Meet the Team

Dr. Catherine Harper

BSc (Biol) BSc(Vet) BVMS HDist  AVACVP, PostGradCert (Business Administration) PostGradCert (Agricultural Consulting) 

Senior veterinarian and clinical lead

Catherine started her veterinary career in the Barossa valley, working for Dr Peter Jones at PI Jones and Associates and has remained after purchasing the business in 2016.  The business was re-named to Barossa Veterinary Service and Catherine has led and worked in the business since then.  Catherine loves living and working rurally and appreciates immensely the ongoing relationships and networks that living in a country town brings.  She considers it a privilege to be part of the journey through a pet’s life and the being an observer of the incredible connections that are created between them and their owner.  

She is dedicated to ongoing learning, for herself and her team, and has recently completed the Australian Veterinary Association Chartered Veterinary Practitioner Program which seeks to accredit skilled senior veterinarians in businesses, providing a certification for exceptional care and communication.  

In the little spare time that is available, Catherine loves to spend time with her two rambunctious kids, Isabelle and Archie, exploring many different interests and activities.  At home, she is an avid gardener, being very proud of her veggie crop, as well as beautiful flowers.  The family has a few furry and feathered friends with Jax the German Shepherd (who you may have seen in some of the photos!), CC the cat and chicken called Hannah and Poppy.  

Dr. Carly Whittaker

BSc (Animal Science) DVM MANZCVS (Radiol.) GSAUA

Senior veterinarian and clinical lead

I am a senior veterinarian and veterinary clinical lead at BVS. I completed my Bachelor of Animal Science at Roseworthy University in 2013 and my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Melbourne University in 2017. I completed my membership exams in Small Animal Radiology in 2023 to pursue my love of imaging. 

My favourite part about being a vet at BVS is helping find the answer to a patient's problem. I also work with pet owners to achieve the best outcome for their beloved pets and relieve their anxiety throughout the process. I love watching owners reunite with their pets after a hospital stay or procedure.  

My furbaby is a happy staffy X named Cleo, who I often wake up to with her head next to me on my pillow! In addition to being a mum and vet, I am a pole dancing instructor and enjoy teaching dance and tricks.

Dr. Dave Shalders

I have been a Veterinarian at BVS for 3 years, I graduated from Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga in 2018. 

I love being a vet because I see the animal-human bond shared between the pets we see and their caring families. 

We have many much-loved pets, including a 4-year-old Pointer x Bluetick Coonhound named Thelma, an 11-year-old Greyhound X named Vincent and Tarti, an 8-year-old Domestic long-hair cat, and numerous Black Angus cows on my family's farm in Mortake, Victoria. 

My best BVS moments are the challenges and great outcomes from the weird and wonderful species we treat and the positive outcomes we can achieve.

Outside of work, I enjoy playing squash at the Rex Centre or down in Adelaide, and I also enjoy running and hiking on the weekend. 

Dr. Lily Horner

Hi! My name is Lily, and I am a veterinarian at BVS. I studied at the University of Adelaide and graduated in 2022.

I love that as a vet, I can advocate for the health of pets and help give them a voice!

I have a golden retriever called ‘Sunday’ who is sunshine in dog form, a cheeky little cat ‘Silky’ with lots of attitude, and a horse ‘Ollie’ who is a gentle, clumsy Clydesdale giant.

Building relationships with people and their pets is very fulfilling. (I also really love going on dog runs with our big dogs after surgery for a cuddle!)

Something fun… I can drink as much coffee and espresso (thanks to my Italian partner) at any hour and still fall asleep. Which do I like more?  Sleep or coffee.  This is an impossible question!

Dr. Meghan Sumanovic-Nevescanin

I completed my DVM at Adelaide University and have been a lifelong animal lover. Although I am originally from Sydney, I packed up Pretzel (a labrador) and Calico (a cat) and changed our whole lives to chase my dream of being a vet. This passion is why I love being a vet. I know how much owners adore their pets, so being able to give them answers and help ease their minds makes my day. 

My favourite BVS moment was surgically removing a foreign body and having the dog go home, healthy, with the biggest smile from his mum. It was amazing!

Dr. Sarah Allen

I am part of the senior vet team having completed my studies at the University of Adelaide almost 7 years ago.  

I have a special interest in small animal dentistry and ophthalmology and have completed additional training in these fields. I love working with clients to educate and promote the best health for their pets throughout their lives.  

I have a dapper old Greyhound X named Vincent, a boisterous GSP X named Thelma, and a fluffy cat named Tarti.  

My favourite part of the day working at BVS is reconnecting pets with their owners after a hospital stay, even if it is just for the day. 

Nicole

I am the Nursing Team Lead and a Registered Veterinary Nurse.

I started my nursing career fresh out of high school in 2007 as a trainee nurse. I then worked my way through many different roles, gaining new skills within the industry, including Leadership, Specialist Surgery and Anaesthesia, ECC, Oncology, General Practice, and, more recently, large animal. 

I love being able to advocate for my patients, whether they are in the clinic for a long hospital stay or a short-day procedure. I want to ensure the standard of care they and their owners receive is of the highest quality, and leading the nursing team to strive for this excellence is my goal. 

