OUR EDUCATION LEADERS

Qualifications: BSc BVMS (Hons) MANZCVS (Veterinary Radiology, Veterinary Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation - Canine) CCRT

Yoko graduated from Murdoch University in 2004 and began her career in mixed practice in rural South Australia before moving to small animal practice in Perth. She attained ANZCVS Membership in Veterinary Radiology in 2009 and co-purchased Roleystone Animal Hospital in 2013. In 2017, she became a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist and founded Veterinary Rehabilitation Services, treating a wide range of species, including birds and reptiles for mobility and pain issues.
In 2020, she co-founded the ANZCVS VSMR Chapter, passed the inaugural canine VSMR Membership exams in 2022, and continues to serve as Immediate Past President, Head Subject Examiner, Journal Club Convenor, and Science Week Co-convenor. She also contributes to the College’s Exams Evolution Project. Yoko is passionate about improving animal comfort, mobility, and quality of life through rehabilitation.

Qualifications: BVSc, BSc, MANZCVS (SAS) DACVS

Specialisation: Registered Specialist in Small Animal Surgery

Alex is a Registered Small Animal Surgical Specialist and a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons.

She has a strong interest in soft tissue and reconstructive surgery with advanced training in interventional radiology. Alex is a Co-Director at Melbourne Animal Referral Services (MARS) and also works part time at Geelong Animal Referral Services (GARS). She is dedicated to veterinary education and enjoys helping vets of all career stages to extend their surgical skills.

Qualifications: Cert IV Veterinary Nursing, VTS (Anaesthesia & Analgesia)

Alexander is the Nurse Unit Manager at UVTHS with a special interest in anaesthesia. He enjoys teaching at all levels within the veterinary profession. He is a Veterinary Technician Specialist in Anaesthesia and Analgesia, and will begin the Masters program in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia through Edinburgh University in September 2023. Alexander has additional interest in research and won an award for his abstract presentation at WCVAA 2023.

Qualifications: BVSc (Hons) MANZCVS (Small Animal Surgery)

Dr Townsend is a skilled general practitioner with a passion for surgery. He holds Membership in Surgery (MANZCVS) through the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists, reflecting his advanced expertise and dedication to surgical excellence.
As Clinical Director of a busy small animal clinic on the Gold Coast, he brings extensive experience and advanced training to his role. His commitment to surgical excellence ensures that every procedure is performed with precision and the highest standard of care. Andres is highly regarded in the veterinary field for his dedication to achieving outstanding surgical outcomes.

Qualifications: BVSc DSAS(Orth) MRCVS RCVS Specialist in Small Animal Surgery

Ben, an RCVS Specialist in Small Animal Surgery (Orthopaedics), has over 20 years of surgical experience and leads a busy clinical service at Movement Referrals. He is actively involved in clinical research, publishing extensively and lecturing internationally. As Fusion’s Clinical Research and Development Director, he identifies key needs in veterinary orthopaedics, contributes to product development, and designs surgeon training programs.

Qualifications: BVetBio BVetSc DVetClinSci DACVIM (SAIM) MANZCVS (small animal medicine)

Caitlin is a Small Animal Medicine specialist and Lead Clinician at the University of Queensland Veterinary Teaching Hospital. After graduating from Charles Sturt University in 2014, she worked in mixed practice across Australia and the UK before discovering her passion for small animal medicine during an internship at UQ. She completed her Internal Medicine residency in 2021 and passed her ACVIM exams the same year.

Her clinical interests include medical oncology, hepatic, respiratory, and immune-mediated diseases, as well as clinical reasoning and teaching. She also conducted research on antimicrobial resistance in canine urinary tract infections.

Caitlin lives on a farm near Toowoomba with her husband, two young children, an aging Labrador, two lazy cats, and an unruly herd of beef cows.

Qualifications: Certificate IV Veterinary Nurse

Catherine has always nurtured a love for horses and animals, which inspired her to commence a Diploma of Horse Business Management at the Marcus Oldham College in Victoria. This progressed into veterinary nursing, with several years of experience across a range of veterinary practices in equine, small animal, surgery, emergency and general practice nursing.

Catherine has developed a special interest in continuing professional development and training in anaesthesia, analgesia and patient welfare. One of her passions is to work closely and holistically with brachycephalic patients through surgeries, pain management and handling.

Qualifications: VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia), DipVN (Emergency & Critical Care), Certificate IV TAE

Charleyne has 16 years of clinical nursing experience in practice in Australia and six years in university and specialist veterinary hospitals. She also spent four years working and teaching in the anaesthesia department at the University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, before becoming a veterinary technician working in advanced translational medical research at the University of Sydney. Charleyne remains involved in clinical anaesthesia at various locations and has recently completed her Veterinary Technician Specialist credential in Veterinary Anaesthesia & Analgesia.