Chelsea - Trainee Vet Nurse

I previously worked at Melbourne Veterinary Referral Centre as an animal attendant where I decided to pursue a career in vet nursing. I have now commenced certificate four in vet nursing by correspondence, through AIRC which is great!

In the future I would like to further my nursing skills in animal behaviour as it is one of my key interests in this field.

I have a few pets: a bird named Rique, who is a Kakarikki, a common parrot in New Zealand; she's very entertaining but simultaneously messy! I also own two cats who I think would love to make a meal out of Rique but have so far failed miserably. Sylvester is a sixteen years old DSH who was my fourth birthday present! The other, Jimmy, is a two year old ragdoll cross who is as gorgeous as he is trouble. 

Marie

I am a Qualified Veterinary Nurse and have returned to Veterinary Nursing after 8 years off to raise a family and pursue other interests. I work here on a part time basis and have immensely enjoyed coming back to the team at Mt Martha Vet Clinic!

I have various qualifications in Veterinary Nursing which I acquired through Box Hill Tafe, such as animal dentistry and nutrition. In my time of veterinary nursing I have had the pleasure of working with many vets and have worked a senior nurse role at one of Melbourne's largest veterinary hospitals.

I have extensive veterinary nursing experience in Orthapedics, Oph thalmology, Dermatology, Animal Behaviour & Nutrition/ Weight management.

Outside of Veterinary Nursing, I am a busy parent and enthusiastic devotee of Tai Chi.

Sam

I have been at Mt Martha Vet Clinic for over four years and thoroughly enjoy vet nursing.

I qualified as a Veterinary nurse over ten years ago, studying at the  New England College, NSW.

I have attended many seminars to update my education and worked with established Veterinary Specialist Surgeon Dr. Charles Kuntz, which was very interesting and educational.

I am particularly interested in animal behaviour and theatre nursing.

I have had animals for most of my life. Currently I have a mix: a Quarterhorse, a Miniature pony, a Birman cat, a Whippet dog and three chooks.

Jo

I started vet nursing in 1988 in a small mixed animal practice in Worce stershire in the UK. My interview was unique; it consisted of one thing - could I leap a stable door when an irate cow decided to say NO?! - and it turned out I could. During this time I made several trips overseas on charity neutering trips. On one of these trips I met my husband to be, Martin, whilst laying on the floor of a horse box playing midwife to a ewe.

In 1994 we were married and we moved to Hertfordshire where I accepted the position of Manager at The Blue Cross Adoption Centre, a national re-homing shelter for cats, dogs and horses. It was at the Blue Cross that my passion for canine behaviour flourished, seeing so many animals handed over for reasons that could so easily be avoided with some gentle steering in the right direction. We featured regularly on the TV program Pet Rescue UK, (it's true, the camera really does add 10lbs!). After the birth of my daughters Molly and Lucy, I returned to veterinary nursing where I enjoyed running our practice puppy parties and behaviour clinics.

In March 2008 we emigrated with our Westie, Moshi, who is enjoying her beach lifestyle. I am really excited to be working at Mt Martha Veterinary Clinic, and have been made welcome by colleagues and clients alike. I look forward to meeting all the exotic wildlife Australia has to offer too!

Caitlyn

Like every child does, I decided at a young age that one day I was going to become a vet. I watched Dr Harry, idolised Dr. Katrina Warren, and visited as many animal farms and expos as I possibly could. It wasn't until I stated volunteering at the RSPCA Peninsula Clinic, that my dreams began to come true. It was the skills and experience that I gained from the staff at the RSPCA which allowed me to fill the position of ˜Saturday Girl" at the Mount Martha Veterinary Clinic in mid-November 2009.

At home I have two cats, one extremely vocal and one rather quiet, called Spike and Roxy respectively. We also adopted a Labrador-Pointer cross called Jesse, who has happily lived with us for the last two years and still loves sprinting madly through the water at the beach, despite being nearly nine years old.

Now I am finished VCE Year 12 and I achieved a score which will enable me to commence studying the six year veterinary course at Melbourne University, first completing the Bachelor of Science before moving on to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. I can hardly wait!