Meet Our Team



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Pamela

Behavioural Medicine Nurse

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.




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Dr Jacqui Ley

BVSc (Hons), FANZCVS (Veterinary Behaviour), PhD DECAWBM

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.




Dr Ashleigh Hargreaves

Resident

Ash graduated from Adelaide University in 2015 and undertook a true mixed practice role in Warrnambool in South-West Victoria. Despite the interest and challenges of mixed practice, the area of Veterinary Behaviour interested Ash more than anything. In 2018 she completed the CVE Veterinary behaviour course, and in 2019 obtained Membership with the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (ANZCVS) in Veterinary Behaviour. Ash still practices as a general small animal vet in Warrnambool, as well as travels to other clinics across rural Victoria to practice and support veterinary staff in behavioural medicine. Ash is a member of the AVBIG executive committee in the position of secretary and holds the role of secretary/ treasurer for the Behaviour chapter of the ANZCVS. Ash loves behaviour because the more you learn the more you see, and as a vet, you quickly realise it is all most pet owners want to talk about!




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Kat

Client Services Team Leader

Kat joined MVSC in February 2022, she was originally a client of our Internal Medicine department and had such a great experience with us that she decided she wanted to join the team! She is a lover of all animals and grew up around pets her whole life. Kat had planned to study Veterinary Nursing but decided being face-to-face with clients and their beloved pets was her calling instead. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her partner and her two dogs Samson the Mini Dachshund and Winnie the rescue German Shepard.




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Penelope

Penelope joined the MVSC team in January of 2021. Penelope has always had a love for animals, particularly admiring them for their unconditional love. She has a bachelor’s degree majoring in Animal Health and Disease and is currently studying Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Melbourne. Penelope has a Toy Poodle x Bichon Frise named Toto, a Jack Russell x Fox Terrier named Buddy, and a DSH cat named Amy. Outside of work and university life, Penelope enjoys water sports, watching movies with friends and travelling with family.




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Penny

Practice Manager

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. 




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Stacey

Practice Manager

Stacey has gained a broad knowledge of MVSC and the veterinary industry since joining the business in 2008 as a part of our Client Services team. Since then Stacey has progressed through multiple roles within the business as Client Services Team Leader, HR/Admin focused roles, Client Relations Manager and more recently acting Business Manager. Animals have always been a part of Stacey's life; growing up she has had many family pets and was a highly competitive horse rider who always imagined a career involving animals. Stacey joined MVSC hoping to progress into nursing but continues to really enjoy the career path that she has followed in admin/management, you may find her helping the nurses on the clinic floor when an extra hand is needed though.

Stacey lives with her husband and spoilt dog on the Mornington Peninsula and outside of work enjoys keeping fit with Pilates, playing basketball, hiking and paddle boarding and also enjoys socialising with friends and family.




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Rach C

Practice Manager

Rachael commenced working at MVSC in October 2017. She has completed her Certificate in Veterinary Nursing while working in an animal emergency centre for 5 years before joining the Dermatology department. Rachael has a Border Collie, a Beagle and a Poodle that keeps her very busy at home, as well as a grumpy ginger cat that keeps them all in line.




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Dr Rebecca Bassett

BScAgr (Hons), BVSc (Hons), MACVSc (Canine Medicine), FACVSc (Dermatology)

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.




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Dr David Robson

BVSc (Hons), MACVSc (Canine Medicine), FACVSc (Dermatology)

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 Nicola Martinez

Registered Veterinary Dermatology Specialist

Dr Nicola Martinez graduated from the University of Bristol in the UK in 2007 and threw herself into first opinion practice for the next 10 years. She always had an interest in dermatology and decided to pursue it as a specialisation after growing frustrated at not having the knowledge and dedicated caseload to manage dermatological cases well. She spent 4 years at the University of Sydney University (2018-2022) completing an internship, followed by a 3 year residency in dermatology under the supervision of Dr Beth McDonald. She passed her board exams in 2022 making her a certified specialist of the American College of Veterinary Dermatologists. She started working at MVSC in January 2023 and loves the fast-paced work as she gets to see a huge variety of interesting cases. Her special interests include the role of the skin barrier, especially in atopic dermatitis, and understanding how one aspect of skin disease can influence many others.




