Our Team
We pride ourselves on working as a team to provide the best quality care for your pet, in a friendly and caring environment.
We are community orientated, helping to support local community organisations such as Friends of the Pound.​
Vets
DR MERRIDIE FURY
Dr Merridie founded Tweed Coast Vet in Cabarita in 1995, and has continued to study and advance the standard of veterinary medicine in Cabarita Beach.
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What part of your job do you look forward to doing? I really look forward to doing surgery. I have always been fascinated by opening things up and seeing what is on the inside – then stitching up again and making things get better.
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What makes you love coming to work every day? I love the variety. I used to see all animals great and small but now it is mainly dogs and cats but they come in all shapes, sizes and personalities and with all sorts of problems. Life is never boring.
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Who has been your favourite patient? I don’t have one. It is impossible to chose. I meet lots of wonderful people and their furry family every day
DR RACHAEL PARSONS
D r Rachael joined us in 2002 and has never left, she loves the clinic and the region so much.
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Which of your pets has the most character, and why My one year old terrier x Ollie has the bounciest jumpiest legs for a little dog I’ve ever seen. He weighs less than 5kg but can jump as high as my nose. No one can figure out his breed, but I personally think he is part gazelle.
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What is one of the weirdest cases you have been involved in? I think there have been a few involving marine mammals. I’ve treated seals that washed up on our beaches, and attended a baby humpback whale stranding as well.
What is your superpower at work?
Dentals!
(Note: So true. Dr Rachael has continued to study and ensure she is up to date with everything related to oral health. She loves dentistry and is our go to for all things teeth. )
DR EMMA BURT
Dr Emma comes with a wealth of Emergency and Critical Care experience.
What brings you to work every morning?
There is great variety in our job which i like, a wide mix of people and animals, every day is different and every case is unique.
Do you have a favourite patient? Why ? I love the older patients, the apple of their family’s eyes, and being able to offer them the care they need and deserve in their later years.
If you weren’t at work, where would you be? If I couldn’t be here I would either be in the bush or in India patting stray dogs.
DR CHRISTIE WOOLFORD
Dr Christie loves both medical and surgical cases, working each patient up individually.
If you weren’t at work, where would you be?
If I couldn’t be at work, I would be out in nature enjoying a sunset, going for a walk or bike ride, on camping adventure with friends and family or just spending time with my animals at home on our property.
What is the hardest part of your job and why do you keep doing it?
The hardest part would be treating animals that are very sick, sad or sore and feeling their pain and wishing I could explain it to them and that I am trying to help them. I keep doing it for those ones that I am able to make feel better and watching them return to their normal enthusiastic selves and then seeing them return healthy for routine visits later and sometimes even their gratitude.
What was your most interesting patient?
One of my most interesting patients was an echidna that was hit by a car. I was able to x-ray her and was relieved to find nothing broken but treated her pain and allowed her to rest. I knew she was ready to be released when she escaped her very secure enclosure in my spare room and I found her snuffling around in the bathroom at 2am with fluff all over her snout!
DR SARA KINGSLEY
What makes you excited to come to work?
I love solving tricky problems with the rest of the team. My main focus is ultrasound, so I get to work in on some of the the complex medical issues and problems. I get a little kick of joy each time when we work out what the problem is and what we are going to do about it. So often we all have a little pow-wow discussing the tricky cases out the back of the clinic and create a joint plan of action.
What is the most unusual pet you have treated?
My most memorable case was a Carpet Python named Charlie who had pneumonia from a a rare strain of bacteria. We taught his owner to inject the Abs under the scales at home.
What is your favourite story from work?
True story: Frankenchook (a chicken) fell in a barrel of water and almost drowned, so CPR was performed on her by her owner. Frankenchook developed hypothermia from being so wet, so she was placed near a heater, where her feathers caught fire. To top it all off, Frankenchook was a little too curious around the horses, so was trodden on by a Percheron causing a degloving injury. I saw Frankenchook, and was able to reattach the lost skin – my first ever chicken surgery. But from then on the feathers on Frankenchooks’ neck grew backwards! Thus the name change to Frankenchook
Nurses
DAEN AUDET
Daen is one of our most experienced nurses, with a particular interest in wildlife.
