Meet the Team

Tom McParland

BVetMed DiplACVS (LA) MRCVS

Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons

Tom graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2015, after which he travelled to Mississippi State University in America where he completed a 1 year hospital internship, followed by a 1 year surgical internship. Tom then returned to the UK to work as an ambulatory veterinarian in the south east for 2 years. Tom was then offered a surgical residency back in America at North Carolina State University in 2019. He moved to Raleigh, North Carolina and successfully completed his surgical residency in 2022. Tom’s main interests are orthopaedic surgery and upper airway surgery. 

Tom subsequently moved back to the UK to be closer to his family, where he lives with his wife Hannah who is a small animal veterinarian originally from Tennessee, and their little Dachshund Ellie. Tom’s main interests outside of work revolve around sports, namely football and golf. Too many injuries have forced Tom’s football playing days to end, but that has left him a little more time to spend on the golf course.

Alexandra Davis 

BSc (Hons), BVM&S, CertAVP (ESO), CertAVP (ESST), DipECVS, MRCVS

EBVS European Specialist in Equine Surgery

Alex graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 2008, after which she moved to Australia and completed an Equine Internship at the Ballarat Veterinary Practice.  Alex then moved to Hong Kong and worked for the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) as a Junior Racing Veterinarian for 2 years, prior to commencing a joint European College Surgical Residency training program with the HKJC and the Ballarat Veterinary Practice.  Alex continued as a Senior Racing Veterinary Surgeon while training to become a Specialist Surgeon and gained certificates in Advanced Veterinary Practice in both Soft Tissue and Orthopaedic Surgery.  Alex became a member of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons after passing her surgical board examinations in 2020.   She continued to work for the HKJC as a Senior Racing Veterinary Surgeon and Equine Specialist Surgeon until October, 2023 prior to moving back to the UK.

Alex enjoys all aspects of Equine Surgery, both Orthopaedic and Soft Tissue Surgery, Lameness investigation and Advanced Imaging.  Alex has a strong interest in the Racing Thoroughbred and is passionate about the early diagnosis and prevention of Orthopaedic disease.

In her spare time Alex is kept busy looking after her two young children, ponies and dog! 

Helen Bickerton

BVSc CertAVP(ESO) MRCVS

CLINICAL DIRECTOR

Helen joined the team at Valley Equine in February 2022.  She graduated from the University of Bristol in 2008 and then undertook a hospital based internship in Newmarket.  Following this, Helen worked as an ambulatory vet in north Essex before moving to a large equine practice in the south east of England.

Helen enjoys all aspects of equine work, but she has a particular interest in lameness, sports horse medicine and vettings.  She obtained a postgraduate certificate in advanced veterinary practice focusing on equine orthopaedic surgery in 2015 and was the team vet for the British team at the CCI3*-S European Cup eventing championships in 2017 and 2019.  Helen has also been practising acupuncture since 2017 and finds this can be a useful adjunct to conventional veterinary treatment.

Outside work Helen spends most of her time running around after her two young daughters and their ponies!  She also enjoys riding her retired eventer and trying (and usually failing!) to tire out her spaniel.  Helen also served on BEVA council from 2023 to 2026.

Peter Thurlow

BVM&S BSc MRCVS

VETERINARY SURGEON

Peter graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1991 and after a short spell in Cornwall, he moved to Lambourn and has worked in the surrounding areas since. He has extensive experience in the management and treatment of race and sports horses and has been integral in keeping many equine household names safe and sound! When not at work (which is not very often) Peter can usually be found on a bike or up a mountain.

Jo Burnett

BVetMed(Hons) MRCVS

CLINICAL DIRECTOR

Jo Burnett graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2013 and joined Valley Equine Hospital in 2015 after working in a mixed practice in Mid-Wales. Initially joining VEH as an intern, Jo has progressed through the ranks over the years, becoming Clinical Director in July 2020. Her areas of interest are internal medicine and geriatric medicine – never get her talking about gastric ulcers unless you have plenty of time to spare!

Jo is currently on maternity leave, having recently given birth to her third child, a little girl called Isla.
Outside of work, Jo is happiest when she is busy, she fills her time climbing mountains, doing yoga, and going for long walks with her family and her dog. She is also an avid reader and has different books on the go in different rooms of her house!

Patrick Dean

MVB Cert AVP MRCVS

VETERINARY SURGEON

Patrick joined the practice in May 2021 following an acquisition of his former practice.

Patrick grew up with Standardbred Racehorses and enjoys all areas of equine work – racing, stud, hunters and sports. He has a particular interest in breeding work and young horse development and has completed his certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice – Stud Medicine.

In his spare time Patrick is very active and is an avid cyclist and runner. He also enjoys relaxing at home and exploring the countryside.

Emma Ridgway

BVM&S BSc MSc MRCVS

VETERINARY SURGEON

Emma started her career in wildlife conservation but the lifelong lure of being a vet was too strong and she qualified from Edinburgh Vet School in 2007. After an 18 month equine hospital internship at Willesley (now B&W) Equine Vets, Emma stayed on there in an ambulatory role for another 9 years. Here she developed her interests within general equine practice and was also seconded to a stud practice in New Zealand for 4 months. From 2019 to 2024 Emma was based at Hale Equine Vets as Clinical Director where she enjoyed both managerial and clinical work and honed her skills in equine internal medicine.

Emma’s main interests are internal medicine (gastroscopy, endoscopy, colic, ophthalmology, sports horse medicine), wound management, and dentistry. She plans to specialise via studying for a Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice in the near future.

When not working, Emma is kept busy looking after her two children and doing home improvements. In any remaining free time, she can be found doing Pilates, attempting to be a runner, on family camping weekends, or when she’s lucky, on a horse!

