Past Interns

Lucy Cudmore:

Lucy has left us for Melbourne University where she has started an Equine Medicine Residency. This was a most sort after position and just shows you how good she was with us. She demonstrated great talents and passion. She worked hard and also made the most of her time off.  Her beef cattle feedlot roots have been sabotaged by her deep passion for horses and her ever expanding interest and knowledge in equine medicine. She is looking forward to the challenges and learning experience at Werribee where she will be until 2012.

She can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Amy has left us to go to racetrack practice at Warwick Farm. She does everything so well that as are sure she will enjoy and be well admired up there.

Amy was a Brisbane girl, graduating from her University of Queensland class in late 2008. Amy has a deep interest in horses and was president of the equine society in her university. She also had the honour of seeing practice in Dubai equine hospital for a month. Amy’s interests are broad and she was talented in reproduction, surgery and medicine as well as running the microbiology department with Lucy. Amy’s extra curricular activities include reading, tennis  and socializing.

Update 19-09-12: Amy has become a member of the ANZCVS in the area of surgery.

Fiona Anderson:

Fiona was born in Traralgon (East Gippsland). She is a Melbourne graduate of exceptional ability. She was in  a veterinary practice at Cohuna with a friend of ours who suggested we take a close look at her for an internship. He was right and we are lucky enough to have had her for the 2004 breeding season. Fiona is currently a Resident in Medicine at Murdoch University in WA and just passed her American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine exams. A fantastic feat.

Kristin Arnold:

Kristin was one of our first interns. She came from a practice in Mansfield and was a great asset to us. Kristin became a member of the Marriot family and moved from Mansfield to Benalla. She has a horse only practice that specialises in Clydesdales.

Jane Axon:

After leaving us, Jane went to Pennsylvania (New Bolton Center) to work as a Medicine Resident. After completing her three years there, Jane now works each breeding season with the Scone Veterinary Clinic and is in charge of their Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Jane is an excellent example of what hard work and dedication can achieve.

Rebekah Barkla:

Bec is a Melbourne University graduate. She came to us as student and we so impressed we asked to her to stay on for an internship. She started last summer so is the only current intern with any idea what is just around the corner.  Just about single handed, she managed the intern responsibilities around the hospital during the non breeding season. She is a great personality and a happy person and presently is working Bendigo.

Maxine Brain:

Max loves Standardbreds. Her husband trains them and she fixes them. She has recently started up her own practice for horses only at Kilmore. She is so popular that after only a few  months she needed to hire someone to help with the workload. Now the practice has three veterinarians. Well done Maxine.

Anushka Chaku:

Anushka is a bright young spark that came as a recent graduate a few weeks ago from Murdoch University in WA. She was born in Adelaide moved to Broome, Kalgoolie and finally back to Perth. All part of her dad being a geologist. She was sent to Belgium as an exchange student when she was 17. We think it was really a finishing school of sorts. She has travelled to more places than most us have had hot meals. She loves horses and salsa dancing. She moved back to Western Australia to work with Chris Gales and the team in Perth. Currently she is looking to obtain a surgery Residency. 

Graham Dougherty:

Graham was born with a harness and sulky already attached. He demonstrated remarkable talents in the areas of Standardbred racing. He resided at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , without doubt the biggest Standardbred farm in Australasia for a year. Graham was appointed to the Racing Industry as a veterinarian in NSW before starting is own practice.

Darien Feary:

DJ has been an exceptional intern. Able to cope with any challenges thrown at her, she seemed to love pressure. She could work all night and then still smile all the next day. She has completed a residency at CSU (Colorado State University) in medicine and took a job in California at the Veterinary School in Davis. There she is stayed for and completed teaching and training assignments in emergency and critical care. We talked her into coming back for a few months when we suddenly needed a medicine clinician, but then a job at Sydney University beckoned her back to her friends and family. DJ is currently on maternity leave from Sydney University. Contact her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Laura Fennell:

A Kiewa (northern Victoria) farm girl that went to Sydney University. She is so smart that she graduated with 1st class honours (not seen around here before I can tell you). Since completing her internship she went to Scotland to work in a large practice. Came back and worked for us for the breeding season in 2005 and 2006 and now has just finished a three year Residency in Equine Medicine with Kate Savage at Melbourne University.

