Specialty services

BVSc, Ph.D., DACVAA

Dr Yushun Ishikawa, a registered Specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia in Australia, is a distinguished veterinary professional with extensive international experience. His career includes notable roles at esteemed institutions like Massey University, and recently the completion of his residency at the University of Georgia, where he earned recognition as a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Anaesthesia.

Originally from Japan, Dr Ishikawa has made global contributions to veterinary science, working in Japan, New Zealand, the United States, and now Australia. His particular focus lies in understanding and managing pain, showcasing his commitment to advancing the field of veterinary science.

Samantha graduated from the University of Queensland in 2011 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Hons). She then went on to work in small animal practice and moved into working strictly in emergency and critical care in 2014. She obtained her memberships in emergency and critical care in 2017 with the ANZCVS. She returned to the University of Queensland in late 2018 to complete a PhD in critical care with the Critical Care Research Group (The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane) whist continuing to work as an emergency and critical care Veterinarian.

Samantha is passionate about education and has contributed to the veterinary field with webinars, and in her capacity as a board member of the Australian New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists. She is actively involved in reviewing training programs for veterinary residents, as well as in the examinations process for veterinary membership examinations.

Samantha joined the Sydney School of Veterinary Science in 2023 as a full time academic. She is responsible for teaching Veterinary emergency and critical care, as well as continuing her research in critical care.

Samantha also leads the emergency and critical care area of the teaching hospital.

BVSc (Hons) MVetStud MANZCVS (SA Medicine) Dipl. ACVD

Dr Beth McDonald is a highly qualified and experienced Veterinary Dermatologist. She holds many qualifications, including: BVSc (Hons) 1988; Master in Veterinary Studies 1993; Member, ANZCVSc in Small Animal Medicine,1994; Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology 1998 and has been a registered Specialist in Veterinary Dermatology for many years. She enjoys the challenges of clinical dermatology and supports education of both undergraduates and practicing veterinarians.

Dr McDonald has particular interests in the management of allergic dermatitis in the dog and cat; responsible use of antibiotics; autoimmune skin disease and management of diseases in our geriatric pets! Dr McDonald and her technician, Vokina Ng offer a compassionate and caring service to the community and their pets.

Med.Vet. BVSc FANZCVS – Radiology

Juan graduated with a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine in 1999 from La Plata University, Argentina. In 2002, after spending some time practicing in Argentina, Juan was granted a scholarship to work and further develop his skills in Australia.

In 2006 Juan fulfilled all requirements and passed the national veterinary examination allowing him to practice in Australia.

Juan underwent a Radiology residency at the University of Sydney and became a Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in 2015. Juan is currently an active clinical radiologist providing services to private and academic institutions and pre and postgraduate teaching in veterinary diagnostic imaging at Sydney University.

Juan has trained in MRI physics and technical applications during 2006-2007. In 2008-2009 he underwent accredited training in nuclear medicine and radiophysics with the Royal North Shore Hospital.

Juan is actively involved in clinical and academic research. His areas of interest included all aspects of musculoskeletal imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and nuclear medicine. Juan has been involved in a number of publications associated with the application of MRI to improve planning and identification of musculoskeletal injury in canine and equine patients, abdomen angiography and use of nuclear medicine for skeletal disease in canine patients.

Juan currently resides in Australia with his family including his partner, two daughters and Diego (their horse). He enjoys all forms of sports, in particular football (soccer), horse riding and rugby uniontal.

BMRSc (DR)

Rachael graduated from the University of Newcastle in 2016 with a Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Diagnostic Radiography). Her special interests include CT and cardiac imaging. After 4.5 years of working in private practice, Rachael has followed her love for animals and has taken the leap into the animal world at UVTHS as well as working in private practice at a human radiography clinic. At home, Rachael has a Staffie X shar-pei named Indie that she loves to take bushwalking. She’s a keen sportswoman who has been playing hockey for years among other sports.

Rachael has previously volunteered at riding for the disabled and hopes to gain experience in imaging horses throughout her Veterinary Radiography career.