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Dr Madelaine Guy-Moore

BVSc, MANZCVS (Veterinary Pharmacology)

Madelaine graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor in Veterinary Science in 2012. She then spent seven years in a general small animal practice in Sydney and the United Kingdom. In December 2019 Maddie made the move to Melbourne to join our Dermatology team to undertake an internship in Dermatology. Outside of work, Madelaine enjoys hiking and pampering her very lazy cat, Lord Byron. 




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Dr Tian Chee Lu

BV&MS (Dermatology Resident)

Tian graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 2015. She spent 3 years in general small animal practice in rural Western Australia before moving to Melbourne in 2019 to work with us at MVSC. She has completed an internship with us in Surgery, and in April 2020 became an intern for our Dermatology team. Tian is currently pursuing further training with us to become a specialist dermatologist.  Peanut is Tian's dear little rescue Chihuahua, an older and sometimes grumpy little boy.




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Rach C - Team Leader

Dermatology Nurse

Rachael commenced working at MVSC in October 2017. She has completed her Certificate in Veterinary Nursing while working in an animal emergency centre for 5 years before joining the Dermatology department. Rachael has a Border Collie, a Beagle and a Poodle that keeps her very busy at home, as well as a grumpy ginger cat that keeps them all in line.




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Lucy S - Team Leader

Dermatology Nurse

After always wanting a career working with animals Lucy decided to pursue this and began working to obtain her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing in 2016. Lucy joined MVSC in early 2017 as an Animal Attendant and in early 2018 Lucy acquired a nursing position with our Dermatology department. Lucy has a Griffon Bruxellous named Lenny, who is sure to make you smile.




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Mandy

Dermatology Nurse

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".




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Rachel

Dermatology Nurse

Rachel started her veterinary nursing journey working in general practice for a couple of years whilst completing her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing and joined the MVSC team in early 2008. Other than loving animals of course, she enjoys spending time outdoors in the sunshine with her family and cuddles on the couch with her chubby ginger cat named Wallace and a cute little Cavalier King Charles named Lucy




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Joanne

Dermatology Nurse

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. 




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Lauren

Dermatology Nurse

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. 




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Jess B

Dermatology Nurse

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.




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Sarah J

Dermatology nurse

Sarah joined MVSC in 2018 after returning from the UK, where she worked at a busy animal emergency hospital in London. Sarah completed her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing in 2013 and has worked in both emergency and ophthalmology clinics in Australia as well as having the amazing opportunity to treat Rhinos and other wildlife in South Africa.
Now settled back in Australia, Sarah spends her time with her lovable but cranky 16 year old ex-street cat rescue named Odin.




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Sarah C

Dermatology Nurse

Sarah joined MVSC in early 2019 as an animal attendant; in early 2020 she then moved into a junior dermatology nurse role. Sarah is currently undertaking her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. Sarah has a Border Collie, a spoodle and a beagle at home, along with a big ginger cat named Tiger. 




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Rachel H

Junior Dermatology Nurse

Rachel joined MVSC in 2019 as an animal attendant and more recently made the transition to our Dermatology department as a junior nurse. Rachel has completed a Certificate II in Animal Studies and a Certificate IV in Companion Animal Services. She is currently completing a Bachelor of Animal and Veterinary Biosciences. Rachel has a tortoiseshell cat named Lily and outside of work she enjoys playing football and socialising with friends and family.




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Dr Darren Merrett

BVSc, MVS, Cert. SAC FANZCVS (Specialist in Canine Medicine)

Darren Merrett graduated from Melbourne University in 1984 and completed internship/residency programs at Melbourne University (where he obtained a Master of Veterinary Studies) and then Bristol University (where he obtained a RCVS Certificate in Small Animal Cardiology).   Darren obtained Fellowship of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (Canine Medicine) in 1994 and found a private referral practice that has subsequently grown at the Melbourne Veterinary Specialist Centre.

