In March 2014 Charly and Michelle opened Higham Vets after the sad death of their mentor David Beiny. It was a struggle in every sense but thanks to the loyalty and support of our clients and community we managed to open a modern and fully equipped surgery. By March 2015 we opened the Pet Spa next door to care for your pets skin and fur with a touch of glamour but under the rigour of a vets. By September 2016 we hosted our first Open Day to celebrate the expansion of your practice to include three consult rooms, two operating theatres and separate cat and dog waiting areas. It was a wonderful day with presentations from National Fox Welfare Society, Cats Protection and Nick Amis, father to our own doggy model Hector. And in 2022 we purchased the flat above ready for a practice wide revamp during 2023. It gives us great pride to continually invest and improve Rushden's favourite vet practice.
Meet The Team
Vet Lottie
Lottie Barrett-Hague VetMB BA(Hons) completed degrees in both zoology and veterinary by 2019. She is very experienced in anaesthesia and is continuing her interest in ultrasonography with further training. As an owner of two cats, Pickle and Cabbage, she is very aware of the anxiety pet owners feel when a pet may be sick. "Its my daily missions to take that anxiety off my clients shoulders". Keep your ears open when you visit and you might hear our keen choralist practicing!
Vet Charly
Charly Taylor (née Middleton) BVetMed, graduated in 2009 from the Royal Veterinary College and after four years of mentoring under David Beiny at Market Square Vets, has set up Higham Vets in 2014 and is our Clinical Director. When she is not caring for your pets she is a mother to two posh Burmese cats, Bambou & Jasmine. “They love to play fetch, trash the house, howl and occasionally sleep!”. She understands making decisions for a loved ones welfare can be hard and is dedicated to making that as easy as possible.
Vet Patricia
Patricia graduated in 2017 in Madrid before registering in the UK in 2018. She joined Higham Vets in 2021 during the pandemic and is now a local resident too. If you like yoga keep your eyes peeled and you might see her on a mat next to you. When she is not travelling she is crocheting. Those nimble surgical fingers come in handy for many things! She is passionate about surgery and is studying for her Certificate in Small Animal Medicine. She loves her job adding "it is so rare to have your own clients and provide the continuity of care their pets deserve".
The Promise:
To always offer you an appointment with Your Vet.
When registering you may request a particular vet if you have a preference.
Exceptions are:
If Your Vet is on holiday;
We are closed for a Bank Holiday;
If your pet needs emergency attention.
Why do I want to see the same vet?
By getting to know Your Vet not only will you learn to trust them, you will also ensure ‘continuity of care’.
Why is trust important?
As with your own doctor, the better you know Your Vet the more likely you are to be open and talk freely. You will be more forthcoming with questions and far more in control of your pet’s health. Since they cannot speak it is especially important you and Your Vet communicate effectively.
Why is ‘Continuity of care’ important?
The continuity seeing the same vet provides will lead to achieving diagnoses more quickly and cheaply. Through the relationship you will develop with Your Vet they will have a much richer understanding of you and your pet’s lifestyles beyond just their medical notes. Knowing what is 'normal' for your pet could be the difference between life and death. And of course you won't waste most of your consult (and money) repeating your history every time!
Vet Lottie
Lottie Barrett-Hague VetMB BA(Hons) completed degrees in both zoology and veterinary by 2019. She is very experienced in anaesthesia and is continuing her interest in ultrasonography with further training. As an owner of two cats, Pickle and Cabbage, she is very aware of the anxiety pet owners feel when a pet may be sick. "Its my daily missions to take that anxiety off my clients shoulders". Keep your ears open when you visit and you might hear our keen choralist practicing!
Vet Charly
Charly Taylor (née Middleton) BVetMed, graduated in 2009 from the Royal Veterinary College and after four years of mentoring under David Beiny at Market Square Vets, has set up Higham Vets in 2014 and is our Clinical Director. When she is not caring for your pets she is a mother to two posh Burmese cats, Bambou & Jasmine. “They love to play fetch, trash the house, howl and occasionally sleep!”. She understands making decisions for a loved ones welfare can be hard and is dedicated to making that as easy as possible.
