Anstead 07 3202 7300
Marburg 07 5464 4422
Westvets Brisbane Veterinary Care

Our Staff

WestVETS has a large team of experienced Veterinarians with expertise across family pets, horses and farm animals. We also have a dedicated team of support staff including Veterinary Nurses, Administrative Staff and Stable and Farm Hands. Our staff regularly attends continuing professional education courses – we are committed to providing the highest standard of care for your animal.

Our highly skilled and experienced veterinarians are committed to providing quality and compassionate care for your animals.

Veterinarians

Dr Nathan Anthony BVSc (Hons) MANZCVSc - Equine Surgery
Managing Partner, WESTVets Animal Hospitals

Equine Surgeon and Sports Medicine

Nathan graduated as a Veterinarian from the University of Queensland in 1998 and in 2010 was accepted as a member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in the field of Equine Surgery.

After working interstate and in the United Kingdom, Nathan returned to the Brisbane western suburbs area where he commenced as an ambulatory Equine Veterinarian. He is the founding partner of WestVETS Referral Equine Hospital which was built and established in 2004. Due to the substantial growth of clientele, Nathan further expanded the practice in 2012 with the establishment of WestVETS Equine Reproduction Centre and Small Animal Hospitals.

In 2013, Nathan became the Head Veterinarian for the Australian Equestrian Team supporting the medal winning Australian eventing team at the 2016 Rio and 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. He is a former executive member and past president of Equine Veterinarians Australia (EVA), the Professional Body representing Australian Equine Vets.

Nathan has more than 20 years’ experience in equine practice with a particular interest in lameness, surgery, ophthalmology and prepurchase examinations. Nathan enjoys equestrian sports and is an Accredited FEI Veterinarian who is often invited to officiate at equestrian events. He enjoys teaching and mentoring junior Veterinarians and has been invited to present at conferences and regularly presents at EVA’s prepurchase examination workshops.

Dr Asher Dessaix BVSc (Hons) MVS (SAP)
Partner, WestVETS Animal Hospitals

Mixed Animal Veterinarian

Asher joined the WestVETS team in 2008 after spending 6 years in mixed practice locally and in New South Wales. He is passionate about small animal medicine and surgery and in 2010 completed his Masters Degree in Small Animal Practice. Subsequent years has seen him continue to focus on additional training to advance his extensive surgical capabilities and in providing outstanding orthopaedic options for his patients.

Quality veterinary care is what Asher most aspires to and while he enjoys the routine work of caring for his healthy patients, he thrives on the more challenging and difficult cases. Asher brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, and enthusiasm to both our Anstead and Marburg clinics.

In 2018 Asher joined the practice partnership and one of his primary objectives is to continue guiding the direction of WestVETS to working with pet owners to provide the best outcomes possible for our patients.

In his spare time, Asher enjoys mountain biking and spending quality time with his family.

Dr Frank Low BVSc (Hons) BSc (Hons) MANZCVS – Equine Medicine
Partner, WestVETS Animal Hospitals

Equine Veterinarian

Frank spent his teenage years growing up around horses in Townsville before moving to Brisbane to attend the University of Queensland Veterinary School.
After graduating in 2000, Frank worked in a mixed stud-based practice in Warwick on the Darling Downs. He then embarked on a six-year long journey working in the United Kingdom, notably in Somerset and Surrey, focusing mainly on sport horse practice such as hunters and eventers. Frank moved to Hong Kong in 2009 to join the Hong Kong Jockey Club where he was fortunate enough to lead a unique program which rehabilitated and trained retired thoroughbreds for new careers in dressage, show jumping and eventing as well as riding school liveries.

Frank has a strong interest in FEI equestrian events and was the Hong Kong Equestrian team vet for the 2014 Asian Games and FEI treating vet for the CSI5* Longines Hong Kong Masters show jumping event. He also has a strong interest in performance evaluation, especially in equine cardiology.

During the breeding season, Frank is usually collecting stallions for chilled or frozen semen processing or scanning racehorse mares at local studs.

Outside of work Frank enjoys breeding Square Meater cattle and camping and fishing with his family.

