Dr. Gareth Stephensen

BVSc (Hons) - Veterinarian

University of Tasmania – Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Hons)

University of Sydney – Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Hons)

Gareth has been working at Tasmanian Veterinary Hospitals since 2007. Since starting his focus has been on improving surgical procedures at Tasmanian Veterinary Hospitals. He has attended countless surgical seminars and workshops over the years and is continuously updating the surgical possibilities for all our Tasmanian patients. He is also currently undertaking his surgical memberships with the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists.

Gareth has also been pioneering in the introduction of minimally invasive surgery for animals in Tasmania. In 2014 he traveled to Colorado to undertake further training in laparoscopy (keyhole surgery). On his return to Tasmania the hospital upgraded their facilities to accommodate minimally invasive surgery. In August of 2014 Gareth then performed Tasmania’s first ever small animal laparoscopic procedure on George the Great Dane. There have now been thousands of laparoscopic and arthroscopic procedures performed at Tasmanian Veterinary hospitals.

Most of all Gareth enjoys the everyday challenges that Veterinary Science has to offer and is happy to be working in an environment that strives to offer the best possible care and treatment to all its patients.

Dr. Andrew Dudgeon

B.Sc. B.V.M.S., GCM (VP) - Veterinarian

From the midlands of Tasmania his formative years were spent on the family farm east of Oatlands. Andrew graduated from Murdoch University in WA in 1982 and after working in various practices around the State opened what is now Tasmanian Veterinary Hospitals in April 1984. Andrew is the proud father of 5 beautiful children who are either approaching or have reached adulthood. He has been involved at various levels in the community with children through their sporting and school interests throughout their childhood.

One of the great joys of being in the one business for so many years is the relationships we develop with families over long periods of time. We have grandparents, children and now grandchildren all entrusting the care of their pets to us and Andrew has been able to enjoy the progress and journeys of many of these families.

Andrew completed a Graduate Certificate of Management in 2003 at Sturt University.

At a professional level Andrew is a past committee member and President of the Tasmanian Division of the Australian Veterinary Association, a past committee member of the Australian Veterinary Practice Management Association and was a founding Director of the Australian Veterinary Business Association. He is currently the Chairman and a driving force behind Tasmania’s first After Hours Emergency Hospital (AHVEC).

His passion remains the Veterinary Profession and the amazing role it plays in the lives of people and their pets. At the heart of this passion is the need to have a sustainable profession. One that continues to attract and retain the best and most passionate people, is able to meet the challenges of advances in Veterinary medicine and the increasing importance of our furry friends in our lives so that they may live longer and happier lives.

Andrew continues to love being a Veterinarian and has always been a pet owner himself.

Dr Jim Connah

BVSc MANZCVS - Veterinarian

Jim has been with us since 2013. He was brought up on a sheep farm in Northern NSW and graduated from Sydney University as a vet in 1992. He started in mixed practice and since then has worked in over 30 practices, including locums in England and Papua New Guinea and most states of Australia. He has spent a year with his family on a remote Aboriginal community in the Kimberley, WA and has performed volunteer veterinary work there, as well as in India and Samoa. Most recently he spent 2 years in Yass NSW, and prior to that, 5 years in Kingston. Jim has returned to Tasmania, knowing this is the place where he and Sarah can best bring up their two boys, Gryff and Jack.

Jim became a member of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in Small Animal Medicine in 2007. His special interests include eye diseases, endocrine diseases and cancer therapy. Outside of work he enjoys bushwalking, running and playing with the kids. He has three sheep, three alpacas, three chooks and a catfish called Malcolm.

Dr. Hannah Ling

Veterinarian

Originally from Tasmania, I grew up on a hobby farm where I developed a passion for animals and animal health. I knew from an early age that vet was the career path I wanted to pursue. I moved to Townsville to study a Bachelor of Veterinary Science at James Cook University. I graduated in 2017 and started in a mixed practice and then joined the team at Tasmanian Veterinary hospitals in 2019.

My favourite part of my job is reuniting owners with their beloved pets after a surgical procedure or hospital stay. I love being part of a community of people who are so passionate and dedicate to their patients health.

In my spare time I love being out on the water and enjoy outdoor activities. I also enjoy spending time catching up with family and friends on my days off.

The fur baby we have is Trilby, a very clever Border Collie. He enjoys fishing, barking at birds and loves being the only child at home.

Dr Raffy Lubiana

DVM - Veterinarian

Dr Raffy grew up in Tasmania on a small vineyard that also hosted an array of wildlife, some of which needed a helping hand from time to time. Raffy always enjoyed these interactions with wildlife as well as her own family pets, however it wasn’t until after she finished high school and volunteered overseas at animal recuse centres that she absolutely knew she wanted to be a veterinarian.

