Dr Jacqui Ley

Dr Jacqui Ley was the inaugural Hills TM Resident in Veterinary Behavioural Medicine.  She graduated from the University of Melbourne in 1995 and worked in companion animal practice in metropolitan Melbourne.  While studying, she recognised veterinary behavioural medicine as an area that brought together her interests in animal behaviour, animal training and the functioning brain.  She obtained her membership to the Veterinary Behaviour Chapter of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (ANZCVS) in 2000.  Dr Ley completed her PhD, through Monash University, describing a model and building a questionnaire for assessing canine personality.  She has also described the factors that affect the relationships between an owner and their dog.  Other research interests include the human-animal bond and factors affecting this, tests for measuring fear and other behaviours in dogs and the social relationships in dogs and cats.  She was a tutor for the Graduate Certificate in Animal Welfare at Monash University. 

In 2011 she became a diplomat of the European College of Animal Welfare and Behavioural Medicine - one of two people to hold this qualification in Australia.  Jacqui was awarded a Fellowship to the ANZCVS in the Chapter of Veterinary Behaviour at Science Week 2013.  She sees behaviour cases on a regular basis at MVSC.

Lauren

Lauren joined the MVSC team in April 2013. Lauren has completed a Certificate lll in Animal Technology. Lauren is very passionate about animals and animal welfare. Lauren has two adorable little pugs - Julia and Ariya, a Labrador Retriever - Nelson and an Indian Ringneck Parakeet - Jasper.

Bec

Bec started working at MVSC in 2016. She has completed her Bachelor of Zoology and Ecology at Monash University and her certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. Bec is kept very busy at home with her two Labradoodles, Pip and Fifi as well as two conure parrots, Charlie and Willow. Bec also helps out at local shelters caring for orphaned and injured wildlife and bottle raises orphan kittens through 2nd Chance Cat Rescue until they have found their forever homes.

Jessica L

Jessica joined the MVSC early in 2016 . She has had many pets throughout her life, but her first love is horses. She has competed in equestrian events from a young age and has worked with international quality performance horses after leaving school. Jessica has partially completed the Veterinary Medicine program at Murdoch University in Perth and after returning from a year living in Germany, she has relocated back to Melbourne where she is currently studying Equine Science at CSU. Her busy work and study life doesn't allow her to have pets at the moment but she loves spending time with her family dogs.

Kirsty

Kirsty joined MVSC team in July 2014.  Kirsty is a qualified Horse Riding Instructor, gaining a British Horse Society Coaching Certificate.  She enjoys coaching students and riding young horses in her spare time. Kirsty has a passion for all animals and has grown up with pets her whole life, she currently doesn’t have a pet at home but is searching for the perfect four legged companion. 

Lynsey

Lynsey joined MVSC in May 2012.  Lynsey is a real animal lover and has recently adopted a rescue dog named Carl, a Staghound cross, and also has a Chinchilla called Abby at home.

Bella

Bella joined MSVC in February 2016. Bella began her Veterinary Nurse training in 1999 but put it on hold to raise her family. Since then she has returned to the field that inspires much passion and enthusiasm for her. Bella has 2 Boxers named Henry and Vada, and 2 clucky Hens named Summer and Pearl. In her spare time Bella likes to hike mountains in  Victoria ’s High Country with her Boxers.

Rohan Lawson

Penny

Penny has extensive knowledge of the workings of the veterinary industry as she has worked in the field since 1988. Penny has been with MVSC since the beginning when the clinic only had Dermatology services (Animal Skin and Allergy Clinic) and the vision of the owner was to develop it into a multi-specialist Veterinary Centre in what was the geographical centre of Melbourne. Penny experienced the excitement of the construction of our current site in Glen Waverley.  While the site was being built Penny worked across the road out of the Animal Emergency Centre as a Dermatology nurse. She then had a break from Animal Skin and Allergy Clinic (MVSC) to do locum work in various clinics including accident and Emergency in Melbourne and then a season at the foal Neonatal unit at Scone in the Hunter Valley NSW. Penny then spent 6 years as the head nurse at a busy vet practice in South East Melbourne. In 2003 she returned to MVSC as a nurse for the Surgery department, then moving to our Medicine department in 2004. In 2009 Penny then made the move into the admin side of the business where she now manages procurement, accounts, stock control,  interstate allergy vaccines and monthly regional  Dermatology clinics as well as occasionally filling shifts in departments to reconnect with the veterinary nursing world. Penny has 2 gorgeous kids and a very spoilt red Burmese named Tommy who’s mug shot you will find on the MVSC brochure. 

