James Horner BVSc CertAVP(ES-ST) PGCert(VPS) MBA MRCVS

Veterinary Surgeon

His Story:

James Horner is the owner and lead vet at James Horner Vets.  A Liverpool University Graduate, James gained extensive experience in all areas of veterinary care, including working for specialist veterinary hospitals, managing practices for large corporate practices and ensuring responsible and appropriate use of medicines within pharmaceutical giants. James recognised the need for providing a personal, professional service that ensured continuity of care. This led to the idea for James Horner Vets, and the drive to establish his own independent veterinary practice.

James believes in continued development and has studied for further qualifications himself along with encouraging others to pursue such knowledge gain. In recognition of his knowledge, James currently sits on the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Academic Committee for the Certificate of Advanced Veterinary Practitioners tasked with overseeing the award for continuing professional development of vets after graduation.

How he consults:

Calm in nature, James will make you feel welcome and relaxed when discussing your pet. He will use his extensive experience to bring awareness to risks or benefits around treatment options, whilst also offering his own opinion on treatment choices if requested.

Hollie Furey BVetMedSci BVM BVS MRCVS

Veterinary Surgeon

Her Story:

Hollie qualified as a Veterinary Surgeon from the University of Nottingham School of Veterinary Medicine and Science. Since qualifying, Hollie has worked in small animal practice.

Hollie finds her job as a vet very rewarding and has already taken her skills abroad. She has previously volunteered at a charity in Thailand neutering stray dogs to help with the overpopulation of stray animals. 

Originally from Northamptonshire, Hollie is new to the West Midlands having recently moved to the area. Hollie joined James Horner vets because she liked the friendly atmosphere and wanted to work for an independent practice having previously worked for corporate.

In her free time she enjoys horse riding, spending time with family and friends, and the occasional shopping trip! 

How she consults:

Hollie has a friendly, approachable and patient consulting style! She particularly enjoys meeting clients and their pets on a daily basis. Clinically Hollie has an interest in Veterinary Dentistry so start brushing your pet’s teeth!

Sophie Dobrev Bsc (Hons) RVN cSQP

Head Registered Veterinary Nurse

Her Story:

Sophie is a registered Veterinary nurse and cSQP here at James Horner Vets. She has always had a love for animals and followed her passion by studying a BSc Honors degree in Zoology. She has since then worked within both first opinion and specialist referral centers to pursue her dream of becoming a qualified and registered veterinary nurse. Sophie is dedicated to personalised patient care adapting her nursing to a patients specific needs.

She has two bouncy golden retrievers, a little cat and two chinchillas at home. Sophie strives to make sure each individual pet that comes into the practice is treated as one of her own, meaning lots of cuddles! 

Freya Seymour Veterinary Care Assistant (VCA)

Their Story:
Freya has worked with animals since they were 14, starting off as a stable hand at a riding school. Once Freya turned 18 they started a job working in pet food retail where they gained an extensive knowledge on companion animal nutrition. Freya then went on to work as a pet care advisor and as an animal care assistant for a pet shop. Freya has recently achieved a diploma in Animal Welfare Licensing. Freya is a huge animal lover and currently has seven chickens, two dogs, two rabbits, two cats, and a hamster.

Where their passion lies:
Freya is very passionate about animal welfare and likes to make sure all of their pets are given the best care! Freya is also a keen learner and loves finding new facts (usually animal related) they had not heard before. Freya is also trained in cat and dog nutrition, which is a subject they care a lot about.

Freya wants to make sure all pet owners are well informed on their pet and are given the best guidance on how to care for them.

Katherine Hull BVetMed (Hons) PgC(SAM) MRCVS

Senior Veterinary Surgeon

Her Story:

Kat graduated from the Royal Veterinary College, London in 2012. After initially working with both small animals and horses, the last 7 years she has worked solely in small animal practice. Kat became an Advanced Practitioner in Small Animal Medicine after completing her certificate in small animal medicine in 2020. She has a particular interest in cardiology and conducts our cardiac investigations here at James Horner Vets.

Kat grew up in Solihull and is enjoying being back in an area she knows well. At James Horner Vets she finds it exciting to be working as part of a new, developing and forward-thinking independent practice alongside our caring and committed team.  

Kat works part time on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and every few Saturdays in the clinic. The rest of the time she is busy looking after her two young children and her cockerpoo called Ted!

How she consults:

Kat has a kind a friendly nature which helps to put you and your pets at ease. She is thorough and listens to your concerns to help to come to the most appropriate course of action.

Sarah Green SVN

Student Veterinary Nurse

Her Story:

Sarah is a 1st year registered student veterinary nurse here at James Horner Vets. After devoting 18 years of her life caring for her oldest son Bradley; who sadly passed in April 2022; and volunteering with Acorns Childrens Hospice as a spokesperson and Muscular Dystrophy UK supporting other families; Sarah took the plunge to follow her passion of becoming a veterinary nurse.

Sarah completed her Animal Nursing Assistance level 2 in 2020 and joined James Horner Vets in September 2021. Sarah does not currently have any pets at home so thoroughly enjoys meeting our patients.
She treats every one of them as if they were her own and is often found sitting on the floor in the kennels/cattery so if you ever find your pet needs to come in and spend the day with us they are guaranteed cuddles!

Louise Ryan Front of House Team Leader

Her Story:

Louise joined our team following working outside of the veterinary sector. A life in administration, the COVID pandemic made her rethink what she really enjoyed, and what she wanted from her work-life. A self confessed “crazy cat lady” with 2 cats of her own at home, a role within the veterinary sector makes sense!

