Staff

INTRODUCING OUR TEAM

Take some time to get to know our hard working and dedicated team. Our vets are committed to offering high quality care and undertake regular training to keep up with latest developments and techniques. They are ably supported by our highly qualified nurses and reception staff. We all share common values and through co-operation and respect strive to deliver care with integrity and professionalism.

Dr Michael McCormack VETERINARIAN

Michael graduated from The University of Sydney in 2005. His career started in rural mixed practice in the United Kingdom, working for 2 years in Hertfordshire and Berkshire. While there he adopted his Border Collie cross ‘Hogie’ who accompanied him back to Australia.

After starting work in Bungendore in 2007 Michael has developed a particular interest in surgery and now regularly takes on challenging surgical cases including small animal orthopaedics. He has also completed training in canine reproduction and artificial insemination. He fosters these skills by regularly attending workshops and lectures.

Away from the clinic, Michael and his partner share their home in Bungendore with the obligatory menagerie, including 2 cats, a sheep, a cockatoo and some chickens. Hogie and Lucy (a Kelpie) accompany Michael on his early morning jogs (he may one day complete a marathon!). He is also a keen cook and regularly spends time creating culinary delights (and catastrophes).


BVSc (Hons)

Dr Stacy Bridgfoot VETERINARIAN

Stacy grew up locally on her parent’s hobby farm in Wamboin. She has had a long association with BVS completing work experience and vet placements with us a number of years ago.

After graduation from the University of Sydney in 2006 with first class honours she went to work in Wagga Wagga at a large mixed animal practice. Four years later, after meeting her husband in Wagga, she decided it was time to move home and settle down. She started at BVS in January 2011 and has been with us ever since.

Stacy is often found treating small animals in the surgery, which is something she loves doing. She has a special interest in farm animal medicine and surgery and enjoys working with cattle, sheep, goats and alpacas as well.


BVSc (Hons)

Dr Helena Reeves VETERINARIAN

Helena grew up on a cattle and sheep property on the North Island of New Zealand. In between school and university studies she enjoyed being involved with production animal farming, as well as competing on and breeding her own show jumpers and endurance horses. While at University she also worked on thoroughbred studs throughout NZ and Australia, handling and preparing yearlings for sales.

In 2009 Helena graduated from Massey University moving to Australia in early 2010 to join a practice in the Queensland outback. She came to Bungendore in August 2010 and although she misses her family (and pet rabbit Mr Bunny!), she is enjoying her time here. She loves working in a mixed practice, whilst having a particular interest in equine medicine, particularly reproduction.

Helena loves sport, in particular the All Blacks, playing hockey and horse riding. Her menagerie includes a cat, a horse, a whippet and 4 chickens.


BVSc

Dr Clementina Watson VETERINARIAN

Clem is from Melbourne and although from the city always wanted to be a rural mixed practice vet. After completing a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Psychology, she decided that her true path ahead was in veterinary science. After another 6 years of study she graduated from Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga in 2016 and moved to Bungendore in August the same year.

Clem has an interest in small animal surgery, equine medicine and reproduction but at the moment is happy experiencing all aspects of being a mixed practice vet.

Clem moved to Bungendore with her four legged family including Banjo the Kelpie, Rufus the cat and a couple of horses. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with all her animals, as well as riding and competing on her horses in various disciplines.


BVet Biol/BVSc

Dr Chris Baldwin VETERINARIAN

Chris graduated from Charles Sturt University in July 2018 and started working in Bungendore the following month. He is local boy, growing up just outside of Sutton, and has always shown an interest in small and large animals, completing many university placements at BVS throughout his university years.

While enjoying all the unique aspects of mixed veterinary practice, Chris has a particular interest in small animal medicine and surgery, as well as getting outside and being involved in production animal medicine.

Away from the clinic, Chris loves anything and everything sports related, particularly cricket and rugby, and in winter likes to hit the ski slopes as much as possible. He also enjoys spending time with his own dogs, a three legged cattle dog and a border collie, and keeping them out of mischief.


BVet Biol/BVSc.

Dr Megan Wright VETERINARIAN

Megan graduated from Charles Sturt University in 2017, having completed her Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree with first class honours. She started her career in mixed practice in Orange, NSW and In November 2019 we were very lucky to have her join the team at Bungendore Vet Surgery.

