About us

Director and Founder

Helen graduated from Liverpool University in 2006, only to return part –time in 2010 to complete her Diploma In Bovine Reproduction, alongside a 3 year Farm Residency at the University. She has specialist interest in fertility and Beef Suckler management including bull fertility and optimising beef herd efficiency. Helen sees farmer education as an increasingly important part of veterinary work and enjoys organising farmer meetings and focus groups. Helen is a BCVA Johnes accredited Advisor, BVD free advisor and qualified MilkSure Trainer.

Outside of work Helen helps her husband run a mixed beef and arable farm, alongside caring for their young son, Samuel and dogs Tina and Rosie.

EMILY FARROW MRCVS

Veterinary Surgeon

Emily graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2013 and started an internship in farm animal health and production. She worked in mixed practice with a strong farm bias until 2020 where she swapped to solely large animal work. Emily is currently working towards a Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice focusing on cattle medicine and has completed modules in youngstock management, reproduction, husbandry and nutrition. She is particularly interested in dairy nutrition and herd health planning and the vet’s role in improving farm production and profitability. She is a BCVA accredited Johnes Advisor working closely with dairy farms and their lead vets to ensure they are compliant with national Johnes management plans and certification.

Emily lives with her partner Guy and son Joe on a dairy farm which thankfully keeps her Labrador Fenton entertained. Even the spoilt tabbies have well and truly settled into the farm life. Outside of work Emily is a keen violinist and plays with local orchestras and chamber groups.

RACHEL SENNITT MRCVS

Veterinary Surgeon

Rachel qualified from Bristol Vet School in 2014. Originally from the Yorkshire Dales she came back up north and started work in mixed practice in Stokesley. In April 2016 she hopped to the south side of the moors to join our team (formerly at Ryedale Vets) and focus on farm animal veterinary work. Rachel is currently working towards an Advanced Practitioner Certificate covering various aspects of cattle and sheep production. She particularly enjoys herd and flock health planning, youngstock health, and lameness. She is accredited on the Register of Mobility Scorers and has completed training to provide advice on the reduction of lameness in sheep flocks. Rachel is also a qualified BCVA MilkSure Trainer, BCVA Johnes accredited Advisors and BVD free advisor.

Rachel and her husband Will enjoy walking their lively spaniel Bert in the beautiful countryside (ideally with a pub lunch!). She also likes to bake, attempt a bit of gardening, and enjoys relaxing with a good book.

DAN GOLDSTEIN MRCVS

Veterinary Surgeon

 Dan Goldstein started with us at the beginning of 2023. Dan is from Australia where he completed his studies at Sydney University. He has since worked both back home and in the UK (Yorkshire Dales and Cumbria).

Dan has come here to pursue his passion for farm vetting and to live in this beautiful area. His particular areas of interest are cattle fertility and lameness, but as long as he is on farm, he is happy!

JESS KEBBELL MRCVS

Veterinary Surgeon

 Jess qualified from Nottingham University in 2023 before moving to Pickering to start life in practice.

Having grown up near Hull, Jess is familiar with the area and is looking forward to getting out walking and exploring the local history. Farm work was always the end goal for Jess who thoroughly enjoyed spending her final year at vet school seeing as much farm practice as possible. Having just graduated, Jess doesn’t have a particular species bias (yet!) and is looking forward to getting stuck in and meeting everybody.

Jess has already seen some interesting cases and is fitting in really well with the rest of the team.

And she bakes!!

BECKY SKAIFE R-SQP

Becky has been a Veterinary Receptionist for 13 years. In 2010 she qualified as an SQP which means she is able to offer advice on certain vaccines and wormers and help with herd/flock health plans. 

Becky's love of farming started when she was 14 and got her first job on a pig unit. Since then she has worked with beef cattle, sheep, chickens, and dairy cows and can still be found in a milking parlour to this day. Becky has a keen interest in sheep and dairy cattle and would like to train in AI and lameness scoring in the future.

Outside of work Becky enjoys horse riding, dog walking, crafting, photography and spending time with her family and friends.

JO BROOKE

Farm Office & Accounts

Prior to working at Derwent Vale, Jo worked for many years as a Farm Account Handler for a local Insurance Broker, gaining a comprehensive knowledge of the agricultural industry. She has also worked at a mixed veterinary practice as a receptionist and farm administrator. At work Jo is our accounts and TB coordinator.

In the past Jo has looked after her own small suckler herd and also a few sheep. Out of work Jo loves spending quality time with her two children and family enjoying lots of walks and outdoor activities.