Meet The Team

Meet the Dedicated Team at Withy Grove Vets

Michael Clarke

Owner and Veterinary Surgeon

Michael is the proud owner of Withy Grove Veterinary Clinic. He spends his time in the practice consulting with owners and their pets, operating on poorly animals, and managing everything that goes on. For Michael, a day at Withy Grove is a happy day, he loves spending time with his staff and being able to meet and help animals in need.

During his free time, Michael likes to walk his dog, work on the practice, travel, and work on his garden. He’s also a regular on the dance floor as a keen ballroom dancer, and loves the opportunity to get out on his bike. At home, Michael looks after Hector the golden retriever and Bertie the bonkers kitty counter part.

Smiling Michael holding a pom dog.

Suanne Bly

Veterinary Surgeon

Suanne is one of our Veterinary Surgeons at Withy Grove, spending her days consulting and operating on our patients. She holds a certificate in Small Animal Surgery and as a result can perform advanced procedures such as laproscopic bitch spays, complicated orthopaedics, corrective surgery for brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), advanced MMA cruciate repair and much more. Read more about our referral surgical service here

Suanne loves her work as a Veterinary Surgeon, finding it particularly rewarding to see an animal recover thanks to her work. In her free time, you’ll find Suanne in the gym, with her children, or walking her dogs Link the bonkers Labrador, and Bremner, the German shorthaired pointer.

Suanne Bly with a turtle.

Kirsty Johnston

Veterinary Surgeon

As one of our Veterinary Surgeons, Kirsty spends her time consulting and operating on our patients. She also works taking X-Rays, and works closely with blood samples and histology reports to find the cause of your animal’s illnesses. Kirsty loves having the ability to make a difference to the health of the patients that visit Withy Grove.

In her spare time she enjoys working with dog agility training- she’s just starting to compete with Izzy, her Jack Russell Terrier who is absolutely loopy! She also enjoys dog walking and catching up with her friends and family.

Kirsty Johnston profile image.

Tahsin Alay

Veterinary Surgeon

Shannon Hall

Veterinary Surgeon

Shannon likes nothing better than investigating illnesss that affect your pet and them seeing them get better. She also has a sof spot for puppies and kittens (who doesn’t!).

When not operating or consulting she loves dancing, swimming, skiing and travelling. St home she can be found with her two Newfoundland dogs, Kiara and Theo, her three cats (Oreo, Autumn and Willow and her turtle, Turtle!

Hannah Clarke

Veterinary Surgeon

Hannah loves meeting your furry friends (with their humans), having a cuddle with them as she helps sort out their aches and pains.

Hill walking and latin and ballroom dancing occupy her out of work and when she is at home she has the attention of a mischievous cat called Bee and two Hermann’s tortoises, Albus and Minerva.

Hannah Clarke profile picture.

Barbara Wright

Practice Manager

Barbara is a key player in ensuring the Withy Grove practice operates successfully. From day to day, Barbara helps the whole team to guarantee they have the support they need to do their jobs. This includes working with enquiries, organising clients’ accounts and keeping the Withy Grove practice running ship shape and smoothly.

When Barbara isn’t at work, you’ll find her looking after her 40 Cockatiels and Budgies as she owns an aviary. Before coming to work at Withy Grove, Barbara volunteered with the Girl Guides for over 40 years, and now works as a trainer for the association. In her free time she spends time with her 3 grandchildren, is cheering on the Wigan Warriors, or looking after her 3 cats and 3 dogs.

Jacqui Hoggarth

Receptionist

Jacqui comes from a background as a pharmacy assistant and has transferred her skills to the veterinary sector. She is vital to patient and client care at Withy Grove and spends her time helping reception run smoothly, making sure you and your pets  are well looked after. She enjoys getting to know our animal and human visitors and as an animal lover she knows how important pets are to us.

In her spare time, you’ll find Jacqui walking her dogs; Molly the dachshund and Sprout the pinscher/yorkie cross. She also enjoys painting 3D pictures on acrylic and glass.

