Sanderson Vet was founded in 2016, with the aim of offering the highest standards of patient and client care on the Wirral. The clinic was opened in 2017 and is independently owned. The clinic was extended in 2018, 2020 and 2022, to expand the range of facilities and treatments available. The clinic is well equipped with full in-house laboratory, advanced imaging such as CT, endoscopy and arthroscopy, several operating suites and dedicated dental and hospitalisation facilities. Clients have access to RCVS Advanced Practitioners in Surgery, Cardiology and Small Animal Practice.
The clinic is designed to be a low stress environment, supported by 24 hour nursing support. Many of our nurses hold, or are studying for, advanced nursing qualifications to ensure that all pets receive the care the staff would want for their own pet. The clinic is open 7 days a week and covers its own out-of-hours care meaning case continuity and familiarity for clients in their times of need. We are Gold accredited Cat Clinic and Silver accredited Rabbit Clinic.
We are thrilled to announce that Sanderson Vet has been named Wirral’s Best for Pets in 2023! We extend our congratulations to the deserving finalists, as well. We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the readers who voted for their favourites via Facebook, Twitter on the Wirral Globe website and newspapers. Your participation made this competition exciting and gave us valuable insights into the preferences of Wirral’s pet owners.
Meet the Team
The vets at Sanderson Vet have a combined experience of over 60 years in practice. Their combined experience, and synergistic interests, provide a dedicated 24/7 service to the clients of the Wirral and North-West of England. Many of the team have additional qualifications, or are studying for them, making them one of the most dynamic and up-to-date teams around. With access to the very highest levels of equipment, such as on-site CT scanning, the vets have all the tools to treat your pets like they would their own.
As an independent practice the vets work freely to focus on providing their clients with unrivalled veterinary expertise.
Richard, Owner
RCVS Advanced Practitioner in Small Animal Practice
Richard established the practice in 2016, having graduated in 2009 from The University of Liverpool. He is an RCVS Recognised Advanced Practitioner which is an official recognition of a vets particular knowledge and skills in their designated field. He is a VetGDP Supervisor for mentoring new graduates in the profession.
A recognised Official Veterinarian (OV) he is able to issue travel documentation. He holds the RCVS Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice (certAVP) in Small Animal Practice, and also holds a Graduate Diploma in Law, awarded by LJMU Law School.
Originally from Wolverhampton, he is an alumnus of the world renowned Thomas Telford CTC. He is currently completing his Certificate in Small Animal Surgery and his Advanced Certificate in Soft Tissue Surgery.
Our Vets
Tom
RCVS Advanced Practitioner in Small Animal Surgery
Tom graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2004. He is an RCVS Recognised Advanced Practitioner, in recognition of his particular skills in surgery. After partnerships in 2 large referral hospitals he decided to focus entirely on surgery and runs our lameness and neurosurgery clinics. He has a national reputation in musculoskeletal and orthopaedic disease and is one of the most experienced surgeons in his field. His hobbies include surfing and marathon running.
Rui
Rui graduated from Lisbon University, Portugal in 2017, having completed an externship at Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium. After 5 years working in Wales he joined the team, excited to be part of an independent practice. He is studying for a certificate in diagnostic imaging (X-Rays, ultrasound, endoscopy and CT). He enjoys imaging as it allows a non-invasive approach to reaching a diagnosis. Rui is an OV (Official Veterinarian) for issuing of travel documents and can offer consultations in Portuguese, if required.
Marina
Having graduated from Madrid University, Marina completed an internship in Small Animal Surgery before spending some time in Bern, Switzerland. Marina has worked as a vet in the UK since 2000 and has been a part of the team in different roles since 2017. She is happy to offer consultations in Spanish if required.
Chloe
Originally from the Wirral, Chloe graduated from The University of Bristol in 2022. Chloe enjoys surgery and is skilled in laparoscopic surgery. She has recently started her certificate in Small Animal Surgery. She is an OV (Official Veterinarian) for issuing of travel documents and is a trained to assess for BOAS on the KC Respiratory Function Grading Scheme. In her spare time Chloe enjoys horse riding and travelling.
Aixa
Aixa graduated from Córdoba University, Spain in 2019. She is currently completing her Certificate in Small Animal Surgery. She has worked in the UK since 2020 spending a year in the West Midlands and 3 years working in a large multi-disciplinary 1st opinion and referral hospital prior to joining us. Aixa can offer consultations in Spanish, if required.
Antonio
Antonio graduated from Trakia University, Bulgaria in 2014. He has worked in the UK since 2017 spending a year in Warwickshire and 4 years in Yorkshire prior to relocating to the North West. He has a particular interest in developing his orthopaedic surgery skills. Outside of work he has a collection of exotic animals such as snakes and spiders, and can offer consultations in Bulgarian, if required.
Our Nurses
With a combined experience of over 70 years, our nursing team is one of the most capable assembled in the UK. With synergistic interests and key skills, the team works to deliver the highest standards of veterinary nursing care around the clock, assisted by a dedicated team of animal care assistants. Many of the team members are studying towards, or holders of, additional training in nursing and whilst they all have areas of expertise, they all share one common goal: to achieve excellent patient care.
