THE NORTHFIELD VETERINARY CLINIC TEAM

My love for animals and desire to understand how the body works and how to fix it when things go wrong led me to studying veterinary science at Sydney University, graduating in 2006. I also completed a Bachelor of Science (Microbiology & Immunology, Hons - Animal Science, Adelaide University) prior to this. I have worked in a number of different clinics around Adelaide and Sydney over the years as well as volunteering in the remote Cook Islands - with my non-vet hubby acting as my nurse! I have been a part of the Northfield Vet Clinic team for well over a decades and my love for the clinic and the wonderful clients that visit us, led me to taking over the reins from Dr Ben in 2019. My special interests include Internal Medicine and Dentistry - I enjoy fixing difficult medical problems or sore mouths and seeing both the animal and owner happier as a result. 

When not vetting, my interests include relaxing with my family & many pets, the Adelaide Crows & running an Auskick centre, skiing, go-karting, reading, the beach and exploring - either on foot or in our camper trailer! 

 Hi everyone, I’m Niamh (pronounced “Neve”). I graduated from James Cook University in Townsville in 2021 and have been practising in Small Animal GP ever since. Initially working across the Brisbane region, I relocated to Adelaide late last year and have been enjoying meeting everyone and their pets. I am interested in all aspects of General Practice and have a soft spot for caring for our senior babies. I’m grateful to be in this industry and get to meet and care for so many special little ones! 

When I’m not at work, I love getting out into nature (and will happily accept any recommendations for things to do around Adelaide!) spending time with friends and my partner and am learning ceramic pottery and (very slowly…) knitting. 

Dr Niamh works Monday-Friday and alternate Saturday mornings

I graduated from the University of Adelaide in 2017. Since then I have been working in small animal general practice in South Australia. I enjoy all aspects of being a GP vet but especially general surgery and dentistry. 

When not at work I am usually doting on my fur baby Rosie, (a black Labrador), reading, crocheting or playing hockey.    

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Dr Clare joined the Northfield Vet Clinic team in 2021. In line with her passion and tooth-rific dental skills, she has established a comprehensive dentistry program at the clinic to ensure optimal oral health in our patients. 

Dr Clare works Monday-Thursday and alternate Saturday mornings. 

I graduated from Murdoch University in 2006. After working in country mixed practice for a few years I moved back to Adelaide to focus on small animal medicine. 

All aspects of GP healthcare bring their own reward, but I especially enjoy soft tissue surgery, rabbit medicine, and ophthalmology. 

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Dr Stephanie joined the Northfield Vet Clinic team in 2022 and works every Thursday. Her love of surgery and keen eye for opthalmology cases are a wonderful addition to the team! 

Dr Taylor has worked at Northfield Veterinary Clinic since 2019 as our regular locum. She is a much loved member of the Northfield Veterinary Clinic team by both clients and workmates alike! 

Dr Ben Sando and Dr Karen Hunter retired at the end of 2020. 

Dr Karen is enjoying cheering on her beloved Tigers and teaching English as a second language. 

Dr Ben is thoroughly enjoying the chance to relax after all the years of dedicated care he gave to those at Northfield Vet Clinic. He now has time to concentrate on his other love - abstract painting! We can't wait to see what masterpieces he produces!

I was lucky enough to join the Northfield Vet team in June 2021.  My vet nursing career started way back in the 1980s and since then I have worked in a number of animal and veterinary related positions. 

My previous jobs include teaching horse riding, training dogs, animal shelter management and equine nursing. 

I am passionate about animal behaviour,  ethical handling and positive training techniques.  As well as veterinary nursing qualifications, I also have animal behaviour and training qualifications.  I have previously worked in a large animal shelter where I spent my time training lost and abandoned animals to improve their chances of finding a new forever home. 

NVC promotes low stress handling and all of our staff work hard to lessen the anxiety our patients feel.  For this reason, NVC is the perfect fit for me, after having spent so much of my life studying animal behaviour and ethical training techniques.  My favourite patients are Chihuahuas and Kelpies - i believe they are breeds that need extra understanding and empathy. 

When away from the clinic, I am kept busy with my own menagerie - including 6 dogs, chickens, a cat and a horse.  I am also lucky enough to teach the next generation of animal care professionals - both at TAFE and university. 

I compete regularly in multiple dog sports and my team of ex-shelter dogs have been highly successful in competitions and been awarded multiple state champion and grand champion titles.  