In your opinion, what is the best thing about working at Tweed Coast Vet?
Undoubtedly, the best thing is getting to meet so many wonderful furry souls. Also, being a part of an independent, caring and supportive practice that is constantly working on improving itself.
We know you have a passion for wildlife. Tell a little about what drives you?
After many years, I continue to feel privileged to care for sick, injured and orphaned flying foxes. Releasing them back to the wild after caring for them and getting to know them as individuals is incredibly rewarding.
SASHA BERRIDGE-LATHOURAS
Hi Sasha, what’s one of your memorable career moments?
In the 2022 floods, I was asked to help look after a horse that had been trapped in the flood waters suffering from deep cuts and illnesses.
One thing lead to another and 1 horse turned into 15, a camel and a team of vets, nurses and volunteers.
This put my nursing skills to the ultimate test but we managed saved them all.
So in two lines, tell us a little about yourself?
I’m a self-professed nerd – I have an obsession with Lego, Harry Potter and puzzles!
If you had to be an animal, which animal would you choose?
I would love to be blue whale. I love the idea of just floating around in the ocean and not a care in the world. So laid back.
TAYA O'SHANNESSY
So Taya, we know you love animals, but is there a particular animal you feel strongly about? Yes, I have a very strong connection to anything canine. But of course, I am also passionate about my hobby of freshwater exotic fish keeping.
What scares you, professionally speaking?
Angry cats!
What inspired you to pursue your current career path?
My dad’s great love and dedication to all his pets, especially his dogs.
Lani Hunt
What made you fall in love with veterinary nursing/medicine?
I have always wanted to work in the animal industry and initially started studying to be a wildlife keeper - I was always fascinated watching anything medical related in this job. I found a deeper connection when helping domestic animals so decided to mix the interest and passion and do veterinary nursing. Best decision ever.
What makes you love coming to work every day?
People and animals - the perfect mix. I have a huge appreciation for customer service. Connecting with people through animals is one of the biggest perks of the job.
Which breed or species have you always wanted to care for, but never had the chance?
Snakes! Whilst completing a Cert III in Captive Animals I did work placement at an animal sanctuary. It was here I got to learn and appreciate snakes, how to handle and look after them. I would love to know more about them in a veterinarian space.
REBECCA MUNRO
Which breed or species have you always wanted to care for, but never had the chance:
I would have loved to work as a shark biologist as I find sharks very fascinating or otherwise a general Marine biologist would still be amazing.
Favourite patient:
There have been quite a few patients that I hold close to my heart, but Beau is one I’ll never forget. He was a kelpie cross. Despite a tragic head trauma causing head injuries and seizures, he was always full of so much love. Beau had 2 knee surgeries, tail amputation amongst other surgeries so he has spent a lot of time with us. Of course he stole my heart.
What made you fall in love with veterinary nursing:
Growing up around animals I knew from a very young age I wanted to work in a vet clinic. I feel quite lucky that I’ve always known what kind of career I wanted to pursue and not just because I really love animals but because I want to help people’s pets maintain their health and help when they aren’t feeling well. it’s extremely rewarding to be able to help keep pets happy and healthy.
Reception
RHONDA HICKS
Roles: Reception and practice manager
Who has been your favourite patient?
Not a favourite as such, but one that I have a soft spot for was a Bull Terrier called Bolt. Bolt was named after the dog in the kids animated movie, as he looked just like the character. When I first met Bolt, my kids were obsessed with the movie, so were excited that I had met ‘real Bolt’. Bolt was a happy friendly dog who underwent specialist treatment for lymphoma, and my kids would regularly ask me how he was doing and loved hearing updates on him.
What makes you love coming to work every day?
I enjoy all aspects of the clinic from helping clients and meeting their pets to seeing the interesting surgeries and challenging cases. No two days are ever the same, and every day is a school day. The puppy cuddles are a bonus!
If you couldn’t be at work, where would you be?
If money was no object, I’d love to be travelling the world!
JODIE O'SHANNESSEY
Role: Reception
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What part of your job do you look forward to doing?