Stacey

Stacey joined MVSC in September 2008 as a Client Services representative who then in 2011 became Team Leader of the Client Services Team. Since 2014 Stacey has moved more into the admin side of the business and in mid-2015 Stacey took on the newly created role of our Relationship Manager. Animals have always been a part of Stacey's life and from a very young age Stacey has worked, owned and competed horses and has also completed a Certificate II in Equine Studies. Stacey has a very spoilt French Bulldog and a groodle that lives with her parents. As well as spoiling her Frenchie she enjoys keeping fit by playing basketball and going to the gym.

Dr Greg Burton

Dr Greg Burton graduated from the University of Queensland BVSc (Hons) in 1983. He spent 10 years in general small animal practice in Melbourne and became a Member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in Small Animal Surgery in 1993. He completed his residency and became a Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in Veterinary Dermatology in 1997. Dr Burton has been a director of the Animal Skin, Ear and Allergy Service at the Melbourne Veterinary Specialist Centre since 1999 and has been the Principle Fellow in Dermatology at the University of Melbourne Veterinary Teaching Hospital since 2001. Dr Burton is responsible for all the undergraduate dermatology training for veterinary students at the University of Melbourne. He has lectured widely in Australia, USA, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and New Zealand. Dr Burton’s professional interests are canine atopic dermatitis and topical therapy in the management of skin diseases.

Dr Rebecca Bassett

Dr Rebecca Bassett has completed two university degrees — the first at the University of Sydney in Agricultural Science in 1992 and the second in Veterinary Science at the University of Queensland in 1997. Dr Bassett worked in rural mixed practices in NSW before moving to Melbourne in late 2000 to do a residency in Dermatology at the Melbourne Veterinary Specialist Centre. She gained her Membership of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in Canine Medicine in 2002 and Fellowship of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in Veterinary Dermatology in 2005. Dr Bassett has written several articles for peer-reviewed journals and has given several seminars for continuing education in Dermatology to veterinarians. Her current professional interests are in hair loss in dogs and ear infections.

Dr David Robson

Dr David Robson graduated from the University of Queensland with honours in 1992 and spent almost seven years in general small animal practice in Brisbane. He moved to Melbourne in late 1999 to commence his residency in veterinary dermatology at the Animal Skin, Ear and Allergy clinic (now part of Melbourne Veterinary Specialist Centre). He attained Fellowship of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in 2005. Dr Robson has lectured in Australia and overseas (New Zealand, United States, Hong Kong, Austria) and has authored and co-authored several peer-reviewed scientific articles. His current professional interests include pollens and pollen allergies, otitis diagnosis and treatment, and barrier dysfunction.  

Dr Samantha Crothers

Dr Sam Crothers graduated from Murdoch University in Perth in 2003. She spent 3 years in a busy general small animal practice in Perth before moving to California in 2006 to commence her residency in dermatology at the University of California Davis (UCD).  She became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology in 2009. Following the completion of her residency Dr Crothers worked at UCD as a clinical instructor of Dermatology for two years where she was responsible for undergraduate dermatology training for veterinary students and part of the residency training program team. In 2010 she was the assistant professor in Dermatology at Colorado State University where she continued to train undergraduate veterinary students and dermatology residents. Since returning to Australia in late 2011, Dr Crothers has worked in her home town of Perth before moving to Melbourne in 2012 with her husband. Most recently she has been taking some time away from work to raise a family.

Mandy - Team Leader

Mandy commenced working at the MVSC in December 2007 after spending some time overseas in South Africa at a monkey reserve and having completed an animal technology course. Mandy is currently undertaking a veterinary nursing course.  In 2011 Mandy and Nina (Internal Medicine nurse) worked at the Veterinary Clinic within the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Mandy has a Griffon with personality plus named “Frank” who you may have seen in some TV ads, a Blue Healer cross named "Cody" and a Sun Conure parrot named "Norman".

