Meet Our Team

Veterinarians

Steven Cooney BVSc (Hons) MACVSc (Small Animal Surgery)

Steve grew up on the outskirts of Sydney on 5 acres with horses, ducks, chooks, cats and dogs. He knew from a young age that he would one day either run-away and work on a cattle station in the Northern Territory, or become a vet. After graduating from Sydney University in 1992, Steve worked in a dairy cattle practice in Gippsland, Victoria, spending the days delivering calves and treating horses. After 18 months there, Steve then travelled overseas returning to Australia in 1997 and starting work at Balmain Veterinary Hospital. In 1998 Steve successfully sat examinations in Small Animal Surgery, and was admitted as a member to the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists. His main areas of interest lie within small animal surgery, in particular orthopaedics and reconstructive surgery. Steve's own experiences with skin allergies has also left him with an interest in animal skin conditions. In 2000 Steve became partner in Balmain Veterinary Hospital and is a proud member of the team. He shares his house with his wife Christina, 2 beautiful children and Miniature Schnauzers Kipper and Bindi. Steve has also recently added some chickens into the mix.

Jason Lenord BVSc (Hons) MACVSc (Small Animal Medicine)

Jason grew up on a wheat and sheep farm near Inverell in NSW. A love of working with animals and an interest in science steered him into a veterinary career. He graduated from the University of Sydney in 1994 and then headed off for three years to work in mixed practices on the Murray River in Victoria and on the NSW coast. Jason then made the move to Sydney to focus on a career in small animals. He worked in Sydney's Eastern suburbs at Randwick and Maroubra until 2002, and then headed off overseas with his wife Chantay to work and travel, before returning in August 2005 to join the team at Balmain Veterinary Hospital. Jason enjoys rugby, golf and cricket, good wine and food - both in the cooking and in the eating. His veterinary interests include small animal medicine, surgery and pathology. In 2007 Jason was admitted to the Small Animal Medicine chapter of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists by examination. At present Jason and Chantay have 3 gorgeous sons as well as 2 Burmese cats called Ra and Zeus.

Emma Holmes-Walker BVSc (Hons) DipVetClinStud, GradDipMedSon

Emma grew up in Sydney and spent her childhood pestering her parents for pets. She graduated through budgies, to rabbits, guinea pigs, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Labrador Retrievers culminating in a Veterinary Science degree at Sydney University in 1992. Emma came to Balmain Veterinary Hospital in 1992 and during that year started running Puppy Preschool. She left briefly in 1995-1996 obtaining a Post Graduate Diploma in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery from Sydney University. A 2 year rural sabbatical involved working in both rurual veterinary practice and the commencement of training in Medical Ultrasound, completing her Graduate Diploma in Medical Sonography in 2004. Emma returned to Balmain Veterinary Hospital in 2003. Emma has 2 Chocolate Labrador children, "Cadbury" and "Sastugi" and 2 human children, Lukas and Benjamin.

Olivia Hassin BVSC (Hons) Cert IVAS Veterinary Acupuncture

Olivia graduated from the University of Sydney in 2001. After graduating she spent a couple of years in mixed practice at the foot hills of the Blue Mountains, before moving to the UK to work as a small animal vet and travel the world. She joined Balmain Veterinary Hospital in January 2007. Since then she has become a certified Veterinary Acupuncturist and is a few months away from obtaining a Masters Degree in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery. Olivia enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine and surgery across the species. She also has a special interest in the collection and care of Whippets! When she's not vetting, Olivia likes to be travelling, gardening, restoring furniture and browsing through antique markets.

Nathan Harris BVSc

Nathan was born and bred in Tasmania and spent the majority of his formative years on a sheep property in the state's North West. As a result, much of Nathan's youth was spent diagnosing and treating various species of animals that most probably wanted to put as much distance between themselves and him for the greatest amount of time possible! Special mention goes to "Tom" the Fox Terrier who endured years of Nathan practising "behavioural modification" techniques that probably resulted in more behavioural problems than solved! Nathan comleted his Veterinary Degree in 2003 and after spending an intensive 2 years in small animal practice in Western Sydney, decided to pack up and head overseas to broaden his professional experience. Nathan practiced in the UK for 3 years before heading back to Australia where he joined the team at Balmain Veterinary Hospital. Nathan holds a keen interest in emergency medicine and soft tissue surgery and completed a post graduate qualification in emergency medicine in 2009. Currently studying for his membership qualification in small animal medicine, Nathan looks forward to meeting you and caring for your companion(s).

Steve Anich BVSc

Steve started life in a sugar-cane town in Far North Queensland, and his interest in animals started with convincing his mum to get the family a kitten when he was 7. Steve went to Queensland University and graduated in 1998, working first in Ballarat and London before moving to Sydney in 1995. Steve has worked in small animal practice in Sydney since then, except for a 7 month period spent practicing in Singapore. He joined the team at Balmain and Drummoyne Vet Hospitals in March 2007, taking over ownership and running of the Drummoyne Clinic in 2008. Steve's professional interests are broad with almost everything in general practice fascinating him - his particular interests are surgery, dermatology, dentistry and the care of senior pets. In his spare time he travels and maintains his fitness with bushwalking and long distance
running.

Catherine Chen BVSc

For Catherine's parents the first realisation that their young daughter's future was in helping animals came whilst observing her pre-occupation with saving drowning insects during training sessions at the local swimming pool. Sure enough Catherine never made it to the Olympics but she did graduate from the University of Sydney with a Veterinary Science degree in 2001. Catherine spent one year working in the leafy suburb of West Pennant Hills before embarking on a long journey which took her through S.E. Asia, India, Nepal, Europe, Africa and the Americas. Along the way Catherine spent two and a half years working for a small animal practice in England's garden county of Kent before spending a further two years at a practice in Central London. Catherine now works at the Drummoyne Clinic where she most enjoys Feline Medicine (despite her allergy to cats!), dentistry and surgery. An ideal vacation for Catherine would include either sucba diving or snow skiing.

