Yarrambat
541 Yan Yean Road,
Yarrambat VIC
North Warrandyte
274 Yarra Street,
Warrandyte VIC
About Us
Meet the Team at The Veterinary Surgery
Meet Our Veterinarians
Dr Andy
Andy is the principal veterinarian of the practice and has been working at The Veterinary Surgery since 2006. Prior to working in Warrandyte and Yarrambat, Andy worked as a mixed animal vet in country practices located in Gippsland, Wales and England. His areas of special interest are small animal orthopaedic and soft tissue surgery, small animal medicine and lameness involving animals of all shapes and sizes. Andy also offers TPLO cruciate surgery.
Read more about Andy
In 2013 Andy attended an Equine Dentistry workshop in which he furthered his skills in this field. He has also completed a Post Graduate Foundation course in Equine Medicine.
Andy is a very committed practitioner and always demonstrates a superior level of care and commitment to every one of his patients.
When he is not working he loves spending time with his wife, daughter and son. He has a keen interest in windsurfing, surfing and competitive sailing.
Dr Suzanne
Suzanne has worked at The Veterinary Surgery for many years.
Her family have strong associations with the equine industry and are well known in many fields including pony club, showing, eventing, racing, breeding and droving.
Suzanne has a passion for equine practice, however she is also a skilled soft tissue surgeon and enjoys both small animal and farm work. She has completed post graduate training in Equine Dentistry and Ophthalmology.
Read more about Suzanne
Suzanne is an accomplished horse rider, having ridden with success at many Royals, advanced level eventing, FEI level dressage and is a holder of the PC ‘A’ certificate. She lives with her family on a beautiful farm near Kilcunda. Their menagerie consists of cattle, horses (of course), geese and chooks.
Dr Aurelia
Aurelia started working as a locum at the Yarrambat and North Warrandyte clinics in 2017 and joined as a full time veterinary associate in 2018.
She grew up in the UK and graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in London in 2009. Aurelia worked in a mixed practice in Carmarthenshire, Wales for 2 1/2 years before returning to her come country of Oxfordshire, where she was also in mixed practice.
Read more about Aurelia
Aurelia moved to Australia in October 2016 with her gorgeous dog Ozymandias (Ozzie) and her husband. She spent the first year and a half working in various practices in Victoria as a locum vet before settling down at the Yarrambat and North Warrandyte clinics in March 2018.
She enjoys all aspects of mixed practice, especially surgery and farm work. She is also a keen baker in her spare time which all the vets and nurses love.
Dr Josh
Josh started working as a locum with us in 2018 and has continued to work part time for the clinic since.
He grew up in Melbourne and graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2010. He spent a year at a clinic in Maffra before relocating to Newcastle, NSW and worked at a small animal clinic in the Central Coast for five years. However, tiring of the nice weather and lovely beaches, he decided to come back to Melbourne to be closer to friends & family.
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Josh lives with his partner, Vivien and their much-loved cavalier, Maisie. In his spare time he enjoys cycling, gardening and tending to his fish tanks.
He enjoys all aspects of small animal practice especially dentistry, surgery, radiology and chronic pain management.
Dr Vivien
The Veterinary Surgery is lucky to have Vivien part of our team as a part time veterinarian. Vivien hails from Ipoh, Malaysia and graduated from University of Sydney in Dec 2009. She had a short stint in mixed practice in country Victoria as a new graduate but quickly moved back to NSW in 2011 to focus solely on companion animal medicine. She worked in various small animal clinics in the Hunter region and Newcastle for the ensuing 6 years.
Dr Amy
Amy graduated from Melbourne University in 2018 and started working shortly after at The Vet Surgery. Her love for mixed animal practice has grown over the last 5 years and she finds huge satisfaction in being able to see different animal species throughout her day. She has a particular interest in preventative health for small ruminants (goats, sheep & alpacas) and loves to provide clients information about parasite control, vaccinations and supplement injections.
