Speakers and Tutors

Graeme Allan
BVSc MVSc DACVR FACVSc
Professor Graeme Allan is a diagnostic imaging specialist who is familiar with all aspects of small animal diagnostic imaging. He practices in Sydney, Australia, and uses case-based material to teach conventional and digital imaging to veterinary practitioners. Graeme is a skilled teacher who has taught this course for many years. The program is based on his extensive undergraduate teaching experience at the University of Sydney, and has been fine-tuned to respond to the comments and demands of the practitioners who have taken the course since it commenced in 1990.
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John Angles
BVSc(Hons) BSc(Vet)(Hons) MVS PhD MACVSc Diplomate ACVIM Diplomate ECVIM-CA
Dr John Angles graduated in 1988 with honours from the University of Sydney and worked for five years in small animal practice in Canberra, before completing a small animal medicine residency at the University of California at Davis. John obtained advanced training in veterinary immunology and genetics while at the University of California. He was awarded a PhD in Comparative Pathology in 2005 by the University of California at Davis, investigating causes for autoimmunity in dogs. John then spent four years as lecturer in Small Animal Medicine at University College Dublin prior to joining the Animal Referral Hospital in 2003, working in an advanced emergency and referral critical care facility. Caseload at the Animal Referral Hospital is diverse, and includes critical respiratory distress dogs and cats. John is a Diplomate of both the American and European Colleges of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM and ECVIM).
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Cathy Beck
BVSc(Hons) DipVetClinStud MVS FACVSc (Radiology)
Dr Cathy Beck graduated from the University of Sydney in 1992 and after working for two years in private practice, completed a mixed animal internship at the University of Sydney, Camden where she developed an interest in imaging. Cathy then moved to the University of Melbourne where she gained a Masters of Veterinary Studies and then spent six months at the Ohio State University as Clinical Instructor. Cathy returned to the Melbourne and gained Fellowship of the ACVSc in Radiology in 2002.
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Niek Jozef Beijerink
SDVM PhD Diplomate ECVIM-CA (Cardiology)
Dr Niek Beijerink graduated with veterinary degree from Utrecht University in The Netherlands. He completed a PhD (canine endocrinology and reproduction) in 2007 and then a residency in Small Animal Cardiology in 2010. He is a Diplomate of European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Cardiology). Since August 2011 he's worked full time as a Senior Lecturer in Medicine (with a strong focus on Cardiology) at the University of Sydney (Camperdown campus).
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Katherine Belov
BSc(Hons) PhD
Associate Professor Kathy Belov is an ARC Future Fellow at the Faculty of Veterinary Science at the University of Sydney. She heads the Australasian Wildlife Genomics Group and works in the area of comparative genomics, with a special interest in the evolution of the mammalian immune system. She has been involved in the opossum, platypus and wallaby genome projects and is playing a key role in understanding the spread of a new disease which is decimating Tasmanian devils. Kathy won the 2009 Eureka People’s Choice Award.
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Pauleen Bennett
BA BBSc(Hons) MPsych PhD MAPS
Pauleen is one of those people who never could decide what she wanted to be when she grew up. After a two year stint as a jockey she spent over ten years studying various aspects of behavioural science, becoming a specialist in the field of human neuropsychology. She then realised she would sooner spend time with her dogs than with human patients and embarked on a third (or was it fourth) career in animal welfare science. She was a member of the Animal Welfare Science Centre for six years, studying how relationships between humans and their pets affect both human health and animal welfare. She also developed Australia’s first graduate certificate course in animal welfare, as well as an innovative course about animals in society that she teaches at The Ohio State University. She left her continuing position at Monash at the end of 2009 so that she could spend even more time with her dogs. This freedom is allowing her to pursue other adventures, including facilitating this exciting new course about animal welfare and where it fits within our broader social context.
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Peter Bennett
BVSc FACVSc DipACVIM
After working in general practice Peter has pursued advanced training and specialisation in both Small Animal Internal Medicine and then Veterinary Oncology. He is both a Fellow of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists and a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. He is currently working at the Melbourne Veterinary Specialist Centre. Peter has an interest in the professional development of veterinarians particularly in the area of oncology. He has an interest in providing the best treatment or palliation for cancer patients.
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Sonya V Bettenay
BVSc(Hons) FACVSc (Dermatology) Dip Ed Diplomate ECVD
Dr Sonya V Bettenay graduated in Melbourne, Australia in 1980 and completed her dermatology residency at the University of California, Davis, USA. Dr Bettenay achieved board certification in veterinary dermatology with the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in 1991 and with the European College of Veterinary Dermatology in 2004. Until 1999, she was a director of the Animal Skin and Allergy Clinic, Melbourne, the first, purpose-built specialist practice in Australia. Dr Bettenay joined the faculty at the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, where she was involved in teaching and consulting, and ran the dermatopathology service of the Diagnostic Laboratory, Colorado State University. Since 2004 she has run a dermatopathology consultancy service in Munich, Germany and worked as a Dermatology specialist. She has published over 60 articles, book chapters and books in Australia, Europe and America and has regularly spoken in Australia, Europe, Asia and North America.
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Mark Bilson
BVSc PhD DVOpthal DipVetClinStud MRCVS
Mark graduated from the University of Sydney in 1990. He developed an interest in eyes early on in his career that led to research into a bacterial eye disease in cattle and Mark was awarded his PhD in 1996. Mark then moved to the University of Glasgow to undertake clinical training in Veterinary Ophthalmology and obtained the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Diploma in Veterinary Ophthalmology in 1999. After taking up a post as Lecturer in Veterinary Ophthalmology at the University of Glasgow he returned to Australia in 2003 and has been working in private referral practice. Mark is a recognised specialist in Veterinary Ophthalmology.