Leanne Lowe

Patient care Assistant

As Patient Care Assistant, Leanne helps to look after the owners and the animals that visit us at Withy Grove. She finds the job rewarding  helping to care for the patients working in the hospital, running blood tests, preparing surgical instruments ready for operations and helping your pets on their road to recovery, showing her soft touch and love of caring for animals.

For Leanne, she loves the fact that no two days are the same and she really enjoys working with the Withy Grove team.

In her spare time, Leanne will be found walking her dog, Roxy the labrador and caring for her cat, Olaf. Leanne also spends time with her family and enjoys hiking in the lakes as well as swimming and reading, showing her soft touch and love of caring for animals.

Kathryn Postance VN

Deputy Head Veterinary Nurse and Rabbit Advocate

Kathryn is a member of the Withy Grove nursing team, and spends her day assisting the vets, taking care of our inpatients and helping owners and pets during her work at the front desk.

When she’s not working in the practice, Kathryn spends her time knitting, crocheting, and cross-stitching- she’s very good! But when she’s not crocheting scarves, you’ll find Kathryn kayaking and sailing, perhaps wearing a pair of socks she’s knitted. When she’s at home, you’ll find Kathryn cuddling cats, Merlin and Sophie, and playing with her rabbit, Arya a harlequin coloured bunny.

Michaela Kent VN

Veterinary Nurse and Cat Advocate

Michaela spends her day in practice working in a whole variety of roles. As a Veterinary Nurse, she assists Vets during surgeries, and cares for the animals when they’ve been hospitalised. She also helps out in our reception area. For Michaela, it’s her work with cats that makes her love her job at Withy Grove. This includes nursing them or assisting in surgery, as a cat advocate, she loves to advise and help cat owners to improve the care and health of their cats.

Nicole Kelly VN

Veterinary Nurse

As one of our Veterinary Nurses, Nicole spends her time helping the vets and clients, caring for our patients including monitoring anaesthetics, as well as lots of cleaning!

She loves to make a positive difference for each patient, helping them feel better and advocating animal welfare. The variety always keeps her on her toes as she never know what is coming through the door!

Outside of work, Nicole plays netball, enjoys walking, going out with friends and chilling with her two cats, Milo and Penny.

Leanne Flavell VN

Veterinary Nurse

Leanne loves the work of a veterinary nurse as no two days are ever the same!

The highlights of her job always involve people and pets – meeting new clients and animals, and providing care as if each pet was her own throughout their treatment.

She’s got plenty of pets at home, too, enjoying the company of her two Huskies; Chester and Oscar, Henry the deaf bunny and a giant African Land Snail – who could ask for a more varied bunch of housemates?

In and out of work animals are her life but she also finds time for photography, cycling and camping.

Emma Sullivan

Veterinary Nurse

Emma has a smile that never leaves her face as cares for all our patients. Nothing makes her happier than seeing once poorly pets go happily home to their owners

Emma is currently studying towards her ANA certificate. She loves learning and aims to become a qualified a veterinary nurse which is her dream job.

She has the complete colour palate of  labradors; chocolate, yellow and black, which she takes with her on days out with the family, especially the Lake District – her favourite place!

Sophie Bond

Receptionist

Sophie is one of our receptionists, and spends her time in practice taking care of you, our clients. Sophie loves meeting all your pets and seeing them coming back to the surgery after treatment, their normal, happy selves! gives owners great advice. When she’s not taking care of our patients and their owners, Sophie likes to keep fit, learning new recipes for healthy eating and upcycling, – turning old items into new.

Her mischievous puggle, Minnie, keeps her busy too, 5 years old but acting like a puppy!

Natasha Delaney

Receptionist

With qualifications in Animal Conservation and Zoology, Natasha is well set up for working with animals! She will greet you and your pet at reception as well as help with phone answering and sorting prescriptions and appointments.

She loves cuddling the pets as well as meeting you all. No two days are the same in this job!

Natasha’s three cats keep her entertained and she can also find time for drawing, sewing and knitting.

Matthew Parkinson

Senior Nursing Assistant and Laboratory Superviser

Matthew spends his day helping the Withy Grove cogs to turn. He is a vital member of our team, and spends his time working across a huge range of roles including reception, preparation for surgery, working on the ward, as well as making sure or practice laboratory work and microscopy run smoothly.

