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About Burford Lane Vets

For people who call Lymm and the surrounding area home, a trip to Burford Lane Vets is like visiting old friends.

We may have launched our practice in 2021, but between us, we’ve been practicing in this part of Cheshire for over four decades. Whether we’ve met before or not, we’re committed to designing the best service possible around you and your pet – because that’s how we think veterinary care works best.

The one thing that will stay the same for all of our patients is our level of compassion, which comes from our genuine passion for our patients and their owners.

Our practice is locally owned and managed. We think that makes a difference.

It means we’re always looking for ways to improve our practice to create an even better experience for you and your pet. And it means we’re free to create a service that we believe in.

One way we’re doing that is by embracing technology, offering online booking to make it as easy as possible for you to find an appointment that suits you, and through online enquiry forms, you can order repeat medication, pay bills and chat to our team.

It’s our aim for the pet owners in Lymm, Altrincham and Warrington to call us your practice for life. That’s why we welcome you to pop in and meet us at our practice, located at the former Pets Animal Hotel kennels in Lymm. We’re confident that you’ll be happy to meet our fantastic vets, nurses and support team – whether it’s an introduction or a renewal of old friendships!

Modern facilities

Separate Cat & Dog Wards

Every detail of our practice has been carefully designed to minimise stress in our patients when they visit. If your pet is admitted for treatment you’ll be reassured to know that we have spacious, separate dog and cat wards with soft luxurious bedding to keep them as comfortable as possible.

Minimising stress and anxiety helps to reduce recovery times and boost wellness.

Digital X-ray & Ultrasound

Our digital X-ray suite and ultrasound facilities enable our team to diagnose health conditions and recommend the best course of treatment.

As you’d expect from a leader in canine reproduction services, we use ultrasound on a daily basis to scan pregnant bitches.

Operating Theatre

Our separate, fully equipped, sterile operating theatre means we undertake a wide range of surgical procedures without causing you the stress of having to transport your pet to another veterinary practice - this is just one of the many reasons our clients travel hundreds of miles to see our highly experienced veterinary surgeons.

Onsite Laboratory

As part of the £450,000 investment in creating a practice you and your pet will love, we have a high tech laboratory including hematology and urinalysis equipment - this means our team can give you results in hours rather than days.

Our clients love that we provide them with regular updates via phone and email to keep them informed.

Large Car Park

We have a spacious, free car park for all clients so you can park right outside the door.

Our beautiful location means there is plenty of space to exercise your dog or why not ask one of the team and we’ll direct you to some fabulous local dog walks on our doorstep.

Vet & Nurse using ultrasound equipment on a sedated Cocker Poo

Meet the Team

Dr Rachel Dean

Dr Rachel Dean

Veterinary Surgeon

Rachel graduated from Liverpool University in 1998, and has worked ]in small animal practice ever since, including for eight years at a practice in Lymm, where she progressed to become a partner in the business in 2017. She has also worked as a locum at a variety of practices, furthering her knowledge and experience. She has a particular interest in medical cases such as diabetes, heart conditions and renal problems.

At home she has a border terrier called Ozzie, two house cats, Skye and Tarley, and a smallholding with three ewes – an adventure that won’t be repeated! Her hobbies include walking in the Lake District and singing, for which she is a member of four choirs.

Dr Pieter De Villiers

Dr Pieter De Villiers

Veterinary Surgeon

Pieter moved to the UK in 2002 to pursue a career in small animal practice, after graduating and working in South Africa.

Prior to setting up Burford Lane he worked in North Wales and for The Willows Veterinary Group in Warrington. He is passionate about animal health and believes in his team to provide the best possible outcome for every patient.

He shares his home with food-obsessed cat, Mursen, and walkies-loving corgi, Pippen. Pieter’s hobbies include problem solving, music, logic and environmental sciences.

Dr Sean Cleary

Dr Sean Cleary

Veterinary Surgeon

Sean graduated in New Zealand and spent three years in mixed practice before moving with his family to Warrington in 2002.

He has worked in small animal practice ever since, firstly at Beech House Vets in Warrington, and then as senior small animal partner at the Willows Veterinary Group. He has a particular interest in Shar Peis, and his reputation in the field attracts clients from across the country. He enjoys working in a practice he can call his own, with the freedom to make decisions to benefit his patients and his team.

At home he has a cockerpoo, Tane, and a cat, Maui, as well as five children, who keep him busy as a taxi service!

