Nursing staff

Carolina has a passion for anaesthesia and emergency and critical care. She has been a veterinary nurse since 2019 and completed a Bachelor of Science (Zoology) in 2022.
She is interested in all aspects of veterinary medicine and would love to become a veterinarian one day.

Outside of work, she loves spending time with her dogs Bernie and Jack, socialising, and going to the beach.

Ashleigh has dedicated her career to emergency veterinary care, beginning in 2013 as an overnight animal attendant with the emergency service at a specialist hospital while completing her Cert IV. After graduating in 2015, she immediately stepped into Emergency and Critical Care nursing.

Joining UVTHS in 2017 as an ECC nurse, Ashleigh progressed to the role of ECC Nurse Unit Coordinator in 2021. Beyond her professional life, she shares her home with her baby angel Cavoodle, Peanut, and two rescued cats, Martin and Audrey.

MSc, BSc (hons) RVN

Becky completed her BSc (hons) in veterinary nursing in 2010 at the Royal Veterinary College, London. After graduating, she worked at the University’s referral hospital in the internal medicine department for 5 years.

During this time, Becky also completed a MSc in veterinary nursing, becoming the first nurse to hold this qualification. Becky then broadened her skill set working at Bristol University’s hospital for one year in the theatre, anaesthesia and medicine teams.

Becky then packed her bags for a year of travelling around Australia’s stunning red centre and scenic coastlines. She worked at multiple practices and volunteered at a desex clinic in the Gili Islands, Indonesia.

Ending her travel year in Sydney, Becky settled into her current role as an ECC nurse and Nurse Unit Coordinator at UVTHS, making Sydney her permanent home along with her beloved Havanese pup, Billie.

Certificate III Captive Animal Management, Certificate IV Veterinary Nursing

Rebecca joined UVTHS in early 2010 as an ICU nurse. Before this she worked for a number of years at Kirrawee Vet Hospital, Ku-ring-gai Veterinary Hospital and as the senior nurse at Roseville vet clinic. Rebecca completed her certificate of veterinary nursing in 1996.

In 2004 Bec spent a year teaching Dressage in London’s Hyde Park Stables and travelling the UK and Europe. Bec also spent some time volunteering in Borneo with the endanged Sun bears and Orang-utans.

When not working Rebecca surfs, dives, trains in Taikido and spoils her cats Henry and William.

Nicole brings six years of broad veterinary nursing experience to UVTHS, previously working in general practice, shelter, and specialty nursing roles. She earned her Cert IV in veterinary nursing in 2018 and has a keen interest in pursuing additional qualifications for an ECC nurse specialty in the future.

Outside of work, Nicole spends her downtime with Dimi, her 6-year-old rescue greyhound, or at reformer Pilates classes.

Adela's veterinary journey began with the completion of her Certificate IV in 2009, followed by four years of experience at a small vet hospital in Liverpool. After a break to start a family and raise three boys, she reignited her passion for animal welfare and joined UVTHS in 2016.

Adela has worked across multiple services at UVTHS, including in primary care, surgery, and ultimately finding her calling with the emergency and critical care team.

Ide graduated with her veterinary nursing degree in Ireland in 2018, starting her career in a mixed practice where she worked both in-clinic and on the road. In February 2020, Ide relocated to Australia with aspirations to continue her career in veterinary care. She spent four months as a Maternity Tech on a farm, providing crucial support to pregnant cows through medication administration, delivery assistance, and the care of newborn calves.

Since April 2021, Ide has been a valued member of the UVTHS emergency and critical care team.

Veterinary Nursing Certificate, Domestic Animal Care

One of the most longstanding members of the UVTHS Nursing team, Rhonda joined the UVTHS as a veterinary nurse in 1986 & continues to work as one of our Primary Care nurses; her special interest is veterinary dermatology.

During her time here she has completed TAFE training in both domestic animal care and veterinary nursing. Rhonda not only looks after the patients at UVTHS, she also looks after the people employed here, as she is our WHS Officer.

Rhonda has a Chihuahua cross foxy ‘Chelsea’ and has recently adopted one of the UVTHS retired feline blood donors ‘Bruno’.

