Meet The Team

Simon White BVSc MRCVS.

I graduated from the University of Liverpool in 1986 and went on to work in Norfolk, Bedfordshire, London and New Zealand, before joining White Lodge in 1993, and became a partner in 1995. Within the practice I am involved in all daily duties, both small animal and large. My main passion lies within small animal and equine surgery, and keeping up to date with the recovery progress of all my patients.  

When I do manage to get some time alone, I enjoy skiing, paragliding, scuba diving, water sports, fishing, shooting, and of course horse riding. Alongside this, my family run a small-holding and racehorse recuperation and training facility. So it's safe to say, whether I am at work or home, there's always an animal within arms reach!

Paul Gannon BVetMed MRCVS.

I graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2003, and after 18 months working in West Wales I returned home to Somerset and have been at White Lodge ever since! I became a partner in 2014, alongside Philip, Tom and Simon. I embrace all aspects of traditional general practice, but would have to say my main interests lay within small animal surgery and preventative medicine, as well as obstetrics on the farm side. I have become particularly proficient at TB testing, and widely studied all aspects on intra-handling system behaviour of the bovine!  

My time outside of work is split between my dog and ex racehorse. Old machinery has become a real interest to me in recent years, the long spoken of tractor restoration has taken periodic breaks in favour of an emergency lawnmower rescue! More conventionally, I am a keen cyclist on and off the road, so watch out for me on the strava leader board!

Jennie Scotter BVM&S MRCVS (Part Time).

I qualified from Edinburgh in 2000, and have since gone on to gain 7 years of experience working in a very busy hospital in Hertfordshire - 4 years of which I spent working as a night vet. From working in the hospital, I developed a high interest in ultra sound imaging, and soft tissue surgery.             

Outside of work I spend most of my time with my five year old daughter, who keeps me very fit as well as busy! I have a passion for singing and am a member of the Minehead Choral Society, and the Capel Singers. I also love walking and cycling, and where better to do it with Exmoor right on your doorstep! I am a keen gardener, which really helps with the volunteer work I do for the national trust on the holnicote estate. Oh, and not forgetting my two cats, Amos and Jonah!

Becky Millar BVMS MRCVS (Part Time).

I graduated from Glasgow Veterinary School in 2002 and have worked in companion animal practice since.  I enjoy all areas of small animal practice and am particularly interested in ophthalmology, dermatology and dentistry.  I am currently studying for a GP certificate in ophthalmology.

I love travelling, skiing, scuba diving and sailing most of which are on hold currently whilst I am mum to two little ones.  I'm normally found out and about at various playgroups and swimming lessons as well as enjoying pottering about with them along the mineral line or down at Blue Anchor.

We currently just have one white cat called Marmite (a complicated story) but he has been told to expect to make some more friends soon!

Sonia Ciampalini MRCVS

Sonia is one of our fulltime small animal vets. She graduated from the University of Pisa, and started with us in November 2019 after working in the Midlands for a year.p>

Sonia enjoys all aspects of the job, but has particular interests in soft tissue surgery and cytology (looking at samples of cells under a microscope, often from urine/blood/tumour samples etc!).

Charlotte Wood BVSc MRCVS

I graduated from the University of Bristol in 2022 and after spending time over the previous few years at White Lodge as a student, I was very excited to return as a qualified vet to begin my career. I enjoy seeing a mix of large and companion animals, with particular interests in small animal surgery, equine stud work and general farm practice.

Animals have always been a big part of my life and we currently have four horses and two crazy Dalmatians to keep entertained. If I’m not riding I also keep active wild swimming, running or doing yoga and most recently, surfing.

Courtney Boon MRCVS

We welcome Courtney as our newest member of the team as a full time small animal vet

Courtney graduated from the University of Surrey earlier this year, and has been really enjoying getting to meet everyone and their pets so far. Courtney likes all areas of small animal medicine, but has a particular soft spot for cats and is hoping to have one of her own very soon!

Outside of veterinary Courtney loves getting to explore the local beaches, reading, yoga and you can probably find her in the pub most weekends!

