The Team

                                                                                                                                                                        A note from Chris

Since growing up on a training yard witnessing the huge benefit of the close-knit relationship between my parents and their vet, I’ve been passionate about leading a veterinary team in delivering the very same considerate, personalised service with kindness at its foundation.

Whilst team members have come and gone I’ve concentrated on recruiting the most brilliant and friendly vets, nurses and receptionists to work together to provide such a service.

We believe that the best outcomes for you and your animals are achieved by developing a mutually trusting relationship from their first vaccination to their sad final day. We treat your animal as if it is one of our own and you as a vital member of our team.

We’re generous with our time and knowledge when things go wrong knowing that it is the best way to get them back in action as quickly as possible. Everything we do is focussed on keeping your animal on the road so that you both get to benefit from the full enjoyment of that special relationship that only those that have animals can truly understand.

Dr Chris Tufnell - MRCVS

Having been brought up on a busy racing yard and a childhood in Pony Club Chris always wanted to be a vet.

After a lengthy route that found him running a dairy farm and a safari camp in Zambia, Chris finally became a vet aged 30!

He joined Coach House in 2000 and has developed particular interest in lameness investigation, feet and the care of older horses and ponies. 

Away from the practice Chris is a trustee of World Horse Welfare, has worked with charities in Africa and India and has been a member of the Council of The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). He was RCVS President in 2016/17. 

Chris is married to Nicky and when not working life is more than fully occupied by their two sons, Harry and Hector and their dogs, cats, sheep and chickens!

Mobile: 07879 474948 

Email: chris@coachhousevets.com

Dr Mateus Forni - MRCVS

Born and raised in Brazil, Mateus Forni moved to the UK as a teenager.

He graduated from the University of Surrey in 2020, and joined Coach House Vets in April 2022 after completing an internship at a busy equine hospital in the South East of England.

Despite not growing up around horses, Mateus learnt to ride as a kid and developed a strong interest in equine medicine during vet school. He is particularly interested in emergency and critical care, poor performance, dentistry and surgery.

Outside of work Mateus enjoys travelling, following horse racing, and chilling with his dog Dumpling and cat Squid. He is also a very keen football fan!

Dr Phill Robinson - MRCVS

Phill qualified from the Royal Veterinary College in 2007.

He may also look familiar as he featured in Paul O’Grady’s For The Love of Dogs. He spent four years at Battersea before moving to Hampshire, making Whitchuch his home.

Phill has been with us looking after the small animals since 2018. Phill likes his orthopaedic surgeries and working face to face with clients and their pets.

In his spare time enjoys fishing, model trains and camping with his wife, son and dogs!


Email: phill@coachhousevets.com

Dr Niamh Borman - MRCVS

Niamh Graduated from the University of Surrey in 2022 and has worked at Coach House as one of our small animal vets ever since. 
She grew up in Sussex but has experienced living in both France and America which unlocked a real love of travelling and exploring new areas. 
She enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine but particularly enjoys surgery, imaging and getting to know our lovely clients and their pets. In her spare time, Niamh enjoys gym classes, skiing and curling. She loves walking her cheeky dachshund, Nell  with her family.            

Gabby Copping - Head Nurse RVN

Gabby joined Coach House in 2023 having previously worked in a busy referral hospital. 

She has an interest in anaesthesia and has done an anaesthesia certificate and enjoys working with both horses and small animals at the practice.

Outside of work Gabby enjoys baking, clay pigeon shooting and days out with her husband and son.

Beth Cooper - Management Assistant RVN

Beth has worked at a range of referral and first opinion practices before joining Coach House in 2016.

Beth was one of our RVNs before she went on maternity leave but returned to a different job role and helps with nursing when needed!

Beth enjoys nursing emergency and critical care patients back to health and doesn’t mind battling a fractious cat when they come in! 

Beth outside of work enjoys spending time down the allotment or going out in their campervan to go paddle boarding with her husband, son and cocker spaniel.

Emma Iremonger - Admin Manager

After working at Dogs Trust as the Admin Manager, Emma joined the Coach House Vets team.

Coach House Vets work with Dogs Trust Newbury 4 days a week which is beneficial for both companies. While working at Dogs Trust, Emma adopted Dolly so knows plenty about the adoption process! Dolly joined Emma’s other two dogs, Sheldon and Percival – if you hadn’t already guessed, Emma’s a huge dog lover! 

When not at work, Emma loves long walks, cooking and tap dancing. 

 

Becky Ind - Reception Team

Becky joined the team in 2021 working with Emma as part of our reception team.

Becky has always owned horse and runs her own yard, she’s our go to for equine queries! Becky has two cute dogs called Bella and Twiggy who keep her active. As well as spending time with her horses, Becky loves mountain climbing, playing chess and dabbles in French horn. 

Jess Boswell-Smith - Nursing Assistant

Jess joined us after A-levels and will be heading off to university this year to start her veterinary nursing degree. 

She spends her free time playing football for her local team, as well as supporting her favourite team, Dundee United. Jess is also a keen snowboarder and likes chilling out with her six dogs!

Clare Smith - Nurse RVN

Claire works part time at Coach House as an RVN.
 

When not at Coach House, Clare runs her own Pet walking/sitting company which fits perfectly around her family lifestyle, and she loves to get her step count up by walking the dogs! Clare used to work at Dogs Trust as a Vet Nurse as well as Practice Manager at her previous veterinary practices. Clare’s used to caring for a variety of animals including her pet chickens, cat and beautiful dog, Pesto.