Dr Harry Markwell BVSc, DACVS-LA
Partner, WestVETS Animal Hospitals

Specialist Equine Surgeon

Harry graduated from James Cook University in 2010 and went on to complete an Equine Surgery Internship at the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, in Lexington, Kentucky. Upon completion of his internship in 2012, he commenced a residency in large animal surgery at the University of Georgia. During his residency, Harry published peer reviewed papers and co-authored multiple book chapters. In 2016, Harry achieved board certification of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in Large Animal Surgery.

Upon returning to Australia, Harry worked briefly in Victoria prior to relocating back home to Queensland. Harry has been a surgeon at the WestVETS Equine Hospital since 2017 and a practice partner since 2021. Harry’s clinical interests include angular limb deformities, orthopaedics, laparoscopy, and emergency surgery. He is a member of the Australian Veterinary Association, Equine Veterinarians Australian, the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, and the AO Foundation in veterinary orthopaedics.

Outside of work, Harry likes to follow almost all sports and horse racing and is endeavouring to reach a scratch handicap in golf.

Dr Kelly Lamden BVSc, BSc (Hons)

Small Animal Veterinarian

Kelly was born and raised in Melbourne, Victoria and wanted to be a veterinarian since she was 7 years old. After completing a Bachelor of Science degree with an Honours year in marsupial reproduction at Monash University, she moved to Queensland to study Veterinary Science, graduating in 2001.  A gypsy at heart, she moved to United Kingdom in 2003 and spent 6 years working as a small animal veterinarian in England and Wales as well travelling around Europe and North Africa. After this time, she moved to Hong Kong where she worked predominantly in animal welfare which included participating in the care of local wildlife and illegal wildlife trafficking campaigns for 6 years.  After 12 years abroad and the birth of her child, she moved back to Australia with her husband Frank and worked for a further 3 years in animal welfare. In 2019, Kelly decided to return to small animal practice and joined WestVETS.

Kelly has a keen interest in soft tissue surgery and internal medicine but is passionate about palliative care and analgesia. She is also certified in veterinary acupuncture and integrative medicine.

Her spare time is spent with her family as well as tending to their numerous cattle, horses, quails, and canine companions.

Dr Margaux Markwell DVM, DACVS-LA

Specialist Equine Surgeon

Margaux graduated from the Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island in 2011. She undertook an equine surgical internship at Hagyard Equine Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky from 2011-2012. Thereafter, she undertook a Large Animal Surgery Residency which was completed in 2015 at Hagyard Equine Medical Center. She became board certified in Large Animal Surgery by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2016. She moved to Australia with her husband in 2016 and worked in Victoria and New South Wales for brief period of time before relocating to Queensland.

Margaux has a strong interest in sport horse medicine and is a FEI accredited veterinarian. She also is certified in Equine Acupuncture from the Chi Institute in Florida and completed the Animal Chiropractic course from Options of Animal Chiropractic Institute.

Her spare time is spent with her husband doing landscaping and riding her horse.

Dr Tori Doyle BVSc (Hons) MANZCVSc – Equine Med

Equine Veterinarian

After graduating from the University of Queensland in 2003, Tori undertook an equine internship at Oakey Veterinary Hospital before going to work in her father’s mixed animal practice. The lure of the horses was too strong however and she joined the equine team at WestVETS in 2007.

Tori is a popular and capable veterinarian in all aspects of equine practice but has a special interest in advanced equine reproduction technologies. Tori plays a major role in the Equine Reproduction Centre at Marburg, dedicating much of her time during the busy breeding season to artificial insemination and embryo transfers.

In 2010 Tori was accepted as a member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in the field of Equine Medicine.

In Tori’s spare time, she enjoys breeding her own warmblood horses and spending time with her family.

Dr Paula Williams BSc (Hons) BVSc MRCVS, MANZCVS-Large Animal Radiology

Equine Veterinarian

Paula really didn’t have any choice in her career - her mother was a nurse, her father a farmer and she had an obsession for horses from a very young age. After qualifying from Liverpool University in the UK (sometime in the 1990’s) she worked at the University Equine Hospital, after which she completed an Internship at Rossdale’s in Newmarket.  She then worked in a busy equine hospital in the Cotswolds. Paula came to Australia for 6 months and loved it so much, she is still here over 20 years later.  During this time, she has worked at the Oakey Vet Hospital, Samford Vet Hospital and has been with WestVETS since 2017.

