James qualified from the Royal Veterinary College in 1998, and has since gained the RCVS Certificate in Small Animal Surgery and been listed as an RCVS Advanced Practitioner. He has extensive experience in trauma cases involving skin reconstruction and fracture repair. His special interests include canine cruciate ligament disease, ear surgery, management of aggressive tumours (surgical and chemotherapy) and minimally invasive surgery. He is acutely aware of the pressures facing referring vets in busy practices and is always happy to chat informally about cases. He also has a passion for teaching, and is available to run evening sessions with practices. Outside work, he writes a monthly column for a dog magazine and enjoys a busy family life including three dogs, three cats and two tortoises.

Kerry graduated from Glasgow in 2009 and spent several years in mixed practice before making the switch to working entirely in small animal practice. She gained her certificate in small animal surgery in 2014 and became an RCVS Advanced Practitioner in 2016. At Woodcroft, Kerry splits her time between soft tissue and orthopaedic surgery. She particularly enjoys brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome surgery, thoracotomies and fracture repairs. In her spare time Kerry enjoys music and baking.

Justyna worked as a veterinary surgeon in Poland for five years before relocating to the UK in 2013, and has worked at some of the country’s largest veterinary hospitals and referral centres before joining Woodcroft in 2021. She holds a postgraduate certificate in small animal surgery and is a part of our soft tissue surgical team. Outside work she enjoys climbing peaks, travelling with her partner or training hard for half marathons with friends. At home she has her running partner, Rosie the spaniel, and rescue cat Zuza, who Justyna performed life-saving surgery on, and has kept by her side ever since.

Dave graduated from Liverpool in 2004. He initially worked in a busy mixed practice in Preston, before giving up on farm work after breaking his back whilst calving a cow in 2008 (since fully recovered!)

Dave joined Woodcroft in 2010 and initially worked primarily with emergency and critical care patients. He gained his surgery certificate in 2015. After some time as a Clinical Director, Dave rediscovered his passion for surgery and fully moved over to the soft tissue referral team in 2020, having been involved for many years previously managing hospital patients requiring surgery.

Dave enjoys all aspects of soft tissue surgery, and particularly enjoys TECAs, laparoscopy and BOAS surgery.

Heather is one of our Head Nurses at Woodcroft Veterinary Hospital and assists the referral vets with their appointments and surgeries.

Nicola started working with Woodcroft back in 2007 and qualified as a registered veterinary nurse in 2008. During her time she developed an interest in surgery which led to her joining the surgical team at our hospital, when we were based at Queens Road and now in our bigger hospital in Atlas House, Cheadle Heath.

This passion for surgery motivated Nicola to undertake a certificate in anaesthesia in 2014, which she has since used to assist our surgeons in offering the best care for patients undergoing soft tissue and orthopaedic surgeries, amongst other disciplines.

In her spare time Nicola enjoys spending time with her family of 2 children and 2 cavalier King Charles Spaniels. She enjoys walking, going to the gym and socialising with friends.