 Lucy Freeman RVN, Head Nurse

I have worked at White Lodge since 2009, and have since become a registered veterinary nurse, I recently gained my Ncert ECC, which is a certificate in emergency and critical care. I aim to give an extremely high standard of nursing care to all my patients, and treat each animal as if it was my own.

Alongside this, I am a qualified clinical coach, so can use my experience and knowledge to help train the student nurses here at White Lodge. 

 At home, I have my big and bouncy Rhodesian Ridgeback called Zarco who is a genuine big, friendly giant.

Laura Dobson RVN. Head Equine Nurse

I first joined White Lodge in 2009, and have since become a qualified Vet Nurse. I now spend most of my time seeing to our equine and farm patients at the Ellicombe Clinic.

I am always busy outside of work looking after my menagerie which includes 2 horses, 3 dogs and a cat. I am often found out on one of my horses and am an avid follower of the local hunts. I am usually deeply involved in organising hunt social events.

Jessica Matravers RVN, Veterinary Nurse

Jess qualified as a Veterinary Nurse from Harper Adams in 2015. She trained at White Lodge for year, and returned to work for us in December 2019. Jess enjoys all aspects of nursing, especially inpatient care and nurse consults, and has recently trained to be our ‘Cat Advocate’ and is on a mission to make both clinics as cat friendly as possible.

At home Jess has both a cat called Baloo (a rescue from work), and Cassie the Border Collie who enjoys training and competing in agility. Baloo and Cassie also both enjoy dog walks! Jess also enjoys the large animal work, and has a flock of pedigree Jacob sheep with her fiancee that she shows (and does quite well with - reserve breed champion with a homebred ewe and a first with a ram at Dunster Show!, a larger flock of commercial sheep and a few pigs.

In the small amount of free time Jess has left, she enjoys riding horses, and is currently trying to plan her wedding too!

Debbie Howe RVN, Veterinary Nurse

Debbie started with us in June 2018 as a student vet nurse and started college that year and has since qualified with flying colours.

Debbie currently enjoys all aspects of nursing, but is looking forward to channeling her knowledge to more specific fields with further training.

Outside of work, Debbie is a keen horse rider, and although is currently sadly horse-less after losing her last horse, she manages to ride other people’s horses instead. Debbie also loves cows, and spends a lot of time helping on the family farm and can often be seen around the area in a tractor!

Debbie has a dog called Diesel , who is a dual purpose pet and sheep dog, although Debbie is currently working on his slight over-enthusiasm with the sheep!

Becky Phippen RVN, Veterinary Nurse (Part Time)

I have recently returned to White Lodge after a break to spend time with my young family. Prior to this, I worked here as a Veterinary Nurse and Head Nurse for many years and am delighted to be back working with the animals. 

I enjoy all aspects of my role, ensuring the animals are well cared for and comfortable during their period of hospitalisation.

Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my 2 children and husband, I also have 2 terriers who keep me fit walking on the quantock hills. 

Katy Brown RVN, Veterinary Nurse

I joined the White Lodge team in 2019 to pursue a career in Veterinary Nursing. I have always been surrounded by animals, and spend most of my time outside of work with the three family horses, Maisy, Bonnie and Bailey. I ride with both my mum and my son over Exmoor which the whole family love. 

Before joining the White Lodge team, I worked as a carer in the local area for 8 years, I really enjoyed feeling as though I was making a difference in the local community.

I have now passed all my nursing exams and am delighted to finally be a fully qualified Veterinary Nurse.

Lena Mason. Student Veterinary Nurse

Danielle Summersgill. Veterinary Nurse Auxiliary

Danielle has been working at White Lodge for the past 5 years.

She completed her VCA qualification and is now an invaluable member of the team.

Danielle enjoys the challenges of both small and large animal nursing and feels very at home around horses as she has several at home to look after.

Outside of work she enjoys Hunting, walking with her dogs and looking after her 3 boys.

Scarlett Cooksley,  Student Veterinary Nurse.

Scarlett is our newest team member, having started with us in July 2020. Scarlett is currently doing her Veterinary Care Assistant (VCA) training, and is now doing her  Veterinary Nurse training.

