Rangiora

BSc BVSc

Lee is the most experienced member of the RVC small animal clinical team. She enjoys consulting with clients new and old with Dermatology her area of post-graduate expertise. She manages Animal Dermatology Canterbury a referral service for animals with skin disease based out of our Woodend Clinic. Lee shares her home with Mittens (cat), Penny (Terrier-X) and a Uni aged daughter. Books, travel and her Punakaiki bach fill much of the time not spent at the microscope.

Sophie was born in the UK and is very proud of her Scottish heritage! She came to RVC in 2002 as a vet student, graduated from the Royal Veterinary College (London) in 2004, and has lived in NZ ever since.

Officially working for RVC for over 10 years now, her special veterinary interests lie in general practice, consultation skills, communication and radiology (x-rays). She is studying towards her Certificate of Advanced Veterinary Practice in Small Animal Veterinary Primary Care, through the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, UK.

After 16 years in practice, Sophie has held several roles at RVC and is currently working in clinical systems and compliance.

She lives in Loburn with her fiance Matt, her beloved cat “Smooch” (“Peach” to his friends!), several horses, cattle and Maggie the goat. Outside the clinic she is a keen horse enthusiast enjoying eventing, polo and dressage. Sophie loves playing, writing and listening to music, but is definitely not a fan of performing! She also enjoys art, craft, physical geography, meteorology, gardening, wine, coffee and chocolate; sometimes making her a handy person to have on your pub quiz team! She loves working with the vibrant, talented and dedicated team here at the RVC.

BVSc

Marcella was born and raised near Boston, Massachusetts and moved to New Zealand in 2004 to study veterinary medicine at Massey University in Palmerston North.

In her second year of vet school she met a lovely kiwi boy and never left!

Since graduation she has worked in predominantly small animal practice and developed a passion for veterinary dentistry early on in her career. In 2016 she attained Membership status to the Australian & New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists for Companion Animal Dentistry & Oral Surgery. Since then she has been working as the clinic's resident veterinary dentist while still dabbling with GP work from time to time.

When not at work she is at home spending time with her young family, riding her horse or having some sort of outdoor adventure.

BVSc, DVCS, MRCVS, MACVSc(Surgery)

New to the RVC team in 2016, Charlie has a world of experience. Originally born in the UK, followed by years of travelling the world with family and living in a number of countries, she ended up working for a couple of years in a small animal practice in Auckland. After Auckland, Charlie studied for a diploma in small animal surgery and gained Australian membership qualifications, this was followed by 9 years in the UK before returning home to New Zealand and a lifestyle block at Ashley, where she and the family live with 5 cats, a flock of Dorper pet sheep – all named -  plus chickens, quail, ducks and 2 special needs pigeons. Along with loving ALL things feline, her interests are varied, ranging from motorbikes, gardening and fitness to holding a private pilots licence.

Kasia, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine joined the Rangiora team in November 2016. Her work related special interests are FEI 4 Star Endurance Treatment and Official Veterinarian, and FEI Testing Veterinarian, she loves these jobs as they take her to many spectacular and remote parts of NZ and overseas.

Kasia is the founder and President of Camelid Branch of NZVA 2010-11, and over the last few years has developed a special interest in small animals emergency and critical care.

In her spare time, she likes to keep young and fit by dancing-Latin and Ballroom, performing on the stage of Amateur Dramatics, digging her large veggie garden, keeping bees, skiing and tramping.

Kasia grew up as a single child behind the "iron curtain" in Poland. Against all odds she travelled extensively to Mongolia, Cuba, USA, and East Block countries.  After graduating from Warsaw Vet School, she spent a stint at Gent University, studying Equine lameness, later moving to the UK and working as a vet nurse. In the same year she passed her Royal College of Veterinary Science exams she also married her husband Clive. 24 years later they are now enjoying their Mid Canterbury Lifestyle block and bringing up three lively boys.

The menagerie of animals on the lifestyle block includes the laziest ever, adopted cat "Puss-puss”, a flock of sheep, the occasional pig and a continuously growing Apiary.