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Sam Bowden
BVSc
From the start Dr Sam Bowden had a gift for building revenue and profit. He grew his first mixed animal practice from zero to $160,000 a year profit in three years (only two years after graduating). It was no fluke. In 2004 he bought another practice turning over $170,000 in a low socioeconomic region, and turned it into one of the fastest growing practices in Australia, achieving one of the highest profit margins for a vet practice in the southern hemisphere. He sold his practice for many multiples of what he paid for it and he now shares his passion for growing profitable practices with other vets and their key staff all across Australia. Sam will fire your imagination with what’s possible in your practice and his where-the-rubber-meets-the-road practical wisdom will have a profound impact on you and your practice.
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Jen Brown
BVSc FACVSc
Dr Jen Brown graduated from the University of Melbourne in 1997. She spent four years working in mixed practice in rural Victoria before working in several UK practices over the following year. On her return to Australia Jen worked in Brisbane over the following two years; both in general practice and at the University of Queensland as a small animal clinician. Jen attained membership of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in Small Animal Medicine in 2004 and then worked at Queensland Veterinary Specialists as an intern before beginning a residency at Melbourne Veterinary Specialist Centre. She attained Fellowship of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in Small Animal Medicine in 2010 and was subsequently registered as a specialist in small animal medicine. Jen currently works at the Melbourne Veterinary Specialist Centre and enjoys the challenge of referral practice.
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David Blyde
BVSc MACVS MRCVS DipVetWildMed MBA AIMM GradCertCaptAnMan
David graduated from the University of Sydney in 1982 with second class honours. He worked for five years in private practice including companion animal, equine and mixed practices. From 1988 to 1990 he taught part-time at Sydney TAFE in the school of biology whilst completing a post-graduate Diploma of Veterinary Wild Animal Medicine and Husbandry at the University of Sydney and Taronga Zoo. He was employed as a clinical veterinarian at Taronga Zoo from 1988 to 1989. At the end of 1989 he moved to Dubbo where he was employed as the clinical veterinarian at Western Plains Zoo. In 1991 he was appointed as the Manager, Life Sciences, Western Plains Zoo. David was admitted to the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists by examination in the Medicine of Zoo Animals in 1992. He became an examiner and mentor for candidates for College examinations in Medicine of Zoo Animals and Medicine of Australasian Wildlife Species from 1992 to 2006. In 2001 David moved to Sea World, on the Gold Coast where he was employed as the clinical veterinarian, a position which he holds currently. Current interests include artificial reproduction, reintroduction biology and diseases of macropods and cetaceans.
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Mike Cannon
BVSc MACVSc Grad Dip Ed
Dr Michael Cannon is a well-known Australian avian veterinarian who has had tremendous experience over the past 32 years working with pet birds in private practice and in aviculture as well as wildlife parks and zoos. He is currently a partner in the Cannon and Ball Veterinary Clinic in Wollongong which services a wide variety of animals, covering dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, rodents, rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, fish and invertebrates. Michael has held many important positions within the avicultural/bird industry and is a fine educator, having delivered lectures and seminars on avian and exotic pet topics to veterinarians nationally and internationally. Michael graduated with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science from the University of Sydney in 1976. He was awarded Member of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in the Chapter of Avian Health in 1984. He received his Graduate Diploma in Education from University of Technology Sydney in 1991.
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Paul Canfield
DVSc PhD GradCertEdStud FACVSc FRCPath MRCVS
Paul is Professor Emeritus in the Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney. He has been a Councillor for the Centre for Veterinary Education, University of Sydney since 2005. He is committed to continuing education and regularly presents workshops and lectures on laboratory diagnosis of disease for the veterinary profession. His research interests include host-pathogen-environment interactions in wildlife and domestic animal disease, and haematological and biochemical disturbances in companion animals.
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Sarah Caney
BVSc PhD DSAM (Feline) MRCVS
Sarah is a 1993 graduate of the University of Bristol where she also did her residency in feline medicine and PhD. She is an RCVS Specialist in Feline Medicine and enjoys seeing a mixture of first opinion and referral feline patients. Sarah has a particular interest in feline geriatrics and is conducting a number of research studies in this aspect of feline medicine. She has written several books for cat owners and veterinary professionals including 'Caring for a cat with kidney disease', 'Caring for a cat with hyperthyroidism' and 'Caring for a cat with lower urinary tract disease' published by her company Cat Professional. (More details on this website here.)
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David Church
BVSc PhD MACVSc MRCVS
Professor David Church graduated with a BVSc from the University of Sydney in 1975. After graduating he was appointed as a small animal clinical instructor there, and enrolled in a PhD program in the Faculty of Medicine looking at various aspects of the pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus. In 1983 he was appointed as Lecturer in Small Animal Medicine at the University of Sydney, promoted to Senior Lecturer in 1991 and Associate Professor in 1999. David obtained membership (small animal medicine) of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in 1990, and was Hospital Director of the University Veterinary Centre from 1991 until his departure in 2001 to take up the Chair of Small Animal Studies at the Royal Veterinary College. Soon after his arrival the Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery and the Department of Farm Animal and Equine Medicine and Surgery merged to form the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences. David was head of the new department until August 2009, and has recently been appointed Vice Principal (Academic and Clinical Affairs) at the Royal Veterinary College. David is the author of numerous scientific articles and book chapters, and joint editor of the soon-to-be-released textbook Small Animal Clinical Pharmacology. He is a recipient of the Betts Prize alongside Lynne Hill for establishing VCS and the QMH as a powerhouse of veterinary clinical service, training and education.