My favourite BVS moment is seeing the wide range of patients we get to see. One minute, we could be examining an alpaca in the backyard and the next, assisting with surgery on a bunny in theatre. There is certainly no such thing as boring around here! 

At home, I am the human mum to two beautiful young daughters and the dog mum to a sweet old Border Collie cross, Peanut. My partner and I love to take the girls on road trips, spend time outdoors, and enjoy great coffee and food as a family.

Ash

I’m a registered Veterinary Technician and Vet Nurse- Graduated from CSU Wagga in 2021. 

I’m passionate about large animals, particularly horse anaesthesia in the field and anything cattle-related. That being said, I love my smallies and especially enjoy rehabilitation work and trust-building.  

My animal family includes a little black cat named Snowflake and a Stockhorse named Shelby.  

One of the best moments I’ve had at BVS was working with a beautiful dog named Rosie. She’d previously had some bad experiences at vet clinics and was very anxious, but we managed to build trust and get her to the point where she was excited for a snack and a cuddle when she came in! 

In my spare time, I love tooling leather, playing rugby and fishing with my husband! 

Brigita

I am a qualified level 4 veterinary nurse who has been working in the industry since 2002. I love working in a mixed practice and seeing such a wide variety of animals, with equines being my favourite. 

I live on a busy farm with plenty of space for our animal family, which includes Steve the whippet, Toby the Kelpie, three cats, Ruffles, Jeffrey, and Kenzie, and my three horses, Bert, Gilbert, and Scooby.

My favourite BVS moments are meeting the new additions to families and following their journey through life and BVS.
 

Chloe

I am a senior vet nurse who has been with BVS for over 10 years now. I grew up on a farm, and as a little girl, I always dreamed of working with animals. Today, I get to live that dream by getting to know our lovely clients and their wonderful pets. I love being there for my patients through the good times and comforting them in the bad. 

I have a variety of pets at home, including Elsie and Gertrude, the cats, many chickens, Primrose, my horse, Haven and Sprinkle Sparkles, my daughters' ponies, and my dog Carby. 

My favourite BVS moment, which warms my heart each shift, is being that familiar face that clients see when they come in. You have all watched me grow from a baby nurse back in 2014 to the nurse and Mum that I am today. I consider myself to be very lucky to be a part of your pets lives! 

Gay

Cert 4 Veterinary Nurse.

I love being a vet nurse because I care about animals. I love seeing the patients happy to be in the clinic with their owners and seeing the care and compassion we give them.

My animal family consists of a Galah called Benson, who imitates a smoker's cough & calls out, "Richard, puss puss. We also have a GSP called Amara, who is naughty & a dufus, but we love her. We have a Vizsla called Alfie, who is a couch potato.

Heather

I’m a vet nurse who has worked in the veterinary industry for almost twenty years. I work in the pharmacy, running blood tests, organizing vets, and preparing medications for our patients. 

I enjoy helping the vets manage their consults and keeping their days running smoothly. I also love making sure our patients have plenty of treats ready to get them through their checkups. 

I have an extremely energetic mini dachshund named Colin and two gorgeous conures named Pippin and Digby. They make up for their small size by being extra sassy.  

My favourite BVS moment is when our patients are excited to head into consult rooms and see our vets because they know they will get plenty of snacks and cuddles. 

Julie

Certificate 4 qualified Veterinary Nurse.  
Diploma Applied Science- Animal Technician.  

I am one of the senior nursing staff. I started my veterinary nursing career by volunteering at AWL, then became employed and worked there for over 14 years. I have a strong passion for behaviour and patient well-being with a low-stress approach to patient care.  

I love being a nurse, as it is such a rewarding job! I love to see patients get back to good health, connect with people in need, help their pets when they are going through trauma, and make a difference in their well-being. 

I have a moggie cat named Billy, and he is a smooch boy. We fostered him from six weeks of age. He’s what I call a foster fail. We fell in love with him, and he never left our family.  

My favourite BVS moment is seeing our patients happy to visit, and I enjoy seeing them relaxed with the nurses and having a little treat, whether it be a tasty snack or a cuddle.

Kimberley

I am a vet nurse and a dog trainer at BVS. I have an Honours in Animal Behaviour, and I’m currently studying the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Adelaide. 

I love working in the vet world because there is always something new and different to see, and it is amazing to work with both people and animals. 

Some of my favourite moments at BVS are when the puppies I’ve trained return for yearly vaccinations and see how much they have grown. 

When not working or studying, I love playing sports, building model houses and drawing.

Lauren

Senior Veterinary Nurse Certificate 4 in Veterinary Nursing - Gilles Plains TAFE, 2014.

I love making a positive impact on animals' lives. My special interests at work include small animal dentistry and wildlife medicine.

I have many pets: a Border collie named Cobba, a blonde kelpie X named Rizza, and a cat called Bel. Then there is my bird Paulie and my lizard called Frank! I am a permit holder for wildlife and livestock.