DVM, PhD, DACVS-SA, DACVSMR-Canine, DECVS, CCRP, MANZCVS-SMR

Dr Baltzer graduated with a DVM from UC Davis in 1994. She received her Ph.D. at Texas A&M University in 2003 and became board certified in the American College of Veterinary Surgery following her residency at Texas A&M in 2007. She received board certification as a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practioner by the University of Tennessee in 2012. Dr Baltzer became a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation-Canine in 2013.

From 2005 to 2016, she was an associate professor of small animal surgery and sports medicine at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Oregon State University. Dr Baltzer was a Professor of small animal surgery at Massey University School of Veterinary Science in New Zealand until 2020. Her research, which includes over 50 publications, has investigated the effects of oxidant stress on agility exercise in dogs, ligament and tendon injury, augmentation of fracture repair with momentum, and the injuries of working, sporting, police and military dogs.

BVSc DiplomateECVS PGCertVS MVCS MANZCVS PhD

Rachel graduated from the University of Sydney in 2009 and worked in general practice at various clinics in Sydney. She then started an internship at UVTHS before beginning a surgical residency. Rachel completed her memberships in small animal surgery in 2014, and finished her surgical residency at UVTHS in 2018. She successfully passed her board exams in February 2020 and is a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons. Rachel also completed a Masters in Veterinary Clinical Studies during her residency and a PhD focused on improving the management of feline carpal (wrist) injuries.

Rachel has written several publications in the area of feline orthopaedics and musculoskeletal imaging. She is actively involved in both clinical teaching and research. Although her area of research interest is feline orthopaedics, she enjoys all aspects of small animal surgery.

When Rachel is not at work, she enjoys gardening and spending time with her husband Bobby and her cat Prince.

DVM MVSc

Dr Melanie Olive graduated with honours from the University of Liege in Belgium in 2014. Following graduation, she started work as a small animal veterinarian in a clinic near Paris (France) where she developed an interest in Surgery.

She undertook a rotating internship followed by a surgery one at a referral hospital in Nantes (France). After that she had been an assistant professor of small animal surgery at Nantes University.

Then she completed her specialist surgical training in a busy small animal hospital in Nantes.

She enjoys all aspects of surgery but had a particular interest in soft tissue surgery.

Outside work, Melanie enjoys horse riding, diving and kitesurfing. She also enjoys spending time with her husband and their friends and off course their handsome Jack russell named Rosti.

BVSc GradCertSAECC MANZCVS

Dr Angela moved to Australia from the Philippines in 2012 and graduated from the University of Sydney in 2016. She worked in general practice in Canberra before returning to Sydney to do a rotating internship at UVTHS in 2019. 

She obtained her Graduate Certificate in Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care in 2020 and became a member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in Small Animal Surgery in 2021. She is currently completing her residency to be a specialist surgeon under the European College of Veterinary Surgeons and Australian New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in July 2024.

Angela has an interest in orthopaedics and polytrauma.

When not tinkering with surgical tools, Angela enjoys going to the gym and trying to stay fit so she can enjoy exploring new places to eat with her partner and their two dogs - the princess, Harper, and escape artist, Cody.

Dr Charna Stowe, a graduate of the Sydney School of Veterinary Science at the University of Sydney, started her professional journey in semi-mixed practice in rural South Australia. Subsequently, she completed a rotating internship at Massey University in New Zealand.

Returning to Adelaide, Dr Stowe joined an emergency and referral hospital, continuing her commitment to delivering high-quality veterinary care.

An international opportunity led Dr Stowe to work as an Environmental Health Officer and Associate Veterinarian. Having recently returned to Australia, she has resumed clinical practice at UVTHS, driven by a keen interest in surgery.

Beyond the clinic, Dr Stowe enjoys travel and exploring new places.

