Veterinary Surgeons
Lee Holden BVSc MRCVS
Lee graduated from Liverpool University in 1974 and spent time working in Tewkesbury and Beverley before coming to Knaresborough to join 'Obertelli and Lloyd' as an assistant. He has remained with the practice ever since as it evolved through 'Lloyd and Holden' to 'Forest House Veterinary Surgery' as it is now.
Graham Barlow BVetMed Cert CHP MRCVS
Graham was born in Manchester but brought up from the age of six in North Yorkshire in Pannal. He spent a lot of time on a friend’s farm at Dacre in Nidderdale while he was at primary school and this began his interest in farming. He trained at The Royal Veterinary College in London and worked in mixed practice in Wiltshire and West Sussex before returning home and becoming a partner at Forest House in 2001. He holds The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeon’s Certificate in Cattle Health and Production. There are only about eighty vets in the country with this qualification. He enjoys all aspects of mixed practice and lives with Anna, William and Olivia in Nidderdale. They have two ponies, two Jack Russells, a rabbit and chickens. He can occasionally be seen supporting Olivia at pony club events.
Jonathan Mills BVM&S MRCVS
Jonathan is a native of Yorkshire, he graduated from Edinburgh University in 1993 and joined the practice in August of that year. He is still here. When out on visits he is usually accompanied by his Springer Spaniel Millie (who is the good looking one in the photograph). Jonathan has particular interests in the technical aspects of the work (cardiology, radiology, ultrasonography, etc). His enjoyment of the Yorkshire countryside also maintains his enthusiasm for equine and farm work regardless of the weather.
Sarah Kitwood BSc PhD PGCE BVSc MRCVS
Sarah completed an Agriculture degree and PhD before qualifying from Liverpool Vet school in 1999. She taught at Harper Adams College in Shropshire and worked in mixed practice in Cornwall before migrating back to her native Yorkshire, via practices in Blackburn and Preston. She works part-time for a number of local vets and at abattoirs in York and Kilburn.
Her interests include veterinary public health, farm animal welfare and acupuncture. When she's not helping husband Scott renovate their home near Menwith Hill, she strives for success breeding Dexter cattle and showing Badger-Face sheep.
Nursing Staff
Catherine Lamb VN
Catherine is our head nurse. She qualified as a veterinary nurse in 1998. She lives in Harrogate with her boyfriend and 2 cats. She enjoys skiing, reading and occasionally abseiling down buildings or leaping out of aeroplanes for charity.
Sandra Rolph
Sandra has been with the practice since 1995. She has 2 Labradors and an ever expanding number of cats. In her spare time she sometimes re-homes stray or abandoned cats and kittens.
Nicoll Tobin ANA
Nicoll has been a regular face behind the reception desk since 2000. She enjoys walking in the countryside with her 5 dogs. She is mad about sheep and has recently acquired her first Badger Faced Sheep. She was born locally and has 3 children.
Reception / Office Staff
Alison Young
Alison has worked at Forest House since 2000. She has previously worked as a department manager in the retail industry and as a counter clerk training officer for the post office. Alison is primarily responsible for the management of the practice accounts and the day to day running of the office and surgery. She has a mad scruffy dog and a horse.
Gillian Sanderson
Gilly says "I live in Harrogate and am currently owned by a Doberman and 2 cats, so you can deduce from this that I have no money and very little time to myself. I have been here at Forest House since 2001."
Jayne Lister
Jayne has worked at the surgery as a receptionist and in the office since 2003. She comes from a farming background and when she finds some spare time she enjoys swimming.
Karen Blaymire
Karen joined the practice in August 2004 having relocated to the area from Leeds where she previously worked for the NCDL dog rescue centre.
She owns a young energetic lab called Willow who shares her love of country hiking.
Ruth Warren
Ruth joined us in February 2006 as a receptionist. She is a keen marathon runner and often raises money this way for charity.
