy day. 

 

Shajeda Uddin
Head Receptionist

Shajeda joined the Elm House Vet team at the end of July 2021 as a full time receptionist. She has been working as a vet receptionist since 2018. She enjoys working for an independent practice and particularly enjoys getting to know the clients and their pets- especially giving them treats as they come out of their consults! 

She is extremely proud to be part of a dedicated team that put 100% into everything they do and looks forward to growing with the team. 

Janet Hull
Receptionist

Janet joined us in November 2019 as a part-time receptionist. 

She enjoys working in the practice; having brought her own pets here for over 25 years. 

In her spare time, Jan enjoys spending quality time with her daughters and seeing the sites of Europe. 

Jan also enjoys a round of golf and a occasionally be found paddle boarding around Southend during the summer months!

Abbie Hammond
Receptionist

Abbie joined the elm house team at the beginning April 2023.

It has always been Abbie’s dream to work in the pet industry and is very much enjoying her role getting to know owners and their pets. 

In her spare time, Abbie loves baking and spending time with her two show cocker spaniels called Roger and Derek. 

Abbie also enjoys getting creative with arts and crafts.