Scarlett loves working with all animals, and splits her time between the small animal and large animal branches. Her roles include inpatient care, equipment maintenance, and assisting vets and nurses with procedures and surgeries.

Out of work, Scarlett spends a lot of time with horses, and she competes in Stunt Racing UK (STRUK) for team Royal Berkshire. Scarlett also lives with their family pug, Elizabeth Taylor, and three ducks!

Catharine Binding, Practice Manager.

I first started work at White Lodge in 1984. The practice was attached to George Carters home at Whitegate Road. We had an office upstairs and a small waiting room and operating theatre downstairs, the dispensary was in the cupboard under the stairs! We used a garage for lambing and dehorning, and across the yard there were a couple of stables which on occasion were used for cow caesareans.

My role involved assisting the vet with x-raying, operations, making lunches, sending invoices, TB testing, and more! During this time I trained in laboratory techniques and radiology. I am now solely based at Ellicombe, where I manage the financial aspects of all three practices. 

When I do manage to sneak away, in my spare time I enjoy photography. I feel very lucky to live within a National park where I enjoy birdwatching

Amy Pollard, Companion Animal Manager

I started coming to White Lodge for work experience when I was 15, after leaving school, I was offered a full time student placement at this Somerset Vet Clinic alongside Cannington College.

I moved over to the office and reception team in 2017 and love being at the fore front of communication with clients and all their pets. 

I have recently taken on the role as Companion Animal Manager and am really relishing the new challenges this role will bring.

It's great to be a part of the team in a mixed practice, as outside of work I am also involved with animals of all shapes and sizes. I have my own horses, Tom and Ari, as well as dogs, cats and sheep in the family! They all keep me very busy!

Michele Goodall, Williton Branch Manager

I moved to Somerset from Hampshire in 2004, and became part of the White Lodge family in 2013. It's my job to keep the Williton branch running smoothly. Before my time in the veterinary industry, I was the manager of an elderly care service for 22 years. I enjoy meeting the customers and their pets, aswell as keeping up to date with the progress of all our existing customers. The best part? No two days are the same!

In my spare time I enjoy reading a good book, walking in our lovely countryside and gardening.

Emma Buck, Receptionist and R-SQP

I joined the team in May 2017, before this I had many years of experience within a variety of roles in both agricultural and equestrian, including achieving my R-SQP status  (suitably qualified persons) and a BScHons Equine & Human Sports Science. 

Outside of work, I enjoy spending my time bringing on young horses and competing, I also complete regular half marathons and finished the 2019 London Marathon for Rethink Mental Health.

I love working within a busy veterinary clinic as you learn so much and experience new things every day

Natalie Manning, Receptionist 

started working at the busy Minehead clinic in April 2019 and settled in well and really relish the challenge of what each day brings. No two days are ever the same.

Outside of work I am kept busy with my dogs, horses and trying to train my young children.

Nicky Thorne, Receptionist (Part Time)

I joined the friendly White Lodge team in 2015 as a part time receptionist. I am always based at our busy practice in Minehead and enjoy meeting the clients and their pets.

I live on a farm in Kilve and spend my spare time helping on the farm, and walking our three dogs Bonnie, Maisie and Oscar across the Quantocks and along the great coastal paths - occassionally stopping for a cream tea along the way.

It's fantastic being able to gain an insight into the veterinary world at a practice that provides small animal, equine and farm services all across the South West.

Melanie Davies, Receptionist

I joined the White Lodge Reception team in Minehead in May 2022 after spending twenty one years working at a local first school. I welcomed the challenge of taking on a whole new role and I have enjoyed meeting the clients and getting to know their pets. I have found that every day is different and to always expect the unexpected.

Outside of work I play skittles for a local pub team and visit the theatre as often as I can.

Sally Christian, Receptionist

I joined the White Lodge "family" in January 2023 after spending the last 25 years as a full time mum of 4.

I have an adorable labrador called Charlie and a rescue cat called Biscuit.

It is a massive change for me but one that I have jumped straight into and am absolutely loving it.  Meeting people and their pets is something I thoroughly enjoy while getting a puppy cuddle or two is a huge bonus.