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John Chopin
BVSc(Hons IIA) MACVSc (Equine Medicine) PhD FACVSc (Equine Reproduction)
Dr John Chopin grew up in South West Queensland and graduated from The University of Queensland Veterinary School in 1990. After 18 months in general mixed practice, John completed a residency in equine medicine and surgery under the tutelage of Dr Dick Wright. John then completed a PhD with Dr Kerry Dowsett in equine frozen semen and the endocrinology of ovulation in the mare. A theriogenology residency followed, mentored by Dr David Pascoe and Dr Reg Pascoe at Oakey Veterinary Hospital. This included a teaching sabbatical at The University of California Davis under the direction of Dr Barry Ball.
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Paul Cusack
BSc BVSc(Hons) MVSt MACVSc PhD
Dr Paul Cusack is a consultant cattle veterinarian, ruminant nutritionist, and beef producer with post-graduate training in the intensive and extensive ruminant industries. His post-graduate training covers the disciplines of nutrition, health programs, reproduction, epidemiology, production management and meat science. He completed his PhD on the interaction between nutrition and health in feedlot cattle in 2007. Over the last 15 years Paul has held various positions within the livestock and veterinary industries. Paul has lectured at Queensland, Sydney, and most recently, at Charles Sturt University from 2007. He has also served as Head Examiner in Beef Cattle Medicine and Production for the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists. He is currently the director of Australian Livestock Production Services which consults on intensive and extensive cattle and lamb enterprises throughout the eastern Australia, as well as being the owner and principal of Cowra Veterinary Centre, and owner/manager of cattle trading enterprises.
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Glenn Edwards
BVSc MACVSc (Surgery)
Glenn Edwards is Associate Professor in Small Animal Surgery at the University of Melbourne, School of Veterinary Science, teaching all aspects of small animal surgery, but has a particular interest in soft tissue surgery. He has extensive collaborative research interests in biomaterial development, including artificial hearts, vascular prostheses and stents, wound management and urinary tract conditions.
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Jason Eisner
Founding Principal, creator of BrandQuest
Jason has over 15 years of strategic marketing and operations experience in both a senior management and marketing consultant and advisory capacity. He has a strong mix of both online and offline business experience having worked extensively in Australia and the US. Over this time he has worked for large corporates as well as numerous SME companies providing him with a unique business perspective. He has gained extensive strategy and marketing consulting experience from both Andersen/Accenture and The Cambridge Group (Chicago and New York based boutique marketing strategy). Jason was also Vice President of Marketing and Business Development for a VC backed consumer promotions start-up based in New York City. He has a Bachelor of Commerce from the UNSW and an MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management in Chicago where he majored in Marketing, Organisational Behaviour and Entrepreneurship.
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Darien J Feary
BVSc MS Dip ACVIM Dip ACVECC Board Certified Specialist in Equine Medicine and Emergency and Critical Care Lecturer in Equine Medicine
Dr Darien Feary graduated from the University of Sydney in 1999 and completed an equine internship at Goulburn Valley Equine Hospital, Victoria before travelling to the United States. Darien completed a three year Residency in Large Animal Internal Medicine at Colorado State University, attaining specialist board certification with the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) and a Masters in Clinical Sciences.
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Sandra Forsyth
BVSc Dip ACVA
Dr Sandra Forsyth is currently working in clinical pathology and anaesthesia at Massey University and for New Zealand Veterinary Pathology.

Sandra is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Anesthesiologists.
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Anne Fowler
BSc(Vet)(Hons) BVSc MACVSc (Avian Health)
Dr Anne Fowler completed a BSc(Vet)(Hons) in 1992 and graduated from Sydney University with BVSc in 1993. She has worked in mixed and small practice in both NSW and Victoria and has always taken a strong interest in treating wildlife in these jobs. In 2000 she began teaching wildlife carers on the care of wildlife at the Victoria University of Technology and now teaches throughout Australia. Anne has been a consultant to privately-owned sanctuaries. She has been a committee member of the Unusual and Exotic Pet Special Interest Group of the AVA and is currently the president of the UEP. In 2004 Anne obtained her MACVSc in Avian Health and the Medicine of Australasian Wildlife Species in 2008. She has worked at the Wildlife Health and Conservation Centre at the University of Sydney as a Senior Clinical Veterinary Registrar and now works as a veterinary manager for RSPCA in Newcastle.
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Graeme Gladman
Founding Principal, creator of BrandQuest
Graeme has been Creative Director for such Australian icon brands as Myer/Grace Bros, Beaurepaires, Amcal Chemists, Composite Buyers, Mazda, BP, OPSM, Katies Fashions, Bendigo Bank, Commercial Union Insurance and Optus Retail to name a few. From large multinational brands to independent locally owned companies Graeme has helped develop winning strategies and business building campaigns with consistency. With 25 years' experience as Director, Managing Director, Creative Director and Marketing Consultant in multinational advertising agencies such as Young & Rubicam Mattingly, George Patterson Bates, Luscombe & Partners, and as a partner and Managing Director of his own internationally-owned advertising agency, Batey Gladman, Graeme has launched, extended and created multi-channel brands across a diverse range of categories, from retail to business-to-business across the spectrum of media and non-media communication channels.
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Thomas Graves
DVM PhD DACVIM
Dr Graves received the DVM degree from Cornell University in 1991, and completed an internship at The Ohio State University followed by a residency in small animal internal medicine at Michigan State University. A diplomate of ACVIM, he also holds MS and PhD degrees in pharmacology from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. Currently he is Associate Professor and Chief of Small Animal Internal Medicine at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine where he also serves as Assistant Department Head for Curriculum and Instruction. He has published more than 50 refereed journal articles, 30 book chapters, and more than 140 proceedings and abstracts, mostly in the area of small animal endocrinology.Dr. Graves has lectured extensively throughout North America, South America, Asia, and Europe. His research, focusing on geriatric medicine and endocrinology, has been funded by the American Association of Feline Practitioners, the American Animal Hospital Association, the Feline Winn Foundation, and the National Institutes of Health.