Maxwell Hall:

Max comes from Brisbane in Queensland. He visited as a student in 2007. His enthusiasm and confidence earned him a one year position here. He is also very motivated and eager to learn. Max is definitely going to be a surgeon one day. Outside work Max is a fitness fanatic. Moderation is not in his vocabulary and as a result he is a ball of muscle.  Max can be contacted on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it We are fortunate that Max has stayed with us in the position of second year Resident in Surgery.

update 19-09-12: Maxwell is working at The University of Melbourne,  Department of Surgery, and is studying for his fellowhip exams in February 2013. 

Natasha Hanovessian:

Dr. Tash is from the North Shore of Sydney. She spent her time as a student working at one of its best small animal practices as a nurse.
After a month here at GVEH and some sleepless nights spent with seizuring foals Tash decided she would like to work as an intern. Although Shepparton lacked some of the patisseries that Tash missed, she really enjoyed working here. She has a particular interest in ultrasonography and medicine. Tash is a vegetarian and doesn't drink. The other interns have tried to change that but were unsuccessful. Tash has been offered a position in Medicine at Virginia Tech with fellow Aussies  Dave and Jennie Hodgson. We are very proud of her.
Contact Tash on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

James Hart:

James is another Kiwi. You would think that we would have learned by now? James finished here an extremely competent anaesthetist as well as excelling in other disciplines. His wit and enthusiasm will be missed by all. James went to Sydney University as an horse surgery resident which is a great feather in his cap. Following this he went to Guelph and now is working at Oklahoma State University..

Richard Hill:

Richard and Kate came and went fairly quickly as Kate missed England and Richard found out he was a father to be. A Sydney graduate with heaps of enthusiasm and talent, Richard went working in mixed practice in the UK while study for his Cert in Equine Practice. Four children later, Richard and Kate were showing no signs of returning to Australia. Richard joined the Delaware Veterinary Group in Somerset as a partner. It is with much sadness that we report that Richard succumbed to cancer. A terrible disease that he fought valiantly and with dignity and courage. We are better for having met and worked with Richard.

Imogen Johns:

Im wears the mantle as our longest serving intern. She came to us in 1999 and never really left until 2001. We kept asking her to stay. Imogen accepted a Residency at the New Bolton Centre and now is at the Royal Veterinary College in London. We will miss her and her humour. Will eagerly await her return for this years Melbourne Cup just to see what she wear. Do you need to speak to her about our program? Try This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Christine Johnson:

Chris was poached for a year from Perth. After that she went back there and continued to develop the Epsom Veterinary Clinic with Brian Hilbert. One day in the year 2000 she decided to ride across Australia, so she did and during the trek met and married the man of her dreams. Now she lives This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it in Queensland. 

 Richard Lam:

Richard is a Sydney graduate (2004) and we missed him immensely when he left (late 2005). He left a large hole, difficult to fill. A good man, reliable and efficient, he also delivered a wealth of knowledge in the IT department (much of which is another foreign language to Angus and Jim). He was responsible for organising the new digital radiography system and images saved from the new ultrasound systems. Apart from all that he is an excellent clinician.