Megan loves the diverse challenges of mixed practice and enjoys working with all species large and small. Her particular interests include equine dentistry, clinical pathology, small animal intensive care and surgery.

Outside of work, Megan keeps busy with her energetic dog, a very friendly cat and an off the track thoroughbred horse.


BVetBiol/BVSc (Hons)

Dr Carla Werrin VETERINARIAN

Carla took the roundabout way to her veterinary career, completing a double Arts/Science degree at the University of Sydney in 2010, before graduating with a Bachelor of Veterinary Biology and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, also from USYD, in 2019. After completing a placement at BVS in her final year she fell in love with the practice and joined us in January 2020.

Carla says she has had the best of both worlds growing up in North Bondi, while also spending a considerable amount of time on her family’s Black Angus producing properties in Bungonia and Bannister. She has always wanted to work in a mixed practice and has a particular interest in large animal medicine and surgery, as well as small animal medicine and diagnostics.

In her spare time Carla is an avid Brumbies supporter, likes to read, see movies and spend time at the coast. She has a small cat called Rory and can’t wait to have more pets now she has finished studying, especially a dog!


BVetBiol/DVM

Dr Joanne Johnson VETERINARIAN

Jo grew up in Bega on the Far South Coast of NSW and initially sought a career in conservation research, completing her Bachelor of Science at the University of Canberra in 2012. Her love for wildlife and travel took her to Namibia, southern Africa where she worked in wildlife rehabilitation and release. In 2018 Jo returned to Australia to undertake the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Melbourne, working as a tour guide at the National Zoo and Aquarium in Canberra during university holidays.

While completing her final year student placement with BVS Jo immediately felt at home in the clinic and surrounding area and soon after graduating in 2022 took up a full-time position with us. Jo loves the variety that mixed practice brings, enjoying work out on farm and in the clinic, and is keen to work with all animals – scaled, feathered and furred alike. In early 2023 she completed further training in equine dentistry and is now joining Dr Helena and Dr Megan on our busy equine dental runs. Jo is happily living in Wamboin with her partner and newly adopted rescue kitten Tiny Tot.


BSc, DVM

Janine Robinson NURSE

Janine was born in the UK and moved to Australia as a young girl. She first joined BVS in 1996 when she was studying for her nursing certificate at CIT in Canberra, from which she graduated in 1997 at the top of her class being presented with the Highest Academic Achievement award. She enjoys all facets of veterinary nursing and many animals have benefited from her caring attitude and high level of professional competency.

Janine has given more than 20 years of wonderful dedicated service to BVS and has seen the surgery evolve and grow. She says how proud she is to still be a part of such a wonderful caring practice. She currently works three days a week, mostly in surgery.

Janine owns several horses and spends much of her spare time helping her daughter train and compete in dressage.


Advanced Certificate of Veterinary Nursing

Kay Dodds NURSE

Kay has been a vet nurse since 1993. After moving to the Bungendore area in January 2009 Kay started with BVS in the July the same year. Kay has worked at various practices over the years and cared for all kinds of animals large, small and the exotic. Intensive care, anaesthesia and animal behaviour are her particular areas of interest, she loves to continually update her knowledge and regularly attends continuing education seminars.

Since mid-2011 Kay has been organising and running our popular puppy classes of an evening at the surgery. These classes provide important socialisation opportunities for new pups as well as covering behavioural, nutritional and grooming topics.

Away from work Kay enjoys spending time with family on her farm and looking after her many four legged family members including dogs, horses, chooks and a sheep.


Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing

Paula Wood NURSE

Paula has been a veterinary nurse for 20 years, initially in a mixed animal practice similar to BVS, then moving into small animal practice. For many years she was a theatre nurse assisting Dr Sarah Webb, a small animal specialist surgeon in Canberra. She started with us part-time in March 2010 and is a huge asset to our clinic, bringing with her a wealth of knowledge, experience and a great personality (just feed her chocolate!!)

Paula was born and bred on a grazing farm in the Upper Murray Region, overlooking the Murray River. For many years, whenever she had the chance, she loved to go back there and help her Dad out with the sheep and cattle work. The property has now been sold, although she still returns as often as she can to visit family and friends.


Advanced Associate Diploma in Animal Science and Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing

Kara Piddington NURSE

Kara graduated from Charles Sturt University in 1995 with a Bachelor of Equine Science (picking up the Dean’s Award for Excellence for good measure) and has been employed in animal health ever since. She started at BVS in 2007 and obtained her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing in 2008. She spends most of her time in surgery, but also helps out in reception a couple of times a week.