BSc (Hons) PGDip. BVM+S

Originally from Yorkshire in the UK, Lynne joined the RVC Vet team, in April 2016, she shares her time with both the Rangiora and Kaiapoi clinics. Her special interests are the Vet aspects of Customer Service and Surgery related cases. Outside the clinic things are pretty full on fitting in multisport activities such as adventure racing around family time with Phil and the two children. Also part of the family is a completely mad Mini Springer Spaniel called Agnes, and the two Tonkinese cats, Albie and Penny who are completely laid back and easy as!

BSc BVM&S CertAVP (GSAS)

In August 2019 Liz joined the RVC Companion Animal team. She studied for her 1st degree at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, then went onto the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, at the University of Edinburgh, and achieved Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Pratice, followed by the postnominal in General Small Animal Surgery. Liz is a current founding board member of the World Veterinary Palliative Medicine Organisation (WVPMO) in 2019, which is a global network of veterinarians improving and supporting the lives of animals and their caregivers, by promoting and advancing veterinary palliative medicine centered on quality of life.

Liz has keen interests in soft tissue surgery, oncology surgery, analgesia and anaesthesia, geriatric medicine, palliative care. Outside her busy vet schedule she enjoys gardening, biking and walking, handicrafts and vintage cars, but most especially spending time with her husband and son Sam, a funny, very active, cheeky wee chap.

Originally from Kent, in the South East of England UK, Lizi met her Kiwi husband whilst studying her first degree. Eventually moving back to New Zealand the family have settled in Amberley where they and their animals enjoy the mixed lifestyle on offer. The animal family includes Delphi, a super hyper 7 year old Sprocker, 9 year old Marti, a Birman x moggy who loves life on his terms, and The Girls - 8 heritage breed chickens.

BVSc

Tamara is a small animal veterinarian who joined the team near the end of 2019. With post graduate studies in emergency and critical care she fitted in well with the team over the busy Christmas, New Year period, and then when lockdown arrived, her experience was invaluable in her team bubble. 

Tamara spends most of her time in our hospital role looking after our sick patients and those that have come out of surgery, she is also very comfortable in surgery and in general consults.

Originally from Rotorua, she moved to our region with her family after returning from her OE. She has represented NZ in the World Mini Golf Champs, and enjoys travelling and cooler sports on the snow and ice, such as skiing and skating.

Also part of her family are Monty, a 5 year old mini dachshund, and Malibu a special cat rescued from SPCA.

BVSc (Massey)

Kathy, a born and bred Cantabrian started with RVC in Sept 1997. A small animal vet, her specialist interest is preventative medicine. Outside the RVC environment Kathy is active with her two fabulous boys and enjoys a good game of golf, walking, social tennis, reading, gardening and getting stuck into renovations.

Kathy and her family revolve their lives, as you do, by a succession of pets, and cannot imagine not having one in their lives.

Jose Graduated from Massey University in 2009, she then moved to Australia for her first plunge into veterinary medicine and was lucky to start at a clinic that saw mostly small animals, but also tended to the exotics at a local wildlife park, along with a small number of large animals. This experience gave her a broad start, and encouraged her to become more interested in avian medicine especially poultry.

Jose returned to New Zealand in 2011 and worked at a number of locations before finally settling in Christchurch. Along with her partner, they are currently working at making a little off the grid paradise on 10 acres in Eyrewell, where they raise and breed a number of heritage breed chickens, and have just embarked on Pheasants.

Hi my name is Kim Anderson, I am a Vet Nurse, and also Customer Service Team Leader. I qualified as a vet nurse in 2008 and have a very strong interest in Weight loss for pets, grooming and consulting.

I live locally on a lifestyle block with my Husband and Two Teenage childen, we have a couple of horses, sheep, cattle, 2 fantastic Border Collies and 6 (yes 6) super cool Cats, never a dull moment at our house.

My primary role is based in the Consult/Treatment areas,where I get to meet and greet patients prior to surgery and consults, as well as over see the running of the Lab.I look forward to seeing you soon.