After returning from her holiday and volunteer work Raffy moved to Adelaide to become a vet. After graduating with her veterinary degree from the University of Adelaide she moved back to her favourite city (Hobart) to continue her journey of caring for and helping animals in need.

Raffy loves helping and watching people’s connections grow with their furry companions. She loves working in a field with great diversity and being able to both consult and perform surgery in the same day. Raffy is passionate about providing the best care possible to animals and their owners, ensuring communication is clear and everyone feels positive at the end of a consult.

When she is away from work she likes to spend her time chasing her kelpie Pippin around the beach and dabbles in rock climbing and pottery.

Claire Bannister

Practice Coordinator

Claire has been a Veterinary Nurse at TAH for an impressive 13 years and is still going strong.  She has a Certificate II in Animal Studies and Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing

She has recently taken on the new and exciting role of Practice Coordinator of the Bellerive Practice whilst still being able to put her years of valuable nursing experience to good use.

Claire has a beautiful daughter named Sienna who loves animals just as much as mum does, and they enjoy going to the movies and the beach together in their spare time.

She also has two fur children, a mischievous Husky named Zelda and a cheeky Russian Blue boy named Lucius.

Ashley Clark

Assistant Practice Coordinator

Ashley has been working at Tasmanian Veterinary Hospitals for the past 10 years. She started as a work experience student in grade 10 and has worked her way to being assistant practice coordinator. Ashley has her certificate 4 in veterinary Nursing and is currently studying to be a veterinary nutrition technician.  Ashley and her partner Matt love going on adventures on weekends and are currently building their first house. Ashley has 2 Huskies called Lucy and Yogi and 2 rescue cats called Squirt and Charlie.

Ashleigh Stuht

Nurse

Ashleigh is a Cert4 qualified veterinary nurse who has 10 years experience both in specialist and general practice clinics. She has been with us at Tasmanian Veterinary Hospitals for about 5 years after moving from Western Australia. Radiography is her number one passion, followed closely by providing the best patient care she can. She has an American Staffy called Mackaroy, a tortoiseshell cat called Puss and a mini lop rabbit called Bradley.

Jennifer Barlow

Nurse

Jen started at TAH in 2007, firstly as a receptionist and then as a consultation nurse. After moving to Launceston and later Sydney to further her education Jen is now back home at TAH as our Hospital Supervisor. Jen has experience in both specialist medical, surgical and critical care nursing and is hoping to complete her Diploma in Veterinary Nursing in the next year. What Jen enjoys most about veterinary nursing is being able to provide a high level of patient care through effective pain management, observation and ensuring a positive mental wellbeing for all her patients. Jen enjoys being able to work with animals every day and loves being challenged with new procedures and information.

Working with a positive team in a caring environment is something she values every day at TAH.

Jen enjoys spending time with husband Andrew and dog Banjo. Jen is also an enthusiastic collector of all things “miniature” including her hand made dolls house made for her by her husband.

Kassia Michajlow

Nurse

Kassia has been at Tasmanian Veterinary Hospitals for nearly 3 years, and is currently studying her Cert IV in veterinary nursing. She started in customer services at our Kingston practice, and quickly found her passion for vet nursing, moving to our Bellerive clinic to pursue her dream career. Caring for our patients and loving them as if they were her own, is Kassia’s number one attribute. Her interests lie in animal behavior and rehabilitation. She has two beloved miniature dachshunds, Douglas and Daphne, who are her world.

Ellen Young

Nurse

Ellen has been working at Tasmanian Veterinary Hospitals Bellerive for almost 4 years and is a valuable member of the nursing team.

She is currently studying her certificate 4 in vet nursing and has a particular passion for theatre nursing.

Ellen has always wanted to work in the animal care industry and loves the fact that she can help make a difference to the health and wellbeing of someone’s beloved fur baby.

Ellen is pictured here with her gorgeous girl Harper.

Rhianna Peters

Nurse

Started at TVH October 2017 and achieved her certificate 1V in veterinary nursing in 2018

As a child I always knew that I wanted to save and help animals and working as a veterinary nurse is so much more than I could have ever imagined.

I feel as though I can make a difference every single day and that is why I love the profession.

I am blessed to work with a team that feels more like family than work colleagues.

I face new challenges everyday and meet so many soulful animals. It’s a privilege to do what I love and am passionate about as a profession.

I am lucky enough to train puppies and their new owners through our puppy preschool program.

This avenue of positive reinforcement training has changed my life.

Seeing the relationship grow and strengthen between puppies and their new families is heartwarming and enormously rewarding.

