Daniel Bell – Veterinary Surgeon
Dan is a co-owner of The Sands Veterinary Practice. He graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2016 following in his fathers footsteps. He worked for a short while in mixed practice in the heart of North Wales until following his passion in small animal practice, moving to Manchester. Shortly after, Dan became a director of his own company, along with his father, providing small animal locum services across the UK until settling down in a practice on the Wirral.
Dan achieved his Post Graduate Certificate in small animal surgery in 2021 and now provides an onsite Orthopaedic and Soft Tissue service as well as travelling to many other practices across the North West and North Wales.
Dan deals with all types of surgical cases, however, has a particular interest in fracture repair, cruciate ligament disease and the management of the arthritic patients. In his spare time, Dan has a keen interest in all sports including Sailing, Skiing and Tennis to name just a few.
He looks forward to offering his very best to his new clients at the Sands.
Fiona Wall – Veterinary Surgeon
Fiona is a co-owner of The Sands Veterinary Practice. She is a veterinary surgeon of 24 years experience having qualified at Glasgow University. She lives locally in Kelsall with her family, husband Stuart and two sons Jake and Charlie.
She loves all aspects of working as a Veterinary surgeon, medical cases and surgery alike. She also practices acupuncture for pets with painful conditions and finds acupuncture a really helpful addition to conventional medicine.
She has a big personality and loves getting to know the pets’ characters, how they tick and what works for them.
She has two Norfolk Terriers, Miss MoneyPenny and her son Nick Nack, a Bengal cat called Roger and a snake called Bertie.
Robyn Elson – Head Veterinary Nurse
Robyn graduated from Harper Adams University in 2009 and attained her Veterinary Nurse qualification in 2010.
She started her professional career in Oswestry, Shropshire. She later returned to her home town of Colwyn Bay, North Wales for 2 years then made the move to Cheshire in 2014 as Head Veterinary Nurse, in a small animal practice.
She has a keen interest in all things general practice offers, building a great relationship with clients and their pets and offering the highest level of care.
Robyn has a passion for the outdoors, and can often be seen walking her Cocker Spaniel Beatrice in Delamere or on her paddle board, Beatrice pride of place at the front of the board.
Danielle Hardley – Veterinary Nurse
Danielle qualified in 2003 and has worked within small animal practice ever since.
In her time away from work she loves family life with her husband and children and spending time on the lake paddle boarding together.
She has a super cute Chihuahua called Charlie and a collection of guinea pigs.
Tabitha Challoner – Veterinary Nurse
Tabitha qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in December 2022.
Prior to working at the sands, Tabitha worked in a veterinary hospital for 2 years and a small animal practice for 3 years.
Tabitha has a special interest in anaesthesia and theatre nursing. She really enjoys her role as a veterinary nurse and the fact that no two days are the same.
In her spare time, she loves going to gym classes, going on long walks in the countryside and spending time with family and friends.
Rebecca Dickenson – Veterinary Nurse
Rebecca qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in May 2023, after working at a range of practices including veterinary hospitals and small branches.
Rebecca hopes to do a certificate in animal behaviour and a short course in physiotherapy.
In her spare time, Rebecca enjoys hiking with her dogs Arlo and Oscar or socialising with friends and family.
Debbie Gilbertson – Client Support Team Leader
Debbie started her career within The Veterinary industry in 1984, as a trainee Veterinary Nurse. Since then, she has held various roles, both in Veterinary Practice and in the industry, spanning over 35 years!
She joins The Sands Veterinary Practice, where she will lead the Client Support team, bringing with her a wealth of knowledge and experience, but most importantly is an expert puppy cuddler!
Debbie is also a Registered Animal Medicines Adviser (RAMA) and is happy to advise you on your pet’s worm and flea treatments.
Any spare time Debbie has, you will find her happily outside in her wellies tending to her menagerie of animals, including Lilly her 12-year old pet sheep.
Michael Griffiths – Client Support
Michael has worked in a client support role within Veterinary Practice for the past 5 years after many years of being in Hotel Management.
He has a great passion for helping people, the health care of their pets and enjoys all aspects of his role.
In his spare time he is always busy working on his small holding, where he has horses, rare breed chickens, a goat and Valais Blacknose Sheep.
His Jack Russell’s are never far away and he has been breeding Ragdoll cats for the past 20 years.
Alice Grindley – Client Support
Alice has worked in the veterinary industry for the last 6 years as a receptionist and also in management.
She always knew she wanted to work in an environment surrounded by animals from a very young age and really feels she’s found her niche working in a client facing role in a veterinary practice as she loves animals and meeting new people.
In her spare time Alice loves being outdoors going for long walks, visiting new places, especially national trust and English heritage buildings (“I’m a sucker for history!”) and spending time her family and friends.