Dr Niall Armstrong

Dr Niall Armstrong

Veterinary Surgeon

Niall graduated from Nottingham Veterinary School in 2017, and started his career at a mixed practice in Huddersfield. He joined the team in 2023 having gained a postgraduate certificate in diagnostic imaging as well as training in veterinary acupuncture.

At home he has two dogs, Watson the cockapoo and Bramble the lurcher, whose favourite activities are long walks in the Peaks and waking the family up at 5am for breakfast! He enjoys running – sometimes with his young daughter joining in her pram! – and supporting Welsh rugby.

Gemma Scott

Gemma

Head Veterinary Nurse

Gemma qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2005, adding a degree in Zoology in 2012.

She has extensive experience with small animals and exotics, both in general practice and emergency care. She is particularly interested in surgical nursing, radiography and laboratory diagnostics. When she heard of a new independent practice opening in the area, she was eager to get involved.

At home she has Sami the border collie as well as three cats: Layla, Finn and Summer, and enjoys exploring the natural world with her kids, playing the piano and painting watercolor portraits of her pets

Danni

Dannii

Registered Veterinary Nurse

Dannii has been working with animals since leaving school in 2008, and finished her training in 2021 to become a registered veterinary nurse.

She enjoys getting hands on in the role and loves that there’s always something new to learn.

At home she has four lovely cats – Kala, Treacle, Eldin and Shuckle – and she likes to spend her free time playing PC games, experimenting in the kitchen and learning to play the ukulele.

Georgie

Georgie

Trainee Veterinary Nurse

Georgie joined the team having previously worked in a livery yard, as well as a self-employed pet sitter and dog walker, and loves how every day in practice brings a new challenge.

At home she has quite the menagerie, including two rabbits, ducks, chickens and two dogs, Lily the King Charles spaniel and Molly the miniature schnauzer, who both love going on adventures and playing with the chickens! She also has two horses, Buttons and Pearl, and enjoys hacking out with them and getting them ready for competitions.

Max

Maxine

Animal Care Assistant & Receptionist

Maxine has worked as a receptionist for over a decade, having previously worked at Cats Protection.

She enjoys her front of house work, building relationships with our clients and their beloved pets. She has five dogs and four cats herself, and loves spending time with them and her family. Her dogs include Honey the lurcher, Florence and Passion the whippets, Charlie the Yorkshire terrier and Maple, who was rescued from the meat trade in China.

Her cats are Mango, Sage, Onion and Albie. In her spare time she enjoys walking on the beach and exploring forests.

Nancy

Nancy

Receptionist

Nancy studied animal science at the University of Kentucky in the US, and spent time working in admin and accounting after moving to England, before switching back to veterinary nursing and reception work.

She has two Norwegian buhunds, Ted and Jamie, who she shows in conformation classes. She has a particular interest in the breed, and is a member of the UK Norwegian buhund club, and is involved in breeding them.

She also has two cats, Thelma and Louise, who enjoy winding up the dogs! In her spare time she enjoys DIY, gardening reading and needlework.

Louise

Louise

Receptionist

Louise joined the team in 2023, after spending time in other vet practices since completing an animal management diploma in 2020. She loves building relationships with clients and their pets, and helping them to the best of her ability.

At home she has two pugs, Dolly and Cooper, and two cats, Molly and Felix. She enjoys going to music festivals with friends, encouraging her lazy dogs out on walks and supporting Manchester City.

 George

George

Veterinary Student

George is currently studying veterinary science at Liverpool University and is enjoying spending time with the team as his practical placement.

He is hoping to learn from the team and admires how the whole team is working towards the same outcome for the pets in our care, as well as our commitment to providing a personal service to every client and patient.

He has a border collie, Nell, who would make a terrible sheep dog, loving a good chase, but only if the target is smaller than a rabbit! George enjoys playing guitar, running and rock climbing in the mountains, and also volunteers at a local wildlife hospital.

Interested in joining our team?

When we tell our clients that we’re their practice for life we mean it – and that applies to our team members too.

With an experienced team and ambitious growth plans to open a network of practices around the North West, we offer talented vets, nurses and front of house specialists the opportunity to take ownership over how they build their careers, and we support the right people in opening and growing their own practice.

Put simply, there is no career in veterinary practice that our group won’t be able to support, and there’s no role you could imagine that we won’t be able to provide. The future really is that bright, as we build our group across the North West.

If you’re talented, proactive and keen to push your career forward, and what you’ve read here excites you, we want to hear from you.

Get in touch with our team for a confidential, informal chat to find out more about our plans, and how you can fit into them:
Contact Christy Kenyon via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.