In my spare time I enjoy working with my horse Lido and spending quality time with my two dogs and two cats.

I also have a wonderfully supportive family and partner in crime that also take up a fair chunk of my time, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Alice Eade

Nurse

Alice has been working at Tasmanian Veterinary Hospitals for over seven years after gaining employment from her year 12 work experience. She went on to complete her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing and has recently completed her Diploma of Veterinary Nursing (Surgical). She loves being able to provide care for both patients and their owners and when she isn’t at work she enjoys baking, being with her friends or taking her dog Mikey for a walk.

Hannah Ryan

Head Theatre Nurse

Hannah has been at Tasmanian Veterinary Hospitals for almost 5 years and she only has a few more weeks until she is fully qualified certificate 4 nurse. She loves assisting in complex surgeries and recently became head theatre nurse. When not in surgery, she enjoys helping hospitalised patients that require a lot of nursing care, and seeing them improve each day makes her love for the job grow. Hannah is pictured with her best mate Charlie.

Laura Massie

Nurse

Laura joined Tasmanian Veterinary Hospitals in 2018 as a full time Junior Veterinary Nurse at our Bellerive Practice.

She has completed her Certificate 2 in Animal Studies and is currently studying her Certificate 4 in Veterinary Nursing.

From a young age Laura has had a love for animals, so of course her future carer would lead her to be a Veterinary Nurse.

Laura loves that no two days are the same in the clinic and that you always have the opportunity to further you knowledge and skills. She has found a love for monitoring spinal surgery anaesthetics as they are always very interesting cases.

In her spare time Laura likes to get outdoors with her partner and spending time with her family and friends.

At home Laura has a 14 year old Border Collie called Max, a 3 year old Domestic Medium Hair called Eevee (pictured above), and two Netherland Dwarf x Mini Lop Rabbits and would love to have a hobby farm in the future.

Sophie McKay

Nurse

Sophie started nursing at our hospital in 2009, with over 10 years nursing experience. In 2011, she completed her certificate 2 in veterinary nursing then endeavoured into further studies at UTAS. In 2016, she graduated with a bachelor of science, majoring in Zoology. Sophie loves many aspects of nursing, particularly senior pet health, surgery and seeing patients go home happy and healthy.

At home Sophie has a fur baby Kelpie cross named Peggy. Peggy loves water and will make it her mission in life to find any drip of water to roll in when going for a walk.

In Sophie’s spare time, she loves to cook, be with family and explore beautiful Tasmania.

Imogen Howell

Trainee Nurse

Growing up I was very lucky to be surrounded by animals and animal lovers which drove my passion to work towards a career in animal care. 

Before working at TVH, I had a long history of customer service, and I am currently studying my Certificate 2 in Animal Studies to then progress to my Certificate 4 in Veterinary Nursing. 

I love coming to work every day and not knowing what is going to come through the door, learning new skills, expanding my knowledge of companion animals, and experiencing the incredible bond between pets and their owners. 

I am surrounded by an amazing team who are extremely passionate, supportive and dedicated to not only our clients and their pets, but also to each other. 

In my spare time I love going for beach walks with my partner, and spending time with my fur baby Lola the miniature dachshund. 

Leanne Healy

Customer Services

Leanne joined TVH in 2007 after 12 years in the finance industry. Customer service is her passion and she loves looking after our clients and helping them to provide the best care for their pets.

Leanne has completed her Certificate II in Animal Studies.

Outside of work Leanne loves to dance and is a bit of a gym junkie, one of her goals is to travel and see the world.

Leanne has 2 cats, Luca and Bentley.

Romy Smith

Customer Services

Romy has worked at Tasmanian Veterinary Hospitals since 2015 starting as a work experience student at our Sorell branch and moving up to Bellerive where she worked in theatre, and then as a nurse for a few years. She has since joined the awesome customer service team Manning the reception desk greeting all our wonderful clients and their pets.

In her spare time she loves exploring nature and admiring all the beautiful wildlife Tasmania has to offer.

She has a beautiful little cat called Ivy who came in to the clinic as a stray.

Nia Whitney

Vet Nurse / Customer Services

Nia joined us as a Nurse Assistant, coming from a Dental Nursing background but had always wanted to work in the Veterinary Profession. Nia has commenced her Certificate II in Veterinary Nursing and her ambition is to work through to Diploma Qualifications.

Nia comes from a rural background and has a special interest in wildlife, as well as pocket pets. She is also interested in promoting animal dentistry.

In Nia’s free time she loves horse riding, travelling, reading and art as well as spoiling her cute indoor rabbit Rudy.