Kara’s interests include running, horse-riding, exercise physiology and sewing. She loves spending time with her family and being a part of her children’s sports and other interests. She has a menagerie of cats, dogs and horses on her farm and in the few hours a day she has free she likes to sleep, preferably with a cat on her head and under one arm!


Bachelor of Equine Science & Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing

Kay Fisher NURSE

Kay grew up in Canberra and completed her veterinary nursing certificate (equivalent of Certificate IV) at Wagga Wagga TAFE. She started with BVS in December 2016 and comes to us with 31 years of nursing experience – needless to say we were very pleased to welcome her to our nursing team. While her previous experience is in small animal practice, she is enjoying the challenges associated with working in a mixed practice.

Kay brings with her a very broad range of skills in all aspects of veterinary nursing including animal husbandry, lab work and reception, but she particularly enjoys working with the vets in surgery.

Having lived in the Bungendore area for many years, but working in Canberra, Kay says she is particularly enjoying the short commute to work. In her spare time she loves to spend time with her husband, two daughters and their menagerie of dogs, cats, chickens and a lizard. She is also a wildlife carer and a keen soccer player and coach.


Certificate of Veterinary Nursing

Susie Edwards NURSE

Susie graduated from ANU in 1993 with a BSc in Zoology and Ecology. She went on to work as a ranger for various National Parks and wildlife agencies, including Kosciusko National Park and Litchfield National Park in the Northern Territory, with a particular interest in threatened species research.

After living in the Top End Susie returned south to enjoy the next 10 years with her partner Brad and their 3 children on a small property at Wamboin, which they share with their dogs, horses, cats, chickens, guinea fowl and various parrots. Having always loved animals and having an interest in veterinary science, Susie commenced a Certificate IV in veterinary nursing at CIT when her youngest started school.  A work placement was secured at BVS in 2017, not long after they successfully treated her dog for snakebite.

Having completed her Certificate IV in nursing at the end of 2018, Susie now enjoys the variety of working with a range of animals in a busy practice.


Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing

Gwen Stewart NURSE

Gwen grew up in the United States on a rural property caring for goats, chickens and ducks, in addition to the family cats and dogs. After travelling from city to city for school and work, she is eager to return to her country roots and settle down in Bungendore.

As the self-appointed Cuddles Coordinator, Gwen tries to make sure every patient is as comfortable and happy as possible while in the surgery. Having a timid dog herself, she takes great interest in working with and helping fearful patients, as well as researching techniques in canine behaviour.

Gwen will be finishing her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing in early 2019. She is looking forward to a long career at BVS working with animals of all sizes and giving extra cuddles whenever she can.


Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing

Megan Mitchell NURSE

Megan grew up on rural properties in the Bungendore area and has a love for everything that involves animals. She spent most of her childhood riding and competing in numerous horse sports; her main focus was Polocrosse, which gave her the opportunity to travel over the country with her family, as well as represent Australia in international competitions. Prior to starting in veterinary nursing she spent many years working on, and managing, a local sheep and cattle property.

In 2012 Megan started working part time at Bungendore Vet Surgery and in the same year completed her Certificate III in animal handling at CIT. She loves gaining new skills and working with the BVS team and over the next couple of years, as well as looking after her two young boys, hopes to complete her Certificate IV in veterinary nursing.


Certificate 3 in Animal Handling

Grace Eves NURSE

Grace moved to the Bungendore area with her family about 8 years ago from Canberra and has been working part time with us since July 2021. After completing Year 12 in 2022 she is now studying a Bachelor of Veterinary Technician through Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga, with a possible plan to study Veterinary Science in the future. Grace is a keen rider and has two horses, 2 dogs and a cat. When not studying she tells us she loves to bake, though this could be a myth as she hasn’t actually brought in any baked goods for the team as yet!

 

Hannah Goodwin NURSE

Hannah was born in Darwin and lived in the top end until 2016 when her family moved to Canberra. She started at BVS in July 2022 and is currently studying for her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing through TAFE in Goulburn. In addition, Hannah was recently awarded a scholarship (one of only 8 offered) to complete a Consultation Nurse course over the next 12 months through the University of New England.