Kate M

Kate started working at the MVSC in late 2006. She completed her Animal Technology Diploma and Veterinary Nursing Certificate in Canberra, while working in a small and large animal clinic on the outskirts of the city. After moving to Melbourne, Kate worked at a local clinic for five years. Kate has a spoilt tortoiseshell cat named Ally.

Rachel

Rachael started working at the MVSC in early 2008 after working in general practice for a number of years. She loves dogs and cats and also has keen interest in personal fitness. She has her certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing.  Rachel has two cats and a rabbit.

Joanne

Joanne joined the Melbourne Veterinary Specialist Centre in 2011. Joanne worked at the Collingwood children's farm, caring for various farm animals, for eight years which then lead to an interest and subsequent career in veterinary nursing. Joanne's veterinary nursing career commenced in 2003 where she worked for an avian specialist practice for three years. Joanne then went on to work at a small animal practice in 2007 before joining MVSC in 2011. Joanne has two cheeky dogs - "Louis" a Boston Terrier and "Jenna" a Pug. 

Sharon

Sharon joined the Melbourne Veterinary Special Centre in 2013. Sharon started her Veterinary nursing career in 2006 in general practice where she completed her Veterinary Nursing Certificate. In 2010 Sharon went on to work as an Emergency and Critical Care Vet nurse in a mixed small and large animal clinic before joining MVSC. Sharon has a gorgeous Labrador named 'Rusty', 3 cheeky cats named 'Flopsy', 'Barry' and 'Fabio' and a sweet Clydesdale cross named ' Matilda'.

Lauren

Lauren began working at the MVSC in Feburary 2013 after completing her Year 12 VCE studies in 2012. She is currently a Law Student at Monash University, while maintaining her interest in caring for and looking after animals. Lauren has two Ragdoll Cats named Dexter & Oscar, and a German Shorthaired Pointer named Buzz. 

Jess B

Jess joined the MVSC team in 2014, after spending three years working at an inner city dog day-care centre. She has also done a lot of volunteer work in animal welfare, which she is very passionate about. Jess has always had a passion for animal care and is currently working to complete her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. Jess has two spoilt Cavalier King Charles Spaniels who are best friends - 'Lola' and 'Ava' and would love to add a cat to the family in the future.

Dr Darren Merrett

Dr Darren Merrett graduated from The University of Melbourne in 1984 and completed internship/residency programs at the University of Melbourne (where he obtained a Master of Veterinary Studies) and then Bristol University. Whilst at Bristol University Darren obtained his certificate in Small Animal Cardiology from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. He obtained Fellowship of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (Canine Medicine) in 1994 and founded a private referral practice at that time. Over the following years the medical referral practice has grown and now utilises the skills of four specialists, and one resident.

Dr Kate Heading

Dr Kate Heading graduated from The University of Melbourne with a Bachelor in Veterinary Science with first class honours in 2000. Kate has worked in a variety of small animal practices in Victoria and the UK. Kate achieved membership in 2007 to the Small Animal Medicine chapter of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists.Kate joined MVSC in March 2008 as a Resident in Medicine and attained Fellowship of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (Small Animal Medicine) in 2011.

Dr Tunbi Idowu - Resident

Tunbi is passionate about being an excellent veterinarian because she loves animals and wants to ensure they receive the best care possible. Originally from Canberra, her passion to be a vet took her to Western Australia where she studied Veterinary Science at Murdoch University and graduated in 2010. After graduation, she gained a job as a small animal vet in Horsham. However, in 2012 the opportunity to work in a small animal practice in Canberra arose and she stayed at that clinic for 3 years.  During Tunbi’s career as a veterinarian she has always endeavored to improve her knowledge base and skill set through attending numerous veterinarian conferences, seminars and workshops. In 2012 she was awarded with the post nominal Charted Member of the Australia Veterinary Association, for her commitment to continuing education. In 2014 she gained membership of the Australian and New Zealand college of Veterinary Scientists, in Small Animal Medicine. Tunbi joined the medicine department at MVSC in March 2015 and is under the direct supervision of specialists Dr Merrett, Dr Labuc and Dr Heading. She looks forward to meeting you and helping your pet.

