Meet the team

Centre Management

Jack

Centre Director

Director at St Giles Animal Centre. Jack has worked at the Centre with his family since 2010, in-between University courses and travels. In August 2019 Jack purchased the Animal Centre from his parents Bill and Vanessa, he is now running the Centre alongside his brother Tom and a dedicated hard working team. Jack has always had a huge passion for animals, his qualifications include an Animal Science BSc Degree and a Level 6 Diploma in Veterinary Physiotherapy. Jack is always on hand to ensure the site is run to a high professional standard.
Loves travelling and volunteering at other rescue centres abroad.

Laura

Finance Manager and Director of Doggie Day care

Laura is our Finance Manager, overseeing the accounts department of the centre, as well as being the director of  our Doggie Day Care service.  She is Jack and Tom’s sister and also arrived at the Centre in 2010.

Laura has a passion for working dogs. She trained the family’s working Labrador as a teenager and has subsequently gone on to train and work her own canine companions. 

Amanda

Centre manager

Amanda is our Centre manager. She oversees the day-to-day running of the Centre and looks after staff from all departments.
Amanda has two little canine companions of her own, a West Highland Terrier and rescue toy poodle X who was adopted from the Centre after a poorly start. The pair love going everywhere they can with her to explore!

Alice

Site Manager

Alice is our site manager, beginning as an apprentice before progressing onto supervising and now management.  Alice works with both our rescue and boarding residents, ensuring that their stay with us is always of the highest standard.

Alice can often be found spending quality time with those extra nervous animals at the centre, helping them to gain confidence and build a strong relationship of trust.

Veterinary Team

Sarah

Veterinary surgeon

Sarah is our full-time veterinary surgeon at the centre. Originally from Manchester, she qualified at Bristol University in 2007. Over the years she has gained a wealth of experience and knowledge in the veterinary field.

Sarah has a real passion for rescue animals and an interest in canine behaviour, she known for her wonderful way of helping build confidence and trust with animals from all different backgrounds. Sarah is known for fostering poorly or very young animals that come through and has even ended up adopting two – a sweet, cheeky yorkie cross, who she was rehabilitating, and a gorgeous Bengal cat that was extremely poorly upon arrival. Sarah works every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and every other Saturday morning.

Nicola

Veterinary surgeon

Nicola is our part time veterinarian. She qualified from Bristol University in 1986 and, with over 30 years of experience in the veterinary field, there isn’t much Nicola hasn’t seen.
Nicola is currently completing a course in Veterinary Acupuncture, she has a real passion for holistic therapies.

Nicola  has a smallholding that keeps her very busy and a passion for working dogs and horses. She has an array of gorgeous cats including a comical little domestic short hair called Betty that she adopted from the centre in 2019. Nicola will be at the clinic on Wednesdays and every other Saturday morning.

Allison

Allison

Registered Veterinary Nurse

Allison, our head nurse is very caring and a huge animal lover, with many of her own pets ranging from horses to dogs. Allison is a very experienced nurse, with many years nursing under her belt, she is always happy to offer advice and care for your pets.
Allison is a very experience animal handler, some of her dogs compete at Crufts. Allison also has a large knowledge base regarding grooming and breeding.

Shelly

Veterinary Receptionist

Shelly has the fantastic job of greeting all of our patients once they enter the practice. She is our full time experienced receptionist making sure everyone is looked after before and after their visits.

I live in a small village on the edge of the Quantocks on a smallholding. I keep sheep, chickens, ducks & have turkeys for Christmas. I also have a young Spring Spaniel, three cats & four tortoises. I grow fruit & veg which keeps me busy at harvest time plus an apple orchard where I make cider at the end of the year.

Skye

PRACTICE MANAGER & REGISTERED Veterinary Nurse

Skye, our full time veterinary nurse, is always on hand to offer a warm welcome and she loves all animals great and small. She began her journey with us as a veterinary care assistant before progressing to fulfil her dream,  qualifying as a RVN in early 2021.

Skye has a huge passion for cats and, in her spare time, will often be found assisting with the socialising of the onsite rescue cats and doing all she can to resist taking them all home!

Pet Physiotherapies

Jack

Veterinary Physiotherapist

Jack is a qualified Veterinary Physiotherapist, registered with the Association of Animal Therapists (IAAT). Jack will perform treatments on small and large animals to improve mobility and performance, he also has an interest in post-operative rehabilitation, suitable for companion and high-level athletes.