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Alison Gunn
BVSc MACVSc (Dairy Cattle Medicine) MVS
Dr Alison Gunn is a past president of the Australian Cattle Veterinarians. She graduated in the UK but has spent most of her professional career in Australia. In the mid-90s she spent four years at Maffra as the University of Melbourne tutor in dairy cattle medicine whilst studying for memberships and a Masters degree. She has worked in cattle practice in every state of Australia and has a wide-ranging knowledge of many aspects of Australian dairy and beef production systems. In 2004 she commenced a consultancy for Meat and Livestock Australia investigating the impact of calf scours on the suckler beef industry. This was the first of several MLA funded projects that resulted in the production of extension materials for veterinarians and producers on the prevention and control of neonatal calf scours. In 2006 Alison jointed the University of Sydney as a lecturer in ruminant health. She has extensive clinical experience and a diverse range of research interests (calf scours, heifer rearing, bovine abortion, pink eye and mastitis). Currently she is co-ordinating another MLA-funded project developing molecular methods for the diagnosis of calf scours.
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Andrea Harvey
BVSc DSAM(Feline) DipECVIM-CA MRCVS RCVS
Dr Andrea Harvey graduated from University of Bristol Veterinary School, UK in 2000, and after a couple of years in small animal practice, returned to Bristol Vet School to undertake a residency in feline medicine, funded by the Feline Advisory Bureau (FAB). She then remained at Bristol Vet School as FAB Clinician in Feline Medicine until 2010 and has since been doing a variety of work in private referral practices in the UK and more recently at Small Animal Specialist Hospital in Sydney, together with lecturing widely throughout Europe, contributing to numerous textbooks, and working closely with the International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) on a variety of initiatives, including development of the ‘Cat Friendly Clinic’ scheme. Andrea obtained the RCVS Diploma in Feline Medicine and European Diploma in Internal Medicine in 2005 and is a RCVS Recognised Specialist in Feline Medicine and European Veterinary Specialist in Internal Medicine. Andrea has wide interests in all aspects of feline medicine, and is passionate about both providing the best care for her patients, and helping to support other veterinarians to do the same.
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Lindsay Hay
BVSc MVS MACVSc AIMM
Lindsay graduated with his Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree from the University of Sydney in 1974 and was employed as a veterinary associate at St George Animal Hospital in Sydney. In 1985 he joined Ian Eade in partnership at the Baulkham Hills Veterinary Hospital and has been the sole owner there since 1998. He gained membership of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists (1980) in canine surgery, and an MVS from Murdoch University (1996). In 2000 he completed a Graduate Certificate in Management (Veterinary Practice) at the University of Western Sydney. Dr Hay has been actively involved with the Australian Veterinary Association at national, state and local levels since 1976. He was a member of the national committee (2000-2007) and President of the Australian Veterinary Practice Management Association. Since 2008 he has been a founding Board Member of the Australian Veterinary Business Association. In 1981, and again in 2008, this talented veterinarian was presented with the Veterinary Practitioner of the Year Award by the Australian Small Animal Veterinary Association. In 1995 he received a Meritorious Service Award from the AVA. In 2002 the Baulkham Hills Veterinary Hospital was awarded a Hills Shire Business Excellence Award for staff development and training and in 2003 a Western Sydney Industry Award for staff training and development.
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Kate Hill
BVSc(Hons) MANZCVSc DipACVIM Registered Specialist in Canine and Feline Medicine
Kate graduated from the University of Queensland in 1996. After a year in small animal practice she returned to the University of Queensland as a junior resident in small animal medicine. In 1999 Kate undertook a residency in small animal medicine at Purdue University, Indiana. She is a diplomat of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM), and is also a registered veterinary specialist with the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council. After a year as clinical faculty at Purdue University, Kate moved to the University of Tennessee for two years as an assistant professor in small animal medicine. Kate joined Massey University in July 2005 as a Senior Lecturer in Small Animal Medicine. Kate is a director of the Centre for Service and Working dog health, and has been on the executive of the NZVA branch - Companion Animal Society since 2007. Kate’s current research interests include Feline hyperthyroidism, GDV in working dogs and preservative tubes for urinalysis in dogs and cats.
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Karon Hoffmann
BVSc MVSc PhD Dip Vet Clin Stud
Dr Karon Hoffmann is a graduate of the University of Sydney.

She is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Sydney in Diagnostic Imaging and has both a Masters degree and a PhD in diagnostic ultrasound.

She also is a consulting sonologist for small animal and equine specialists and practitioners.
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Steven Holloway
BVSc MVS PhD MACVSc DipACVIM
Steven graduated from the University of Sydney in 1983. He then worked for two years in private practice in Sydney followed by a medical internship at the University of Melbourne after which he was awarded an MVS and obtained membership of the ACVSc (Feline Medicine). Steven then undertook an internal medicine residency at the University of Florida followed by two years as a clinical instructor. In 1990 he became a diplomate of the ACVIM (SAM). He worked in an internal medicine referral practice in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1992 and then returned to Australia in 1994. He was awarded a PhD from the University of Melbourne in 1998. Steven has lectured in Veterinary Virology at the University of Sydney in 1998 and was a Senior Lecturer and Associate Professor of Small Animal Medicine at the University of Melbourne in 1999-2009. He is currently a registered specialist in small animal medicine and works at Advanced Vetcare in Melbourne. His interests include clinical and genetic aspects of disease and the interaction between infectious diseases and the host immune response. Steven was winner of the 2011 T.G. Hungerford Award.