Dr Margaret Cohn-Urbach - Resident

Margaret graduated from the University of Sydney in 2009 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science with merit.  She then worked for two years at a combined emergency and general practice small animal clinic in Melbourne.  In 2013, Margaret completed a rotating small animal internship at Washington State University in the United States.  From there, she moved to Oregon and spent one and a half years in a small animal medicine training program at Oregon State University.  Margaret joined the medicine team at MVSC in June 2015 and is currently undertaking a residency program under the direct supervision of the specialists Dr Merrett, Dr Labuc, and Dr Heading.

Dr Shasta Lynch

MVSC is excited to introduce a new member to our team – Dr Shasta Lynch, Oncology Specialist

Dr Shasta Lynch graduated from the University of Queensland in 2004 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science with first class honors.

She worked in mixed and small animal general practice before completing a residency in small animal oncology at the University of Edinburgh and the Royal Veterinary College, United Kingdom. She then worked in private referral practice as a veterinary oncologist in the United Kingdom.

In 2010 she was awarded membership of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists. In 2015 she was recognised as a European Veterinary Specialist in Oncology by the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine – Companion Animals and by the Royal College of Veterinary Specialists in 2016.

Dr Lynch is now available for consultation every Tuesday at our Glen Waverley clinic. 

Dr Peter Bennett - Oncology Specialist Consultant

Dr Peter Bennett currently works at the University of Sydney and is available as a consultant to our medicine specialists when further advice is needed on oncological cases. Dr Bennett graduated from The University of Melbourne in 1982 and subsequently worked in private practice in Melbourne and the UK. While in private practice, Dr Bennett commenced the long journey to specialisation with stints at the universities of Tennessee, Georgia, Melbourne, and Massey (NZ). Dr Bennett obtained Fellowship of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in 1999 and Diplomat status in Small Animal Internal Medicine from the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM). He pursued further specialisation in oncology when he joined the faculty at Purdue University (Indiana), USA, in the Comparative Oncology Program, where he ran the Clinical Department. He also obtained Diplomat status in Oncology from ACVIM in 2001. Dr Bennett has presented at numerous seminars both nationally and internationally, and is involved in teaching of veterinary medicine as an Associate Academic at the University of Sydney, a Senior Fellow at The University of Melbourne, and as an Adjunct Senior Lecturer at Massey University, New Zealand.

Jayne - Team Leader

Jayne began her veterinary nursing career in 2000 in general practice.  Jayne started at the MVSC in January 2005. Jayne has completed two Diplomas of Applied Science — one in Animal Technology and the other in Laboratory Sciences.

Nina - Team Leader

Nina has been working in general practice for nine years and has completed her Veterinary Nursing Certificate IV in 2001. She has been with the MVSC since 2008. Nina has an interest in cat and dog diseases and nutrition. During her nursing career, she has also worked with wildlife through various clinics.  Nina and Mandy (Dermatology Nurse) worked at the Veterinary Clinic within the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, Thailand in 2011.

Elise

Elise has worked as a veterinary nurse for eleven years. She completed her Certificate IV in 2003 and has completed her Diploma in Emergency and Critical Care in 2011. Elise is also a member of the Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia. She has a special interest in behaviour and medicine and has two 11 year old cats called Bonnie and Buster. She began working with the MVSC in 2010.

Amy

Amy returned to MVSC to work in the Internal Medicine team in February 2012.  Amy has previously worked at MVSC as an Animal Attendant before working in a general practice veterinary clinic for three years. Amy also spent several years volunteering at the RSPCA veterinary clinic. Amy has completed her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing, graduating in 2010. In her spare time she looks after her two dogs, two cats and many fish. 

Pamela

Pamela has worked as a Veterinary Nurse for over twelve years.  She obtained her Diploma in Veterinary Nursing in Ireland at the University College of Dublin. She has been in Australia for more than 7 years and is now an Australian citizen. She has an interest in cardiac ultrasonagraphy, loves pugs and running around with her young daughter. Pamela works part time, mainly at our Essendon Fields Centre.