Vet Patricia
Patricia graduated in 2017 in Madrid before registering in the UK in 2018. She joined Higham Vets in 2021 during the pandemic and is now a local resident too. If you like yoga keep your eyes peeled and you might see her on a mat next to you. When she is not travelling she is crocheting. Those nimble surgical fingers come in handy for many things! She is passionate about surgery and is studying for her Certificate in Small Animal Medicine. She loves her job adding "it is so rare to have your own clients and provide the continuity of care their pets deserve".
The Promise:
To always offer you an appointment with Your Vet.
When registering you may request a particular vet if you have a preference.
Exceptions are:
If Your Vet is on holiday;
We are closed for a Bank Holiday;
If your pet needs emergency attention.
Why do I want to see the same vet?
By getting to know Your Vet not only will you learn to trust them, you will also ensure ‘continuity of care’.
Why is trust important?
As with your own doctor, the better you know Your Vet the more likely you are to be open and talk freely. You will be more forthcoming with questions and far more in control of your pet’s health. Since they cannot speak it is especially important you and Your Vet communicate effectively.
Why is ‘continuity of care’ important?
The continuity seeing the same vet provides will lead to achieving diagnoses more quickly and cheaply. Through the relationship you will develop with Your Vet they will have a much richer understanding of you and your pet’s lifestyles beyond just their medical notes. This tapestry of information only improves throughout their lifetime.
"You and your pets interests always come first before ALL else"
Nurse Michelle
Michelle continues to assist Charly but now as a qualified veterinary nurse. Her role is crucial in making everything run smoothly so your time with us is as pleasurable as possible. She is the proud owner of our web model Phoebe, a Cocker Spaniel whom she re-homed aged one. “Although I am slightly Spaniel mad, 'rescued' is my favourite breed”. Michelle cares deeply about all animals and will always go the extra mile to ensure you and your pets are happy.
Nurse Lauren
Lauren began her apprenticeship in 2017, qualifying as an RVN in 2021. Her favourite area of nursing is inpatient management, particularly complicated medical cases, and creating plans with the vets on the best way to heal sick and injured pets. She has an artistic flair, and loves creating pet portaits in her spare time, particularly of dogs! Poor Hank is probably the most drawn dog in Northamptonshire! If you have any concerns about your aging pet Lauren is the person to talk to.
Vet Samantha
Sam Kennedy BVSc graduated in 2015. She has worked in general practice and emergency care for VetsNow. She joined Higham Vets in 2022 and comes with a Certificate in Emergency & Critical Care. Sam knows staying calm under pressure saves lives. She is instrumental in improving clincial standards across our team and practice and consistently strives for the best. She is also the craziest cat lady at Higham Vets with four cats, Floki, Helga, Bjorn and Oscar.
"Animal welfare is our highest priority"
Student Nurse Shannon
Shannon joined us in 2016 after a career change. Being a local girl you may have seen her with any number of pets over the years! She is quickly becoming known as the "bird lady" being a proud owner of ducks, chickens and her Senegal parrot "Jasper". Her ambition is to become a Veterinary Nurse and if passion, hard work and a big heart determine success, we are confident she will achieve her goals.
Receptionist Hannah
Hannah joined Higham Vets in 2022 and leads our reception team. We are especially lucky to have her as she has studied to be a nurse but decided she prefers providing the highest standards of customer care to being in theatre.If ever you need to remove the stresses of life, a chat with Hannah will sort you out.
Student Nurse Chloe
Chloe began her career in a kennels, and was always drawn to those pets whose needs were the greatest. It is no surprise she joined Higham Vets in 2021 to continue her dream to become a vet nurse. With a background in hospitality she also has a passion for working with clients on care plans and helping to ease their worries where she can. We expect Chloe to qualify as a Nurse in 2023. With five dogs of her own, she has a true understanding of the bond between owner and pet. This will only help her on her path to becoming an RVN!
"Know your vet. Trust your vet. Care for your pet. "
Assistant Olivia
Olivia joined Higham Vets as a Saturday assistant in 2022 before quickly progressing to a full-time assistant. Her dream is to one day begin her training to become a veterinary nurse! Olivia's favourite aspects of the job so far have been learning to run diagnostic tests, helping to run interal lab samples and preparing samples for external analysis. With her dedication and lovely bedside manner, we are confident she will make a cracking nurse one day.
Review Us
"Such compassionate and caring people" 23 Mar
"Charly has a beautiful manner" 30 Dec
"I must say that Patricia and the staff were most excellent. They were truly caring...." 5 Jun
