Meet the team
Sara
Sara graduated from Vet School in Scotland and spent a couple of years working there and in London before moving to New Zealand. Since then she has worked in the small animal clinic at Massey University and other clinics both in New Zealand and Adelaide. She has been at Cambridge Pet Vet since 2007 and enjoys the relaxed, friendly atmosphere there. She is passionate about providing the best possible care for her patients and manages the small animal clinic. She has a special interest in dentistry and in 2021 achieved her membership exams in dentistry and oral surgery. (She is now a member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists) She is available to receive referrals in dentistry from other vets.
Sam
Sam is a New Zealand trained vet nurse with a varied career behind her. Sam was involved in running a feed company, farmed milking goats and worked as a groom with polo ponies in the States. Sam has been with the Pet Vets, almost since it began, and she is often your first port of call when calling or visiting the clinic and has an incredible talent for remembering names and faces. If she can't help you then probably nobody can!
Becca
Becca is our head nurse. She is bubbly and energetic and leads the team by setting a good example. Her care and dedication to good animal care is second to none. She also has an interest in dentistry. When not at work, she likes to chill at home with her partner, her cat and dog, and her Playstation.
Kim
Kim was the original Pet Vet, establishing the clinic with her husband Chris, previously one of the cow vets, in 2000. Kim graduated from Massey and has a wealth of experience, working around New Zealand and in the UK. After building the Pet Vet business from scratch, Kim now works part time, spending most of her spare time chasing around after their two daughters.
Leanne
Leanne joined us at the beginning of 2023, although had previously done a locum for us 8 years ago. It has taken us that long to entice her back!. After graduating from Massey University in 2002 she has spent time working in mixed and companion animal practice in various New Zealand clinics, as well as working and travelling in the UK, prior to starting a family. Leanne is an experienced companion animal vet with particular interest in both ophthalmology and feline medicine. She has pursued additional training in Ophthalmology is happy to see some of the trickier cases. In 2022 she sat exams and achieved membership to the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (ANZCVS) in Medicine of Cats. When not at work you'll find her mountain biking or wrangling her three boys.
Jess
Jess joined us at the beginning of 2019, fresh out of vet school. Her veterinary degree is her second degree, however, having previously gained a BVSc in Zoology and a post grad diploma in Wildlife management. She's also worked and travelled overseas extensively so has lots of experience of the real world! She has recently returned from maternity leave, and so is working 3 days a week, leaving her some time to spend with her new young son and her husband, her dogs, cat, cows and chickens. Jess is currently on maternity leave.
Viraaj
Viraaj graduated from Massey in 2023 and joined us shortly afterwards. Having been to the clinic many times as a student, we knew he would fit in right away. Viraaj loves working with both large and small animals and has a developing interest in animal behaviour, surgery and cattle lameness. When not at work you will find him outdoors; running, tramping or in the garden.
Aria
Aria first started coming to our clinic as a volunteer through the Gateway program at Cambridge High School. She impressed us so much that after she went off and did her vet nurse training, we offered her a job! She has been with us since 2020. Aria is a very competent and efficient nurse and really helps to to keep the place running smoothly. When she's not at work she's hanging out with her partner, her cat Cooper and her dog Norman.
Monique
Monique has been with us on and off for years. She started as an 'after school girl' who came and cleaned the floors, then filled in at times to help out at the front at reception and worked in the cattery. Now, she is a fully trained veterinary nurse. Her positive attitude and smiling face is great to have around the place. Monique also runs the weight clinic and has been having amazing success with our patients!
Briar
Briar is one of our newer additions to the team and has recently qualified with a Diploma in Vet Nursing. Her smiling face and pleasant manner are great to have around. She has big plans for her career and is always happy to help. When she's not doing that, she's relaxing at home with her cat Tilly, reading or baking incredible cupcakes.
Angela
Angela moved from Auckland to Cambridge and is enjoying the more relaxed lifestyle. She worked at Unitec in Auckland for a very long time, both as a vet nurse and teaching vet nurse students, so her knowledge and experience are a huge asset to us. Her special interests are in anaesthesia and critical care. She works part time for us. When not at work, she has two little girls, a husband, cats, dogs and racehorses to keep her busy.
Jacinda
Jacinda is one of our newest additions to the nursing team, graduating with a Diploma in Veterinary Nursing in 2023 and joining the team straight afterwards. She enjoys all aspects of nursing care but particularly likes diagnostics and helping with dentistry. She loves to travel and previously worked in Australia. When not at work you will find her relaxing at home with her dog Luna.
Kelly
Kelly looks after the guests in our cattery. She moved here from Wellington and is a certified cat crazy lady!! She has been with us for many years now and knows all the regulars very well. She will take excellent care of your cat, giving them lots of love and attention.