My BVS magic getting to monitor an anaesthetic and do surgery preparation for a calf hernia repair in the clinic.

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my partner and pets and riding/racing dirt bikes.

Omar

I have been working at BVS as a senior veterinary nurse. I am a trained veterinarian from overseas and have been performing as a nurse in Australia for the past 9 years. I have certified myself as a Vet Nurse here in Australia. Helping animals is my utmost goal in life, regardless of what position I am performing.

We adopted two cats from our former job in Alice Springs. They were abandoned at the hospital's doorstep on a summer morning in January 2017. Their names are Morwen and Verya, and they are our beloved family here. They love people but animals not much. They do not even stand each other much, the same as human siblings!

My best times at BVS are reuniting pets and their humans together, seeing the relief of a healed family member in the eyes of our customers and the happy tails wagging at the sight of their favourite people.

Sonia

I am a qualified certificate 4 veterinary nurse. I completed my certificate 4 at TAFE SA Gillis Plains in 2015 and have been nursing since 2009. I have also completed certificates I, II, and III in animal studies and a certificate in dog grooming.

What I love most about being a nurse at BVS is helping all the sick animals that come through the hospital and seeing them go home happy and healthy. I also love educating clients on their pets' health and well-being.

I live an amazing life on a farm with three dogs, three cats, four horses, six sheep, one alpaca, and six chickens.

In my spare time I enjoy spending time/riding my beautiful horses, spending time with my family and cuddling my mini dachshund, Oliver.

Jonathan 

I am the Business Operations Leader for Barossa Veterinary Service. I have over 10 years of experience in business operations management and hold a diploma in Leadership and Management. 

I’m originally from the retail industry. At the beginning of April 2024, I began my journey and career change in the Veterinary industry. It is very satisfying to be involved in an industry that centres around providing animal care and advice for their owners. 

My favourite BVS moments are when the team works together and pulls off the impossible! 

Outside work, I’m a keen hiker with my wife and GSD Maverick. We love to go camping and spend as much time outside as possible!  

Anita

I am the clinical operations lead at BVS. 

I am a registered Certificate 4 Veterinary Nurse with a diploma in leadership and management. I love that I get to work with a wonderful team that works together to make our patients and their people comfortable.

I have two poodle retriever brothers who keep me busy with their energy. Finley, who is very much a retriever, demands a daily ball-throwing session, whereas Baxter, the poodle look-alike, just wants cuddles. I also have two cats, Jay and Wren, who love climbing the curtains and eating the indoor plants.

My favourite BVS moments have been celebrating the big and little achievements. This may be celebrating a patient who has had a good day or celebrating an award that the business or a staff member has won.

Suzy

People & Wellbeing Coordinator, former vet nurse.

I love that we help animals and their families every day.

I have an old Kelpie named Kira and a pretty Bengal cat named Jedi.

I have many favourite BVS moments and can’t just choose one! But I love having the team together for meetings, wellness days or social events. We are lucky to have these times to have fun and work together on building our BVS business & culture.

I love to go camping and travel with my family. I love showing my kids incredible places and learning with them. 

Tahlia

I am the Hospital Coordinator at BVS. I completed my Nursing Certificate 4 in Veterinary Nursing in 2018 and became a registered Veterinary Nurse in 2023. 

I have a special interest in wildlife, birds and exotic pets and have had experience nursing all the different types of unusual pets people have. 
I have two adopted cats, Snuffles and Titch, two rescue kangaroos, Humphrey and Peggy, two Dainty green tree frogs, and seven budgies.

My favourite part of nursing is caring for hospitalised patients and being with them every step of the way. Some of my favourite moments are watching the patients go home after a long stay. 

Angela

I am part of the Client Care Team and will answer your call or greet you when you walk through the Barossa Vet Service doors.  
 
I am passionate about ensuring each client receives an excellent experience with service that goes above and beyond. I love a chat and have a genuine interest in people and their lives, and I really take the time to get to know everyone. 
 
Working at BVS, I count my blessings every day because doing a job I love doesn’t feel like a job. 
 
When I’m not at work, I spend time with my grown-up kids and hubby, swimming, dining out, and enjoying live music. I am also owned by three pampered Cornish Rex cats! 

Kyneta

I am one of the Concierges and part of the Customer Care Team at BVS. 

I absolutely love getting to meet the beautiful pets and their owners who come into the Nuriootpa clinic. I also really enjoy updating pet parents on their furbabies who are spending the day with us. 

One of my favourite things to do at BVS is helping pets and their people have positive and fun experiences at the vet.

My partner and I have an adopted Jack Russel X named Dino Bambino, who loves camping with us.

Rebecca 

I am one of the Customer Care Team Members at BVS. I have been in the vet industry since 2019 in a purely client-facing role, and I thoroughly enjoy helping my wonderful clients with their beautiful pets every day and making a difference in their lives.   

I live locally with my husband and our zoo of animals! We have two border collies, Amelia and Montgomery. Two cats, Samson and Sabrina, two pythons, Cappuccino and Affogato, a bearded dragon, Lemon Cake, and a collection of tarantulas and scorpions!