Where her passion lies:

Louise is facing a large learning curve being new to the Veterinary industry. Her interests lie with behaviour and Louise will be working towards expanding her knowledge and experience in this topic. In addition to responding to your phone queries, booking appointments and controlling the vet team, Louise will also be undertaking a lot of insurance claim processing and driving our social media.

Sophie Langley RVN

Registered Veterinary Nurse

Her Story:

Sophie has been in the Veterinary Industry since 2009 and qualified to become a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2012. She has worked in a busy Out Of Hours (OOH) surgery where she acquired a lot of knowledge in Critical Care. Sophie started working with James Horner Vets in January 2022.

Sophie also works as a Clinical Coach where she helps train Student Veterinary Nurses before they can qualify. “I love watching students qualify and becoming the best Nurses they can be.”

Sophie has a very spoilt cat called Tony that she re-homed from her previous practice along with an extremely mischievous dog called Blue!

Catherine Locke VRCAM

Her Story:

Catherine has worked various education roles in the past but her love for animals and passion for helping people has brought her down a new road within the veterinary industry. She grew up with 3 cats and 5 dogs which means she understands how your pets become your family. As one of our veterinary receptionists she enjoys seeing all your lovely pets daily and strives to make everyone feel welcomed.

Catherine is keen to continue expanding her knowledge to best support any queries you have. She also has a particular interest in how to support you with travelling abroad with your pet/s.

Samantha Webb SVN

Student Veterinary Nurse

Her Story:

Samantha has been working within the veterinary industry since July 2021. Prior to this Samantha did numerous work experience within both pet shops and kennels. She has always wanted to work in the veterinary field and aspires to become a registered veterinary nurse. Samantha completed a veterinary care certificate in 2022 and is looking forward to using her skills to progress her career with us.

Samantha has a very loving, happy greyhound called Monty at home along with two mini lop rabbits. As a VCA Samantha loves to be able to care for all of our patients but has a particular soft spot for greyhounds and lurchers!

Samantha Tingle VRCAM

Her Story:

Samantha has always worked within customer service but joined her previous vet practice over 2 years ago and found her passion for working with animals. She really enjoys her role and loves to meet/greet all of our patients and their owners. Samantha joined our team in September 2023 and is looking forward to gaining further knowledge and progressing within her role. Her keen interests involve dog walking, swimming, watching films and going on holidays. 

At home Samantha has a 10 year old cocker spaniel called Poppy who is very loving and sweet. Poppy regularly visits the practice to keep up to date with her arthritis injections and has also joined the weight loss clinic run by our nurse team due to her gaining a few extra pounds.

Markéta Maxerová MVDr. MRCVS

Veterinary Surgeon

Her Story:

Markéta was born in the Czech Republic. She studied at the University of Veterinary Sciences Brno and received her title MVDr.
During her studies she had an internship in Ljubljana, Slovenia at a university hospital.
Markéta moved to the UK in 2020 because she received an offer to join a Graduate Development Programme in Nottingham at a corporate practice, and she stayed there until the beginning of 2024.
Markéta really enjoys working at James Horner Vets because she finds it nice, kind and homely, a real family practice!
In her spare time, when not caring for her own cat and dog, Markéta likes to travel! One of her favourite places to visit is Rome as it is lovely, historical and can be budget-friendly…!

How she consults:

Markéta likes to build a connection with her clients, and really tries to offer a friendly service working with you to create care and treatment plans that will help both your pet and you.

James Brown RVN

Registered Veterinary Nurse

His story:

James left school and went to Warwickshire college where he did various animal care courses for 3 years. After completing these courses, he started working for the RSPCA Birmingham branch. He cared for different species of animals from dogs, cat, large animals to birds and reptiles. He worked there for 3 years. 

James then took a student nurse position and qualified as a registered veterinary nurse in 2010. He went on to work out of hours and had a passion for emergency and critical care. He worked as an emergency nurse for 6 years before changing career path and working in the veterinary referral at one of the united kingdom’s top referral hospitals in the midlands. He worked there for 7 years before deciding to leave and come back into general practice.  

At home James has a Shetland Sheepdog called Lillie and a tortoise called Shelly. James still has a passion for emergency and  critical care but really enjoys teaching and passing on his years of experience to our student nurses.  

Chloe Dresser BSC (Hons) RVN 

Registered Veterinary Nurse

Her Story: 

Chloe graduated from Harper Adams University in 2022 with a degree in veterinary nursing. Having spent the last couple of years travelling around the UK to gain experience. She is happy to be home with her two Shih-Poos and senior Border Collie. Chloe joined James Horner Vets in May 2024 as a registered veterinary nurse and is excited about building her career with James Horner Vets!

 Outside of work Chloe enjoys travelling, fostering rescue cats and spending time with her family and friends.

Alleah Khan

Veterinary Care Assistant (VCA)

Her Story:

Since leaving school Alleah studied at Solihull College where she gained experience in a variety of different fields including dog grooming, dog kennels, at Sheldon Country Park and also at the PDSA eventually making her way into a veterinary practice where she worked for 5 years.

During that time Alleah gained her anaesthetic course and managed to pick up 4 furries of her own along the way (all cats that were rescued!). She hand-reared her 1 year old tabby called Teddy from the age of 3 weeks and also has fishes and goats!

Alleah is currently working towards becoming a registered veterinary nurse.

Where her passion lies: 

 Alleah enjoys talking to people about their pets so is looking forward to eventually being able to do nurse consultations of her own.