Directors
Sophie and Ruth joined Helen in the business in 2018. As a relatively young team we are all excited to be committed long term to the farmers and horse owners of the Eden Valley. Our endeavour is to continue to build our client base and the services we offer whilst offering the personalised, independent and competitively priced service that is at the heart of our business.
Helen Latimer
BVMS MRCVS
Helen graduated from Glasgow vet school in 2007 and accepted a mixed practice job in Appleby. In 2011 Helen set up Tethera Vets with Mel in order to concentrate on farm and equine work. Helen is the lead vet on export work and carries out a large number of animal by-product and live animal exports all over the world. She also has a special interest in Sheep medicine and surgery and has her own flock of Oxford downs and Suffolks. Helen enjoys all aspects of horse work and can be found eventing in her spare time.
Sophie Gibson
BSc (Hons) BVSc MRCVS
Sophie graduated from Bristol University in 2014 with distinction, having also gained a degree in Veterinary pathology. She moved to Appleby in 2015 after completing a farm animal veterinary internship at the Royal Veterinary College. Her interests include all things farm, but in particular infectious disease control. She is a BCVA Accredited Johnes Advisor and has also been co-ordinating the BVD stamp it out scheme at the practice. Sophie also completed a research project into TB vaccination which was published in 2017. Outside of work, Sophie enjoys baking, cycling and exploring the area with her dogs.
Ruth Cranston
BVMS MRCVS
Ruth graduated from Glasgow in 2015 and then went to work as a mixed vet in West Cumbria until moving to Tethera in 2017. Here she gained valuable experience across all areas of large animal work. Big animals have always been her main area of interest and she spent time working on dairy farms in New Zealand before university as well as working extensively on a beef and Sheep farm in Stirlingshire whilst at vet school. Most of her time is spent on all aspects of farm work and she has a particular interest in fertility work. As a result she is currently undertaking the DBR - a masters in cattle fertility at Liverpool University. When not in work Ruth can often be found walking her border collie or playing tennis.
Kay McDonald
Kay graduated from Liverpool University in 2018 with distinction, she then moved to Appleby from Northumberland to start her career in farm animal practice. Kay has always had a strong interest in farm and equine work. A true all rounder Kay regularly carries out all aspects of equine, cattle and sheep work and has a particular interest in health planning. Outside of work, Kay can often be found scaling mountains or baking (to a varying degree of success). She also enjoys yoga, running and hanging out with her border collie Nell.
Sarah Williamson
Sarah graduated from Edinburgh University in 2014. Her veterinary career has taken her all over the world where she spent 18 months working as a farm vet in New Zealand. More recently she has worked in Cheshire developing her passion for calf health and dairy fertility. Originally from a dairy farm in north Cumbria, Sarah has returned back to her home county. Sarah is currently working towards her Certificate in Advanced Practice. Outside of work Sarah is a keen hockey player and loves skiing. She can also be found in the fells with her Labrador Gin attempting to tick off the Wainwrights.
Jess Odgers
Jess joined us at the end of July 2022 after graduating from Edinburgh University. Jess is interested in all things farm and equine but particularly enjoys sheep medicine and flock planning. In her free time Jess can be found enjoying the countryside and improving her canoeing or back in Lancashire sorting out her pedigree flocks of Zwartbles and Dorset sheep and small herd of Beef Shorthorns.
Steve Gaughan
BVSc MRCVS
Steve has been a vet in Appleby for many years. Previously a partner in Old Hall Vets he now works as a self-employed vet at the practice. He enjoys all aspects of farm and equine work.
Katy Gardiner
Katy is from County Durham and graduated from Liverpool in 2023. She has been on farms all her life and previously completed a degree in agriculture before training to be a vet. She is interested in all things farm and equine, particularly cattle and sheep. Katy has experienced milking and cattle work, lambing, harvest tractor driving and turning pedigree Charolais cattle out for the sales. In her spare time she likes riding her horse Leena, attending the bull sales and spending time in the countryside with family and friends.
Support Staff
All of our support staff are from the local farming community which helps us to provide a personable friendly service to all of our clients.
Judith Wilson
Judith joined Tethra in January, 2022 as our Practice manager working mainly behind the scenes but you may see her covering reception too. Judith hails from a local farming family and when not working enjoys fell walking and swimming.
Brenda Lord
Brenda farms a local beef and sheep farm and has been working in the veterinary industry for many years thus bringing a wealth of experience to the Team.
Rachel Ellis
Rachel joined our reception team in 2020 having moved to the area many years ago to farm with her husband. A friendly and efficient face we are very pleased to welcome her to the practice.
Sue Hannon
Sue has joined the Tethera team on reception and will also be working behind the scenes assisting with our lab work. Sue is from the local area and has a background in lab work. When not in work she can be found walking Charlie the Labrador.
Sarah Alderson
Sarah joined Tethera in March, 2022 as our new, friendly receptionist. Sarah lives on her family farm and regularly helps out with the sheep work. Sarah enjoys going out with her friends and walking her dog Ted.