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MEET THE STAFF

Your Veterinarians

STEPHANIE ALLISON

Stephanie has been with Balgownie Veterinary Hospital since it opened its doors in November 1991. She has seen many changes as the practice has grown over the years with an increase in staff and clients. Stephanie graduated from University of Queensland, Brisbane. She worked around the north coast of Queensland for a while before travelling overseas and working in the UK for two years. She returned in 1991 to help establish Balgownie Veterinary Hospital. She has completed some post graduate courses in dermatology and most recently, has completed a certificate in Practice Management through the University of Wollongong. Stephanie lives close by to the practice so she can manage the day to day needs of  the hospital  as well as monitor closely any critical patients after hours. Stephanie has the support of her husband, 5 children and 2 dogs at home to help her with the demands of a busy practice.

 

NIGEL RAY-YOUNG

Nigel is our visiting surgeon who commutes from Sydney when we require his surgical expertise.

Nigel performs a variety of surgery – soft tissue and orthopaedic at Balgownie Veterinary Hospital as well as some Vet Hospitals in the South of Sydney. Nigel enjoys the trip down from Sydney and always marvels at our great beaches and scenery.

Nigel’s most commonly performed surgery would have to be cruciate ligament repair of the knee.

Most repairs are well enough to go home 24 hours post surgery and although it takes 6 weeks for full recovery, we often find his patients are weight bearing within a week of surgery.

 

SARAH PATULLO

Sarah graduated from Melbourne University in 2007 with honours. She spent 3 years working in mixed dairy practice in country South Australia. After a change of scenery from mud, rain and lots of flies, she moved to Tasmania to work in a busy small animal hospital with a high case load of surgery, both soft tissue and orthopaedics. In 2012, she moved up to the Illawarra and is hoping to settle in the area. Sarah enjoys small animal surgery and has a particular soft spot for Staffordshire bull terriers. At home, she has two naughty dogs (one of which is a staffy!)  Called Ashy and Grungle and in her spare time she loves taking them to the beach. Sarah commenced work at Balgownie Vets in a full time role in May 2012 and is enjoying meeting our clients and being involved with the health and well being of their pets.

 

ALISON CLARK

Alison has joined Balgownie Veterinary Hospital in a permanent part time capacity this year. She is available for consultation and surgery on Wednesdays and Thursdays as well as every second Saturday.

Alison graduated from Sydney University and spent her early working life in mixed practice in Victoria and the UK. She has lived and worked on the South Coast for the last fifteen years, most recently in Jervis bay, and now works exclusively with small animals. She has two wonderful children, now teenagers, a slightly bossy dog called Jindy, plus chooks, guinea pigs, goats and a rebellious miniature pony! In her spare time she enjoys reading and creative writing, cooking and gardening.

 

Our support team

NATASHA ATALLAH

Natasha (Tash) has been with Balgownie Veterinary Hospital for a few years now. She has completed her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. Last year, she completed a diploma in practice management through the University of New England, Armidale NSW. She hails from Harden, NSW but has decided to settle here after realizing the NSW South Coast is just too irresistible (along with her partner who works close by!)

TEENEA LAMORE

REBECCA GULLY

Rebecca worked at Balgownie Vet Hospital over the Christmas holidays in 2010 as a locum nurse. She has now returned to us in a permanent full time role. Rebecca has a wealth of nursing experience from working in busy hospitals in Western Sydney but enjoys living and working in Balgownie now. When she is not at work, Rebecca enjoys spending time with her son, Isaac. She is also a very keen cook and we all volunteer to sample her work at morning tea!

ASHLEE PARKS

Ashlee has been coming in to Balgownie Vet Hospital for a couple of years now whilst completing her training for Veterinary Nursing ( Certificate IV ). As she now nears completion, she has been taking on more responsibility within the nursing staff. She now works most Saturday mornings and some weekends as well as helping out during the week. It’s been great to see Ashlee grow in confidence with her nursing skills. Ashlee enjoys water skiing and horse riding in her spare time.

 

Kate Whitelock

Kate brings an international flavour to Balgownie Vets. She hails from Canada but has settled here now with her Aussie husband and children. She is currently studying certificate IV in Vet Nursing and hopes to be finished soon.

 

LINK THE LEGEND

In Memoriam …. Link the Legend. It is with great sadness that we wish to inform all our clients that our resident surgery cat Link passed away on Tuesday 26th March 2012. He had been living comfortably with chronic kidney disease for quite some time and had the luxury of 24 hour medical care and attention. Unfortunately, his kidney and other organ function deteriorated rapidly and we all had to make the difficult decision that we now know a lot of our clients have faced with their own pets. Many of you may have remembered Link taking up residence on the front reception or nurturing our cat adoption cats. He will be sadly missed, particularly as we take up the challenge of a new cat adoption program in the coming months.