Click on the dropdowns below to show our staff details and bios
Andrew O’Donnell BVSc Msc MRCVS
Practice Owner and Clinical Director
Andrew has been at the clinic since October 2010, shortly after graduating from Liverpool University, also acquiring a Master’s degree in Veterinary Infection and Disease Control. He has a keen interest in both surgery and medicine (especially surgery of the skin) and enjoys treating most species of companion animals. Andrew lives near Blaenavon with his partner Róisín, Edward and two rescue cats (Marshmallow & Meatloaf) who turned up lost at the practice. Andrew is proud of having been selectred to carry the Olympic torch in 2012. He spends most of his spare time trying to renovate his old house.
Andrew joined Mike in buying the practice in 2012 from Mr Marshall, who is still fondly remembered by many clients. In 2019 Andrew acquired the remainder of the practice from Mr. Priest and then worked to bring the practice back to independent ownership in 2023.
Rhys Thomas MRCVS
Practice Owner and Clinical Director
Rhys re-joined us in 2023 as Clinical Director after a short period away. He qualified from Nottingham and has spent time working in New Zealand with both small and large animals.
Rhys loves sport – cricket and golf especially
Alice Hendry MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Alice joined us in 2017 after graduating from the RVC in London. She is originally from Cardiff so decided to move back to South Wales after graduating to be close to her family. She particularly enjoys seeing small furries, especially rats, having had several over the years, most recently two boys named Freddie and Brian after Freddie Mercury and Brian May from Queen!
Hannah Hamblett-James BVetMed MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Hannah qualified from the Royal Veterinary College in 2008 and spent many years working in Equine practice before transitioning into small animal practice. She joined us in 2021 and has a keen interest in diagnostic imaging and small animal medicine.
At home she has two dogs, Ivy the springer spaniel and Pudding the Australian Cobberdog, along with Trinity the 3-legged rescue cat. Hannah enjoys walking, cold water swimming, curling up with a good book and gardening.
Emilia Dyl MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Emilia has been qualified since 2020, graduated Veterinary Medicine in Wrocław, Poland. She moved to the UK in 2022 and joined our team in 2023. She has a special interest in Dentistry and is currently working to obtain a dental certificate.
She is a huge cat person, always trying to make appointments less stressful for our patients – is certified as ISFM Cat Friendy Vet Professional.
Outside work she likes online gaming, fantasy books & more actively – skiing! Emily is also a mum of Maximus – the British Longhair.
Filipa Pinto MRCVS PGCertSAS
Veterinary Surgeon
Filipa first joined us in 2023 and she has been qualified since 2017 when she first moved to Wales. She has a keen interest in surgery, but also enjoys investigating medical cases.
Outside work she has a baby boy and a very naughty terrier that keeps her busy.
Lydia Gavrili MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Lydia graduated from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece in 2021. She moved to Wales in 2022 for work. She is interested in exploring different fields of small animal medicine, like internal medicine and soft tissue surgery, and has a weakness for feline patients!
Outside of work, she enjoys drawing, being outdoors, metal music and scuba diving.
Sarah Beard MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Sarah started with us in October 2024, having qualified as a vet many years ago and is firm favourite with many of our clients!
She absolutely loves being a vet and when not working hard is usually to be found covered in mud riding her bike with her Peg the Collie. She also loves cats and has two Orientals named Millie and Monty.
Sarah also has a knack for DIY (particularly wall building!) but not for cooking!
Karen
Practice Manager
Karen started working for us in 2014, having previously worked for the RSPCA as an animal carer. Karen also served 12 years in the Royal Air Force refuelling aircraft and driving multiple different types of heavy goods vehicle. Her work led her to be the first woman in the RAF to drive a 105ft 99-tonne fully loaded heavy lift trailer – well over twice the length and weight of the largest lorry you might normally see on UK roads.
Her service took her to Afghanistan on multiple tours and she received a medal from the Princess Royal for her operational duties.