Jack is always expanding his knowledge in the therapy industry.

Pet Boarding Team

Alice

Site Manager

Alice is our newly appointed site manager, beginning as an apprentice before progressing onto supervising and now management.  Alice works with both our rescue and boarding residents, ensuring that their stay with us is always of the highest standard.

Alice can often be found spending quality time with those extra nervous animals at the centre, helping them to gain confidence and build a strong relationship of trust.

Jack

Senior Allocations Coordinator

Jack is one of our supervising team, overseeing our boarding site, and helps settle your pets in for their holiday. Jack has built up wonderful bonds with many of our boarding dogs who, you can tell, are always excited to say hello to him on arrival.
Jack is a big large breed fan and is desperate to one day be able to have one to call his own. In 2017 Jack spent several months travelling around Australia visiting all the tourist spots and hidden gems the country has to offer!
Leanne from St Giles Animal Centre Pet Boarding

Leanne

animal care assistant

Leanne has been at the centre since 2010. She has a huge passion for cats and is normally found in the cattery looking after all our boarding and rescue cats.
Leanne has several cats of her own, all of which are rescues. She also often acquires strays who make their way to her. A true cat whisperer!
Amber from St Giles Animal Centre Pet Boarding

Amber

animal Care AssistAnt

Amber originally came to us for work experience in 2016 before returning as an animal care assistant following the completion of her diploma in 2018. Amber has a calm, gentle approach and is also experienced with small animals, often looking after our small furry guests!

Amber has a lot of experience with small animals.

Zoe

ANimal Care ASSISTANT

Zoe joined the team in mid 2021 as a bank team member of our animal care assistant team. 

Zoe has a strong passion for animal care and welfare and will often be found playing with our boarding customers in our paddocks.

Charlene

Animal CARE ASSISTANT

Charlene is a member of our animal care assistant team, and joined us in 2021. 

Charlene has over 20 years experience working in animal care. 

Pet Grooming

Jade from St Giles Animal Centre Pet Grooming

Jade

groomer

Jade began her journey with us in 2016 as an apprentice before moving to our grooming team. Jade has her level 2 grooming qualification and is hoping to complete her level 3 very soon.
Jade has a busy home life and spends much of her time out with her family, friends and little boy in the local area. Jade is known as somewhat of a perfectionist – perfect for the eyes of a groomer!

Pet Training

Komala

Senior Animal Handler

Komala joined the team in 2021 as our training & behaviorist here at the Centre. She has completed her canine psychology course to distinction level, an in-depth puppy development and training course through The School of Canine Science, as well as the 30 Days of Canine Science course that focused on the theory and application of dog training. She also has experience working in a kennel setting in canine care and behavior. She a great asset to the team and works very closely with our Rescue animals.  

Aidan

Dog Trainer

I grew up around sports dogs and police dogs as my Dad was an instructor in West Yorkshire police dog section and judge in high level dog sport. When he retired, we moved to East Devon where my parents ran a boarding kennels and cattery. When I was around 14, I began learning and getting involved in IGP dog sport and became obsessed with dog behaviour and training. My notable achievements in the sport include being an A-licensed ‘decoy’, winning the 2022 FCI World Championship Qualification event, and representing Great Britain at the 2023 WUSV World Championships. 

Since obtaining my Master’s Degree in Animal Behaviour from the University of Exeter, I have worked in various roles in the Canine industry, including being a boarding kennel manager, dog trainer for various businesses, and handling dogs for film and tv. I have helped many owners with behavioural modification, run training classes for puppies, adolescents, rescue and reactive dogs; as well as residential programmes. 

Doggie Day Care

Sophia from St Giles Animal Centre Doggie Day Care

Sophia

Manager

Sophia is our doggy day care manager. Sophia oversees the day-to-day running of our day care department. She has been at the centre for several years now.

Sophia has a growing family at home. She has a huge love of animals and is fantastic with the day care dogs – they all love her! She can often be found having fun taking our boarding customers for their extra walks during their stays too

Carly from St Giles Animal Centre Doggie Day Care

Carly

Day Care Assistant

Carly joined the day care team in the summer of 2019. She completes the collections throughout the local villages and also assists with any extra walks for our boarding dogs.