In addition to daily clinical work, Darren has co-tutored a small animal medicine distance education course for the University of Sydney’s Centre for Veterinary Education for over 20 years; he is a frequent conference speaker; regularly examines and mentors for the ANZCVS; and has trained and supervised many residents.  Darren has spent a lifetime in specialist small animal practice and he has taught and mentored hundreds of veterinarians.




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Dr Kate Heading

BVSc (Hons), FANZCVS (Specialist in Small Animal Medicine)

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 Bruce Lamond

BVM&S MANZCVS (SAM) MRCVS (Resident)

Dr Brue Lamond graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 2013. He then went on to work in small animal practice in the UK gaining a diverse range of skills and experience.  In 2017 Bruce made the move to Australia and has worked in Queensland and South Australia, prior to starting his internal medicine residency at MVSC. In 2019, Bruce was awarded membership by examination of the Small Animal Medicine Chapter of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Science (ANZCVS) in 2019.

Bruce enjoys all aspects of internal medicine and is particularly interested in immune-mediated & hepatic diseases. Outside of work Bruce is kept busy by his young dog Pippin and when time allows also enjoys playing badminton and tennis.




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Jayne - Team Leader

Internal Medicine & Oncology Nurse

Jayne began her Veterinary Nursing career in 2000, working in a general vet practice and cattery for 5 years.
In 2003 Jayne completed a Diploma of Applied Science in Animal Technology and a Diploma of Applied Science in Biological Laboratory Sciences.  Jayne started working at MVSC in 2005 as an Internal Medicine and Oncology Nurse, she then became Team Leader in 2008. Jayne has a keen interest in Oncology, Anaesthesia and MRI.  Jayne loves dogs (especially Labradors) and also cats.  She has a much loved black & white domestic short hair cat named Memo, who Jayne adopted in 2004 from the cattery at her local vet clinic.    

 




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Nina - Team Leader

Internal Medicine & Oncology Nurse

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.




Rochelle

Rochelle started her Veterinary Nursing career in 2012.  She has worked in both general practice, specialist clinics and completed her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing in 2016.  In her spare time she volunteers for a bat rescue organisation nursing grey-headed flying foxes and pups.  She has a Spoodle and two cats (Maxie and Phoebe) and has a special interest in nursing senior pets




Mollie

Mollie joined the MVSC team in March 2020 as an animal attendant and has recently ventured part-time into a junior nurse role with our Internal Medicine team. Mollie completed her Certificate IV in Companion Animal Services in 2018 and has fostered many rescue cats over the years. She has always had an interest in animals and their welfare and currently has 2 kelpie crosses, 2 rescue cats and 2 chickens.




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Alicia

Alicia became a qualified veterinary nurse after working in South Africa in lion conservation. She has worked in general practice for 5 years and started at MVSC in June 2022 and has a keen interest in diagnostic workups and pathology. At home she shares her house with two very loved and spoilt cats named Billie Ruben and Bugs.




Erin

Erin starting working as a veterinary nurse in 2017 at a busy general practice before starting at MVSC in February 2021. She has completed her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing and has also obtained a Diploma of Design before she found her true passion in the animal industry. Erin is interested in native wildlife and surgical nursing; she hopes to complete her Diploma of Veterinary Nursing in the near future. In her spare time, she enjoying going to the beach with her water loving Staffy, Drawing, playing basketball and caring for her extended pet family




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Marnie

Marnie started her nursing journey by graduating from the Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing in 2018 and worked in an emergency equine referral hospital for over 4 years. She has a cat named Shrimp, and 2 horses named Benni and Bee. She keeps busy with her horses and going camping regularly on weekends. Previously, she has completed a certificate II in Equine Studies during her schooling. Marnie joined MVSC in March 2022, she enjoys working in the surgery and internal medicine departments and has a keen interest in anaesthesia and surgical procedures.




