
The Penrose Veterinary Group
At Penrose, we know your pet is a much-loved member of your family – and they deserve the very best.
70 Brinkley Lane, Highwoods, Colchester, Essex, CO4 9XE
Out of Hours: Vets Now – Highcliff Vets, Manningtree: 01206 3355 910
Opening Hours:
Mon: 8:30 – 18:30
Tues: 8:30 – 18:30
Wed: 8:30 – 18:30
Thurs: 8:30 – 18:30
Fri: 8:30 – 18:30
Sat: 9:00 – 12:00
Sun: Closed
Out of Hours Practice:
Vets Now – Highcliff Vets, Manningtree
Learn More About The Penrose Pet Healthcare Plan
The Penrose Pet Healthcare Plan makes routine care simple, stress-free, and affordable.
Find out how you can spread the cost of your pet’s essential healthcare while enjoying exclusive benefits.

Prices for Dogs
£52.50
Pet Healthcare Plan Member Price
Free
£60
Pet Healthcare Plan Member Price
Free
£90
Pet Healthcare Plan Member Price
Free
£28
Pet Healthcare Plan Member Price
Free
From 25.99
Pet Healthcare Plan Member Price
From 25.99
Prices for Cats
£52.50
Pet Healthcare Plan Member Price
Free
£60
Pet Healthcare Plan Member Price
Free
£90
Pet Healthcare Plan Member Price
Free
£28
Pet Healthcare Plan Member Price
Free
From £25.99
Pet Healthcare Plan Member Price
From £25.99
Services
Welcome To Penrose

We provide exceptional veterinary care, delivered with compassion, integrity, and a genuine commitment to keeping your pet happy and healthy for life.
Penrose is a well-established practice serving Colchester and the surrounding areas. Our dedicated team of highly-experienced vets are supported by a skilled team of dedicated veterinary nurses and support staff.
Accredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) as a Small Animal General Practice and approved as a Training Centre for veterinary nurses, Penrose Vets is committed to clinical excellence and ongoing professional development.
Our spacious, modern practice includes a large private car park, a roomy waiting area, and a separate waiting space for cats. We’re equipped with advanced tools allowing us to offer both routine and more complex care on-site.
Above all, we pride ourselves on delivering gold-standard care and building trusting, empathetic relationships with pet owners. At Penrose, your pet is in safe, experienced, and caring hands.
Feedback From Our Clients*
*[sic]
Meet Our Team
Christopher Goetschel BVetMed (Hons) MRCVS
Clinical Director & Veterinary Surgeon

Chris graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in London in 2014 and joined the Penrose team in 2016. He became Clinical Director in 2021 and is currently working towards a certificate in Veterinary Cardiology to become an Advanced Practitioner. Chris has a particular soft spot for cats and shares his home with two of his own. Outside of clinical work, he also chairs the Penrose badminton society.
Kelly Jane Phillips RVN cSQP
Head Registered Veterinary Nurse

Kelly has been part of the Penrose team for 28 years, and has served as Head Registered Veterinary Nurse for the past 12 years. She particularly enjoys all things theatre and anaesthesia, and brings a calm, capable presence to every surgical day. At home, Kelly has a cat and a dog who keep her busy outside of work.
Carol Ford RVN cSQP
Deputy Head Registered Veterinary Nurse

Carol always dreamt of becoming a veterinary nurse and has been a qualified Registered Veterinary Nurse at Penrose Vets since 2000. She enjoys all aspects of nursing, with a particular interest in inpatient care, radiology, and mentoring student veterinary nurses. Over the years, Carol has had many pets and currently shares her home with a bouncy Cocker Spaniel and a cat – the best of friends.
Katie Charlotte Pettit BVetMed MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon

Katie has been part of the Penrose team since 1997, following two years in mixed animal practice in Norfolk. She enjoys all aspects of small animal work, particularly medicine, surgery, and ultrasound, and has a special interest in caring for diabetic patients. Katie lives in Suffolk with her husband, two daughters, a spaniel, two cats and a tortoise.
Jacqueline Terrie Pearson BVSc MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon

Jackie is the surgical lead at Penrose and brings over three decades of experience to the team, including 28 years at the practice. She has a particular interest in orthopaedics and advanced surgical procedures, and is passionate about using her skills to make a real difference to the lives of pets, their owners, and even wildlife. Outside of work, Jackie enjoys getting outdoors with her husband and their two dogs – a Westie and a Border Terrier – and relaxing at home with her two cats.
Joanna Halina Prochaczec Rodak MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon

Joanna graduated from Wroclaw University in Poland in 2003 and moved to England shortly afterwards. She joined a small animal practice in Essex in 2004 and a few years later became part of the Penrose team, where she has remained ever since. Joanna enjoys all aspects of small animal practice, with particular interests in surgery and diagnostic imaging. In 2009, she completed training in acupuncture and now offers this complementary therapy to help support her patients’ recovery and wellbeing. Outside of work, Joanna enjoys spending time with her family and their energetic Cocker Spaniel.
Charlotte Westgarth BVMedSci BVM BVS MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon