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Arthur House
BSc BVMS PhD Cert SAS Dip ECVS
Dr Arthur House graduated from Murdoch University in 1994 and following graduation worked in general practice in Western Australia and in the UK for six years. While in general practice, he attained a Certificate in Small Animal Surgery from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (equivalent to an Australian Membership). Following this he completed a residency in small animal surgery at the Royal Veterinary College, London and became a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2004. After Arthur's surgical training he joined a research group conducting clinical research into genetic and immunological defects in German shepherd dogs suffering from anal furunculosis. In 2008, Dr House was awarded a PhD with the University of London for his research into anal furunculosis. He was then awarded a position as a lecturer in Small Animal Surgery at the Royal Veterinary College, London. Arthur returned to Australia in 2009 and now works at the Veterinary Referral Hospital, Hallam, Victoria.
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Heide Kloeppel
Dr Med Vet CertVA DVM
Heide graduated from the vet school in Hanover, Germany in 2002 and moved to Switzerland where she completed her doctoral thesis at the University of Berne and also developed an interest in anaesthesia and analgesia. Heide undertook an internship at the University of Vienna, followed by a residency in anaesthesia and analgesia at the Animal Health Trust in the UK. She gained her RCVS certificate in 2008 and she joined the anaesthesia team at the UVTHS in February 2011. Heide’s main interest is pain management in small animals and critical care.
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Robert Johnson
BVSc MACVSc (Feline Medicine) CertZooMed BA Grad Dip Asian Studies CMAVA
Robert Johnson graduated from the University of Sydney in 1977. As well as running a small animal, wildlife and reptile practice in Penrith NSW, he works as a clinical veterinarian at Taronga Zoo. Robert is a member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (Feline Medicine) and holds a Certificate in Zoological Medicine from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (UK). He is the President of the Unusual and Exotic Pets Group of the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA), committee member of the Feline Chapter of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists and a member of the Policy Council of the AVA. Robert’s research interests include the in situ conservation of the Fijian Crested Iguana, Brachylophus vitiensis, the collection of baseline haematological and biochemical data of captive and free living Australian herpetofauna, anaesthesia of frogs and coccidiosis in echidnas. Robert also lectures in reptile and wildlife medicine (Year 4) and veterinary professional studies (Year 1) at James Cook University Townsville. His pets include Spike the skink (in the picture at right), Cecil the Carpet python and Potty the cat. In his spare time Robert draws cartoons.
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Boyd Jones
BVSc FACVSc DECVIM MRCVS
Professor Boyd Jones graduated from Massey University and after working in mixed practice he taught at the University of Melbourne until 1975. Boyd then returned to Massey University where he became Associate Professor and the head of the Small Animal Clinic and Hospital. He undertook periods of sabbatical in Britain and America and held the position of adjunct professor in small animal internal medicine at the University of Florida. In 1997 Boyd accepted the chair in small animal clinical studies at University College, Dublin. Boyd was winner of the prestigious Tom Hungerford Award (2009).
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Trudi McAlees
BSc BVSc FACVSc
Dr Trudi McAlees is currently working in a private emergency and critical care centre in Melbourne. She has extensive experience working with critically ill and emergency patients in 24-hour ICU in the hospitals. Trudi has Fellowship of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in Emergency and Critical Care (2008) and membership in Anaesthesia and Critical Care (1999).
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Peter Laverty
BVSc MACVSc Diplomate ACVS (Small Animal Surgery)
Dr Peter Laverty graduated from Melbourne University with an honours degree in 1985. After ten years in general small animal practice in Melbourne, he pursued specialist surgical training in the United States. He completed a Small Animal Internship at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Dr Laverty went on to complete a Small Animal Surgical Residency at the Purdue University Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Indiana. While at Purdue, Peter became an integral part of the team at the Centre for Paralysis Research. This allowed him to pursue his interest in spinal cord injury and to develop expertise in neurosurgery. In 2002 Dr Laverty was awarded Diplomate status in the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. Pete contributes to both undergraduate and postgraduate training. He is an active participant in further education as a key speaker at conferences and seminars. Pete has published numerous articles including original research, case reports and literature reviews. Pete operates his surgical practice at the Melbourne Veterinary Specialist Centre in Glen Waverley, Victoria where he routinely performs orthopaedic, soft tissue and neurosurgical procedures.
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Anne Lencioni
Anne has worked in a diverse number of business fields, and has also owned her own veterinary clinic in the UK. She graduated as a veterinary surgeon and has subsequently completed multiple business degrees. She attained a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Edinburgh and a Masters in Professional Accounting from the University of Southern Queensland. She has completed her CPA examinations and is a Fellow of the Association of Taxation and Management Accountants. She is a founding partner of APL accountants and has a special interest in tax.
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Paolo Lencioni
Paolo has worked as a veterinary surgeon prior to working in public accounting. He has attained a Masters in Professional Accounting through the University of Southern Queensland. He has also completed a City and Guilds in C programming. He is a member of the Association of Taxation and Management Accountants, a founding partner of APL Accountants and has a special interest in improving business performance.
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Jill Maddison
BVSC DipVetClin Stud PhD FACVSc MRCVS
Dr Jill Maddison is currently at the Royal Veterinary College, London where she is the head of the CPD Unit and Clinical Investigation Centre. Her particular undergraduate and continuing education interests are clinical problem solving in small animal medicine and clinical pharmacology. She believes passionately that continuing education should not only build the knowledge base and technical skills of veterinarians in private general practice, but also enhance their thinking and problem solving skills.
