Admin Team
The administration team provide a range of support services for clients as well as staff. From sourcing product and medicines for specific medical needs, maintaining stock and equipment plus the finance and executive team maintaining the wellbeing of the business.
Communication with clients, and also staff, is a high priority for the administration team who assist each division to provide the best level of care available, while continuing to keep the business thriving and succeeding.
Craig Perriman
Practice Manager
Craig joined the RVC team as Practive Manager early in 2017, he holds a number of business management & human resource management qualifications. His past roles in the professional service’s area have equipped him well for the position of Practice Manager.
Outside the office, alot of time is spent with his family around various sporting fields in Canterbury, he likes to play tennis and enjoys watching all sports.
Originally from Dunedin, Craig has worked around the South Island spending time in Timaru & Invercargill before moving to Christchurch with his wife Rachael and their 3 children, two teens and an almost teen, life is very busy!
Also very much part of the family, but not so much into watching sports, are the 2 burmese cats, Coco and Gordy, and Pete the Labradoodle.
Rachel Hogan
Companion Animal Clinic Coordinator
Rachel is the newest member of our admin team, joining us at the beginning of August, 2022. Prior to RVC she was in the Education Sector, as an Assistant Principal for 6 years.
Rachel studied Animal Science at Leeds University before going on to teach Biology at secondary schools, following this she completed a Master of Education endorsed in Leadership at UC in 2016.
Rachel loves to travel and has visited over 70 different countries before settling in NZ in 2006. Her biggest passion is horse riding and she can often be found at local dressage days. When she’s not riding she is often out with her husband, Carl, mountain biking, or walking the dogs, Bella & Jack.
Sophie Neilson
Clinical Care Manager / Small Animal Veterinarian
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.
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 now our Clinical Care Manager.
This is a diverse role meaning she works very closely with the clinical teams to try and ensure our patient care and client experience are meeting the high standards we have set for ourselves. This involves many things including talking to clients about their feedback, helping to deliver and provide training opportunities, case reviews, writing and ensuring internal and external guidelines and procedures are followed, managing the radiation safety aspect of the business, safeguarding passing our external radiation safety and Best Practice Hospital standards audits and ensuring we are applying the most up-to-date evidence to our patient care.
She lives in Loburn with her fiance Matt, her beloved cat “Smooch” (“Peach” to his friends!), two horses and some cattle. Outside the clinic she is a keen horse enthusiast and closet musician! She loves working with the vibrant, talented and dedicated team here at the RVC.
Rebecca Harris
Admin Team Leader. Marketing & Online.
Rebecca joined the RVC Team late in 2014, when newsletters were still put in envelopes and mailed in the post, and Online Vet Store was just starting to be scoped.
Growing up in the Otago region she has been a North Canterbury resident most of her adult life. Ditching the commute and city job in media and publishing after 15 years, she now has more time to get involved in the community where she lives and volunteering her time when she can.
Jo Robinson
Stock Control / Inventory Manager
Born and bred Cantabrian, Jo joined the administration team late in 2021. She has worked in the veterinary industry for 30 years as a veterinary nurse and more recently in a territory manager sales role.
Jo and her husband Hamish, are proud pet parents of Spencer the Whippet. One of Jo’s favourite activities is getting out and about walking with Spencer. She also likes gardening, cooking/baking, reading and spending time with family and friends.
Joy Winter
Stock Controller
Joy is passionate about providing quality service to the clinic clients and has done so since she began with the RVC team in 2005. A born and bred Cantabrian, she has a Certificate in Veterinary Nursing and loves spending time with her animals, and interacting with customers and their animals. Outside the clinic Joy also likes to spend time with her family and tend to her garden all the while trying to find time to enjoy her other hobbies which include horses, reading a good book or walking.
Roberta Soper
Online Customer Support
Roberta joined the Administration Team as Customer Support for Online Vet Store in March 2020. She is enjoying being part of such a great team and loves the variety that comes with the job.
Her husband and two children moved to Rangiora from Christchurch and love living here. She feels they are so lucky to live in such a beautiful place with the mountains and rivers on our doorstep and to be a part of such a great community. They love to explore the great outdoors with their very energetic Springer Spaniel X called Oreo. When not out and about, the family loves spending time at home together and catching up with friends and family.
Erica Longstaff
Online Admin Support
Erica joined our team in October 2023, bringing a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to her role as Online Admin Support. With a background in natural health, she holds a Bachelor of Natural Medicine (2018), and is passionate about learning more about different areas of the business, constantly seeking to grow and broaden her understanding.
Outside of her work with us, Erica is a self-employed Qualified Naturopath and Medical Herbalist at NaturalFix, where she continues to explore and deepen her knowledge of natural health modalities. In her free time, you’ll find her hiking and studying new techniques to incorporate into her practice.
Originally from Wellington, Erica is a true animal lover, sharing her home with two adorable rescue cats. Bugsy-Boo, affectionately known as Hungry-Boo, is always ready for a snack, while Lunar-Bell, or Loopy as she’s called, adds a bit of fun and chaos to the household. Both cats are treated like royalty in Erica’s home.
Erica’s passion for health and wellness, combined with her curiosity and dedication, makes her a valued member of our team.
Melanie Griffen
Digital Marketing Co-ordinator
Melanie joined our team as Digital Marketing Coordinator in 2024, bringing a creative flair and a strong background in communications. She holds a Bachelor of Communications and has a passion for creating meaningful and helpful content. Melanie is also behind the lens when it comes to photography and videography, always eager to capture moments and stories that matter.
In addition to her professional skills, Melanie enjoys contributing to the community by planning and organizing events that bring people together. Her dedication to adding value to the lives of others is evident both in her work and personal life.
Outside of work, Melanie is an active individual who loves spending time with her family and friends. She enjoys pilates, yoga, running, hiking, skiing, and other outdoor activities—often with her kids in tow, teaching them new skills along the way. At home, she’s passionate about cooking, crafting, gardening, and growing flowers. Her property is always buzzing with exciting projects.
Born and raised in Christchurch, Melanie and her family made the move to North Canterbury for a more peaceful lifestyle and to raise her kids in a rural setting.
Her pets include Peach the cat, Alfie the miniature poodle who’s a total mummy’s boy, two goats (Gary and Milly), four valais blacknose sheep, and the newest member of the family, Marshall, a playful Lab/Huntaway pup.
Melanie’s diverse interests, love for creativity, and focus on family make her an inspiring and valued member of our team.