She started with us as a receptionist and has moved onto practice management. Karen has a cat called Angry Bill and 2 mischievous Whippets called Reenie and Mabel.
Leanne
Reception/Insurance/Admin
Leanne has been with us since 2009 – her role is reception and works in both practices. One of her main roles is handling the insurance claims as well as other office admin tasks. At home her daughter keeps her busy as well as her pets – Penny the sweet rescue cat, a senior cat called Rocky whos a very tempramental torrtie. and a new addition Charlie-Boy the hamster, who is very cute
Maddie – RVN
Head Nurse
Maddie qualified as a Rvn in 2009 after attending Hartpury college, and joined Treforest vets in 2012. She enjoys all aspects of veterinary nursing, but particularly enjoys being in theatre.
She has two border collies named Lola and Morwenna and is often out walking them for miles!
Rachel – Registered Veterinary Nurse
Head Nurse
Rachel has been working with animals for the last 10 years. She decided to join Treforest Vets in 2005 after doing a national diploma in animal care. Rachel loves all aspects of the job but particularly enjoy assisting the vets with operations. Rachel only works part time as she has a daughter and son, two dogs, two ferrets and a horse to look after in her spare time. Rachel says she absolutely loves her job and could not see herself doing anything else!
Rachel became a qualified nurse in 2015 after doing her training with us, shares Head Nurse role with Maddie and has now been with us for an amazing over 20 years!
Lisa – Registered Veterinary Nurse
Lisa has been with us for longer than anyone can remember – she keeps reminding us it’s over 15 years! She finished her Veterinary Nursing course and became a RVN in 2020 and absolutely loves looking after animals. She has rabbits, cats and two dogs – one of whom has epilepsy so she knows all about this condition. In addition to general nursing she enjoys helping overweight pets lose weight
Jamie-Leigh BSc(Hons) Registered Veterinary Nurse
Hi, im Jamie-Leigh I started working for Treforest and Tonypandy Veterinary Clinics in August 2018 after training and working in various veterinary clinics in Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfil and Taff’s well. I had a lifelong dream from the age of 5 years old of becoming a veterinary nurse, so after completing my GCSE’s I decided to study BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Animal Management at Bridgend college, and gained a triple distinction star. I then completed an honours degree in Veterinary Nursing at Middlesex University in 2016. I then completed an oral care nurse certificate, and enjoy dental scale and polishing.
At home, I have 3 cats; Tiggs, Max and Marley.
Nadia – Registered Veterinary Nurse
Hi I’m Nadia and I’m an RVN. I started my nursing journey 19 years ago working in a busy hospital. I joined Treforest Vets in 2021 wanting to work less days to be able to spend more quality time at home with my son and daughter. Veterinary Nursing has been a dream of mine since I was a child. I love all aspects of Nursing but have a keen interest in Radiography and Nurse Clinics.
At home I have a crazy hound and two geriatric cats.
Sam – Registered Veterinary Nurse
HI I’m Sam. I have been qualified for over 20yrs.
I enjoy all aspects of my job and have seen the nurse role change a lot over the years.
I am based at Tonypandy and am known as the cat whisperer.
Outside of work I enjoy taking my dog for long walks in the countryside.
Jodi – Registered Veterinary Nurse
My name is Jodi, I’m an RVN that works at the Tonypandy branch.
I qualified with an honour’s degree in Veterinary Nursing Science in 2017 from Hartpury University in Gloucester. Before this I completed a diploma in Animal Management at Pencoed College.
I love all aspects of the job but caring for hospitalised patients and getting them back to their happy healthy selves is my favourite!
Most of my spare time is spent looking after my two Bichons, Joey and Toby and my two guinea pigs, Walter and Meeko.
My goal within my career is to complete a certificate in anaesthesia.
Ellie – Registered Veterinary Nurse
Ellie has been with us since 2024 and you will find her in both our Tonypandy and Treforest branches.
She absolutely loves being a nurse and has a particular interest in anal glands and anything else of a disgusting nature!