Read more about Amy
Amy grew up locally in Eltham and loves the community of Yarrambat and surrounds. She completed year 12 at Eltham High School and was awarded her Bachelor of Animal and Veterinary BioScience at La Trobe Univeristy before undertaking the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program at Melbourne University.
Dr Christine
Growing up on a cattle farm in west Gippsland, Christine was destined for a career in veterinary medicine. After graduating from the University of Melbourne she came to join the team at The Veterinary Surgery.
Christine has a passion for all animals, large and small but thanks to her upbringing has a special interest in cattle medicine. She is passionate about disease investigation and herd-health management.
Read more about Christine
Christine has an extensive background in the veterinary industry having managed a small animal practice in the northern suburbs of Melbourne before joining the team at The Vet Surgery. She is well accustomed to all aspects of the clinic and is always happy to share the knowledge she has gained throughout her journey.
Outside of work, you’ll find Christine exploring her local dog-friendly pubs and restaurants with her Briard, Camo.
Dr Lorna
Dr Kate
Dr Jasmine
Dr Alex
Read more about Austin
Outside of veterinary medicine, he enjoys running, surfing and spending time outdoors with his own Golden Retrievers, Goose and Tawny.
Dr Austin
Austin graduated from the University of Sydney in 2025 before moving south and joining the team at The Veterinary Surgery. He enjoys the variety and challenges of mixed animal veterinary practice and is passionate about developing practical treatment plans for his patients whilst building strong relationships with their owners. His particular interests include sheep and cattle disease investigation, preventative companion animal medicine, and the unique wildlife found in our own backyards.
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Outside of work, Austin enjoys exploring local music venues and making the most of a sunny day, whether at the beach or out on a hike.
Meet Our Nurses
Jackie
Practice Manager
Jackie is one of our senior nurses and is one of the two principals at The Veterinary Surgery.
She has been nursing for 20 years and joined the team at The Vet Surgery in October 2012. Her nursing career started at the Wonga Park Vet Clinic where she was there for 10 1/2 years, then moving onto Heathmont Animal Hospital for 5 years. Jackie wanted something a little closer to home and she was given the opportunity to start working for The Veterinary Surgery.
Read more about Jackie
Jackie has completed the Veterinary Nurse Certificate and then to further her career she went back to study a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Biotechnology, before returning to her true passion, vet nursing. She is a very compassionate nurse and enjoys looking after all the client’s pets that come in.
Her family home consists of her husband, 2 children, Obi – the super smoochy rescue mastiff x from Queensland, Echo – a kelpie, Mookie – a gorgeous cat, Rhett – the big quiet Clydie x, and a few chooks – Nutella, Chickybabe, Blob, Browny – just to name a few.
Jackie loves gardening, horse riding, going to the beach and taking her dogs for a walk.
Karen
Head Nurse
Karen joined our team in 2007. Following 5 years based at a small animal clinic in Forest Hill, Karen was keen to broaden her horizons to work with horses and livestock.
Karen maintains a high standard of nursing and actively seeks opportunities to further extend her experience, knowledge and practical skills wherever possible. With a passion for surgery and orthopaedics, Karen manages the surgical department and handles all equipment and ordering behind the scenes.
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Karen owned and rode horses for several years, and for many years looked after one rather small horse, Koda. Koda used to spend many years roaming the grounds at Yarrambat and paying regular visits to The Royal Children’s Hospital.
On the side Karen is also a registered wildlife carer, rearing and rehabilitating wild ducks and reptiles from the district.
Water-sports consume all the spare time left in her life – snorkeling, surfing, windsurfing and sailing her dinghy. The weekly keel-boat racing with family and friends out of Sandringham Yacht Club presents the perfect chance to express her competitive streak!
Victoria
In 2011, Victoria traded in her career as a personal trainer to become a vet nurse. With a love for animals and fierce determination to achieve her goals, Vic’s ambitious nature paid off and she has since become an exceptionally capable and valuable member of our practice.