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Richard Malik
DVSc DipVetAn MVetClinStud PhD FACVSc FASM
Richard Malik is one of the world’s most respected and well known feline veterinarians. After graduating from the University of Sydney in 1981 his first year out was spent training in anaesthesia and intensive care with Jan Ilkiw and Kathy Brock at Sydney University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. This was followed by a PhD in the Department of Pharmacology at the John Curtin School of Medical Research (ANU). Dr Malik then moved to the Neurobiology Research Centre at the University of Sydney studying the development of neuromuscular connections. In 1987 he returned to the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences as its first Resident in Small Animal Medicine. He remained in the vet school for 16 years in varying capacities and was the Valentine Charlton Senior Lecturer in Feline Medicine from 1995 to 2002. Currently Richard works as a consultant for the Centre for Veterinary Education, various private clinics in the eastern suburbs of Sydney and also for the RSPCA. He is also involved in a large number of collaborative research projects in both pure and applied research. He is passionate about all aspects of feline medicine, and has a special focus on treating common diseases using new therapeutic regimens. He also has a farm, with many pets including horses, sheep, goats and alpacas. He is the owner of two moggies, a 10-year old girl called Miss Binks and a young B&W kitten called Obie. Richard is an Adjunct Professor of Small Animal Medicine at Charles Sturt University.
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Darren Merrett
BVSc MVS Cert SAC FACVSc
Dr Darren Merrett graduated from Melbourne University in 1984. After three years in private practice he returned to Melbourne University, first as an intern and then as a resident. Darren then completed a residency at Bristol University, UK before returning to gain fellowship of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists. After obtaining fellowship, Darren established a private medical referral service in Melbourne that has now grown to a three specialist practice. Darren is one of the leading internists in this country and, as the senior partner in the medical department of the Melbourne Veterinary Specialist Service, provides expert back-up which many general practitioners will already appreciate. He is one of the growing number of specialists we are lucky enough to have in Australia, and who enjoy sharing their knowledge and expertise with their colleagues in general practice. He is a natural and extremely effective tutor. You will appreciate his practical approach to, and his appreciation of, internal medicine problems.
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Tony D Mogg
BVSc(Hons) PhD GradCertEdStud(Higher Ed) MMedEd Board Certified Specialist in Equine Medicine and Emergency and Critical Care Senior Lecturer in Equine Medicine
Dr Tony Mogg graduated from the University of Sydney in 1985. Since graduation he has worked in mixed private practice; as well as at the University of Queensland, the University of Pennsylvania in the USA, and Massey University in New Zealand. He is currently Senior Lecturer in Equine Medicine at the University of Sydney Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Camden.
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Ralf S Mueller
MACVSc (Canine Medicine) Diplomate ACVD FACVSc (Dermatology) Diplomate ECVD
Professor Ralf S Mueller graduated in Munich, Germany, completed his doctoral thesis in 1987, and worked in several large and small animal practices before completing a residency in veterinary dermatology at the University of California, Davis in 1992. In 1992 he moved to Melbourne, Australia to work with his partner and wife, Dr Sonya Bettenay. Together, they created the first, purpose-built specialist practice in Australia. During that time, Dr Mueller was concurrently consulting and teaching at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital University of Sydney. In 1999 Ralf became assistant professor in veterinary dermatology at the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University. In 2004 he accepted a position as chief of the veterinary dermatology service at the University of Munich, Germany. He has published over 90 studies, articles, book chapters and books, and given several hundred seminars, lectures and talks in Australasia, Europe and North America.
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Gabrielle C Musk
BSc BVMS Cert VA Dipl ECVAA
Dr Gabrielle Musk graduated from Murdoch University in 1995 and after six years in mixed and small animal practices in South Australia and the UK she started a residency in Veterinary Anaesthesia at the Vet School in Glasgow.

She is now a European Specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia working at Murdoch University and is part way through a PhD based on respiratory physiology at the University of Western Australia.

Her particular interests include ventilation techniques, total intravenous anaesthesia, analgesic infusion regimens and undergraduate anaesthesia education.
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Helen Nicholson
BPhty MAnimSt(Animal Physiotherapy) PhD, Member APA & APG APA Animal Physiotherapist
Helen Nicholson graduated as a human physiotherapist in 1996 and began working with animals in 1999. She was part of the first class to graduate from the Masters of Animal Studies in Animal Physiotherapy in 2004 and the first in the world to graduate with a PhD in small animal physiotherapy in 2009. Helen is a visiting professor to Yamazaki Gakuen University in Japan, and an invited teacher to the University of Pisa in Italy. She has also taught vets, vet nurses and physiotherapists in the UK, USA and Australia, and has been published in the AVJ, by Blackwell Publishing, and has written a textbook that was translated into Japanese. Helen lives in the Blue Mountains with three dogs, a variable number of chickens, yabbies and silver perch, four kids and her long-suffering husband. Helen is looking forward to meeting you and hopes you will enjoy this introduction to the field of canine rehabilitation just as much as she does.
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Robert Nicoll
BSc (Vet) BVSc DACVR
Prior to specialising in diagnostic imaging, Dr Robert Nicoll worked in mixed veterinary practice in Bathurst, NSW for several years. After undertaking his residency training at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA, he returned to Australia. With Graeme Allan he formed Veterinary Imaging Associates and more recently, their teleradiology practice Online-Vets.com, providing an international diagnostic service. Since 1998, Robert has been an associate tutor with Graeme in the Diagnostic Imaging Distance Education course and has worked with Graeme on developing a special digital radiography stream for those who have made or are looking to make the leap into filmless radiography.