With more than 10 years experience in a specialist surgical practice and a Certificate in Vet Nursing, Lauren has developed a keen interest in surgery. She has an appreciation for all aspects of surgery from complex fracture repair and emergency care, right through to the finesse and delicate nature of soft tissue surgery. As well as surgery itself, she is also interested in pain management and post-op rehabilitation.

Outside the vet clinic Lauren loves horses (and spending money on them), along with her partner they have a number of 4 legged friends including a very special rescue dog which sports a prosthetic leg.

Debra joined the RVC team in September 2015 after working as a Vet Nurse for more than 20 years prior. She registered with a Diploma of Vet Nursing in 2018 having gained the qualification of prior learning via Capable NZ and Otago Polytechnic. She is passionate about promoting fear-free handiling of animals and enjoys both medical and surgical nursing.

Living on a lifestyle block with her husband, they have a menagerie of animals including a German Shepherd (Ash), a flat coated retriever, rescued from the Dunedin pound (Finn) and more recently 2 chincilla X kittens.

Farm animals include cattle, sheep and 4 horses, which are used for pleasure riding. Any spare time is spent with her family and gardening.

With a Certificate in Vet Nursing, Janine's special interests include canines, puppy training, and fostering kittens. Originally from Lower Hutt she relocated with her family to North Canterbury in 2007. She loves socialising and spending quality time with friends, family and especially the loves of her life, her poodles, Beau and Bella. Janine is also happy amongst her cats, many of  which she has "lovingly inherited" from friends and family.

Qualified in Veterinary Nursing and Animal Care, Kayla has a special interest in surgery, especially anaesthesia.

Having always lived in the Waimakariri district, she started working at the Rangiora Clinic in October 2015 which has allowed her to stay close to the town she grew up in, Woodend. Keen on travelling and exploring new places,

Kayla also loves spending time with friends and family and fostering rescues!! Her animal family includes 3 dogs, staffordshire terriers and a greyhound, she also has a moggy and a birman cat.

 Andrew originally comes from Dunedin but moved to Rangiora in March of 2014 to join the clinic in his first position in the Animal industry. He has always had an interest in working with animals and completed his Certificate in Veterinary Nursing at the Otago Polytechnic in 2012. As the Animal Care Assistant his roles include making sure that pateints are kept comfortable in the hospital, given clean bedding, maintain hospital cleanliness and that the dogs that come in are walked in the mornings and afternoons. Outside of work he enjoys science fiction, listening to music and playing video games.

Emma is passionate about client experience and strengthening the interaction between vets, nurses and customer services, with lends well to her involvement in the weight loss clinic and Puppy Classes. 
 
Prior to joining the RVC team Emma worked at the Community Clinic for the Animal Welfare League on the Gold Coast.  This was a fast paced, intense and varied role, which has gained her a wealth of knowledge and experience.
 
Most recently she has been helping out on the family sheep and beef farm in Harwarden, where she can be found in her red bands any time she is not at RVC! When she returned from Aussie, there was a little extra luggage in the form of a cat and a dog. Chad, a tabby cat from a shelter, and Kahli, and Australian Bulldog.

Kim was born in the South West of Scotland, she grew up on a beef and sheep farm and after training as a vet nurse found her way to RVC and joined the after hours team in September 2016. As a vet Nurse she is especially interested in radiology, surgery and anaesthetics.

Outside the work environment Kim loves to keep active, running, horse riding, climbing, boating, swimming, going to the beach, mountain biking and socializing, the list is extensive. Sadly she left at home in Scotland her two older brothers, a sister, her mum and Bob her horse, and Eric the Border Terrier, she misses them all but has fitted into the RVC team well and is excited about the new adventures ahead.

Kirsty started working with the RVC vet nursing team in September 2016 and has become a valued part of the Afterhours Emergency/Critical Care Nurse team. She has completed a diploma of Veterinary Nursing and holds a Certificate of Veterinary Nursing and a NZ Diploma of Veterinary Nursing, she is also a NZ Veterinary Nursing Association Registered Nurse.

When not taking care of patients in the clinic, she loves to volunteer for the SPCA, travelling, walking & exploring NZ. Kirsty was born in England, but grew up in North Africa, returning to England to live in Whitby, the home of Captain Cook, before emigrating to NZ in 2004

Currently living in Oxford with her young family and a menagerie of animals including cats, a dog, a pig, a cow, a sheep and a lovebird.