Alex
Alex graduated in 2019 from Hartpury University and holds the NCert in Feline Nursing and NCert in Anaesthesia. She has an interest in Surgical Nursing.
Ali (Student)
Ali is a student at Myerscough College. She holds a City & Guilds in Animal Management, a BSc in Animal Behaviour and a MSc in Marine Coastal Resource Management. Her interests are parasitology and animal welfare. Outside of work she enjoys pole-fitness and walking her dogs.
Ashleigh, Feline Advocate and Clinical Administrator
Ashleigh graduated in 2016 from Middlesex University, and is currently studying for her certificate in Nursing Anaesthesia. She is a Clinical Coach for training new Veterinary Nurses and is part of our dedicated advanced imaging nursing team. After working in hospitals in London and Shropshire, she returned home to the Wirral. She loves all things cat and holds the ISFM Certificate in Feline Nursing.
Cathryn, Head Nurse
Cathryn graduated in 2016 from Bottle Green, and relocated to the Wirral after working in a large referral hospital in the East Midlands. She is currently studying for her certificate in Transfusion Medicine. Her interests include inpatient care. Her hobbies include walking her dog and following the Leicester Tigers.
Emily
Emily graduated from Reaseheath College in 2021. Her clinical interests are exotics, clinical pathology (the lab!) and feline medicine. Her hobbies include looking after her houseplants, and gaming but she is keen to point out she also leaves the house sometimes and goes for a walk.
Hannah
Hannah graduated in 2018 from ProCo. She is a Clinical Coach for training new Veterinary Nurses and is our lead consulting nurse. Her main interests are in consulting and dentistry. Outside of work her main interests are gardening and dog walking.
Kelly
Kelly completed the final part of her training at Sanderson Vet and graduated in 2023 from Coleg Landrillo Menai. Kelly’s main interests are in inpatient care and she loves looking after our most sick patients.
Keri A
Keri graduated in 2008 from Myerscough College, and she holds a Certificate in Emergency and Critical Care. Her main interests are in Emergency and Critical Care and she is one of our dedicated emergency night care team. Outside of work Keri spends much of her time away in her camper van.
Kerry
Graduated in 2006 from Middlesex University she joined us after spells working in large referral hospitals in Cheshire and Hertfordshire. Her clinical interests are opthalmology and diagnostics. Outside of work she enjoys water sports and camping.
Leah
Leah graduated in 2019 from Lite College. She provides regular locum support to the practice across the first opinion and night services. Her clinical interests are in emergency care and looking after our poorly patients during their stay in the clinic.
Leanne
Leanne graduated in 2018 from Middlesex University. Her passion is providing veterinary care to the highest standards and as such loves the Sanderson Vet ethos. She has just sat her exam for her certificate in Medicine. She is a keen rugby player and is often seen running down the wing on her time off!
Lisa
Lisa qualified as in 2011 from Myerscough. She is experienced in working in first opinion practices, multi-disciplinary referrals focused on neurology and ophthalmology and out-of-hours clinics focused on emergency and intensive care. She has worked in exotics practice and has an extensive list of wonderful pets at home including parrots and turtles.
Maddie
Maddie graduated in 2023 from Harper Adams University College. Her clinical interests focus on inpatient care and her dissertation was on vaccination for canine parvovirus in the UK. Hobbies include hiking and beach walking.
Mia (Student)
Mia is a student at Reaseheath College and is just about to start the 2nd year of her training. She is a keen equestrian and currently enjoys orthopaedic nursing.
Rachel
Rachel joined us after graduating in 2022 from Reaseheath College. She has interests in diagnostic imaging and dentistry and is completing her certificate in Dentistry. Her main hobbies are exploring with her dog and taking photographs on the way.
Sara, Practice Manager
Sara has worked for Sanderson Vet since it opened, and graduated in 2021 from Myerscough College, Preston having trained in the practice. Her clinical interests are in surgical nursing, and she is studying for her certificate in Emergency and Critical Care Nursing. She is part of our dedicated advanced imaging nursing team. Her hobbies include dog walking and hiking mountains.
Shelly (Michelle), Rabbit Advocate
Shelly trained here at Sanderson Vet and graduated in 2022 from Myserscough College, and is currently studying for her certificate in Nursing Anaesthesia. Shelly is part of our schedule 3 procedure team and is able to offer surgery such as lump removals and digit/tail amputations. She is interested in exotics nursing and is the practices rabbit advocate. Outside of work she enjoys yoga and baking.
Tara
Tara graduated in 2015 and provides locum services to the practice when needed. She has a passion for providing round-the-clock high standards of veterinary care.
Taygan
Taygan graduated in 2022 from Myerscough College. She is most interested in the pathology (the lab) and particularly enjoys looking at cells down the microscope. In her spare time she enjoys running and netball.