At an early age, Emma developed an interest in all things veterinary, and worked in catteries, kennels, and vet practices during her teenage years before earning a Diploma in Veterinary Nursing. Having worked in practices and hospitals for 25 years both in nursing and practice management roles, Emma also became an A1 Assessor, a registered animal medicine advisor and a quality assurance supervisor. Emma found her second passion in teaching and qualified as a teacher, lecturing at Middlesex University and gaining a Post Graduate Diploma in Higher Education, then a Masters in Public Health and Clinical Education before becoming Training Manager at Goddard Veterinary Nursing College, which offers the very best of both worlds!

Emma has three children, two dogs, one cat, an African grey parrot, chinchillas and chickens. Emma’s spare time is spent coaching diving and overseeing a summer camp for children.

After Emily’s Veterinary Nursing degree, she held several senior nursing and coaching roles at a mixture of small animal, emergency, private and charity practices in the UK and Australia. Emily has taught and overseen the teaching of both VCS and RVN courses and is an OCSE examiner. Emily is also on the editorial board of the Veterinary Nursing Journal. Her passions include exotics and wildlife (with previous roles at Heathrow Airport Animal Reception Centre and an RSPCA Wildlife Hospital) and student wellbeing.

Outside work, Emily loves reading, watching anything related to crime or forensic psychology, going to gigs, sea swimming and camping.

Before joining the College, Heather qualified as an RVN and worked in several roles across exotics, charity and referrals practices before gaining her Level 4 Certificate in Education and Quality Assurance qualifications. As the Level 2 IQA Lead, Heather is passionate about promoting the importance of the role VCS Assistants play in practice. Heather still loves emergency and critical care and maintains a keen interest in nursing exotic species.

In her spare time, she really enjoys gardening, reading, and spending time with her family. Heather is also a Kennel Club Breed Health Coordinator for the Portuguese Pointer, one of which she owns (called Hugo!)

Vicki qualified as an RVN in 2009 and worked in both hospitals and general veterinary practice before moving into nurse education as an Internal Quality Assurer supporting students, clinical coaches and training practices, both nationally and internationally. Vicki loves her work, and her real passion is student welfare, ensuring students (and those supporting them) have the best learning experience during their journey to become RVNs and VCS Assistants.

Vicki lives in a small Hertfordshire village with her wife, Cathrine and their beautiful cat. Vicki is deaf and wears hearing aids, and her interests include technology, knitting and travelling.

Rebecca has been a Registered Veterinary Nurse since 2016, starting her career by qualifying in an independent small animal practice in London.

Shortly after qualifying as an RVN Rebecca decided to join the Royal Veterinary College as a Theatre Nurse where she assisted with a number of specialist surgeries, shortly becoming part of their Total Hip Replacement team – which she loved! During this time, Rebecca also became a Clinical Coach and found a passion for teaching and seeing students learn, grow in confidence and achieve their dreams.

After several years as a Head Nurse, she became a veterinary nurse lecturer and holds a Level 4 Certificate in Teaching.

Outside of work, Rebecca has a mischievous mixed-breed rescue called Ivy who keeps her family on their toes. She also has a keen interest in photography – though she tells us she hates having her photo taken!

After graduating from the University of Bristol in 2019, Ellie spent five years working in a busy small animal practice on the South Coast. During this time, she developed a strong interest in education, leading her to transition into a lecturing role. Ellie has a particular passion for medical case workups and greatly enjoys mentoring others as they develop their clinical skills. Outside of her professional commitments, Ellie is dedicated to fitness and enjoys spending her free time participating in CrossFit and weightlifting.

Beginning her career in human healthcare with a degree in Sport Science and Sport Rehabilitation, Heather later qualified as a RVN. Over two decades in practice, she progressed to become a Head Nurse and a Clinical Coach.

In the last five years, Heather has focused on managing the administrative functions of several departments within a large group of veterinary practices.

Outside of work, Heather has a passion for sports and fitness, often engaging in weight training, Pilates, and more recently, golf lessons and pole dancing! She is an avid fan of musical theatre and treasures time spent with her family. At home, she shares her life with a Labrador named Echo and two cats, Vader and Wicket, affectionately named after Star Wars characters!