BVSc(Hons) PhD DACVIM MANZCVS FHEA

Mary graduated from the University of Sydney in and worked in companion animal practice in Sydney before completing an internship and residency in small animal internal medicine in North America. Mary has spent the last 15 years working at The University of Queensland, where she completed her PhD, and more recently (2015-2020) at Murdoch University. Her major area of research interest is bacterial urinary tract disease/colonisation of dogs and cats but she enjoys most aspects of internal medicine and working with veterinary students

BVSc (Hons I) PhD DACVIM (SAIM), Hospital Director

Dr Ruaux graduated from The University of Queensland in 1992 with a degree in Veterinary Medicine and went on to earn his Ph.D. in 1999. After which he then moved to the United States and worked as a researcher in the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences at Texas A&M University. He completed his residency in Small Animal Internal Medicine at Oregon State University in 2008.

Dr Ruaux went on to work as an Associate Professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences at Oregon State University. Before joining the University of Sydney team, he worked at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Massey University in Palmerston North, New Zealand from 2017 – 2020.

Dr Ruaux is interested in research into gastrointestinal diseases and has authored and co-authored a number of veterinary textbooks in Small Animal Medicine.

Dr med vet DipECVIM-CA

Christine graduated from the Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany in 2003. She then completed a residency at the University of Berlin, Germany. Christine is a Senior Lecturer and Specialist in Small Animal Medicine (Diplomate ECVIM). She consults on the canine medicine service. Her main interests include haematology, endocrinology and infectious diseases. In 2020 Christine enrolled in a part time PhD investigating the re-emergence of canine leptospirosis in NSW.

DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVIM (SAIM)

Dr Sara Ravicini completed Veterinary School at the University of Barcelona in Spain, where she also returned as a rotating intern after a year in the United States. Subsequently, she moved to England and gained experience as a general practitioner and emergency clinician before pursuing a second internship at Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service in Solihull, West Midlands, UK.

In 2017, Dr Sara relocated to the United States to complete a residency program in Small Animal Internal Medicine and a Master's Degree in Clinical Science at Washington State University, where she later served as faculty until moving to Australia in 2021.

Dr Sara is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and a registered specialist in Small Animal Medicine in New South Wales. Her professional interests include interventional radiology, nephrology, urology, immune-mediated diseases, megaesophagus, and feline medicine.

BVSc PhD DSAM(Feline) DipECVIM-CA MRCVS MANZCVS (Animal Welfare)

Dr Andrea Harvey graduated from the University of Bristol Veterinary School (UK) in 2000, where she also completed her residency training in Small Animal and Feline Medicine. She subsequently worked in both academia and private practices in the UK and, since 2011, in Australia. Dr Andrea holds the ECVIM Diploma in Small Animal Medicine and RCVS Diploma in Feline Medicine and is a Registered Specialist and RCVS Specialist in Feline Medicine.

Dr Andrea has worked extensively with ISFM globally, including developing the Cat Friendly Clinic Accreditation Scheme. She is passionate about all aspects of feline medicine, but particularly the management of common feline chronic diseases, and she enjoys adopting a holistic approach to managing cases in an individualised way.

In addition to Feline Medicine, Dr Andrea has very diverse veterinary and animal welfare science interests, also holding ANZCVS Memberships in animal welfare and a PhD in wild horse ecology and welfare. She is active in research in the fields of equine practice and welfare, and wildlife welfare, and holds a Chancellors Research Fellowship at UTS in wildlife welfare.

Dr Andrea is passionate about veterinary education, particularly in critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and incorporating animal welfare science into daily clinical practice. 

Waiata graduated in 2022 with a veterinary degree from Massey University in New Zealand and has joined the UVTHS for a rotating internship at UVTHS, her first job as a veterinarian. She has an interest in internal medicine and imaging but is enjoying working across all the specialty areas.

As a Māori she is also passionate about understanding indigenous relationships to animals and has presented about indigenous perspectives on animal management overseas in Minneapolis, USA, as well as to government groups in New Zealand.

In her spare time, she likes to hang out with her talkative ragdoll cat Awhi, surf, travel, eat great food and attend gigs of her favourite artists when they make it to the southern hemisphere.