Sophie

Sophie joined MVSC in 2021 as an animal attendant. Sophie has completed Certificate II in animal studies, as well as Certificate III in captive animals through Zoos Victoria, where she was able to work directly with keepers on rounds at both Melbourne Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary. Before starting her position with MVSC, Sophie volunteered in the Cattery at Save a Dog Scheme for 4 years and as a visitor services volunteer at Healesville Sanctuary for 3 years. Sophie has two cats at home, Gilbert, a grey and white domestic short hair and Bee, a calico domestic medium hair. Outside of work, Sophie enjoys creating art through painting and drawing. She also has a keen interest in native birds and enjoys going for walks to go birdwatching.




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Dr Sonya Wasik

BVSc (Hons), BSc (Hons), MANZCVS, Diplomate ECVS

Sonya graduated with a veterinary degree from the University of Queensland in 2003. After two years in mixed practice, Sonya undertook an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the University of Melbourne. Upon completion of a surgical residency at the University of Sydney, Sonya was based in Adelaide in referral practice for several years, prior to returning to Melbourne. Sonya enjoys all aspects of small animal surgery, including orthopaedics, soft tissue and neurosurgery, with a special interest in orthopaedics. Sonya is a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons and a registered specialist in small animal surgery. 




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Dr Charles Kuntz

DVM, MS, MACVSc, Diplomate ACVS, ACVS Founding Fellow of Surgical Oncology, Registered Specialist of Small Animal Surgery, Senior Staff Surgeon

Charles graduated from the University of Florida and did an internship at the Animal Medicine Center in New York City. He then did a residency in small animal surgery and Master’s program at Virginia Tech. Following that he did a one-year fellowship in Cardiac Surgery and Research at Auburn University and an 18 month Fellowship in Surgical Oncology at Colorado State University before he became an Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery also at Colorado State University. Charles then started a busy referral surgical practice in Washington DC where he was also on the Board of Directors and the Program Chair for the DC Academy of Veterinary Medicine.

In 2004, Charles moved to Australia and started Southpaws Specialty Surgery for Animals. He started with just one nurse and by the time he sold the practice in 2022, Southpaws was up to 170 staff over 2 hospitals. Charles set up the first radiation therapy unit for animals in Australia. He has published hundreds of articles, abstracts, book chapters and proceedings in topics related to the treatment of surgical diseases in animals. He is often invited to lecture at international conferences. Charles has 5 patents for devices used in the treatment of surgical diseases in animals.




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Millie - Team Leader

Surgery Nurse

Millie started working as a veterinary nurse in a local general practice in 2018 and then began working at MVSC in March 2020. Millie has completed her Certificate IV in veterinary nursing and also has previously completed her Certificate II in Equine studies. Her nursing passions lie in anaesthesia and surgery work. Outside of work she enjoys running and spending time with her dog and rabbit.




Fiona

Fi started working as a veterinary nurse in 2010 and has since then worked in Tasmania, Queensland and at an Elephant Sanctuary in Thailand. Fi came back from overseas and completed her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing and then went on to do a Certificate in Professional Veterinary nursing focusing on Anaesthesia. Her nursing passions are with anaesthesia and assisting in surgical procedures. Outside of work Fi loves to walk her dogs, ride motorbikes and travel. She has 2 Staffy crosses named Rosie and Rufus and a white domestic long-haired cat named Casper.




Erin

Erin starting working as a veterinary nurse in 2017 at a busy general practice before starting at MVSC in February 2021. She has completed her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing and has also obtained a Diploma of Design before she found her true passion in the animal industry. Erin is interested in native wildlife and surgical nursing; she hopes to complete her Diploma of Veterinary Nursing in the near future. In her spare time, she enjoying going to the beach with her water loving Staffy, Drawing, playing basketball and caring for her extended pet family




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Marnie

Marnie started her nursing journey by graduating from the Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing in 2018 and worked in an emergency equine referral hospital for over 4 years. She has a cat named Shrimp, and 2 horses named Benni and Bee. She keeps busy with her horses and going camping regularly on weekends. Previously, she has completed a certificate II in Equine Studies during her schooling. Marnie joined MVSC in March 2022, she enjoys working in the surgery and internal medicine departments and has a keen interest in anaesthesia and surgical procedures.




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