Certificate IV Veterinary Nursing

Amanda has worked in the animal industry for 8 years. She started her Veterinary Nursing career in a small practice North West of Sydney.

She joined the Imaging department at UVTHS in August 2014 after gaining her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. She is responsible for DX images, Fluoroscopy and has a special interest in training future veterinarians.

Amanda’s spare time is spent being outdoors, shooting target archery or spending time with her 3 dogs.

Veterinary Nursing Certificate

Kelly completed her Veterinary Nursing Certificate in 1993 and spent 15 years in a busy private practice as the head nurse and manager of the Burwood Animals Rescue Kennels. The no-kill shelter re-homed abandoned and neglected animals within the Burwood Council district.

As a result of her interest in animal behaviour she has completed her Certificate IV in Companion Animal Service and is an Accredited Instructor with Delta Society Australia.

Her dog training business ‘Love on a Leash’ was established and Kelly runs Puppy Preschool classes and private consultations to manage basic obedience and behavioural issues in dogs.

Kelly spent 9 months in a veterinary specialist centre before joining the UVTHS team in 2005 and can often be heard singing her favourite Prince songs through the corridors.

RVN, BSci (Hons) Zoology

Having previously completed a Zoology degree at the University of Glasgow, in 2019 Chris qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in the UK.

He soon packed his bags and headed to Australia where he worked as a locum in the Eastern suburbs for a short period, before joining UVTHS in the ECC and then the Referral Medicine nursing team in February 2020.

He then moved to Queensland for a year. He worked as an Internal Medicine nurse at a busy specialist hospital in Brisbane before returning to Sydney and rejoining the UVTHS team as a Referral Medicine nurse at the end of 2021.

Certificate IV Veterinary Nursing

Lydia gained her New Zealand Certificate in veterinary nursing in 2002. For Lydia’s first six years of nursing she worked at the busy Auckland SPCA. Since this time Lydia has enjoyed a variety of different nursing roles in New Zealand, England and Melbourne including but not limited to a Specialist Surgical Nurse and Practice Manager.

Having moved to Sydney in September 2015 to join our SAVES team at the UVTH; she is looking forward to learning new skills from her experienced colleagues and all the challenges this role will bring.

Lydia is looking forward to making Sydney her new home and exploring the sights with her energetic Boston Terrier named Pepper.

Certificate IV Veterinary Nursing

Voki had worked in a busy general Practical Hospital for two years before joining the UVTHS team as a dermatology nurse in 2015.  She then transitioned to the referral medical team and continued her passion for feline welfare which drives her keen interest in feline medicine and her current pursuit of a Feline Medicine Nursing Diploma.

Outside of work, Voki loves knitting and crocheting animal toys, and she delights in gardening alongside her chicken friends.  She treasures moments spent with her cherished"C" Team – her chickens and cat.

Voki has a Devon Rex “Finnegan”, a rescued cat “Juno”, and a flock of five adorable chickens.

Certificate IV Veterinary Nursing

Tamara began her career in the year 2007 at a busy 24/7 private hospital. She was initially employed as an animal attendant but quickly found her passion in caring for the sick and injured animals.

Tamara began working as a trainee nurse in the Internal medicine team and gained necessary experience while completing her certificate. Once graduated Tamara rotated through many services including; Diagnostic Imaging, Internal Medicine, Oncology, Avian & Exotics and Emergency & Critical Care.

Joining UVTHS in 2020 on our Primary care team for a short while before finding her home on the Emergency & Critical Care service.

Not only does Tamara love the patients, but she loves interacting with clients, so you will see her smiling face if your pet needs to be triaged at the hospital.

Outside of work Tamara loves spending her time with her family and many animals.

She shares her home with 10 cats, 3 dogs, a small human and a husband.

Associate Diploma in Animal Technology

Jo obtained her Associate Diploma in Animal Technology from Ultimo TAFE in 2001, and joined the UVTHS as an ICU veterinary nurse in April, 2003.

Jo then moved on to work with the medicine specialist team where she continues to work as one of our medicine nurses.