Carly is very experienced with dogs of all breeds and sizes and we are so happy she has joined our busy day care team. Outside of work Carly has a selection of animals including dogs, horses, cats, quails, chickens and more!

Abby

Day Care Assistant

Abby started in April 2022, and collects dogs from within Taunton and the surrounding area. She gained my animal care level 2 qualification from City of Bristol College this year.

Abby has reptiles, goats and chickens as well as dogs.

Individual Pet Cremations

Celtan

Cremation Manager

Celtan is our Cremations manager and has been a member of the team since 2021.  Celtan has a wonderful kind nature, always going above and beyond.

Celtan has a love for bull breeds, growing up with Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and American Bulldogs. 

Ana

Animal Enforcement Officer

Ana joined the St Giles team in May 2021, and has become a huge member of the team.  Ana has a caring and empathetic personality, helping to support. 

Ana has previously spent many years working in a range of animal care environments, including in rescue, and currently has two rescues of her own. 

Lisa

Cremation Assistant & Dog Warden

Lisa joined as cremation and dog warden assistant in 2024. Also she helps out other areas of the site when needed.

Lisa has spent many years working in animal care. Lisa enjoys exploring Somerset with recent rescue dog ‘Alfie’ and working on his social skills.

Aidan

Cremation assistant & Dog Warden

I grew up around sports dogs and police dogs as my Dad was an instructor in West Yorkshire police dog section and judge in high level dog sport. When he retired, we moved to East Devon where my parents ran a boarding kennels and cattery. When I was around 14, I began learning and getting involved in IGP dog sport and became obsessed with dog behaviour and training. My notable achievements in the sport include being an A-licensed ‘decoy’, winning the 2022 FCI World Championship Qualification event, and representing Great Britain at the 2023 WUSV World Championships. 

Since obtaining my Master’s Degree in Animal Behaviour from the University of Exeter, I have worked in various roles in the Canine industry, including being a boarding kennel manager, dog trainer for various businesses, and handling dogs for film and tv. I have helped many owners with behavioural modification, run training classes for puppies, adolescents, rescue and reactive dogs; as well as residential programmes. 

Welfare Office

Gemma from St Giles Animal Centre Pet Boarding

Gemma

Welfare Coordinator

Gemma days involve assessing animals from their arrival, before matching them up and finding them their new, forever homes. 

Gemma also has experience assisting in a grooming salon which gave her the push to pursue her dream of working with animals full time and her wish to gain qualifications in animal care and husbandry!.

Tara

Welfare Coordinator

Tara’s days involve assessing animals from their arrival, before matching them up and finding them their new, forever homes. 

Tara loves animals and her passion for all of them comes through in her care in her work.

Lin

Rehoming Coordinator

Lin started volunteering in 2015 started doing fundraising then progressed in to helping out in the rescue office Lin is now our rehoming co-ordinator and always happy to help.

Lin has been volunteering at St Giles now for 9 years, she likes to help out any way she can weather its doing home visits, Admin, fundraising or fostering

Lin has a strong passion for animal care and welfare.

Mel

Marketing & Fundraising Coordinator

Mel is head of Marketing and Fundraising for the Welfare, responsible for the all our social media channels, website, promotion, events, corporate events and education sessions. She works closely with the Welfare team to provide support whenever needed.

Mel is very passionate about her role and loves working with the Welfare team. She has 2 fur babies of her own (Jack and Layla) – both are rescue!

Sam

Social Mentor Lead

Sam has worked for St Giles Centre since 2020, learning various skills and being involved in all aspects of Centre life. She is also a qualified teacher and drives our enrichment programme and is passionate about making a difference to SEN learning. Her current titles also include site supervisor and animal care assistant.

Sam has adopted a cat and a dog from St Giles Animal Welfare. She is very dedicated to her work and is a big part of the St Giles Family.

Mark

Volunteer Coordinator & Social Mentor

Mark is a qualified teacher and spent 15 years working as a class teacher and then an assistant head in a large primary school in Hertfordshire. He is also an Ofsted registered childminder providing before and after school care  to the children in his local village. Mark has worked independently as a dog walker for the previous five years.

At home Mark has a number of different pets including a rescue dog, giant African land snails, cold water fish, a rat and two guinea pigs. In his spare time Mark and his eldest daughter are season ticket holders at Wycombe Wanderers FC and at Somerset Cricket Club.

St Giles Animal Centre Snap-shots