About Coast

Rob has over 25 years of experience in treating animals with orthopaedic problems. He underwent five years of post-graduation orthopaedic training culminating in him taking Board examinations to become a Diplomate in Small Animal Orthopaedics and subsequently becoming a Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Specialist in 2005. This is the highest level of expertise that a vet can attain in the UK.

Rob Rayward

MA VetMB DSAS (Orth) MRCVS, RCVS Diplomate in Small Animal Surgery (Orthopaedics)

Rob was born and brought up in Sussex and Kent but left the area to gain cutting-edge experience under some of the world’s leading Veterinary Orthopaedic Surgeons. His passion to return home drove him to establish Coast Veterinary Referrals in 2011.

Rob worked as part of the orthopaedic team in one of the largest private referral hospitals in Europe for over 10 years. He holds both the Certificate and Diploma in Small Animal Orthopaedics and then became an RCVS (Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons) Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Orthopaedics in 2005. This is the highest tier of veterinary orthopaedic qualification in the UK.

Lucy Goddard

RVN, DipAVN (Surgical), DipAVN (Medical) Head Nurse

Lucy qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 1994. Lucy worked for 10 years as a referral nurse in a busy multi-discipline referral clinic where she also received further training in anaesthesia; working as part of the anaesthesia team for 3 years. She has gained Advanced Veterinary Nursing Diplomas in both surgical and medical nursing.

Lucy has been involved in the field of continuing education for Veterinary Nurses through lecturing, teaching, and as a contributing author to nursing textbooks. She co-founded Coast Veterinary Referrals in 2011.

Our Professional Veterinary Nursing Team

Philip Harris

RVN NCert(Anaesth) Deputy Head Nurse

Philip started nursing in June 2000 and qualified in 2004 working at the same small animal first opinion practice throughout his nursing career. Shortly after qualifying he became an Assessor and later a Clinical Coach and has been involved with training Student Veterinary Nurses since 2005. He has a certificate in Veterinary Anaesthesia and has a keen interest in surgical nursing and orthopaedics.

Outside of work Philip plays Ten Pin Bowling in leagues and enjoys nature and wildlife photography.

Jessica Wellard

RVN

Jess started her nursing career in 2007 in a mixed practice qualifying in 2009 and then went on to be offered the position of Head Nurse and Clinical Coach. Jess obtained certification in wound management and bandaging and continued to work within small animal clinics as a GP nurse. In September 2021, Jess felt it was the right time to take on a new challenge and having always had an interest in surgery and orthopaedics, coming to Coast was the ideal fit.

Outside of work, Jess takes great joy in spending time with her husband and two daughters, most recently adding a dog to the family. She is known on regular occasions to throw herself on stage for a song and dance.

Megan Holden

RVN

Megan began her nursing career in 2015 and became a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2018, after studying for the Level 3 Diploma at Plumpton College. Megan worked in a mixed practice where she went on to become a Clinical Coach. She then moved on to take on the role of Lead Nurse at a small animal practice.

In May of 2023, Megan decided she wanted to challenge herself and explore her interests in anaesthesia and surgery in a referral practice and joined the Coast Referrals team.

Outside of work, Megan likes to continue challenging herself, having run the Manchester Marathon and most recently the London Marathon.

Kathy Jones

Sterile Supplies Technician

Kathy has a lifelong interest in animal welfare. She previously lived in Essex where she was a volunteer for over 10 years at a dog and cat re-homing centre, also spending many years employed at large boarding kennels.

Kathy has had a variety of jobs since moving to Sussex and is delighted to be working again within the area of animal care. Kathy joined Coast in 2016 and is employed as a Sterile Supplies Technician.