 Tim Lescun:

After leaving us Tim went to Purdue for a surgical residency and then 4 years later became one of the youngest ever 'Board Certified Surgeons'. A few years ago we were able to entice Tim and his bride (Heidi) to move back here and join or ranks. Heidi is a trained anaesthetic technician so they made quite a package. More recently they decided to move back to the US. A disappointment for us but good news for Purdue University who is employing them both. Tim and Heidi may be contacted on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Jennifer Lugton:

Jen arrived like a breath of fresh air. Jen is from Dural in New South Wales. Jen was a student with us in late 2007. She worked hard and we liked her so much she came back as an intern. Jen is the excitable one of the intern group. She is really enthusiastic about her work and forms particularly strong bonds with her intensive patients. She can be found walking and brushing the colic patients before they go home and leave her. Jen's dancing could be seen at any time of the day or night depending on her mood.
After leaving us Jen has gone to Scotland where she is loving the winters.
Contact her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Charlie McCormack:

Charlie is a Queenslander with a rural background but not much of a laid back style. For a down to earth country boy he sure can get excited. Charlie loves all aspects of being an equine veterinarian but don't surprise him with too many extra unannounced cases. Seriously though, Charlie developed into a solid, reliable veterinarian and we asked him to stay on and manage some of our ambulatory practice. After doing this for a while he has decided to work with a friend on the 'Gold Coast'.  

 Paul O'Callaghan:

A very well travelled young man. He spent a year with us then went and worked in England, Saudi and a host of other countries. When he finally stopped long enough to catch his breath he was offered a job with the VRC (Victoria Racing Club) as a veterinary stipendiary steward. A job he loves. Recently he was appointed the president of the Australian Horse Council.

Wendy Perriam:

Wendy came to us from Geralton (western WA) and then went to Littleton Large Animal Clinic in Colorado as the first one of our rotating internships with institutions in the USA. Due to her talents and personality that programme worked well for a number of years. Wendy has concentrated on reproduction and after some time travelling has returned to Perth. Time does fly. To update Wendy's fortunes, would be to highlight a  marriage, two babies and a partnership in a equine practice in Perth. Well done Wendy. You can contact her on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Rod Stewart:

Rocket was a man with many talents. He could have chosen any field to work in. He eventually chose a residency in surgery at Washington State. After finishing a year he chose private practice in the US as the outlet for his talents as he waited for his much more intelligent bride (Erica) to finish her Ph.D. at Harvard. Now married they have moved to racetrack practice in New York.

Update 13-9-12: Rod has set up his own succesful veterinary practice in Saratoga Springs NY. He and Erica have 2 young children (boys) and are happily immersed in work and domestic duties.

Kylie Tiller:

What a great acquisition she turned out to be. Born and bred in Euroa and then relocated with husband Stuart to Sydney for a few years of small animal work, when she started here she just shone. He ability to understand and interact with clients was a lesson to us all. Most of the letters up on the notice board during the time she was here were to thank Kylie for caring so much. Kylie left for and became a partner in the Main Ridge Veterinary Clinic on the Mornington Peninsula. 

Johnny Walker:

What a character!! Johnny had a  zest for life that kept us all moving. John went on to work at Randwick Equine Centre in Sydney. He loves his job and relishes working with the Thoroughbred trainers such as the legendary Gai Waterhouse. Recently Johnny moved back to Victoria and now lives in Melbourne and works on the Peninsula where he does quite a lot for Lee Freedman.

Bruce Young:

Just to show you the diverse nature of previous interns here we have one in Bruce who went to Queensland and has become a veterinary steward in the Queensland Harness Racing industry. Bruce loves the challenges of his work and has been instrumental in introducing many common sense procedures to the industry.

Kristie Clarke:

Kristie is a passionate and personable vet who grew up riding horses on the beautiful Sunshine Coast of Queensland. A 2007 graduate from Sydney University, Kristie spent 2 years mixed practice before joining the GVEH team. She loves to bake and we frequently found tiny decorated cupcakes in the tearoom. Kristie currently works in racetrack practice at Ascot Equine Vets in Perth where she’s keeping up her passion for lameness and anaesthesia and studying towards her MACVSs in equine surgery.

Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Carl Barker:

A 2009 Queensland Uni graduate this intern loves his red wine, claims to bench press more than his own weight and watching this unflappable vet wrestle a foal you’d believe it! Having worked for one of Brisbane’s leading equine veterinary surgeons through his time at the University of QLD Carl’s main interests are orthopaedics and racetrack medicine although he’s taken a shine to repro since starting at GVEH and you rarely see him more excited than when he’s knocked another mare up! Carl spent 12 months at GVEH before moving to Geelong where he now works for Flemington Equine. Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Christopher Elliott: 

Chris is a 2007 Queensland graduate who started out in a mixed animal practice then spent a year in the UK working in the ambulatory department of the University of Edinburgh Equine Hospital. Passionate about all things sports medicine, he was lucky enough to be chosen as the team veterinarian for the Australian Paralympic Equestrian team at the Beijing Games in 2008. Chris is a real team player with undeniable enthusiasm. He spent 12 months at GVEH and has since gone on to work as a sport horse vet at Blackdown Equine Clinic in England where he very much enjoys the high goal polo lifestyle. Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Benjamin Kaye:

Ben joined GVEH for the 2010 – 2011 season from an internship in foal medicine at Pennsylvania. Ben was an always happy, smiling face around the clinic ready to make light of even the longest day! Since leaving GVEH he has gone to work in mixed practice on the Mornington Peninsula where he is becoming quite the alpaca expert. Ben is hoping to start a residency in neurology in the near future.

Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 Jennifer Clulow: 

updated 13-9-12: Jen is at Charles Sturt University and is employed as a Resident in Theriogenology and a lecturer in Animal Reproduction.  She is to sit her specialist board exams in 2014. 

Leanne Polsen B.Ag.Sc., B.Sc.(VetBiol), B.V.M.S. 

 (holding Barry, the much-loved and very well known GVEH cat)

Andrew Hopgood B.V.Sc.

Foreign Graduates: 

Scott Alsweede:

A visiting Intern from Rood and Riddle in KY, Scott was lots of fun. He worked and played hard and won our respect. He was the second of our rotating internships with partners in the USA. We have all been happy with the way it worked out.

Rikke Munk Andersen:

Now Rikke is a Danish national with a veterinary degree from Copenhagen. She has visited and worked for us for 3 years now. We love to see to come and hate to see her go. There isn't anything that she can't do, but beware do not get into the car with her. Contact her if you like.  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   

Alan Clark:

Alan is a Irish veterinarian that came to us for a season's work. He looked after Roselands (later became Vinery) as a resident vet and did a great job. Recently he has become a father (together with with Grainne) to a young son named Raffi. Alan worked for us as the resident vet on Eliza Park Stud near Melbourne in 2003 and now is their resident veterinarian. Alan can be contacted on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  '; document.write( '' ); document.write( addy_text97252 ); document.write( '<\/a>' ); //--> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Mette Christensen:

Mette (pronounced Metta) was a foreign student visiting from Denmark in 2006. We thought we worked her and Janine so much they wouldn't be back. Great news for us when they applied to work in 2007 at the hospital. Talented and fun she was a welcome addition to the team. All we knew about about the Danes' are that they like to ride and are mostly fearless. Now we know they are able to work hard and have great character. 

David Craig: 

David  graduated from the University of Glasgow in 2007. His time in general practice in Scotland was filled with personal and professional success as he dabbled in surgery, medicine and national gameshows with impressive results. His abilities as a veterinarian were also noted by Patrick Pollock, and as such also merited a recommendation that saw him become a team leader at GVEH. A true sports man, his fit physique has led him to success in major cricket events, despite some much debated and disputed referee decisions and suspected cheat attempts. Dave’s hobbies include sports, the occasional sip of gin, and light reading. His explorations into anatomy are notorious and we eagerly await his next paper on the tendon sheath of the long digital extensor tendon. 
Dave is currently working at the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

Eldrydd Davies:

EJ is so much easier to say than Eldrydd. She came from Liphook Equine Hospital in the UK. She only worked with us for 6 months but was loads of fun and very talented. She loved life and spent hours trying to convince us all to leave work to water ski or have a night out. Currently she is working (and sunning herself) somewhere in WA (actually I have no idea where she is now).