Charlotte graduated from Nottingham Vet School in 2018 and enjoys all aspects of life as a small animal vet. She has a particular interest in internal medicine and is currently studying towards a certificate in the subject. Outside of work, Charlotte loves cooking, playing games, getting creative with art, and heading out on walks with her Cockapoo, Poppy.
Eva Torres Briegas MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon

Eva graduated from the University of Extremadura in 2020 and joined the Penrose team in 2025, bringing with her valuable experience in emergency and critical care. She has a particular interest in emergency medicine, surgery and imaging, and is passionate about delivering calm, confident care when it matters most. A cat lover through and through, Eva is looking forward to welcoming one into her home soon.
Georgina Watson BVetMed MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon

Georgina joined the team in 2022, having qualified from the Royal Veterinary College in 2018. She spent her early career in a small animal practice in Kent before completing a rotating internship at Southfields Veterinary Specialists. Georgina is particularly interested in internal medicine, with a soft spot for endocrinology. Outside of work, she enjoys running and life at home with her two mischievous rescue kittens, Del Boy and Rodney.
Claire Marie Joanne Groves RVN cSQP
Registered Veterinary Nurse

Claire Marie has been part of the Penrose team for 23 years and qualified as a veterinary nurse in 2005. She has a particular interest in anaesthesia and dentistry, and is passionate about providing excellent clinical care. Outside of work, she enjoys dance classes and spending time at home with her family, which includes two dachshunds, Fliss and Stanley, and two cats, Moe and Elliot.
Emily Victoria Redfern RVN
Registered Veterinary Nurse

Emily has been part of the Penrose team since 2011, having completed her student veterinary nurse placement with the practice. She enjoys the opportunity to care for animals every day and is especially passionate about giving each patient the attention they deserve. At home, Emily is kept busy with her rabbits, two dogs, and a large collection of ornamental fish – some of which regularly compete in shows.
Fiona Caroline Russell RVN cSQP
Registered Veterinary Nurse

Fiona joined the Penrose team in 2016 and enjoys all aspects of veterinary nursing, with a particular interest in feline medicine. She is also a Suitably Qualified Person (C-SQP), supporting the team with medicine dispensing and advice. When she’s not cuddling or caring for cats, you’ll likely find her cruising the canals and exploring the countryside aboard her narrowboat.
Victoria Renshaw Dip RVN C-SQP
Registered Veterinary Nurse

Vicky qualified as a veterinary nurse in 2016 and joined the Penrose team in 2020. She enjoys running a wide range of nurse consultations, including claw clipping, flea checks, senior pet clinics, weight management support, and guidance for new puppy and kitten owners. Vicky is also a l Suitably Qualified Person (C-SQP), allowing her to advise on and dispense certain veterinary medicines. She enjoys working in the pharmacy and managing stock and ordering. At home, she shares her life with two pugs, Bob and Peggy, and three cats who keep her equally busy!
Heather Lyon RVN
Registered Veterinary Nurse

Heather has been part of the Penrose nursing team since 2021 and is often joined at work by her beloved dog, Toto. She enjoys the variety that nursing brings and has a fondness for nature, baking, and travel—always with a splash of purple nearby.
Rebecca Frost BSc (Hons) RVN cSQP
Registered Veterinary Nurse

Rebecca holds a degree in Zoology from the University of Reading and went on to train as a veterinary nurse in London. She has been part of the Penrose team for seven years and particularly enjoys anaesthesia and caring for hospitalised patients. At home, Rebecca lives with Milo the Boxer, Ralph the Springer cross, and a cat named Pig.
Katie Jarvis RVN
Registered Veterinary Nurse

Katie qualified as a veterinary nurse in 2020 and joined the Penrose team in 2024. She enjoys all aspects of nursing, with a particular strength in inpatient care. Practical and hands-on, Katie looks after the practice gardening and DIY projects. At home, she shares life with her cat Arthur, and outside of work, she can often be found tinkering with cars – or her most recent addition, a tractor.
Maxine Watson cSQP
Auxiliary Nursing Assistant

Emma Louise Barrell
Auxiliary Nursing Assistant

Our auxiliary Emma has been part of the Penrose team since 2014. A lifelong animal lover, she’s cared for everything from chickens and ferrets to horses. Emma plays a vital role behind the scenes — always ready to lend a hand, take on any task, and keep things running smoothly for the whole team.
Jessica Napolitano BSc (Hons) SVN
Student Veterinary Nurse

Jess joined Penrose in 2023 as a student veterinary nurse and is now nearing the end of her training, building on an earlier degree in wildlife conservation. She’s passionate about animal welfare and shares her home with a pug named Delilah and a cat named Samson. When she’s not at the practice, Jess enjoys paddleboarding, kayaking and heading off on adventures in her camper van.
Sarah Deal
Client Support Administrator

Stella Tester
Client Support Administrator

Stella joined the Penrose team four years ago as a Client Support Administrator and keeps the front desk running smoothly with calm efficiency — skills honed during her time managing a petting zoo in Stoke-on-Trent. She’s a devoted dog mum to Nina and loves being part of a team that’s passionate about caring for animals.