Her clinical interests include diagnostic imaging, the investigation and management of musculoskeletal issues in the equine athlete and working in combination with farriers and physiotherapists to achieve the best results for your horse. She is also passionate about foal medicine, internal medicine, diagnostic imaging and dermatology. In 2018, Paula successfully achieved her MANZCVS Membership in Large Animal Radiology.

In her spare time, Paula is a part time mermaid enjoying scuba diving, photography, live music, baking and gin tasting (often simultaneously) and relaxing with her much loved Jack Russell (aptly named Scuba).

Dr Angela Steenholdt BVSc (Hons) MANZCVS-Small Animal Medicine

Small Animal Veterinarian

Angela grew up in Brisbane and graduated from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science. After several years as a mixed practice country Veterinarian in Australia, Angela headed to England to locum and whilst there, travelled extensively around the European countryside. She then settled back into small animal practice in Brisbane and attained her Membership to the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in Small Animal Medicine in 2007. Angela is a keen soft tissue surgeon and has extensive knowledge of managing post-surgical cases.

Angela is very committed to her regular patients and to ensuring they have her continuity of care whenever possible. She takes great pride in maintaining a close client/patient/vet bond and has such a vibrant personality that resonates with her clients and peers alike. Angela is passionate about all aspects of being a small animal veterinarian and in treating all species of patients from chickens to Great Danes and everything in between.

In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, fishing and relaxing at the beach with her family and friends and when at home, tending to her many chickens and enjoying the company of her beloved sausage dog, Hugo.

Dr Hayley Jaenke BVSc (Hons I) MANZCVS (Equine Practice)

Mixed Animal Veterinarian

Hayley grew up in South East Queensland and aspired to become a veterinarian from a very young age. Graduating from the University of Queensland in 2014, she spent three years working in a mixed animal practice in Warwick. Hayley ventured to Katherine in the Northern Territory to work as a locum veterinarian for six months, while also spending time working on a cattle station. Hayley joined the WestVETS team early in 2019. She enjoys all aspects of mixed practice, however does have a particular interest in equine medicine, reproduction and surgery.

In 2021 Hayley was accepted as a member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in the field of Equine Practice.

Outside of work, Hayley devotes her spare time to horse riding, looking after her own horses and cattle and camp-drafting on the weekends.

Dr Christine Tschanz MedVet, NVE

Small Animal Veterinarian

Christine graduated in Switzerland where she worked for 18 months in a mixed animal practice before moving to Melbourne, Victoria where she spent more than 10 years as a small animal veterinarian. The sunshine state of Queensland however was calling and so the journey to the outskirts of Brisbane was made. Christine has worked within the WestVETS team, both in our Marburg and Anstead clinics for over 9 years and she feels very privileged to be part of your pet’s journey through life.

Christine is passionate about the health of all her patients and has a wealth of experience ranging from kitten and puppy check-ups to caring for the geriatric. She takes great pride in keeping up-to-date with the latest recommendations within the veterinary profession and has a specific clinical interest in dentistry and endocrinology. She has a particular soft spot for her feline patients but really just adores all her patient and human interactions and witnessing the love and devotion between them.

Christine lives locally with her lovely family and two very spoilt feline companions. She spends her spare time tending to her vast garden and bees.

Dr. TJ Madigan BVSc

Mixed Animal Veterinarian

TJ grew up in Mackay, Queensland and graduated from James Cook University, Townsville in 2020. He is a fourth-generation horseman and has always had an active involvement in the show horse, show jumping and racing industries. TJ has ridden competitively all over Australia and New Zealand for as long as he can remember. He has always wanted to be a veterinarian with a strong equine focus.

TJ completed the WestVETS Internship in 2021 and accepted the role at WestVETS as a mixed animal veterinarian. He enjoys working at WestVETS as it offers him a wealth of experience and exposure in a mixed animal veterinary clinic. TJ has a strong interest in Equine Preventative Medicine and completed an intensive course in Equine Dentistry in 2023. TJ is also a FEI Permitted Treating Veterinarian.