Padhraic Doran:

We still can't spell his name. We called him Poor Rick which was phonetically correct but as usual with the Irish it bore no relation to the spelling. Padhraic was nice guy. Talented and helpful. He withstood the rigours of the internship and always smiled and got on with it. He was a seasonal intern that only was with us for 6 months. Never see anyone try so hard with the girls though.

Caroline Duddy:

Caroline came to us from Ireland by way of Jerry's Plains. Caza can be seen under the senior veterinarian section of the GVEH staff.

Kirsty Gallagher:

Kirsty was with us for 5 months before I understood anything she said. Her accent was supposedly from Scotland but if you didn't know that it could have been any language at all. Kirsty was fun and vivacious and a great intern with a good work (and party) ethic as well. She loves being down under and has taken a job in Western Australia 

Scott Gibbs:

Scott came from Vinery (USA). He had a great time here and Graham Dougherty and he became good friends. We haven't heard from Scott for a while now but know that he will be doing well as he had lots of admirers over here.

Simon Hennesey: 

Simon Hennessy graduated from Dublin University in 2007 and his venture into equine practice has been a turbulent journey. His first job in racing practice was cut short due to practice closure, which led him to a stud season in Eliza Park. From here he spent 6 months in general equine in the very south of Ireland before returning down under for his internship at GVEH. Since his arrival,Simon has nurtured his interest in equine surgery and advanced his skills in general equine practice tenfold, and still is hungry to learn more. Simon’s hobbies include sport, traveling, reading and socializing with friends. His period in Shepparton has really opened his eyes to the ways of the world and big city living!  After leaving us, Simon worked the last season at Eliza park again and we believe that next season he will be in New Zealand . He can be contacted on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   

Update 19-11-12: Simon is undertaking a residency in surgery at Liverpool University and is currently spending 4 weeks at GVEH in the surgery, polishing his skills under the watchful eyes of  Jim Vasey and Tom Russell.

Lisa Hinder:

Lisa is a real character. She sure can talk (at least we can tell where she is). She's lots of fun to be around and is always in a good mood (perhaps she is on some kind of drug we don't know about). She is a Florida graduate and the only reason we knew about her was through Rob Franklin (an internal medicine specialist here). Rob had worked with her in Florida and said she was a 'must have' for the programme. She is independent, adaptable and enthusiastic for her work. She is close to leaving and that will be a sad day for all of us. 

Imogen (alias Jennie) Henderson:

Jen arrived from the UK as part of the John Newcombe research team. Jen had worked with John as a student and he was most complimentary and strongly recommended that we employ her. He wasn't wrong and we were all very sad when it was her time to go. Jen has recently completed a Residency in Equine Medicine at Edinburgh. She currently works with Meta Osborne in Ireland.

Aaron Hodder:

Aaron came to us from NZ via a job with Jack Easley in Kentucky. Aaron demonstrated a remarkable intelligence and ability to apply himself to the program. The tougher it got the better he became. We would have liked him to have stayed on or done a residency but alas a young South African girl has his attention and we think his next job will over there. Aaron has completed a residency at the University of California at Davis. Who knows perhaps we will see him come back here one day. Contact him on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Seamus Hoey:

Tall and quiet Seamus is another of the Irish contingent. Reckon there must be another potato famine we weren't told about. They are all over here. With us he has learnt to surf and run (no pictures to prove it mind you although he beat Max by 5 minutes in a fun run a while ago- probably due to the disparity in leg size I reckon). Seamus has a strong interest in diagnostic imaging and plans to apply for a training position in that area. As the tallest and longest serving of the 2008 interns, Seamus is the go to man for any problems (veterinary) the other interns may be having. He is calm and confident and can always be relied on to provide good accurate advice. Try Seamus on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Yuji Inoue:

Yuji is a Japanese graduate in veterinary science. He worked for Hidaka Horse Breeders Association in Hokkaido before coming out here to do an internship. Yuji is in a unique position of being able to converse easily with both Stud Masters here and in Japan. We hope that he will use this ability to set up some form of continual cross cultural exchange of ideas and work. Perhaps there will be some Japanese investment in our breeding industry right here? We really enjoyed Yuji's company and miss him. He does visit us sometimes though.

