About us - Nurses

In this section: Nikki Caddick (Head Nurse)
                     Zoe Whittaker (Nurse)
                     Tanya Gill (Nurse)
                     Rachel Whittaker (Nurse)  

Nikki Caddick
I qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in May 2005. I started my career in mixed practice over in Keighley, West Yorkshire. Since then I have worked in emergency centres, referral practices and charitable organisations, before joining Castleview Vets in September 2009 as Head Nurse. I am currently studying for my Assessor qualification so I can assess Trainee Veterinary Nurses. I enjoy all aspects of my job but my main interests are emergency and critical care, medical nursing and rabbit care.
In my spare time I enjoy walking my two dogs that are both Labradors, Macey is 2 years old and Penny is 10 years old, both are rescue dogs. I also have 2 house rabbits. Both the dogs and rabbits love to play all together.
 

Zoe Whittaker
I originally started working for Castle View vets part time in the beginning of 2004 to cover holidays and night duties, this increased to full weeks and then a full time position very quickly.
I was very fortunate to be put through my nurse training which consisted of a one year course to complete my Animal Nursing Assistants qualification which I passed with Distinctions, I then enrolled on a two year course to complete my Veterinary Nurse training that I passed in January 09 which now makes me a fully Qualified Veterinary nurse.
I am interested in all aspects of my job; I enjoy interacting with clients and their pets, nurse clinics, one to one patient care, emergency work, surgical nursing and many other areas of nursing role. Now that I am a qualified nurse I can take part in minor theatre procedures, which consist of small lump removals, skin biopsies, aural haematomas and stitching wounds.
In the near future I am looking forward to being the practice Diabetic nurse where I will advise clients on care of their pet and monitor the patients progress throughout their ongoing treatment. I am also looking forward to becoming an assessor where I will be able to train nurses studying towards becoming a qualified veterinary nurse like myself.
In my spare time I look after and care for my Thoroughbred horse Jessica, who I have had for the last 18 years, and I am currently breaking in a young colt for my friend, which should be fun!
I also have three cats at home of various ages which have all been rescued as they have come into the practice as strays, they are called Wanita, Vinnie and Phoebe and have varied personalities! I also have an English rabbit called Daisy, which was found in an unwell state one early frosty morning by a member of the public who brought it into the practice for treatment.
I also enjoy reading, socialising, swimming and going to lectures out of work to increase my knowledge in the veterinary field.


Tanya Gill
I am a first year trainee veterinary nurse who has been employed at Castleview Vets for two and a half years years. After leaving Penistone Grammar School on June 2004 I started at Barnsley College in September to study for a National Diploma in Animal Management. I left college in July 2006 and was very lucky to get straight into practice. I started at Castleview in August 2006 to cover maternity leave and was taken on full time 6months later. While I have been here I have studied for an Animal Nursing Assistant award, which I passed with distinctions. I am now currently studying one day a week at My Pet Stop Leeds with the College of Animal Welfare for a Level 2 in Veterinary Nursing. I enjoy all aspects of my job, but in particular nursing the patients. I am hoping to be a Qualified Veterinary Nurse by 2010 and would like to go on to do a Surgical Nursing Diploma.
In my spare time I like to walk my two dogs Tilly and Tyson both German Shepherds. Tilly was a rescue and is now a very loveable dog. I also enjoy hacking my Welsh Cob called Cob!


Rachel Whittaker
I started at Castle view vets on the 3rd of August 2009 as a trainee Veterinary nurse; I am the newest member of the team. Before joining Castle View I completed a National Diploma in Animal Management at Wigfield farm with Barnsley College. The course included work experience, which I did at another vets throughout my 2nd year and I passed with distinctions in June 2008.
I am thoroughly enjoying my new job as a trainee nurse; I particularly like being in theatre, caring for in-patients and learning many skills from the other nurses on a daily basis.
I have two pet rabbits, Lily & Alfie and a dog named Jess; in my spare time I enjoy horse riding and socialising with my friends and family. I am looking forward to enrolling onto the level 2 NVQ Veterinary Nursing course in a year’s time.



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