OUR EDUCATION LEADERS

Qualifications: BAppSc Vet Tech, Cert IV TAE

Janine Irwin is VetPrac’s Education Coordinator and a qualified veterinary technician with extensive experience in clinical practice and training. Before joining VetPrac, she worked in both general and emergency veterinary settings, developing a deep understanding of wound care and practical patient management.

Beyond the clinic, Janine has served as a long-term volunteer and group training officer with the State Emergency Service, where she developed a deep understanding of leadership, crisis management, and resilience. She’s also an Emergency Services Peer Support Officer, dedicated to supporting mental health and interpersonal wellbeing across professions.

With additional education in interpersonal relationships and human behaviour, Janine creates learning spaces that are practical, encouraging, and grounded in empathy.

Qualifications: BVSc GCertSAECC

Dr. Jenna Rickards, Registrar in Small Animal Internal Medicine, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the field.
After graduating from James Cook University in 2015, she gained invaluable experience in mixed rural practice while earning a graduate certificate in Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care. She then completed a rotating internship and a rigorous residency split between James Cook University and North Coast Veterinary Specialists.
Since finishing her residency in 2022, she has worked at a large multi-disciplinary hospital in Sydney, authored research papers, and presented at local and international conferences. Her expertise includes advanced diagnostics, endoscopy, ultrasound, and complex case management. Known for her clear communication and collaborative approach, she’s passionate about education and elevating veterinary care.
Most recently, Jenna co-founded the North Queensland Centre for Animal Referral and Emergency (NQ Care) in Townsville.

Qualifications: RVN, Cert IV VN, Dip (surg), Dip (GP), ISFMcertFN, Cert IV TAE

Jessica has been a veterinary nurse for more than 15 years, with experience in both general practice and referral clinics. She is currently the Referral Team Leader in the Peninsula Vet Emergency & Referral Hospital Surgery department. Her professional interests lie in anaesthesia and analgesia, and she is undertaking an Advanced Nursing Anaesthesia Certificate with Improve International. Jessica is particularly passionate about local analgesia techniques and their role in providing effective alternative pain relief for patients.
She has contributed to the profession by publishing an article in the VNCA journal and presenting a case study at the VNCA conference. Outside of work, Jessica shares her home with three foster rescues, her cats Nikita, Bella, and Holly.

Qualifications: BSc BVMS MANZCVS MVSc DipECVO

Johana was admitted to the European College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists in 2013, and has full specialist registration as a veterinary ophthalmologist in Australia.

Since 2022, she has been part of the ophthalmology team at Veterinary Specialist Services in Jindalee, Queensland.

Johana has trained several residents through the European College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists and Australian New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists. She is also a reviewer for several international veterinary journals. Her main research interests are cataract and glaucoma surgery, and ocular pharmacology.

Qualifications: CCRVN

Kara spent the first 15 years of her career working as a specialist surgical veterinary nurse in Perth and Dublin. During this time, her passion for supporting patients through their post-operative recovery inspired her to pursue further studies in veterinary rehabilitation.
After returning to Perth in 2022, Kara completed her certification as a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Veterinary Nurse through the Canine Rehabilitation Institute in 2024. She is currently working towards achieving her Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) in Rehabilitation, continuing to expand her expertise in helping patients recover and regain mobility.

Qualifications: RVN, Cert IV VN, VTS (A&A)

Kate is a veterinary nurse and technician with over 20 years of experience. She has worked in general practice, emergency, referral surgical and supervisory positions.

Kate is a registered veterinary nurse (RVN) with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, United Kingdom. She has a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing, obtained through the Animal Industries Resource Centre in Australia, and she is a veterinary technician specialist (VTS) in anaesthesia and analgesia (USA).

Qualifications: BAppSc (Vet Tech) RVT VTS (SAIM)

Kimberley Weir is an Australian Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) in Small Animal Internal Medicine. She graduated from the University of Queensland in 2012 with a Bachelor of Applied Science, extended major in Veterinary Technology, and soon after joined Veterinary Specialist Services (VSS) on the Gold Coast, where she began her career in specialist nursing. Kim gained experience across all departments before focusing on internal medicine, an area where she has built considerable expertise. In 2023, Kim achieved her VTS qualification in Small Animal Internal Medicine, becoming one of only two technicians in Australia to hold this credential. The following year, she was recognised as the VNCA Veterinary Nurse/Technician of the Year for her contributions to the profession and her commitment to advancing standards of care. Her clinical interests include transfusion medicine, oncology, and the nursing and management of critical cases.

Qualifications: RVN AVN DipVN (Surgery) DipVN (Leadership & Management)

Lauren has been a Veterinary Nurse for over 20 years, with the latter part of her career spent in specialty practice. She also worked for four years as an Anaesthetic Nurse at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital. Most recently, she has stepped out of specialty and into her current role as Senior Nurse at the RSPCA.