Han Kingma:

A Dutchman and one of the nicest persons you would ever be lucky to meet. Nothing was too much trouble for Hahn. He worked as hard as anyone ever has and still managed to keep everything in perspective. We all miss Hahn and expect and hope that one day he will spend another breeding season with us. 

Monique Kuypers:

Monique was a seasonal  intern from Belgium. She was lots of fun and together with Jami Whiting and Jane McNally spent hours and hours palpating and scanning mares for our frozen semen program. We don't have a current address. 

Jane McNally:

Jane came by way of the Irish National Stud. She had done two seasons there and was looking for a change. She wasn't big but had loads of talent and dedication. She was greatly missed when she went back to Ireland. Recently we heard a whisper that she was back in Australia and was looking to settle down with a young man that breeds quite a few horses himself.

Charlie Pinkham:

We were only lucky enough to have Charlie for one season. He came and went in a flash but he did impress us (and the girls). The associated picture may suggest otherwise (after many whiskies at the famous annual cattle muster's at Angus's) as Charlie was quite taken the local legend cowboy Tom Herring (Charlie pictured on the right). He is an impressive veterinarian and will be expected to excel wherever he goes.

Reinder Schurrmanns:

Reinder is a Dutch graduate. Reinder is quiet and relaxed. He is tall and well loved by all the girls. Where ever he goes there is a team of helpful (perhaps hopeful?) young women. Reinder has shown us that there is no need to have English as a first language if you have intelligence and aptitude. He has applied for a surgical residency in Switzerland. We strongly support him and look forward to hearing of his endeavours when he leaves us in a few months time.

Olivia Sheerin: 

Was not amused at being labelled 'the big O' when first arriving but cast aside her worries and became a funny and reasonably hard working intern that didn't take life to seriously until she met Ivan and the 'green card' issue surfaced. She is back in Australia now and is working at her private practice that deals in horses around Toolern Vale (near Melbourne). It was possible to reach her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Jannie Sorensen:

Jannie (pronounced Yannie) graduated from veterinary school in Copenhagen and came here to get a concentrated experience in all aspects of horses. She likes to ride but won't fly in small planes. The more we are getting to know the foreign veterinarians the happier we are to have all of them over here. They work hard, are cheerful and don't complain about how hard it is. Jannie's main interest is in reproduction. She loved it so much that she was going to come back and work in the reproduction department next season (2008), however to the chagrin of most of the guys she met over here, we don't think she will be back because she is married and pregnant already.

Sonia Tarrida Del Marol Figuerora:

Sonia was a Spanish veterinarian in search of whatever life would bring. She visited and worked with us on and off for 4 years. Finally, she decided that apart from veterinary medicine that being a mother was a good move for her and her family. We wonder how she is doing and hope she is well. She is pictured here with Angus in France  a while ago (judging by the colour of Angus's hair)

Mike Tweedie:

Mike is an Cambridge graduate with an Irish upbringing. He is a former star rugby player (which has made him useful around the surgery area) and posses a mild non aggressive manner around people and horses. Apparently I was the only person not to notice that his interest in the breeding efficiency project had nothing to do with horses and he has married our favourite research assistant Lara. Mike has his own veterinary practice named Kensington Equine Practice. Rumour is that that he is very well liked by the trainers and is happily settled in Melbourne now.