Freya began working as a vet nurse in 2014 and joined the RVC team in April 2018 with a Certificate and Diploma of vet nursing.

Her vet nurse related special area of interest is critical care and hospital nursing. When she is not at the vet clinic she loves to spend quality time with her family and friends.

Freya was born in England and relocated with her family to New Zealand in 2003, she grew up in Methven

Holly joined the RVC Companion Animal team in July 2019 with a Level 6 Diploma of Veterinary Nurse.

She has a keen interest in dog behaviour/training and also in cytology/lab work.

She is also interested in competition level dog agility, and specialist training (SAR, therapy, guide dogs etc)
Holly moved from Feilding to start her new job at RVC and has recently had a gorgeous huntaway cross pup join her life, who she hopes will become her next competition dog.

Charlotte joined the Companion Animal team in March 2019, having recently graduated with a Certificate in Vet Nursing she continued to study, going on to complete the Level 6 Diploma later in the year.

In the veterinary hospital environment Charlotte is interested in hospital care and emergency medicine. Outside the vet clinic she loves to spend as much time as possible with her furbabies. 2 cats, Billy who is a 9 year old tabby boy, very smoochy and loves to head butt and Bella who is an 11 year old dilute Torti girl, full of sass but very loving - on her own terms!

Originally from Somerset, England. Charlotte moved to NZ with her parents and younger brother in 2003.

Stefanie (Stef) joined the RVC vet nursing team in 2017 with a Diploma in Veterinary Nursing. She enjoys working in the hospital and nursing the critical care patients until they are well enough to go home. It is very rewarding seeing the animals, some who have been very ill and unhappy,  transition back to themselves and reunite with their families.

Outside the small animal clinic nursing environment Stef has her hands full caring for her horses, developing, breed and riding them, and schooling young children.

A born and bred Cantabrian, along with her horses, Stef also has 3 very active dogs which keep her on her toes, as well as 4 cats.

Susie started work experience with RVC in 2016, which turned into full time employment, she has been here ever since and loves it!

With a certificate in vet nursing, Susie is still getting to know all the paths that vet nursing can lead to,  she is finding out new things all the time, for her the industry is amazing.

Currently loving working in the hospital with the patients, she says it is simply the best feeling helping them get better, and being well enough to go home!

Susie loves to keep fit, and also has a passion for baking - the two go well together!

She was born back in the UK in Guildford, Surrey, and moved to NZ in 2009 with her husband, they now have 2 boys who are crazy and brilliant!

The family dog, Dexter the Dude, who is an Irish Setter, lives the life of luxury, as does their little black cat, named by the boys as Donatello. There are also three chickens called Dixie, Dory and Mo, Susie admits she would love more, however, due to the entire family yet to agree, this is a work in progress!

Wendy started in March 2017 as a work experience student, and has been filling in many areas of the clinic ever since.

2018 will see her complete her Vet Nurse Assistant Certificate, and in 2019 a Vet Nurse Diploma.

With a love of all animals, she cares very much about animal welfare and has fostered some special SPCA animals.

Balancing family life, work and also completing her studies takes up the majority of her time, never one to stand still she manages to find time to go to the gym, go for a run and keep active.

Having always been in the Canterbury region, she has now settled on a lifestyle block in Fernside with her husband Arthur and two cheeky boys, Levi and Xavier, who keep her on her toes constantly! The lifestyle block is also home to sheep, chickens and their two dogs Jake and Boss.

Nicole gained her Diploma in Veterinary Nursing at Otago Polytech and began working among the RVC Companion Animal team in April 2019

She is especially interested in hospital care, caring for recovering animals and helping them heal.

Outside the clinic environment, Nicole enjoys swimming for fun and exercise. She likes to read and also explore the outdoors, hiking trails and beaches with her dog, Ralph, an 8 year old border collie who loves frisbees, chasing balls and taking his human for walks.

Originally from the Timaru region, Nicole has a close group of friends, who enjoy a variety of activities and hanging out together with their pets.