She has a cockapoo named Charlie who is a bit of a princess, plus a cat named Fay and a horse named May, both of whom are also divas!
In her spare time she loves travelling, cooking & eating out.
Kelsey – Registered Veterinary Nurse
Ive been in the veterinary industry for 5 years and qualified as an RVN in January 2026, you’ll find me in both Treforest and Tonypandy clinics. I have a keen interest in laboratory techniques and difficult surgical cases.
I have a soft spot for cats and have a ginger tom called Tango. I also have a tortoise at home. In my spare time I enjoy going to gigs, festivals and love travelling the world!
I’ve always loved helping animals big and small and love rehabilitating wildlife when I can as well. Im looking forward to progressing my career here at TVC with the support of my amazing colleagues.
Becky
Becky joined the reception team in January 2019. She grew up on a farm surrounded by a lot of different animals including, sheep, horses, chickens, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, gerbils and hamsters but she especially loves dogs. She grew up with Irish setters and now has two beagles called Bella and Piper who are very cheeky. She has hand reared quite a few lambs in her time including one called Wilma who ended up living in her house for three months. She loves all kinds of animals and loves being part of the TVC team.
Amy
Amy joined us in November 2019 after 13 years working in the Criminal Justice System, thereby fulfilling a lifelong dream of working with animals. Amy is owned by a beautiful moggy named Maddie. Amy has an obsession with her wildlife pond and is the proud mam of considerable insect life, newts and frogs. She also loves Volcanoes and travelling!
A keen supporter of all animal welfare, Amy has petitioned against animal testing for cosmetics which, with the help of her MP, ended up at the EU Commission in Brussels. Amy also volunteered for 18 months at the Wales Ape & Monkey Sanctuary during the weekends.
Leah
Hi my name’s Leah and I’ve worked as a receptionist at TVC since early 2019. So glad I got into this line of work as it’s made me realise that I really would love to be a veterinary nurse some day. I now can’t imagine doing anything else. I have a beautiful 2 year old chihuahua named Santos and he loves coming to work with me every day and getting spoilt by all the nurses and vets!
Nikki
I’m Nikki, I have worked in Treforest Vets since 2017 and you will find me in our Treforest branch.
I am currently a temporary foster carer for a beautiful moggie named Mittens who I have successfully helped to shed quite a lot of excess weight!
I love all animals particularly dogs – the bigger the better!
At the vets I particularly enjoy focusing on helping the nurses and particularly taking pride in creating keepsake pawprints/nose prints and fur clippings for owners who have sadly lost their pets.
Meg
Sam
I’ve worked as a veterinary receptionist for over 7 years. I have 2 dogs called Twix and Truffle. I also have 2 horses – Beau and Dancer.
My passion is riding and just being around animals. I also love yoga.
I’ve lived in South Wales all my life, but I loved travelling when I used to be an air hostess. Now I like to be at home with my husband and my dogs.
Abbie
A collie-crazy lady with a love for all animals!
I have two Welsh collies called Newt and Roscoe and a Horse called Buffy (yes, after the Vampire Slayer!)
I love 80s music, being outdoors, walking the dogs and being out riding.
Rhys
Rhys has been on the reception team since late 2021. Before that, he managed a popular and busy hotel but left to work with animals. Rhys doesn’t currently have any pets but can tell the difference between a Dog and a Cat on most occasions.
Clare
Jessy
Jess has been with us since 2022, she’s obsessed with all things furry and will love your pets just like they’re her own. She has two adorable, mischievous dogs of her own (Murphy and Finnegan) and enjoys watching reality tv if she’s not busy cleaning up after them.
Kelly
I love my job and what I do, helping your pets and serving too.
I try my best that much is true, I help where I can but I can’t handle poo.
Lexi
Lexi is our newest receptionist and is throughly enjoying the job so far!
You’ll find her in both Treforest and Tonypandy branches. She has 2 lovely dogs named Loki and Thor. She also has a kitten rescued as a stray from the practice called Mila.