Martin Vidal:

Martin is of German origin but educated in the UK. Martin excelled in our environment and quickly settled in and made friends with his clients (especially the female portion), so was asked to stay on for another year. This worked in well and helped give him time to apply for and be offered a residency in surgery. So, it was of to Louisiana State University where he completed a PhD and Residency and now to a faculty position at University of California at Davis. We know he will do well and be a god emissary for us and you can guess from the picture at right that he needs the practice. You better This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and decide for yourself. 

Jami Whiting:

Jami came from California on our exchange internship program and never once drew breath. She was much fun to have around the hospital and her keen sense of humour always shone out no matter how many hours she had to work in a row. From us she went to Hagyard, Davidson and McGee in Lexington, Kentucky and then was a offered a job with Sheikh Mohamed's horses in Dubai This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

Michael Whiteford:

Mike is one of our Scottish imports. Graduating with honours from the University of Glasgow in mid 2007, Mike then went onto work with distinction in mixed practice in Northern Ireland . His work and study in college earned him the respect of resident surgeon Patrick Pollock and a recommendation which saw him join the team at GVEH, and he has not let us down. Combining intelligence, hard work and good humour he has managed to help in no small part to make GVEH the happy and friendly place it is to work. Mike’s hobbies include naked body slamming, impersonations, singing to high heaven, window fitting and socializing. 
Mike is currently working with our old friend John Brown in Bendigo.

Hannah Bowen:

Hanna was another mature aged intern having worked at Liphook Equine Hospital with an old friend John Walmsley. She came to us highly recommended and we soon saw why. She was organised and eager to participate. It soon became obvious that she was the mum of the group, which was a role she quite enjoyed. She did a great job for us and know is starting at Matamata Equine Clinic (http://www.matamatavets.co.nz/equine/home/). They will find her to be lots of fun and happy to work. Just like we did. She can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Karen Johnson:

Karen is from New Brunswick in Canada graduated from the Atlantic Veterinary College on Prince Edward Island ( Canada ). Rob Lofstedt sent her out to visit and we liked her so much we asked her to come back for a seasonal intern position. Karen is older than the other interns and her maturity saw her get the job dome quickly and efficiently. After her internship with us Karen headed back to Canada . We miss her smile. She can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 Hazel Steven:

Scottish by birth (but not by stature). Hazel is a real dynamo. She works hard and plays just as hard. She happily immersed herself into the internship and reaped the rewards. She really developed well and now has organised a position at the Scone Veterinary Hospital (http://www.sconevet.com.au/) in surgery which is her main love. She can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 Kayleigh Barker:

The youngest of the interns in the 2008/2009 programme, Kayleigh came to us for a visit after speaking with Imogen (an Australian intern of ours who now is working at the Royal Veterinary College in London ). We certainly all had a fun time when she working. None of us had time to do anything else when Kayleigh was around as she continually asked questions, held a minimum of three non related conversations with others and all the while able to work and text. A talented girl! Her main interests were equine reproduction and she excelled in that area. She didn’t really want to leave Australia so we organised an internship at the Ballarat Veterinary Practice (http://www.bvp.com.au/). She will be there for a year.

 Joshua Donnell:

Josh the Texan cowboy came to GVEH half way through 2010 bringing his love for whisky,  chewing tobacco, and lame horses. Josh is one of the most easy going vets you’ll meet. His Background is in Western Performance Horse lameness and he spent 12 months at GVEH before returning to Texas where he now works with at La Mesa Equine Lameness Center and Equine Sports medicine (www.equine-sportsmedicine.com) in Pilot Point TX. He now spends most of his days traveling around the US to western performance horse shows. Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

A. Brendt Bonura:

updated 13-9-12: Brendt is working in her home town in Louisiana at a repro clinic and general practice. She and her husband have purchased land and hope to build soon.

Nicola Walshe M.V.B.

Catherine Moran M.V.B.

Denis Coman M.V.B.