The Equivet Office Team

Without the great team work and invaluable service provided by the Equivet office staff, practice life would be almost impossible. You've no-doubt spoken to the team members on the phone, so now you can put a face to the names.

Vicky Mitchell - Senior Practice Manager

Vicky joined our Equivet office team in March 2015.

After completing an equine management course and BHS exams, she spent time working at a riding school in Hampshire.

In 2007 she joined the accounts department at a large specialist equine hospital in Hampshire before moving to Equivet.

Vicky has ridden from a young age and enjoys looking after her 4 Welsh Cobs and her dog. When she has time she competes her ponies in affiliated Mountain and Moorland showing classes.

Katherine Anderson - Practice Manager

Katie began riding as a child, quickly falling in love with it and soon started working for rides at her local riding school at the weekend. She followed her passion for horses by completing a BSc(Hons) in Equine studies at Sparsholt College in 2011. Katy subsequently trained as an Equine Body Worker before moving into the veterinary world.

Katie has previously worked in reception and administrative roles in small animal and mixed veterinary practices subsequently progressing into practice management at Sound Equine in 2022 before joining Equivet as a practice manager in 2023.

In her spare time Katie enjoys going to the cinema, walking, exploring the South Downs with her Irish Sports Horse Jack and pampering her retired horse Harry.

Philippa Lester - Pharmacy and Stables Manager

Philippa joined the Equivet office team in May 2017 and works on a Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

The rest of her week is spent running her competition and breeding yard with her family. Prior to joining Equivet, Philippa successfully ran a large livery yard and riding school in the south of England, before leaving due to ill health. Philippa is also a fully qualified riding instructor as well as a RDA instructor, which means she's often busy teaching in her "spare" time!

Having competed in many disciplines over the years Philippa now specialises in dressage and can be found out and about competing on a regular basis or acting as a groom for her showjumping sons!

Samantha Andrews - Student Veterinary Nurse

Sam graduated from University Centre Sparsholt with a BSc(Hons) in Equine Studies and went straight to work at an RSPCA equine rehoming centre where she pursued her interest in equine welfare and behaviour. You will most likely meet Sam when she comes to assist the vets with various procedures including gastroscopes, lameness examinations and x-rays. While in the office Sam manages the Worming and the Weight Management Plans.

Having initially joined the Sound Equine team as a receptionist in March 2021, an opportunity arose and Sam progressed into the role of Student Veterinary Nurse in March 2022 and continues her studies towards becoming a qualified Equine Veterinary Nurse within Equivet. Alongside her student nursing course, Sam is also undertaking a Level 5 Diploma in Equine Nutrition, which once completed, will qualify her as an Equine Nutritionist.

Outside of work Sam is often found walking her dog Mia or in the show season she can be found competing her rescue mare Mavis, who has been placed at The Royal Windsor Horse Show for the last two years.

Sherri Straker

Sherri joined the Equivet team in 2016 and works on a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Prior to this Sherri was part of the Rivendell Veterinary Group's equine office, working at the Greyfriars' Equine Unit, before the Rivendell Equine and Equivet practices  joined in November 2016.

Sherri was born and raised in Southern California, USA. There she was fortunate enough not only to be raised within a horse loving (and owning) family, but also to be close to the beach. Whilst on the California coast she worked with the horses at home whilst also volunteering for many years with a marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation centre, putting her biology degree to good use.

In addition to animals, water sports and travelling, Sherri's passion is small aircraft and when on her days off from Equivet she is almost always found organising and getting involved in flying and aerial photography.

Laura Morgan

Laura joined the Equivet office team in November 2020

Originally from Switzerland Laura’s passion for showjumping started at a young age.

She moved to the UK as a young adult where she worked in the City for several years before completing a degree in Equine Business as well as her BHS stages, going on to run her own livery yards specialising in producing young horses for jumping and dressage, eventually moving into an instructor role at an agricultural college in Surrey.

When she is not working, riding or walking her three dogs, she is most likely to be found taking part in a classic car rally - a family passion!

Megan Tremlett

Megan joined the Equivet office team in 2022 on a temporary basis whilst covering for maternity. However Megan quickly settled into the swing of daily practice life and before long she became a permanent addition to the team. Megan has a huge amount of equestrian experience having worked on many livery yards and for competition riders in the past.

In her spare time Megan is kept busy looking after her own horses and her dog Lucky

Lauren Medcalf

Fancying a career change, Lauren joined the practice team in October 2023, but was well known to Equivet before that.  

Lauren has fully embraced the challenge of her new role and you’ll most likely see her front of house, in our pharmacy. Changing from working outside has been a bit of a transition, but certainly a welcome one in the winter months.  

Lauren has gained a lot of equestrian experience in her career to date, having spent over 15 years working on busy competition yards in various ways.  

Outside of the practice Lauren can be found working at a pub, walking her 2 dogs, looking after her own horses and eventing in the summer months.  

Amanda Ascott

Amanda joined the Equivet practice team at the end of 2023 after having worked at a local equine referral hospital as a receptionist for 13 years. Prior to that Amanda had an extensive career working for British Airways, this gave her a wealth of experience in helping people who are having a stressful time. Amanda has owned horses for over 25 years, in earlier times she was a dressage rider, but as family life progressed she focussed more on supporting her son’s pony club activities. Inevitably she is left caring for her now grown up son’s two ponies, one of which she rides in between walking the 3 family dogs.