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I enjoy being able to help people and their animal feel welcome and looked after. It is nice being apart of a team that cares deeply about animals, and to play a role in ensuring their well-being.
Who has been your favourite patient?
That would be Rex. He came to us broken physically and mentally and was at the clinic for 18 months with multiple surgeries and high needs. Over this time we bonded closely and it was amazing to see him overcome many obstacles to become a relatively normal, happy dog. He has now become part of my family and I can’t imagine life without him.
LEIGH-ANNE ENGELBRECHT
Role: Reception
Which of your pets has the most character and why?
Nugget, our Jack Russell x. He is always ready for a game, full of fun and mischief and sleeps in the weirdest positions! He is especially fond of eating frozen blueberries and ice cubes. He tries very hard to make friends with our two cats but unfortunately they don’t feel the same about him!
What do I do when I am not working?
I love reading a good book, taking Nugget for walks, going to the beach and spending time with my family.
What do you like about coming to work?
I am lucky to be part of an amazing team at Tweed Coast Vet. I am always learning new things, I get to meet interesting people and best of all, I get to see all the adorable pets that come in!
KATE KELLEHER
Roles: Reception and Nursing
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What made you want to work in Veterinary medicine?
When I was young, I had a neighbour who was a Vet. I would always go to work with her during school holidays and on weekends to play with the animals and just watch her work. I always knew from a young age that I wanted to work with animals, particularly in a Veterinary clinic.
Which of your pets has the most character, and why?
My dog Bentley. He is a Border Collie, however we call him a bored collie because he is very lazy and would do terribly on a farm. His favourite things are the beach, carrots, sardines and people! He has a terrible needle phobia so bringing him to work is quite embarrassing.
What is your favourite part of your job?
I think my favourite part of the job would have to be the post surgery snuggles as most patients are so sleepy and cuddly after anaesthetic. I will often eat lunch in the staff room with some sort of furry friend on my lap. I also love seeing the joy on the animals and owners face when they are reunited at discharge.
Fluffy Supervisors
Basil
Basil is our resident badboy. This picture is of him as a chocolate coated 1 year old – but as he matures he will likely develop the classic cafe colouring of white and cream and chocolate.
He has been with us since he was a puppy and we have survived all of the chewing and stealing stages that come with puppyhood. He is now maturing into a delightfully energetic ball of fun! His favourite trick is to steal the micropore tape and chew it to pieces.
For those who are wondering he is a Cobberdog – the official breed from crossing labradors and poodles. He loves to do zoomies, chase balls and generally have a good time.
Panther
Panther is Sassy!We love our 3-legged cats here and Panther is no exception. A beautiful, sleek, black cat who came to us from Friends of the Pound.
We weren’t supposed to keep Panther, we were just looking after him until he was ready to be rehomed. Much to our dismay, Panther adopted us, and now we are kept under the iron rule of a purring tyrant.
Panther is cheeky, and demanding. He likes to escape, and be in all the places he shouldn’t be. He loves a stretch in the sun out the front of the clinic, basking on his back.
Sparky
Sparky is our ‘fraidy-cat. He also came to us through Friends of the Pound, (we can’t help ourselves!)Sparky was initially so nervous, cranky and scared we weren’t sure that he would ever be able to be re-homed.
But he grew on us, and we grew on him. He is still easily stressed, but has settled into the vet surgery and now claims a bed beside Panther. He and Panther rule the staff room and ensure that everyone is working hard.
Patting them, stroking them, feeding them, cleaning up after them
Willy
Willy is our latest addition to the Tweed Coast Vet Family. Honestly, we didn't expect Willy to still be here. He arrived as a very small kitten from a rescue organisation, extremely unwell. We ran a quick blood test, and discovered he was in renal failure. In a kitten that young, kidney failure is often caused by a kidney malformation - which is something we can't treat. Because he had no owners, we elected not to run any more tests on him, and took him in to care for him until he passed. Much to our surprise, he recovered. We still haven't done any more testing and still have no idea why he was in kidney failure so early on. But as long as he is happy and healthy, we don't mind! He is a mischievous cat though - he keeps escaping outside and going on adventures.