Willunga & Aldinga Veterinary Services

Dr. Simon Edwards

Practice Owner, BSc BVMS, Cert IV A + WT

Simon enjoys working in this industry as it gives him the opportunity to work with an amazing group of people both staff and clients. It also allows him to dig deep into complex cases that make his brain hurt.

Simon’s special interests include ruminant medicine and herd health.

Outside of work Simon enjoys music and cycling his fat tyre bike up hills.

Simone

Business Administration Manager

Simone has always known from a young age that she wanted to work with animals.

Simones special interests are performing administration tasks and creating spreadsheets.

Outside of work Simone likes being home with her family and friends, playing video games and also really enjoys living a frugal life and playing with budgets and creating spreadsheets. 

up of people both staff and clients. It also allows him to dig deep into complex cases that make his brain hurt.

Simon’s special interests include ruminant medicine and herd health.

Outside of work Simon enjoys music and cycling his fat tyre bike up hills.

Caitlin

Lead Veterinary Nurse, Cert IV

Caitlin chose this industry beacause she has always loved animals She attended university to do a degree in animal behaviour but found the topics and career pathways weren’t quite what was imagined. Veterinary nursing and the course topics were much closer to what was envisioned so she left uni and started her Certificate IV instead! Choosing a career in veterinary medicine means my days at work are never boring. There is always something interesting going on, a challenge to work out, and an opportunity to get my hands dirty.

Caitlins work related interests are surgical and hospital nursing, as well as leadership and mentoring.

Outside of work Caitlin loves spending time with family, getting outdoors, listening to music, and going to the gym.

Dr. Neil Thies

Veterinarian, BVSc (Hons), MAVS

Neil graduated from Melbourne University in 1979 and joined WVS in 1984. He has completed a Masters in Veterinary Science. Neil brings a wealth of medical knowledge and surgical skill to our team.

Outside of work Neil spends time with Trees For Life and is a dedicated endurance runner and swimmer. He has completed two IronMan triathlons, as well as participating in the 10km + Rottnest Island swim, off the coast of WA. Currently he is racing half and full marathon events.

Dr. Clare Ellis

Veterinarian, BVSc (Hons), CCRT CVA (IVAS)

Clare grew up always wanting to be a vet. She enjoys working in this industry because she is able to make a difference to the quality of her patients lives and enjoys working with owners to provide the best outcomes in patient care. 

Clare has a special interest in musculoskeletal injuries and disease and has additional qualifications in acupuncture and rehabilitation (physical) therapy.

Outside of work Clare enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 daughters, cheering on kids sports, camping and being a volunteer surf lifesaver. 

Dr. Daniel Richmond

Veterinarian, DVM

Dan graduated from Murdoch University in Perth in 1995. He worked in the UK for 3 years in a small animal practice then to Perth and the southwest of WA before buying Aldinga Vet Clinic in 2007. In 2013 Dan sold the Practice which created WAVS. Dan has a keen interested in imaging – ultrasounds and radiographs, difficult medical cases and soft tissue surgery.

Dr. Brooke Lamey

Veterinarian, BSc BVSc

Brooke chose this industry to improve animal welfare and wellbeing and enjoys improving the human animal bond.

Brooke enjoys internal medicine, small animal surgery and a special interest in eye health.

Outside of work Brooke likes gardening reading, catching up with friends and exploring our beaches and parks. 

Dr. Reginald Goh

Veterinarian, BSc DVM

Reg started at the Willunga Clinic at the beginning of 2022 after graduating from the University of Adelaide in 2021.  He has an interest in all animals large and small with a growing passion for Australia’s diverse native wildlife. Reg has a keen interesting in imaging and surgery.

Dr. Tori Ludlow

Veterinarian, BHSc BSc DVM

Tori chose this industry as every day is different and there are so many opportunities to learn and improve skills.

Tori’s special interest is surgery in both small and large animals.

In Tori’s spare time you’ll find her outdoors being active in nature.

Dr. Matilda Lovegrove

Veterinarian, BSc BVMS

Matilda started with WAVS in early 2023 after working in rural Victoria at a dairy focused mixed practice. She grew up in SA, attending vet school at Adelaide university and is keen to return and work in the Fleurieu. 

Matilda enjoys mixed practice but has a keen interest in cattle medicine and surgery. Outside of work she enjoys riding her horses and hiking with her dog Millie.

Dr. Amelia Cannadine

Veterinarian

Amelia has wanted to be a vet since the first time she was asked “what do you want to be when you grow up?” Initially this was because of her love for all animals and although this is still relevant to Amelia now, there is a lot more to it. Amelia is passionate about animal welfare and educating clients about the best ways they can care for their animals.  

Amelias special interests are mixed practice, including soft tissue surgery in small and large animals, new puppy and kitten consultations and internal medicine.

Outside of work you’ll find Amelia going for a swim, playing social netball with friends, reading a book and catching up with family.

Karen

Veterinary Nurse, Cert IV

Karen’s love for animals and their welfare brought her into this industry.  Karen loves helping out clients by always going above and beyond.

Karen’s special interest are playing games and spending time with her friends and family.

In Karen’s spare time she loves watching TV, continued education and spending time with her adorable pug – June.

Kelly

Veterinary Nurse

Kelly chose this industry as she loves animals and want to help them. 

Kellys special interests is behaviour and feline medicine and surgery.