I joined the Northfield Veterinary Clinic team in 1996 - back when Dr Frank Hollis owned the clinic! My forte is keeping the admin side of the clinic running smoothly - you will also see me helping with consults and on the front desk. I love meeting the puppies and kittens when their new families bring them in to see our vets. That is the best part of my job! 

I love to travel - my husband and I used to love packing up the caravan and the dog and taking off to explore! 

I have been a Veterinary Nurse for almost half of my life now, celebrating 18 years this February! I am one of the lucky ones who can say I genuinely love my job! I have just recently moved back home to SA after spending the last 3 years at a very big and busy hospital in Canberra. My career really blossomed during my time there with all the very exciting cases I experienced. 

I am very passionate about a lot of aspects of nursing. I very much love mentoring, leading and guiding nurses and I love sharing the knowledge I have gained throughout my many years of nursing with the team. Patient care is extremely important to me and I always make sure your loved one is cuddled and feels safe while in hospital. The satisfaction of helping pets and their owners through very difficult times is what keeps me so passionate in this career. I love client relations and very much enjoy getting to know patients and clients. If you own a Golden Retriever, you can bet I will pop into the consult to say a quick hello! I also have a very soft spot and love for the geriatric patients, after owning 2 darling old dogs of my own. 

In my spare time, I spend my days with my husband and our 3 young boys! We also have a Golden Retriever called Zahli who is basically our fourth child. You will often hear me talking about her.. it’s my favourite thing to do! I also love going to the gym, nature hikes, watching the sun rise and I’m a total book worm and read whenever the kids give me a quiet minute. I am loving my time at Northfield Vet Clinic and feel so honoured to be working with such a wonderful team. Each patient is so loved and treated like our own. 

I can’t wait to meet your family member very soon! 

 I joined the Northfield Vet team early in 2024 and spend most of my time in the surgery department and assisting management with the smooth running of each day. 

I have been working with animals for 15 years now, and about half of that time has been spent nursing. I’ve also worked as a dog groomer, a shelter attendant and a wildlife keeper! I have experience nursing in shelter, GP and most recently I’ve spent the last 2 years working in specialty, where I’ve gained a particular interest in surgery and anaesthesia. As well as having my Cert IV in Vet Nursing, I have just recently completed my Diploma in Vet Nursing (Surgery). 

I have travelled overseas to volunteer on wildlife reserves in South Africa, an elephant and dog sanctuary in Thailand and a trap/neuter/release program for street dogs and cats in Borneo. 

My pets are my babies, and at home I have 3 beautiful seniors - my dog Biff and my cats Tabs and Sprocket. 

I have been a veterinary nurse for over 25 years and am a Delta accredited dog handler. I worked at Northfield Vet Clinic for 8 years prior to taking off with my son, dogs and our van around Australia for two years for the trip of our lifetime! I am now back with the Northfield team part time. 

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with friends, gardening and live music. My cheeky Labrador and Chihuahua also keep me busy! 

Jen has a special interest in feline behaviour and loves nothing more than making a cat’s visit as comfortable as possible in clinic! 

Jen initially worked as a graphic artist for a UK based wheelchair charity that took her to live in Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh for 8 years. It was while living in SL that she discovered her true passion for animal welfare, finding herself picking up street dogs and cats, getting them treatment and responsibly rehoming them. 

In 2009 Jen decided to follow her passion and obtained her qualifications as a vet nurse. 

In her spare time she likes travelling, volunteering for Paws and Pals pop up vet clinics, drinking strong coffee and listening to 80’s music. 

At home there are 3 mischievous rescue cats called Marvin, Basil and Cassy aswell as Seiko her foster fail kelpie cross. 

In 2021 I made the decision to pursue my passion for animals and

studied a Certificate 3 in companion animal services with TafeSA. I started with Northfield Vet Clinic in July 2021 and in 2022 began my Certificate 4 in Veterinary Nursing. While I have 

so much to learn, I’m excited for what my future with Northfield will bring.

While not at the clinic I am a cat dad to a beautiful black cat named

Morrigan, who I rescued at the end of 2020. In my spare time I enjoy

hiking, camping, spending time with family and friends, and on

occasion, taking Morrigan for a walk around the neighbourhood in her

fancy yellow backpack!

 With experience in hospitality and administration work, Cass makes a great fit at our front desk! Answering your phone calls, assisting with appointments, sorting our emails and greeting you as you walk through our doors! Cass is embarking on a veterinary nurse traineeship at Northfield Veterinary Clinic to further her skill set in the coming years.

Cass is a mother of two gorgeous young boys, who love their mischievous cat, Wilbur and chooks, Henrietta and Lady.