She has an ongoing thirst for knowledge, continuing to advance her skills and interest in small animal surgery. Always cheerful, helpful and hardworking, she is easily recognised by her raucous laugh!
Read more about Victoria
Victoria has always enjoyed sport, outdoor adventures and generally keeping very active. These days she is challenging herself in new endeavours with her wonderful husband Ben and gorgeous son and daughter. Together they have completed in several mini triathlons by the bay and enjoy working out in their home gym.
Vic’s family also includes Lily, a pint sized chihuahua X with the courage of a lion and some friendly chooks.
Caitlin
Caitlin joined our team in August 2015, having spent the last 4 years working professionally with horses as a World Cup show jumping groom travelling up and down the east coast. She completed a Bachelor of Animal and Veterinary Biosciences at La Trobe University as well as a Diploma of Horse and Business Management at Marcus Oldham College, where she was awarded Dux and Excellence in horse health and husbandry.
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Having such a strong interest in horses, it will come as no surprise that she owns an Percheron x Anglo Arab gelding called Maverick with whom she regularly competes in dressage. Additionally, Caitlin owns an over excitable kelpie, Indy, who thoroughly enjoys his time being outdoors with the horses.
Taryn
Taryn came to work with us in 2018 with 4 years nursing experience under her belt. In 2013 she completed a Bachelor of Equine Science at NMIT and since then has been very keen to put her acquired equine knowledge into practice. Taryn aims to complete her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing in coming years.
Read more about Taryn
Growing up in Eltham and now living in Diamond Creek with her husband Jesse and their gorgeous son. Taryn has always been a local to the area. That said she has been fortunate enough to be a seasoned traveller, having travelled to 28 countries so far! Taryn needless to say loves to explore and experience new cultures.
When she’s not jet-setting, Taryn leads a very civilised life riding her quarter horse Beau up in the Kinglake ranges or camping at various locations in Victoria’s wilderness. Taryn and Jesse are currently renovating their house, so she is not afraid of a challenge either! It’s a full house these days with Lenny the German Shepherd.
Tara
Tara started with The Veterinary Surgery in September 2018, with 7 years of prior vet nursing experience. She has completed Certificate IV in Vet Nursing. Tara loves nursing in mixed practice where her long established small animal nursing skills have been supplemented with skills in large animal healthcare.
With her partner Jack and daughter Maggie, Tara is currently renovating a 1950’s weatherboard in Healesville which is home to George, a 6 year old French Bulldog, and Hank, a 2 year old Australian Bulldog.
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Tara enjoys sharing her knowledge on everything Bulldog. And there’s lots to know!
Tara has a strong interest in the anaesthetic monitoring component of nursing and likes to ensuring every patient undergoing an anaesthetic are carefully monitored with a smooth recovery.
She spends lots of time over the weekends in Mansfield where her family have a hobby sheep farm, along with 2 quarter horses, Summer and JLo. Summer had a Gypsy cob x quarter horse foal in January 2020.
Tara worked until recently with her Aunty and Uncle at the Hurstbridge Deli and Larder that they own.
Coming from a background in customer service she prides herself on giving caring service and making every clients experience pleasant when visiting the clinic.
Michelle
Michelle joined The Veterinary Surgery team in 2020 with over 10 years of nursing experience. It all started for her as a part time job hydro bathing dogs at the local vet surgery on Saturday mornings while she was in high school. It soon became obvious that nursing was the path she wanted to follow, spending everyday helping animals and their owners. She can’t imagine a day where she isn’t covered in fur!
Read more about Michelle
From working in a 24hr Emergency hospital and specialist care, Michelle has enjoyed all aspects of Veterinary Nursing. Providing the highest standard of care is her number one priority. Michelle enjoys continued education to ensure she offers all our clients and their pets the best possible options and care.
She also has a keen interest in medically managed patients, behaviour and training. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks is not something Michelle believes to be true! We just need to see what motivates each dog and help them learn accordingly. She likes a positive only style of training making sure the dog enjoys its successful behaviour.
