The team at Old Stone Vets has grown steadily since we started in 2005. We are all committed to giving you, the customer the best veterinary service we can. We constantly look for ways to improve our service and facilities, and welcome any comments you have in this regard via our contact page.

Vets

Karl Collins

Karl is the “old man” in the practice now. Jeez!. Graduated from Dublin actually in the last century, he started work as a mainly farm and equine vet in the west of Ireland. Many calvings, caesers, pints and good times later, he ventured across the water at the turn of the century to the UK. After just over a year in mixed practice in Norfolk, where he may have been responsible for some vehicular destruction, he came to the north east for Foot & Mouth Veterinary duties with DEFRA in mid 2001. Lots of locum work in the North of England for the next few years kept him off the streets until in 2005, Old Stone Vets became the main focus of all veterinary attention. Since then with Rachel alongside, Old Stone Vets has expanded to the three site practice it is today, and Karl has an interest in all parts of the practice, from drain cleaning to orthopaedic surgery.

Rachel Collins

Rachel graduated from Edinburgh University and began her veterinary career in Scotland as a mixed practice vet, came down to the south of England afterwards for a few years as a mixed practice vet and locum vet in small animal and equine practices. During Foot and Mouth in 2001, Rachel returned to her roots in the North of England to work for DEFRA. After this, with a newish husband in tow, Rachel continued with mainly small animal locum work in the North of England for a few years until Old Stone Vets had grown enough to provide gainful employment for both Rachel & Karl. Since 2007 Rachel has been the key driver of clinical progression at the surgeries, but still drinks the most watery tea known to man.

Ed Peacock

Ed saw practice with us a student while at Glasgow University. Being a local lad from Catton, Ed wanted to practice his veterinary skills close to home, so joined Old Stone Vets in October 2019. Ed has a clam cool way of dealing with all situations, so clients and their animals are really relaxed in the consult room. Ed has loads of experience in the pub business (both sides of the bar!) having supplemented his way through studies pulling pints in pubs in Glasgow.

Kathryn Hayman

Kathryn joined Old Stone Vets in June 2025 and is working part time mainly form our Stanhope surgery. Kathryn has a wealth of small animal knowledge and experience having worked as a first opinion small animal vet for many years in the North East of England.

Support Staff

Victoria Bowman

Victoria joined Old Stone Vets in 2010, when we opened the Stanhope branch of our practice. Victoria began duties as a receptionist, and has developed into the role of accounts manager alongside receptionist duties. Victoria ensures the office runs smoothly and ensures everyone’s holiday days are sorted, so we all make Victoria coffee every morning. Outside of work at the Vets, Victoria lounges about at home at her main passion in life which is farming pure Dairy Shorthorns at her parents farm in Weardale.

Stephanie Hatton RVN

Stephanie hails from Norfolk originally but has strong links to Northumberland with family & friends here. Stephanie moved here in early 2025 and has started nursing for us in October 25. Stephanie qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) in 2017 and has a young son alongside a menagerie of pets and animals at home, and 2 sheep which have recently made the epic trip from Norfolk up here to the North Pennies. Busy girl!. Stephanie will be overseeing our patient care at Alston.

Michelle Scorer

Michelle joined Old Stone Vets as a receptionist in 2021. Michelle works in all 3 surgeries. Michelle is originally form Scotland and has lots of experience dealing with the public in her many roles before settling with us in Old Stone Vets. Michelle is working towards her AMTRA SQP qualification to be a qualified medicine dispenser.

Fay Bramwell

Fay joins Old Stone Vets team in October 2025. From Westgate Fay has been a client of our vets for years with her boisterous big boy Monty. Monty loves vet biscuits on his visits. Fay has ditched civil service employment to join our little team here and we know she will fit in like has been fo ryears

Holly Whittle

Holly is from Alston and has joined Old Stone Vets team in Sept 2025. Holly has lots of experience for her youthful years in managing a local pub and all the day to day customer requests and catering etc. Holly loves working with animals and has a very calm approach when dealing with clients

Rachel Birnie

Rachel has joined Old Stone Vets in 2023. A born & bred Weardale girl, Rachel has had pets all her life with dogs, ponies, cats & chickens of all shapes & sizes. Rachel works mainly in reception but helps out in all areas of the practice. She drinks decaff coffee but is a live wire when out for a few drinkies!. Rachel is enrolled in the College of Animal Welfare course on veterinary nursing assistant for 2024.

Karina Jones

Karina joined Old Stone Vets in September 2024. Karina has a wealth of experiences in many fields dealing with people and also in University settings. Karina has a passion for border collies, but more to our benefit has a passion for baking. Karina’s cakes are showstoppers of the highest order and puts the rest of us amateur bakers to shame. But that’s ok because all cakes get a home here at the Vets.