Nurses

Ara Goh Cert II Animal Studies

Ara started working at Balmain Veterinary Hospital as an animal attendant at the end of 2002 after completing a week of work experience through school. She is currrently studying for her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing, as well as a Diploma in Practice Management. Ara is one of the teachers of Puppy Preschool. She owns a Golden Retriever Cross named "Chucky" and a hand reared cat named "Ellie-May".

Belinda Broad Cert IV Veterinary Nursing

Belinda started her career at Balmain Veterinary Hosptial in 2000. She enjoys all aspects of nursing and pet care. Belinda rarely has less than 10 animals at her home at any given time, consisting of birds, rabbits, cats and dogs.

Kathleen Stuart Cert II Animal Studies

Kathleen, a born and bred Rozelle girl, joined the team at Balmain Vets in 2008 as an after-school Animal Attendant. She very quickly progressed to a nursing position and is currently studying Certificate IV Veterinary Nursing at TAFE. Kathleen's interests span all areas of animal care - she also is a regular assistant at our weekly Puppy Preschool classes. Kathleen's pets include "Sox" the Border Collie, "Misty" the Blue Cattle Dog, a noisy Rainbow Lorikeet by the name of "Andy" and a Bearded Dragon called "Amber".

Kerri-Ann Thompson Cert IV Veterinary Nursing

Kerri-Ann joined the team at Balmain Vets at the end of 2006. Having grown up on a property in a small country town, Kerri-Ann has always had a passion for animals. Kerri-Ann is the proud owner of a cheeky cat called "Kira".

Larissa Guard Cert II Animal Studies

Larissa started with Balmain Vets in 2007.

Lily O'Dwyer

Lily has been an employee of Balmain Vet Hospital since 2003, when she started as an Animal Attendant whilst at high school. Lily worked full time as a nurse before going on to University in 2006. Since then Lily has continued to work as a receptionist and will continue to do so after she finishes her degree at the end of 2009. Lily has two cats, "Jasper" and "Phoebe" and a Staffy neamed "Lucy".

Marina Raspolich Cert IV Veterinary Nursing

Marina joined the team at Balmain Vets in January 2008 after completing her HSC. She grew up regularly visiting the family farm in Central Queensland throughout childhood where there was the opportunity to work with many differnent animal species, hence sparking an interest in working in the animal care industry from a very young age! The decision to persue a career in the veterinary field came after completing a week of work experience at a local vet hospital during high school. Marina has completed Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing through TAFE NSW and is currently taking part in the running of Puppy Preschool classes. She has recently taken ownership of a very lovable Whippet puppy named "Penny".

Marlo Crawley Cert II Animal Studies

After finishing her Bachelor of Visual Arts and working in retail management for 2 years, Marlo realised that her real passion was working with animals. Marlo has a Maltese Cross named "Oscar" as well as a cat named "Arlyn".

Morgan Saint Cert II Animal Studies

Morgan started her career as a vet nurse at Balmain Vets in 1999 and she absolutely loves it! Most people would call Morgan a 'cat person' (she is the personal slave to a pampered tabby cat named Tassie) but her love of animals extends to all creatures furry and feathered. Nursing sick or injured pets back to good health is her favourite part of the job. Morgan also enjoys the challenge of a busy reception, and the training of new staff.

Rachel Young Cert IV Veterinary Nursing

Rachel started working at Balmain and Drummoyne Veterinary Hospitals in 2004 after her HSC. After doing 2 weeks work experience at her local vet, she knew it was the career for her. Rachel completed her Cert IV at Bankstown TAFE in 2006. She works soley at the Drummoyne Clinic and loves the fact that she knows most of the clients and their pets so well. She finds her job extremely satisfying and rewarding. One of her favourite tasks is reuniting animals with their owners when they are lost. Rachel owns two cats, "Bagette" (named as she was found in a plastic bag in a park) and a naughty ginger boy named "Henry". Rachel also has a Bull Arab named "Ted".

Sian Beattie National Cert V Veterinary Nursing

Sian grew up in New Zealand, moving to Sydney for the warmer weather. Before moving to Australia, Sian worked as a veterinary nurse in Christchurch and Auckland. Whilst her main areas of interest are with reptiles and birds, her love of animals extends to all creatures. Sian currently has two dogs - "Romie" a Miniature Pinscher and "Dollar" a Foxie cross Chihuahua.

Wendy Torok-Mayer Cert II Animal Studies

Wendy has been a nurse at Balmain Veterinary Hospital since 1999, with a short stint nursing on the Central Coast and at Struggletown Vets at Randwick in between. Wendy loves taking care of all the different patients that come to the practice, with a special interest in dentistry and surgery. The cat lady of the hospital, Wendy and her family share their home with 7 cats, with Wendy always on the lookout for more.

Managers

Suzanne Tunks

Originally employed as a receptionist for Balmain Veterinary Hospital in 1988, Suzanne took over the role of Practice Manager four years later in 1992. Suzanne has 3 adult children who have all been successfully weaned.

Heather Kerrigan Diploma Practice Management

Heather started at Balmain Vets in 1999 whilst studying Veterinary Nursing at Ultimo TAFE. After several years of nursing, she realised that her real passion in the vet industry lay in the areas of management and reception, enabling her to mix not only with patients but their wonderful owners as well. Heather now works as one of the Practice Managers of the Hospital. Heather has a blue Betta Splendens called "Roy" and recently became mum to a Blue and White British Shorthair baby called "Terence".