Vet: Dr Rachael Ackland BVsc. Dip Vet Clin Stud.

Rachael has been practicing as a vet for fourteen years. Eighteen months after graduation Rachael did an internship in medicine at the University of Sydney followed by a distance education course in Small Animal Medicine. Rachael is a member of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists which is gained through sitting extra examinations. During her career she has spent time in small animal practice in Melbourne and England but has spent the majority of her time working in Melbourne's animal emergence centres.

Her interests include medicine such as diabetes and emergency cases.

Rachael is kept busy with two young boys and a geriatric German Shepherd.

Vet: Dr Jaan Ackland BVSc.

Jaan has been working as a vet for fourteen years. He has spent the majority of that time working in small animal practice in Australia and England and has worked the past four years at Rye Vet Clinic.

In August 2010 Jaan became the proprietor of Rye Vet Clinic and he is enjoying the opportunity of running his own vet clinic.

His interests include surgery including some orthopaedics and general veterinary care of pets. He feels the human animal bond is an important one.

Jaan and Rachael have two young boys and an elderly female German Shepherd cross called Cody who was rescued. 

Vet: Dr Heather Kingston BVSc

Heather has been providing veterinary care for pets for around thirty years. Her interests are in animal behaviour, reproduction and geriatric care. She is a senior fellow of the University of Melbourne, which means that we have final year students seeing practice with us.

In her spare time Heather enjoys tennis, going to the gym and working in her vegie garden.

Her pets are Max and Tap, both Bernese Mountain dogs, and two geriatric cats Dinah and Bungle in The Jungle. 

Vet: Dr John Kingston BVSc MVS MACVSc

John is interested in diagnostic imaging - xrays and ultrasound and anaesthesia. In 2006 he studied sonology (ultrasound) through the University of Sydney's post graduate foundation.

His other out of work interests include scuba diving and tennis.

Senior Veterinary Nurse/Practice Manager: Debra Blackburn

Debra is one of our senior veterinary nurses and the practice manager. Deb has been working as a nurse for thirteen years all of which have been at Rye Vet Clinic. She manages the clinic's overweight pets and  runs regular puppy preschools which began in 2006. 

Her interests out of work include walking on the beach and going to the gym. 

Deb has a five year old female Whippet called Ita who was rescued and a nine year old male cat called Ren. Ren was hand reared from a day old after being found on the foreshore and can be quite temperamental. Deb also has fish, chicken and a horse.

Vet Nurse: Kristy Lundgaard

Kristy started working at Rye Vet Clinic in August 2010 and is new to veterinary nursing. She is keen to make veterinary nursing her career and will be studying Veterinary Nursing at Box Hill Tafe next year. Kristy owns a 2 ½ year old Coastal Carpet Python called Diablo as well as two turtles named Beast and Mojo. 

Vet Nurse: Rachel Nevinson

Rachel is one of our senior veterinary nurses and has a certificate four in Veterinary Nursing. She would like to undertake more study once her children start school. She has been nursing for eight years, most of which has been at Rye Vet Clinic. Rachel has an interest in surgery. Outside of work interests include swimming, camping and going to the gym. Rachel owns a two year old Australian Shepherd cross called Charlotte and a six month old female cat called Sooty. 

Vet Nurse: Paula Broadhurst

Paula started working at Rye Vet Clinic six months ago and is studying Science at Monash University with the aim to go on to study Veterinary Science. Paula loves animals and owns a six month old cat called Charlie and lives with two eight year old family dogs, a Border Collie called Astro and a Golden Retriever called Bailey.  

Vet Nurse: Alana Balloch

Alana has worked at Rye Vet Clinic for four years. She currently has two jobs and works every second weekend at the clinic. She has a Science degree from Melbourne University and is thinking about doing further study to become a teacher. Alana’s family has two Golden Retriever’s, Jessie is eight and Riley is two and a female twelve month old cat called Tilly.

Pebbles

Pebbles is arguably the most important member of the team. She is our clinic cat, and can be found sitting on a lap or in her favourite cupboard. As in your home, life isn't the same without a resident feline. Many thanks to her previous owners for letting us take her on after she lost a limb. But not only is Pebbles a three legged cat she is also a diabetic.