Ines Huc

BVetMed MRCVS

VETERINARY SURGEON

Ines graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2021 and joined the Valley Equine team in June 2024 after spending a few years in both equine and small animal practices. She has a keen interest in behavioural work with difficult horses, anaesthesia, and emergency work such as colic and wound management.

Ines originally grew up in France where she spent much of her childhood in the Alps and today, she enjoys all types of outdoor activities, especially running, hiking, and climbing. Ines is also an avid weightlifter and bodybuilder who spends most of her free time baking cookies for her friends and family.

Scout Brayne-Nicholls

BVSc MRCVS

HOSPITAL INTERN VETERINARY SURGEON

Biography coming soon

Henry Minter

BVSc MRCVS

HOSPITAL INTERN VETERINARY SURGEON

Biography coming soon

Lucy O’Brien

BVM BVS MRCVS

HOSPITAL INTERN VETERINARY SURGEON

Biography coming soon

Jennifer Willison

RVN

HEAD NURSE

Jen joined the Valley Equine Hospital team in March 2019. She qualified as a Veterinary Nurse at the Royal Veterinary College in September 2004. She worked in a small animal hospital in West London before moving to Lambourn in 2006.

Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her family, riding her ponies and socialising with friends.

Hannah Ellis

RVN

REGISTERED VETERINARY NURSE

Hannah joined Valley Equine Hospital as a patient care assistant in September 2020.

Hannah graduated from Nottingham Trent University in 2015 with a BSc(Hons) in Equestrian Psychology and Sports Science. After graduating she became a Groom at Newmarket Equine Hospital, learning a lot about lameness work ups and caring for colics. In 2019 she relocated and then started rehabilitating and retraining rescue horses at an RSPCA centre. Hannah has a passion for horse welfare and if you ever need to find her she will be out grooming the horses.

Hannah started the Diploma of Professional Studies, Veterinary Nursing course at Hartpury College and graduated in September 2024.

Outside of work Hannah really enjoys baking and going for long walks.

Chloe Naylor

RVN

REGISTERED VETERINARY NURSE

Chloe joined Valley Equine Hospital in June 2022. She graduated from Hartpury in 2018 with a BSc Hons degree in Equine Science. She then went on to work as an international event groom and worked her way up to become a Head Girl, obtaining her HGV licence. Chloe graduated as a registered Veterinary Nurse in 2025.

Outside of work, Chloe likes to socialise with friends and family. She loves spending time with her own horse, Aussie and her cocker spaniel, Chilli in the countryside.

Zoe Barron

REGISTERED VETERINARY NURSE

Zoe joined Valley Equine Hospital in March 2024, previously working at Chiltern Equine for 10 years. Zoe has worked with animals for her whole life and has a real passion for their health and welfare. Zoe recently completed her degree in Veterinary Nursing at the Open College of Equine Studies.

Outside of work, Zoe likes to socialise with friends and family. She previously worked in greyhound racing and enjoys going to race meetings.

Dr Jessica Kidd

BA, DVM, CertES(Orth), Diplomate ECVS, MRCVS

Jessica is an external consultant to the VEH, primarily for surgical cases.

Jessica Kidd has been involved in equine surgery for more than 20 years. She is an RCVS and European Recognised Specialist in Equine Surgery.

She attended veterinary school at Purdue University in the States followed by two years in mixed practice in New England. After this she completed an internship at a referral racehorse hospital in Ocala, Florida and then returned to the UK to complete an equine surgery residency at the University of Bristol. This was followed by time as a surgery lecturer at the University of Glasgow’s veterinary school followed by holding the position of the University Equine Surgeon at the University of Cambridge. She then spent seven years in private practice as the surgeon at the Valley Equine Hospital.

Julia Timms

Alex Woods

Outside of work, Alex is a proud mum of two daughters, and when she is not watching them in their many dance shows or cheering them on in football matches, she is a dedicated mum taxi! When she gets a peaceful moment, she enjoys reading a good book or planning the next family holiday.

Clare Blindell

OFFICE ADMINISTRATION

Clare started working at Valley Equine Hospital in April 2024, after working in the Horse Racing sector. Clare works in reception, mainly handling all bookings and exports.

Her main hobbies are competing her horse Broadway Tame, aka Prince, at British Dressage and taking her dog Rocco for walks!

Stephanie Joynt

BSc (Hons) Bioveterinary Science, AMTRA SQP

LABORATORY MANAGER

Steph graduated from Harper Adams University in 2021 with a BSc (Hons) degree in Bioveterinary Science, as well as becoming an AMTRA SQP, in Equine, Farm and Companion Animals. After her degree she worked at another equine hospital before joining the team at Valley in 2025, as the Lab Manager.

Steph has always had a passion for science and animals from a young age and therefore her day-to-day job of running and maintaining the lab keeps her busy. She enjoys all aspects of lab work, but Cytology is her main interest whether that is Tracheal Washes, Endometrial Smears or Blood Smears, she is happiest when looking down a microscope!

Outside of work, Steph enjoys going on adventures with her husband and Jack Russell, Squidge and spending time with her family and friends or baking sweet treats.

Paula Carey

Paula joined the Valley Equine team in 2022. Predominantly she assists Steph in the laboratory, helps in reception and assists nursing staff when required.

Paula has worked in the thoroughbred racing industry for many years, including 2 and a half years living in Australia. After returning to the UK, she turned her skills with the horse to veterinary care.

Outside of work Paula enjoys taking her dog, Tigger on long country walks, watching horse racing, F1 and Moto GP (generally any sport which involves speed…). Paula also enjoys quality time spent with friends and family.