Like most nurses, she has a menagerie, which keeps her busy (a dog, a cat, a rabbit and assorted fish). She also enjoys being outdoors, reading and spending time with her two sons.

Bachelor of Animal and Veterinary Bioscience (Honours I), Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing

Melissa first completed a Bachelor of Animal and Veterinary Bioscience (Honours I) in 2014 through The University of Sydney. From there, Melissa began her first job as a veterinary nurse with her local GP veterinary hospital, and quickly fell in love with everything that general practice had to offer. Melissa joined the Primary Care team in 2018.

Her favourite role is teaching DVM students everything about veterinary dentistry, from dental radiography to prophylactic treatment. In 2020, Melissa became a Puppy Preschool Instructor for UVTHS. She loves nothing more than supporting new puppy owners through the ups-and-downs of owning a new puppy, and seeing once timid puppies play with confidence!

Melissa adores all animals, but especially loves wildlife, exotic and unusual pets! Melissa is a proud fur-mum to three guinea pigs, two cockatiels, two Eastern Snake-necked Turtles, and a Shih Tzu X named Chicken.

Ashleigh completed her Certificate IV in Veterinary nursing in 2019 and joined our team at UVTHS in July 2021. She has mainly worked in GP hospitals during her nursing experience, although has had some previous experience within a specialist hospital and mobile vet.

She enjoys being part of our Primary Care team assisting the vets and students and being involved particularly in dentistry and wildlife.

Ashleigh has 2 cats called Ginger and Toffee who she adopted since stray kittens. In her downtime she enjoys gardening, her collection of indoor plants and playing board games.

In the future she intends to further develop her nursing skills whilst pursing her interest in dentistry, wildlife & exotic animals and anaesthesia.

Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing Diploma Emergency and Critical Care

Alecia is a certified veterinary nurse who started her career in a referral hospital in 2006. 

She has extensive knowledge and experience in Medicine, Oncology and Emergency and Critical Care nursing and has completed a diploma of Emergency and Critical Care at TAFE in 2013 and her certificate IV in training and assessment in 2019. 

Alecia joined UVTHS in 2017 as a Referral Medicine nurse. She also worked as one of our Oncology nurses before moving to our primary care team in 2023. 

Alecia enjoys working with the primary care team and the DVM students and hopes she can pass on valuable skills and knowledge to the students. 

When she is not working Alecia enjoys watching AFL, and spending time with her 2 children, family, friends and her chihuahua, Frankie. 

Finn has been working in the veterinary industry as a nurse since the end of 2017, with a prior career in television journalism. He began his veterinary career working at veterinary clinics during the day, and at the ABC at night, before making a swap to exclusive veterinary work. He obtained a bachelor of Communications in 2020, and is expecting to conclude his bachelor of Science (Animal & Veterinary Bioscience) in 2024.

He has worked at several specialist hospitals over his career, in a variety of departments - including referral emergency, exotics, internal medicine, surgery, and anaesthesia. Finn’s main focuses are on patient welfare, clinical education, and research. He joined the UVTHS team in October 2023.

When he isn’t working, Finn is most likely to be at a music event, adventuring outdoors, or being the world’s most mediocre rugby player. He is the parent of several dogs of varying intelligence and a very talkative parrot.

Betty graduated with a Bachelors in Animal and Veterinary Bioscience from the University of Sydney in 2021 with a First Class Honours for her research into the health issues faced by the Australian dog population. She has since joined UVTHS and has worked in the surgery department for the past three years. Driven by her passion for animal health, Betty's work as a Surgical Assistant largely revolves around ensuring your pets are looked after while in the operating room and ensuring the surgeons are kept happy while operating. She is responsible for preparing all the equipment needed for every surgery, keeping a high level of sterility and cleanliness to minimise patient infections and maintaining our machinery in the operating room.

To further her knowledge, she is pursuing a Certificate in Veterinary Nursing and teaching workshops as she regularly provides surgery education for our Doctor of Veterinary Medicine students to satisfy her love for teaching.

Betty is also a dedicated pet parent of a 3 year old Border Collie, Mili, who experiences refractory epileptic seizures.