Matthew is an avid animal lover. When Matthew isn’t in practice, you’ll find him walking his dog Harley, playing with cats Lily, Seymour and Cecil, or tending to his 5 snakes, Santana, Sora, Slinky, Ekins and Severus. If calling his snake Severus wasn’t a big enough clue, Matthew is a huge fan of Harry Potter, as well as playing the Final Fantasy series on his Playstation.

Kirsty Procter ANA

Senior Animal Nursing Assistant

Kirsty has been a member of the Withy Grove team since 2004, and over her years working as a Senior Veterinary Nurse, has completed certificates in animal care and first aid for cats and dogs. Day to day, Kirsty works in the ward, caring for our inpatients, as well as assisting during surgeries and overseeing anaesthetics. She loves working during theatre and taking care of animals after surgeries. In her free time, you’ll find Kirsty with daughter Ava, as well as spending time with her family and friends. At home, along with Ava, Kirsty has Ollie the Ragdoll and Lilly the moggie, whom keep her a very busy lady!

Grace Galloway

Patient Care Assistant

Grace comes from a background in primary school teaching and her day sees her looking after the inpatients in our hospital. She also works on reception, to keep things running smoothly and booking your animals in when you visit so you might see her running about in the reception area.

For Grace, learning about procedures and conditions is what makes her job a joy. She loves cuddling the animals (of course!), and has one dog –  Skyla (the quiet and gentle one) and two cats – Bean and Chip (the mischievous ones!).

When she’s not in practice or spoiling her pets, Grace likes seeing her family and friends and going on long walks with Skyla and husband –  probably in a bid to relax from the busy Withy Grove days.

Kim Williams

Receptionist

Kim loves greeting and reassuring our clients in what can be a stressful time for them and their pet. She has worked for over seven years in different veterinary practices.

Away from our busy reception she is a self confessed adrenaline junkie, rock climbing, bouldering and hill walking are among her activities. Alongside all this she looks after her home, collects horror memorobilia(!) and walks her Beagle, Hector.

‘Whoever said diamonds are a girls best friend has obviously never owned a beagle!’

Owen Seaborne

Receptionist

Receptionist Owen stays busy behind reception looking after you all and helping the practice run smoothly. 

He finds it very rewarding looking after people and their pets and improving the lives of both.

Outside of work he has his own dog grooming business, Strutt That Mutt, which he loves.

He enjoys going away on his own narrow boat, producing artwork and laughing with his pug cross frenchie, Louis, three tortoises and a hamster, not surprisingly called Hammie!

Charlotte Allen

Student Veterinary Nurse

Charlotte is one of our student nurses, learning the ropes!

She helps us care for the inpatients and assisting us treating your pets whilst gaining experience for her degree course.

She loves caring for our patients and assisting our vets, particularly during surgery. Charlotte enjoys seeing the love and care we put into treating your pets helping them get better!

Outside of work, Charlotte has a puppy, Lola, who she hand reared from 2 days old as well as two older dogs. She also loves travelling.

Samantha (Sam) Tyrrell VN

Veterinary Nurse

Looking after our patients during surgery and assisting them during recovery are what Sam loves most. She gets great satisfaction from helping pets recover and seeing them when they are content and happy. She also loves seeing sausage dogs!

Outside of work she enjoys reading, running, drawing and painting and looking after her ‘babies’; Cooper (labrador), Ash (dachshund), Thomas and George (cats) and Bakko (hamster).

Donna Griffiths

Animal Physiotherapist

Donna is our in-house Animal Physiotherapist. As a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, and the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists, Donna is a wonderful member of the Withy Grove team who’s ability and skill benefits our patients no end. Donna spends her day assessing muscular and neurological disorders in animals, to then treat and rehabilitate them. She also works with our inpatients, both pre and post -surgery to help them with their recovery. Donna loves being able to use her knowledge of rehabilitation techniques and movement strategies to ease patients’ pain after surgery or injuries.

In her free time, when she’s not looking after her two boys, Donna spends time at the swimming pool, or getting stuck in at her local ladies football club. Donna is an animal lover and at home, and has 3 aquariums, 1 cockatiel and a dog.