Growing up in Africa, I was drawn to all animals domestic and wild. My childhood dream was always to become a game ranger or zoo keeper, but through high school this evolved into pursuing veterinary medicine. My childhood pets, Niki (Siamese), Rupert (Old English sheepdog) & Emily (Fox terrier) were my true inspiration for pursuing this veterinary career. I always remembered going to the vets with them, it soon became my only career choice. I gained entry to the University of Queensland veterinary school in 1994. After graduation, I actively pursued a position with Dr Vic Menrath in Queensland, Australia’s first feline specialist vet. After working with his team for 5 years, I decided to found the Cat Clinic in Melbourne in 2005 with my partner Amy.
I love the cat hospital we have created( our 20th year now), the people that I work with, the amazing cats I care for and the relationship and trust I have built with our clients.I know the bond and love I have for my cats, this is the motivation to continually strive to deliver the best for my feline patients. By caring for a cat’s health & well being, I know I will help promote and prolong the bond an owner has with their cat. I really enjoy caring for every aspect of cat’s life needs, from the routine to most dire health needs. I get tremendous satisfaction in getting to know my patients and clients and their families. It is an inevitable part of the profession that I will lose much loved patients, but in the next generation, I get to continue the lineage of care with my client – this is the most satisfying part of my career.
I am lucky to call Amy – the most brilliant feline vet (and wonderful person) I know, my partner. We share our home with four cats. Stirling is an 12 year old Russian blue, he is truly the most amazing little creature I have ever loved (you shouldn’t have favourites). Stella, a 12 year old “ice queen” oriental who loves to pretend I don't exist. Last year we added a bonkers crazy little Russian Blue girl - JoJo, she's a unique little bundle of neurodiversity. We have just added a beautifully simple, burmese boy called Gino - FOUR is now a back to a complete cat home.
Outside of work, you will find me adding to the frustration of life on a golf course, getting some miles in my kayak on the Yarra or at the gym. I am an avid foodie and consider myself an overly enthusiastic consumer of fine red wines, being especially partial to West Australian Cabernet’s.