Outside of work Hannah’s passion is definitely horses. She started riding bush ponies at the age of six and started working at a local show jumping stable as a rider and groom while still at school. She now has a team of horses that she competes in show jumping around Australia. As well as her horses Hannah’s constant companion is her Border Collie Tess who goes everywhere with her.

Rebekah West SUPPORT STAFF

Bek grew up on her family’s sheep farm in Adaminaby surrounded by animals. She studied Equine Science at Charles Sturt University in Wagga and went on to work for the CSU Veterinary Clinical Centre for 6 years as a senior nurse for the medical team.

Prior to joining BVS in September 2020 Bek spent the previous 4 years on the Gold Coast working in administration for a leading horse trainer. Bek is a wonderful addition to our amazing reception team and brings with her an in depth understanding of the veterinary world.

In her spare time Bek keeps busy looking after her two kids Amelia and Henry, as well as her latest family addition Lucy, a Mini Dachshund.


Bachelor of Equine Science

Di Lopaten SUPPORT STAFF

Di has lived in the Bungendore area for over 20 years. She has a background in the public service, but her dream had always been to work in veterinary practice, either as a vet nurse, or in a support capacity. Four years ago she finally achieved her goal and began work at a practice in Canberra. While continuing in this position, Di also works with us one day a week and on regular Saturday mornings.

Di says she is owned by 3 dogs, 3 cats, 1 parrot and 4 miniature horses. She enjoys training her kelpie toward sheep dog trialling, as well participating in performance training and competing with her “minis”. With any time left over after work, her animals and her property outside of Bungendore, Di also enjoys playing hockey and photography.

Suzie Shephard SUPPORT STAFF

Suzie grew up in Canberra and worked in a mixed practice while studying for her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. She moved to Bungendore in 2001 and started working at BVS in 2002. After nearly 10 years here she decided to try working within the public sector, which she enjoyed but missed all the animal interaction! She returned to BVS in 2022 and feels like she has returned home.

Suzie has a passion for cooking and gardening, especially bonsai, and loves spoiling her 3 horses, Border Collie Daisy and her little black cat Slinky. She is a mad sporting enthusiast, in particular she loves AFL (Collingwood of course!), cricket and all horse sports.


Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing

Nina Buxton SUPPORT STAFF

Nina grew up on a small farm on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria and from an early age had a keen interest in working with dogs, cats, chickens and her favourite, horses. Nina competed to a national level in dressage and show jumping and spent two years training at the Flying Equestrian Centre in Sweden. She has also been lucky enough to groom horses at international shows and the Olympics!

Nina has a variety of interests including architecture (she has a degree from Deakin Uni, Melbourne), competing in triathlons, mountain biking, skiing and hiking. She enjoys the diversity of Defence life with her husband and three daughters and has lived in many parts of Australia. In 2015 the family settled on a small acreage outside of Bungendore and Nina happily settled back into farm life with her show jumping horse Pepe.  After a relatively short time a defence posting took them away again to Jordan, however after returning home to Bywong in 2022 Nina decided to combine her love of animals and a desire to work in the local community and joined the team at BVS.

Amelia Schlager SUPPORT STAFF

Another locally grown girl, Amelia comes from a hospitality background initially, but had a calling to help animals and decided to change career. She started nursing at a practice in Canberra and completed her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing in 2018. After moving to Braidwood in 2021 Amelia found the commute to work took up a lot of her day, so we snatched her up here in 2022. She has a keen interest in building a small scale market garden and is practising by supplying the team here with all sorts of vegetables. Amelia has boundless enthusiasm for all animals that come through our front door and lives with her pampered British Shorthaired cat Hannah and her short haired Border Collies Davey and Rosie.


Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing

Dr Rosemary Laing SUPPORT STAFF

Rosemary graduated from the University of Sydney in 1987, working in dairy & mixed practice in Orbost, Victoria, before spending a period in England, then Camden (Sydney University) & Victoria.  Following this period in practice Rosemary returned to the University of Sydney in 1992 to complete a Masters in Veterinary Clinical Pathology. She then worked in a veterinary laboratory in Randwick and for a number of years as a locum at the Regional Veterinary Laboratory at Menangle.

Rosemary’s pathology skills have been very useful over the years and have helped us to make more timely diagnoses than would otherwise have been possible. These days she spends her time on the administrative side of the practice, working as our practice manager, although still supervises and helps out with our in-house lab when required.


BVSc (Hons), MVStud(Path)

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