Lucy

Lucy has been vet nursing since 2011 and completed her Certificate IV in 2012, during this time she has worked as a surgical and emergency nurse. Lucy is originally from the UK but now calls Australia home and started working with us at MVSC in May 2016. Lucy is also a lecturer for trainee vet nurses at the Australian College of Applied Animal Studies which she thoroughly enjoys. Lucy has a passion for volunteering and travelling and combines these 2 passions regularly which has presented her with many exciting experiences. Lucy has a love of cats and has 2 named Mickey and Peg. Peg came home with Lucy from one of her volunteer projects in the Cook islands.

Sarah

Stephanie

Stephanie began working as a veterinary nurse in 1995.  She spent five years in a private small animal clinic after which she spent nine years at the Lort Smith Animal Hospital.  Stephanie has developed a keen interest in animal welfare.  Stephanie commenced working as a night nurse at the Melbourne Veterinary Specialist Centre in 2009 and is commited to an exceptionally high level of patient care.

Henry

Henry completed his veterinary science degree at the University of the Philippines in 2001 and worked at a small animal practice for six years. He migrated to Australia with his family in 2007 and worked as a surgical and intensive care nurse for three years.  Henry commenced joined the Melbourne Veterinary Specialist Centre as a night nurse in early 2010.

Tali

Tali joined MVSC in 2011.  Tali has been nursing for 18 years. She has studied and worked in Sydney, Canberra, Perth and Melbourne. Tali has previous experience in emergency nursing where she worked night shifts. Now a mother of two Tali is back to night shifts where she can peacefully enjoy caring for the four-legged furry friends as well as enjoy playing with her children during the day.

Sharon

Sharon joined MVSC in 2012 as an animal attendant. She is passionate about animal welfare and has been a volunteer at the RSPCA for the past 15 years. In 2013 Sharon completed a Certificate 111 in Dog Training and Behaviour and would love to pursue a veterinary nursing qualification. Sharon shares her home with an 11-year-old foster/rescue dog, Indi and two very special bunny friends, Poppy and Hamish.

Dr Simon Kudnig

Dr Simon Kudnig graduated from The University of Melbourne with an honours degree in 1990, and completed a MVSc degree in 1995. After spending several years in Melbourne establishing his veterinary career, Dr Kudnig completed a residency in Small Animal Surgery at Colorado State University (CSU) in the United States in 2003. He then completed advanced training in Surgical Oncology at CSU’s Animal Cancer Centre as the Clinical Fellow of Surgical Oncology. In 2004, Simon passed his American surgical board examinations (ACVS) and also became a fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists. Over the years he has published scientific and peer reviewed articles and has authored textbook chapters. He has also co-edited a textbook for veterinary surgical oncology. His primary interest is in surgical oncology, but he also has extensive experience in general surgery and orthopaedics.

Dr Pete Laverty

Dr Pete Laverty graduated from The University of Melbourne with an honours degree in 1985. Since then he has achieved a formidable academic and practical record. After 10 years in general small animal practice in Melbourne, he pursued specialist surgical training in the United States. He completed a Small Animal Internship at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. During this time he worked in an advanced emergency and critical care department, gaining valuable knowledge in this field. Dr Laverty went on to complete a Small Animal Surgical Residency at the Purdue University Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Indiana. While at Purdue, Dr Laverty became an integral part of the team at the Centre for Paralysis Research. This allowed him to pursue his interest in spinal cord injury and to develop expertise in neurosurgery. In 2002 Dr Laverty was awarded Diplomate status in the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. Dr Laverty has been active in undergraduate/ postgraduate training and is an active participant in further education as a key speaker at conferences and seminars. Dr Laverty has published numerous research papers, case reports and review articles. He brings an extensive range of specialist surgical experience and skills to the Melbourne Veterinary Specialist Centre. He routinely performs orthopaedic, soft tissue and neurosurgical procedures, including: fracture repair; tibial plateau levelling osteotomy; total hip replacements; brain tumour removal; spinal cord surgery; and plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Tina - Team Leader

Tina began working as a veterinary nurse in general practice in 1999 and has been at MVSC as surgical nurse since 2011. Tina has since completed her Diploma in Surgical Nursing, Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing and Certificate IV in Companion Animal Services and is now working to become an accredited veterinary nurse. She also has a special interest in physical rehabilitation therapies and positive reinforcement dog training. At home she loves to spend time with her 2 rough collies, 2 cats and a very cheeky sulphur crested cockatoo.