In his spare time, TJ can be found competing his string of horses on the show-jumping circuit all over Australia.

Dr Mia Reeve-Johnson BVetMed PhD MRCVS

Mixed Animal Veterinarian

Mia qualified from the Royal Veterinarian College University in London. After graduating, she worked in a mixed animal practice in Hampshire for 18 months and then successfully completed a large animal internship. After many fulfilling years in equine and small animal practices, she and her husband relocated to Anstead, Queensland in 2005 and has since completed a PHD in establishing screening tests for prediabetes in senior cats.

Mia spends most of her time in the Small Animal Practice at Anstead and her clinical interests include preventative and geriatric medicine and general surgery.

Mia has 3 children who are all very active in local pony club and who enjoy competing in Equestrian Australia events. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and her menagerie of dogs, cats, guinea pigs, chickens and horses.

Dr Sarah Brabazon BSc BVSc

Mixed Animal Veterinarian

Sarah is a born and bred Queenslander. Growing up with a variety of animals including cows, horses and dogs, she was passionate about becoming a Veterinarian from a very young age. Sarah graduated a Bachelor of Veterinary Science at James Cook University in 2021. She also has a Bachelor of Science and a Masters in Animal Studies at the University of Queensland. Sarah was welcomed into the WestVETS team in 2021 as a mixed animal Veterinarian and she has a particular interest in cows and small ruminants.

In Sarah’s spare time, she runs a cattle property in the Brisbane Valley with her husband and loves to compete locally in equestrian show jumping and dressage. She also has a self-confessed obsession with Dachshunds.

Dr Jemimah Young BVSc

Mixed Animal Veterinarian

Jemimah originated from Gympie, Queensland and grew up surrounded by the country. This scenery led to a fascination of all things creepy-crawly, furry or feathered from a very young age. This love fuelled the decision to study a Bachelor of Veterinary Science at James Cook University in Townsville. Graduating in 2021, she spent 9 months in the South Burnett area working in a mixed animal practice.

After deciding it was time for a new challenge, the exciting opportunity to join the team at WestVETS presented itself in 2022.

In her spare time, Jemimah enjoys video games, baking and spending time with her two cats and her partner.

Dr Anita Barton BVSc (Hons)

Small Animal Veterinarian

Anita grew up in New Zealand before moving to the Gold Coast and graduating from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science. After several years working as a Small Animal Emergency Veterinarian at the University of Queensland, and being heavily involved with teaching practical skills to the vet students across a range of species, Anita embarked on a PhD looking at the adaptive response of the dorsal cannon bone to high intensity exercise in young horses, pausing along the way to have children.  She has recently returned to practice working part time as a Small Animal Veterinarian within the WestVETS team at Marburg.

In her (not so) spare time, she competes and judges in dressage to Grand Prix level, chairs the Dressage Queensland committee and runs dressage events. She enjoys spending time with her husband, two kids and two Border Collie dogs.

Dr. Madeline Peters DVM

Equine Veterinarian

Madeline grew up in New Jersey. She graduated from Colorado State University with a bachelors in Equine Science in 2016. Thereafter, she travelled to Australia to work as an Equine Nurse at Scone Equine Hospital. She stayed to study Veterinary Science at the University of Melbourne and graduated with a DVM in 2021. After graduating, she completed an equine internship at Mid Atlantic Equine Medical Center in 2022.

Madeline decided to return to Australia and accepted a position at WestVETS in 2023. Madeline enjoys ambulatory medicine and surgery as well as emergency medicine and ophthalmology.

Outside of work, Madeline enjoys hiking and cooking as well as spending time with her cat, Tuna.