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Gary Norsworthy
DVM DABVP
Dr Gary D Norsworthy is a full-time feline practitioner with nearly 40 years' experience in private practice. In addition, he is the editor of five feline textbooks, including four editions of The Feline Patient, and a frequent lecturer at veterinary conferences. He is a charter Diplomate of the Feline Practice Category of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners and an Adjunct Professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University. In spite of his diverse career directions, professionally, his first love is the care of feline patients.
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Carolyn O'Brien
BVSc(Hons) MVetClinStud FACVS (Feline Medicine)
Carolyn O'Brien is a registered specialist in feline medicine. She graduated from the University of Melbourne in 1994 and worked in private practice both in Melbourne and the UK for the first five years of her veterinary career. Carolyn then commenced a residency in small animal medicine at the University of Sydney in 2000 and concurrently completed a masters in veterinary clinical studies in the epidemiology and treatment of cryptococcosis in cats and dogs. Carolyn has acted as Senior Register at Sydney and Melbourne University as well as a referral specialist in private practice Carolyn has recently commenced a PhD investigating mycobacterial diseases.
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Tom Poland
Tom is an internationally recognised Marketing Strategist who at last count has trained 1,476 clients across 173 different industry types including professional practices, small business and multinational corporations. Tom had started and sold a series of his own businesses, two of which he took international. He has been published in 27 countries and the second edition of his latest book has recently been released in North America, Europe, Great Britain and Australia.
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Jim Rodger
BVMS MACVSc MRCVS FACVSc Registered Specialist in Equine Reproduction
Dr Jim Rodger graduated from the Veterinary School at the University of Glasgow, Scotland. Jim spent a few months in general practice on the East coast of England before taking a position in the West Midlands doing National Hunt horse racing, show jumping and general equine practice. After a few years he transferred to the equine practice of Crowhurst and Partners in Newmarket, England to develop stud experience under the watchful eye of such veterinary icons as Fred Day and Twink Allen. After three years the opportunity arose to come to Australia to the practice of Murray Bain.
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Alex Rosenwax
BVSc MACVSc(Avian Health)
Alex undertook his veterinary studies with the specific aim of working with birds. This desire stems from an early childhood love for and fascination with birds. After graduating from Veterinary Science in 1991, Alex worked with birds in England, Hong Kong and Australia. He successfully completed the Membership Exams for the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in Avian Health in January 1996. Since establishing an all-bird veterinary service in Sydney in November 1996, Alex sees cases from other vets as well as those from pet owners. He is dedicated to providing quality care and treatment for all birds. Rescued and re-homed budgies and cockatiels inhabit a large outdoor aviary, while two large ‘adopted’ parrots (a galah and a Major Mitchell x corella) share his home. He is also experienced in the treatment of various exotic species including fish, reptile and mammalian pocket pets.
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Nick Russell
BVSc MVS FACVSc (Medicine) DACVIM (Cardiology)
Dr Nick Russell graduated from the University of Sydney in 1998. In 2002, he became a member of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists (ACVSc) and undertook a Residency in Small Animal Medicine at Murdoch University Veterinary Hospital, during which time he also completed a Master of Veterinary Studies (in small animal medicine and surgery). In 2005 he undertook a three year residency in veterinary cardiology at the University of Pennsylvania. During this time he attained specialist qualifications in two fields. Firstly in 2007, Nick attained fellowship of the ACVSc in canine medicine, and then in 2008 he achieved Diplomate status of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, in the specialty of cardiology. He currently works in specialty referral practice in southern California, USA.
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Kersti Seksel
BVSc(Hons) MRCVS MA(Hons) FACVSc (Animal Behaviour) Dipl ACVB CMAVA DipECVBM-CA
Dr Kersti Seksel graduated in Veterinary Science from the University of Sydney, then from Macquarie University with a BA in Behavioural Sciences majoring in psychology and has an MA(Hons) degree by thesis on the long and short term behavioural effects of puppy socialisation and training programs. A registered veterinary specialist in Animal Behaviour, she is also a Fellow of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in Animal Behaviour, a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Behavioural Medicine-Companion Animals and honorary associate at the University of Sydney. Kersti is the principal of a specialist referral-only practice for animal behaviour in Sydney and Melbourne, President of the Australian Companion Animal Council and chair of the Companion Animal sectoral group of the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy. She has presented at multiple conferences and meetings, has published over 100 papers on animal behaviour in scientific journals, magazines and periodicals and is a regular contributor to print and electronic media. Currently she is a regular presenter on ABC radio in Australia on pet care and behaviour, writes for Dog's Life and Your Garden magazines and is also a consultant to VIN.
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Andy Sparkes
BVetMed PhD DipECVIMCA MRCVS
Andy Sparkes graduated from the Royal Veterinary College (University of London) in 1983, and after a period of four years in general practice joined the staff of the University of Bristol as an intern in feline medicine in 1987 where he continued to work in various clinical, research and teaching positions until 2000. Andy has published widely in the field of feline medicine, and is diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. He is a recognised specialist in feline medicine (by the RCVS) and is also currently editor of the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, an international journal launched by WB Saunders.