Michelle’s family is overflowing with furry friends. Michelle has 2 Golden Retrievers, 1 of whom has special needs and has only 1 kidney! There is also a fluffy Maltese who sports a ponytail and who Michelle plans to enter in trick training competitions, 2 lazy cats, a bunny and 3 horses.
Michelle enjoys spending her spare time riding her horses including 1 older pony in his late 20’s who sulks at the gate if it’s not his turn to go riding, taking the dogs on adventures, cooking and reading.
Abbey
Abbey started at The Veterinary Surgery in 2020 while completing work placement for her studies in Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing. She has now completed her studies and works as one of our full-time nurses.
Read more about Abbey
She was also a part of the Yarrambat pony club and still has her first pony Sonny who is now retired and enjoys the quiet life in the paddock on her property in Diamond Creek.
Abbey also has a number of other animals – 2 dogs Nellie and Poppy, 2 elderly cats Oscar and Leo as well as a 2 hand reared lambs Nino and Eli.
Another passion for Abbey is fostering neonatal puppies and kittens. It is very time consuming, but Abbey enjoys every minute of it.
Kayla
Kayla started working with us late 2021 and we are so glad she has joined our team of excellent nurses. Kayla is very knowledgeable and caring and enjoys her reception shifts building great relationships with our clients.
Read more about Kayla
It all started for Kayla in a cattery at a local Vet Practice in 2013, which then lead to her completing her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing in 2016.
A highlight for Kayla is the time she spent at a clinic on The Sunshine Coast.
Kayla lives in Kilmore with her husband Lachie, her sweet son …. and “the zoo”; Mayah the Lab, Bundy the Bull Arab x, Arthur the Corgi x, Trig the Staghound x, Caddy the Stock Horse, Ellie the Clydie x and Missy the coloured pony.
In her spare time, she can be found camping with friends and the dogs or at clinics/competitions with Caddy and Ellie.
Chelsea
She also loves spending time with her family, gardening and enjoying life as a mum. Whenever they get the chance, Chelsea and her family enjoy heading away camping and making the most of the outdoors.
Alex
Alex started working at The Veterinary Surgery towards the end of 2022 and she has thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of her career working in a mixed animal clinic. Alex has worked in a busy clinic before and takes everything in her stride.
Alex has completed her Bachelor of Animal and Veterinary Science.
Beth
Receptionist
Beth completed her Bachelor of Animal and Veterinary Biosciences in 2018 and began working in a clinical setting in 2020. She joined our team in 2023 and loves spending her days greeting all the gorgeous furbabies that walk through our doors. She is always willing to help pet parents with general enquiries and has a special interest in pet rabbits!
Beth spends her time outside of work looking after her daughter and her red border collie, Xanthe.
Jemma
Lucy
Lucy started working at the Veterinary Surgery towards the end of 2024, as a trainee nurse while completing her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. She loves all type of animals from domestic animals to livestock and wildlife.
Lucy has quite a few pets at home including 3 dogs, 2 cats and a few chickens. In her spare time, she enjoys walking her dogs and enjoying time outside.
Allana
Bianca
Bianca has been a Veterinary nurse for a few years now after following her passion to care for and nurse animals. Bianca has completed her Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing and has a particular interest in small animal anaesthetics and surgery.
With one fur baby, Poppy the fluffy Jack Russell , Bianca also has a tailored interest in canine behaviour and therefore aims to ensure Vet visits are a positive experience for each and every furry friend!
Richard
Receptionist
Richard is an avid animal lover and previously worked in pathology.
He has been with us since June 2026 and is one of our receptionists
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Richard has a soft spot for the working dogs and has 3 of his own; Abby, May and Indi which keeps him very busy.
Caitlyn
Outside of work, Caitlyn enjoys spending time with her family and her two dogs. She is always happiest when she can spend time outside.