Dr Natasha Williams BVSc (Hons) MS MANZCVS DACVIM-LAIM

Large Animal Medicine Specialist

Natasha graduated from the University of Melbourne, after which she spent 2 years in a mixed practice in Tasmania before completing an 18 month rotating equine internship at the University of Adelaide. She was accepted as a Member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinarian Science in 2018 in the field of Medicine of Horses and has also completed a residency in food animal medicine and surgery at Oklahoma State University. Graduating with a Masters of Science the same year, with a thesis on cardiac function and insulin sensitivity, Natasha then spent a year as an equine medicine fellow at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute before achieving Board Certification in Large Animal Internal Medicine by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. Natasha joined the WestVETS team in 2022 and has a keen clinical interest in neonatology and critical care of all large animals.

Outside of work, Natasha enjoys hiking, reading, crosswords, relaxing with her staffy Donnie and enjoying a good whiskey.

Dr Shaan Mocke BVSc, MANZCVS – (Equine Dentistry)

Mixed Practice Veterinarian

Shaan graduated from Massey University in 2018 and has been working in equine practice in New Zealand before relocating to Australia in 2023. She was awarded membership of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (ANZCVS) in Equine Dentistry in 2022 and is currently studying towards a post graduate diploma in Animal Biomechanical Medicine (ABM). Shaan joined WestVETS as a mixed practice Veterinarian in July 2023 and is not only passionate about equine dental care, but also has keen, developing interests in sports medicine and rehabilitation (both canine and equine).

Outside of work, Shaan enjoys hiking, training her Border Collie, Piper, for future agility events, spending time with her bossy tabby cat Merlin (a foster fail) and fitting in the occasional mountain bike ride.

Dr Margaret Schubert BVSc

Mixed Animal Veterinarian

Margaret (“Margie”) grew up in Brisbane before moving to Townsville to commence her Veterinarian journey. After graduating from James Cook University in 2019, she moved to the town of Chinchilla, Queensland where she worked as a mixed animal Veterinarian for approximately 3 years.

During this time, Margie developed a keen interest in horses and therefore made the decision to move back to her home town of Brisbane where she joined WestVETS in August 2023 with a goal to further her knowledge in both the equine and small animal fields. She has a particular interest in equine reproduction and is keen to gain more experience with small animal surgical procedures.

Margie’s spare time is spent riding her horse, walking her dog, and swimming at local beaches. She also enjoys travelling with time spent in Japan, Malaysia, the UK, Greece, and Iceland – so far.

Dr Hope O’Connor BVSc (Hons1)

Mixed Animal Veterinarian​

Growing up in Brisbane, Hope first became interested in becoming a Veterinarian after her own horse required treatment for a lameness issue. Inspired to explore this as a career, she enrolled in The University of Queensland (Gatton) and graduated in 2022 with a Bachelor of Veterinarian Science - First Class Honours.

Following her graduation and wanting to remain in the local area, Hope successfully secured an internship with WestVETS Animal Hospitals and was welcomed into the team at the end of 2022. She is passionate about equine lameness investigations, sports medicine and general equine practice as well as consulting on our four-legged friends in the small animal clinic.

On her days off, Hope is a true thrill-seeker and regularly explores the Sunshine Coast and Glasshouse Mountains hiking, rock-climbing, and bouldering - sometimes with her faithful companion Molly (her Cattle Dog x Border Collie who is ‘perfect in every way’) by her side.

Dr Elizabeth (Lulu) Wylaars BVSc

Mixed Animal Veterinarian​

Elizabeth (Lulu) grew up in Christchurch, New Zealand and graduated from Massey University in 2023.

She spent her childhood surrounded by horses and was a competitive eventer throughout high school. Following graduation, she completed an internship at WestVETS Animal Hospital before joining the team as a mixed practice veterinarian with an equine focus.

In her spare time Lulu enjoys hiking and exploring the Queensland scenery with her partner.

Intern Veterinarians (2024-2025)

Dr. Imi Dunn DVM

University of Adelaide

Dr. Rebecca Richards BVSc

Massey University

Dr. Chloe Rayner (Trall) BVSc

Massey University

Ambulatory Services

We have a fleet of ambulatory vehicles that are fully equipped to treat routine appointments and emergency calls. Our equine veterinarians are able to come to the property assess the problem and decide the best course of action in the event of an emergency. Preventative medicine such as routine dentals and vaccinations are an important key to ensuring your horse stays healthy and our veterinarians are committed to providing quality and compassionate care for your horse.

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