In Kelly’s spare time she enjoys reading and showing her oriental cats. She also has a pet pigeon called Polly and a few others in the menagerie.

Vikki

Registered Veterinary Nurse, Cert IV, Dip (Emergency & Critical Care)

Vikki has been nursing for 23 years. She worked at WAVS for 10 years previously and returned 2 years ago. She is a registered nurse with a Cert IV in Veterinary nursing and a diploma in Emergency and Critical care. Vikki enjoys all aspects of Veterinary nursing but has a passion for surgery and emergency cases. She has also studied dog/cat behaviour and is passionate about fear free handling.

Vikki has 3 horses , 3 cats (Normy, Wiggles and Whost) and chickens. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her horses and pets, photography and crafts.

Elizabeth

Veterinary Nurse

Elizabeth has been working as a vet nurse since 2012 after pursuing other adventures and careers. She is passionate about surgery, dentistry, nutrition and behaviour and also enjoys working with exotics, natives and pocket pets. She has two beautiful indoor cats and in her spare time she likes to read.

Ash

Veterinary Nurse, Cert IV

Ash has been nursing since 2017 and joined the WAVS team in 2020.  Ash particularly enjoys hospital nursing and seeing patients recover and go home with their families.  In her spare time she enjoys taking her dogs Lenny and Xena to the beach, spending time with her horse Konrad and entertaining two mischievous kittens Dee and Floki.

Zara

Veterinary Nurse, Cert IV

Zara chose this industry because of her love for helping animals and a strong interest in helping owners understand their dogs behaviour and how to improve their pets lives! Zara’s special interest is anxiety in dogs, as well as native wildlife (such as possums!), and working with rabbits.

I have a menagerie of different species at home, and outside of work (and uni), I enjoy spending time with my animals, hiking, riding my pony and volunteering for Save our Wildlife Foundation. 

Gabby

Veterinary Nurse, Cert IV

Gabby chose this industry to work with like-minded people who have a love for animals.  She also loves that it is busy and there are a range of different areas in the workplace that change on a daily basis. 

Gabby enjoys the variety of different areas in nursing with a special interest in surgical nursing and reception and animal behaviour.

Outside of work she enjoys spending time with family, nature walks, snorkelling, surfing, sailing, paddle boarding and kayaking.

Amanda

Veterinary Receptionist

Amanda chose to work in the veterinary industry because she is passionate about animals. This was evident even as a young child and Amanda has been working with animals since finishing school in 2010.

Amanda’s special interests ar eworking in front of house, providing knowledge and support to the broader community on a daily basis, ensuring pets get the best care.

Outside of work you’ll find Amanda spending time with her family or riding her horses.

Rachel

Veterinary Nurse, Cert IV

Rachel has been nursing since 2012 and joined WAVS in 2022.

I enjoy all aspects of nursing, but have particular interests in nutrition & weight loss management, end of life care and wildlife nursing. I am also a wildlife foster carer and a previous dog & cat foster carer for rescue groups.

I live on a small hobby farm with my husband, 2 young children and a menagerie of animals, including 3 dogs, 2 cats, 1 guinea pig, sheep, chickens and alpacas. I enjoy gardening, sewing, photography, camping and 4wding in my spare time.

Ailie

Veterinary Nurse, Cert IV

Ailie chose this industry as she feels being able to help animals was something she was born to do. As a child she was surrounded by pets and wild animals and developed special bonds.

Ailie is interested in alternative medicine with the understanding that all aspects of medicine have role within our lives.

Ailie likes to play board games and get close to nature through walks and fishing.

Ruby

Veterinary Student

Ruby is currently a 4th year vet student and we have been lucky to have her working as a nurse on weekends and during uni holidays. Ruby has a passion for both small and large animals and sees herself as a mixed animal vet in the future.

Outside of work and study you will find Ruby taking her dogs for a run along the beach, exploring the local hiking trails, or sitting around a fire with a glass of red wine.

Ceri

Large Animal Receptionist

Ceri grew up in Botswana and the UK and came travelling around Australia in 2015, 7 years later she is still here and has made Australia home.

Ceri worked in different areas of the animal science and welfare industry and as an equine veterinary nurse before having a year off with her daughter. interestingly

Ceri is actually a zoologist by training – and does a lot of work with the mammal department at the South Australian Museum, I am mainly involved in the cetacean tooth ageing laboratory and out at Bolivar as part of the cetacean dissection team.

Outside of work life is busy to an energetic staghound and an even more energetic toddler. Ceri loves spending time exploring our beautiful state with her husband and young family.

Rebecca H

Veterinary Nurse, Cert IV

Rebecca joined the WAVS team at the beginning of 2022 whilst she was completing her Cert IV in Veterinary nursing. After graduating, she has taken a strong interest in the face-to-face side of nursing, helping clients over the phone and in person.

Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her two boisterous dogs and 4 rescued cats

Kristin

Marketing Administrator, RVN Cert IV, DIP Ag Production

Kristin chose this industry because of her love for all animals. After working at a wildlife park she decided she wanted to do more to help and decided to become a Vet Nurse.

Kristins special interests are writing protocols and sharing up to date knowledge with team members. Helping pet owners understand their pets behaviours and  sharing our amazing patients on social media.

Outside of work Kristin likes spending time with her family camping with her three golden retrievers.