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Robin Stanley
BVSc(Hons) FACVSc (Ophthalmology)
Dr Robin Stanley graduated with first class honours from the University of Melbourne in 1984. He undertook an ophthalmology residency from 1987 to 1989 obtaining membership of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists by examination in small animal surgery and in 1990 obtained his Fellowship of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in ophthalmology. Robin is registered as a veterinary eye specialist and is a Board of Examiner’s member for the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists. Dr Stanley works with two other veterinarians in a dedicated ophthalmology-only practice in Melbourne. His clinical interests are in ophthalmic surgery, particularly small incisional cataract, hypertensive retinopathy and glaucoma. He is visiting senior lecturer to the Veterinary School, University of Melbourne and holds ophthalmology clinics at the School. Well-known for his practical and informative lecturing style, he has done many presentations and symposiums in Australia, and lectured in Japan, the United States, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Sweden and England. Robin has authored and co-authored 18 peer reviewed publications (he co-authored Common Eye Diseases - A Problem Oriented Text for Veterinarians, and contributed to textbooks such as Fundamentals of Veterinary Ophthalmology, Small Animal Ophthalmology, a Problem Oriented Approach and Small Animal Clinical Pharmacology). Robin was winner of the prestigious Tom Hungerford Award (2010).
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Jane Sykes
BVSc(Hons) PhD DACVIM
Jane Sykes is a Professor of Small Animal Internal Medicine at the University of California, Davis. She has a special interest in small animal infectious diseases, and has coauthored over 50 publications on the subject. She is co-founder of the International Society for Companion Animal Infectious Diseases. Her research interests include canine and feline hemotropic mycoplasma infections, tick-borne infectious diseases, leptospirosis, antimicrobial resistance and deep mycoses of dogs and cats.
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Adam Toyer
BVSc MACVS
Dr Adam Toyer graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science (of no apparent distinction!) in 1995. After practicing in private practice for eight or so years it became clear that whilst he knew something about veterinary science there was also a lot he didn't know. He sat and passed Australian College membership exams in Veterinary Surgery in 2007 and discovered that there were things that he knew that he knew and things he knew that he didn't know, but it was also clear there was a lot that he didn't know that he did not know! He was also fairly sure there was nothing that he didn't know that he knew. Well sort of sure. Adam has a particular interest in the management of arthritis and has presented the CVE TimeOnline Arthritis program to over 100 participants.
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David Vella
BSc BVSc(Hons) Diplomate ABVP (Exotic Companion Mammals)
David consults exclusively as an exotics vet in Sydney. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1992, and a Bachelor of Veterinary Science in 1996, both from the University of Sydney. In 2009, David became a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in Exotic Companion Mammals, the first and only Australian vet to achieve these credentials. David's interest in natural history began early in life. Growing up In Sydney's suburbia he was lured to the appeal of native avifauna and herpetofauna. His first four years of vet life were spent practicing in the UK, where his exposure to 'exotic' pets was greatly enhanced. Since graduating as a vet, the appeal of exotic veterinary medicine has engaged David to work on a range of exotic animals. He is particularly interested in small mammals (especially rabbits) as well as reptile and amphibian medicine and surgery. David now consults as a primary accession and second opinion exotic small mammal and reptile vet in Sydney at the North Shore Veterinary Specialist Centre (Crows Nest) and at the Animal Referral Hospital (Homebush).
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Linda Vogelnest
BVSc(Hons) MACVSc (Feline Medicine) FACVSc (Dermatology)
Linda graduated from Sydney University in 1984 and worked in private and university small animal practice in Australia and the UK for over ten years before following a long time interest in dermatology. Linda achieved Membership of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in Feline Medicine in 1997, and undertook an alternative Dermatology Residency Program from 1997-2001 with the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists. Linda achieved Fellowship of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in Veterinary Dermatology in 2003. She runs a small and large animal dermatology service at the University of Sydney, is a dermatology consultant to Sydney’s Taronga Zoo, is involved in undergraduate and postgraduate education and research projects and was appointed as Hospital Superintendent at Veterinary Teaching Hospital Camden in 2010. Linda has authored and co-authored numerous articles in both Australian and International journals and has presented at Australian and international conferences.
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Wing Tip Wong
DVM MVS MACVSc (Surgery)
Wing Tip has spent most of his time as a clinician and teacher. He worked for several years in private practice in Malaysia and returned to the University of Melbourne in 1988 to work at the Veterinary Clinic and Hospital. From 1999 he spent 14 months as staff surgeon in private referral practice. Currently he is consultant surgeon (orthopaedics and neurosurgery) in the Veterinary Clinic and Hospital as well as senior fellow in the Department of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne. Dr Wong's DVDs A Practical Guide to Basic Bone Plating and Surgical Approaches to the Bones and Joints of the Dog are in the Vetbookshop.
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Guy Yates
BVSc (Hons) MVS FACVSc (Small animal surgery)
Guy is a Melbourne-based specialist small animal surgeon and consultant surgeon at the University of Melbourne. He is a Fellow of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists who maintains active interests in both soft tissue and orthopaedic surgery. Guy has conducted clinical research in soft tissue reconstructive and minimally invasive surgery, and has current international orthopaedic collaborations. He is strongly focused on optimising veterinary surgical practices and outcomes through the application of available evidence and a structured approach to continuing education.
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Sanaa Zaki
BVSc(Hons) MACVSc GradCertEdStud (Higher Education)
Dr Sanaa Zaki graduated from the University of Sydney in 1992. She became a member (by examination) of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists, Anaesthesia and Critical Care Chapter in 1997 and completed the Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies (Higher Education) at the University of Sydney in 2005. Since 1995 she has been teaching, conducting clinical research and providing clinical service within the Faculty of Veterinary Science at the University of Sydney. In her current position as Lecturer in Veterinary Anaesthesia she is Unit of Study coordinator for the Veterinary Anaesthesia course and Year 4 coordinator for the Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree. In 2008 Dr Zaki was appointed Director of the University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Sydney. She is currently also undertaking a PhD looking at 'Understanding the Pain of Osteoarthritis'.
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