Dr John Knight BVSc MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon and Practice Owner
Qualifying from Liverpool University in 2006, John is a competent surgeon, including laparoscopic surgery, and equally experienced at conducting home visits, consultations and running a practice. He has worked with companion animals since graduation, where his softly spoken, compassionate approach has won many fans (though he is far too humble to say so). He particularly enjoys dentistry and is one of those amazing gold-dust people who can make any piece of technology work, so he is also responsible for integrating new technology into the practice. We are lucky to have him, and we know it. To “relax”, John will be found doing DIY or coaxing a reluctant computer to behave.
Dr Emily Knight BVSc MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon and Practice Owner
Qualifying from Liverpool University in 2008, Emily has experience as a companion animal vet in a broad range of roles. She especially enjoys the variety of consulting- at the clinic or visiting- tending to particularly attract medicine and dermatology patients. If you like your vet to explain what is going on and what they can do about it, that is what she does really well being excellent at communicating in an honest and compassionate way. Her attention to detail, planning, and organising skills, combined with thinking-outside-the-box leads us to new ways of doing things- like having a specially adapted 100% electric van! Relaxing is being outside, exploring the beautiful island with Teasel.
Dr Lucy McKinna BVSc MSc MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Lucy qualified in Australia in 2008 and also has a Masters in Infectious Disease Control from the Royal Veterinary College in London. She has worked all over the UK and also in the Middle East so has brought a wealth of experience with her. She has 4 adopted dogs (including the one pictured!) and 5 adopted cats. Lucy originally joined the team as a locum to provide some holiday cover and then liked us so much she decided to stay! Lucy loves all aspects of clinical practice at Wight Vets, especially medicine, soft tissue surgery, ultrasound and dermatology- especially ears! Lucy is passionate about sustainable and ethical feeding.
Dr Emily Windham BVM BVS MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Emily graduated from the University of Nottingham in 2016 and moved to the Island a year later. Her main clinical interests are internal medicine and ophthalmology, but she enjoys all aspects of being a vet and is a good all-rounder. Emily prides herself on her thorough and compassionate approach to pets and their humans. She is passionate about the importance of listening to clients, explaining things well and giving them options. Outside of work Emily enjoys walking her two Labradors, going to gym classes, sailing and baking.
Dr Harriet Bardell BVetMed BSc (Hons) MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Harriet was awarded the Vial De St Bel Medal and the University of London Betuel Prize in recognition of achieving first place in her year and overall for all years of Veterinary Medicine at the Royal Veterinary College when she qualified with Honours in 2025. She also holds a degree in Comparative Pathology from 2021. Her interests cover all aspects of general practice, including neurology and pathology.
She knows the island very well, having grown up and seen practice here. Describing herself as fundamentally drawn to Wight Vets because of the focus on providing contextualised care to our patients. She delivers this with excellent communication skills and compassion. Outside of work, she enjoys musical theatre and walking her dog.
Cath Chalkley RVN
Registered Veterinary Nurse
Cath is an amazing nurse with over 20 years experience of looking after your pets. She particularly loves everything to do with anaesthetics and operations, but can turn her hand to anything and is a super all-rounder. When not looking after her patients she will be walking miles with her beautiful collie “Teagan”.
Diane Chrismas RVN
Registered Veterinary Nurse
Diane qualified in 2001 and has undertaken further study in nursing diabetics, emergency patients, exotics and helping arthritic dogs and cats. These skills are especially utilised during nurse clinics which Diane has a passion for running at the clinic and in patient’s homes. Outside of work, Diane has several hobbies, including cake decorating and crocheting, and walking the many footpaths on the island with her dog Shadow at her side.
Holly Homan RVN
Registered Veterinary Nurse
Is an experienced Registered Veterinary Nurse who qualified from Holme Lacey College in Herefordshire in 2002. She enthusiastically participates in all aspects of the varied work we do inside and outside the clinic. She particularly enjoys working within our close knit team, anaesthetics and getting to know our geriatric patients. She herself has an elderly cat who likes to follow her about the house demanding food!
Maria Thomas RVN
Registered Veterinary Nurse
Maria registered as a Veterinary Nurse in 2021, qualifying from Sparshot. Having previously been a registered (human) paramedic and with a background in customer service, she brings a wealth of experience to the team, particularly with home visits. Particular interests include cardiology, anaesthesia and emergency medicine. She has a gorgeous hound called Douglas and has great skills as a chocolatier.
Cheryl Hickey
Receptionist and Administration
Cheryl is a brilliant veterinary receptionist being super organised and efficient.
Customer service is what she does. She is also masterminding our visit list including grouping our environmentally friendly “Green Visits “. Above you can see her with her beautiful Golden Retriever “Boomer”.
Callie Mansfield
Patient Care Assistant
Callie’s calm and conscientious demeanor combined with her passion for animals makes her a fabulous member of our team. She loves looking after the day patients and we value her being a very capable extra pair of hands at the clinic and out on visits. She particularly likes our in-house laboratory work. Outside work she is kept very busy with her young twin boys and enjoys going on coastal walks with her dogs Genie and Bella.
Lelayna Blacklock
Patient Care Assistant /Receptionist
Lelayna joined our team in June 2023 and has quickly settled into her reception role. Her welcoming smile and calm manner have been well received by our clients and she is an integral part of our team. We especially want to congratulate her on her recent graduation with a masters in Veterinary Physiotherapy after a 4 year degree course. In her free time she enjoys horse riding and walking her Cavapoo, Flossie on the beach.
Louise Downes
Receptionist and Administration
Louise has brought a wealth of scientific and organisational experience with her having previously worked as a microbiologist in the NHS for 34years. Starting out as an enthusiastic client of Wight Vets before joining our team we appreciate her administration skills and calm manner on reception and answering the phone. She has been working with animals in her spare time for many years- now crystalised in her role with Wight Vets. Outside work she enjoys travelling, music, theatre and exploring the island with Maddie her labrador.
“Teasel”
Head of “Meet and Greet”
Teasel is the youngest and most enthusiastic member of the team. Generally to be found snoozing wherever there is a patch of sunlight. She strives 100% to greet everyone, human or animal and make them feel welcome.