Dr Simmone Major BVMS (Hons) - Veterinarian – Head Veterinarian
Simmone is a veterinarian who has worked at Fitzroy Veterinary Clinic since 1998 when she moved to Melbourne from Tasmania with her husband. She has 2 children and a Dobermann, Delphi and a Russian Blue cat, Pog . Delphi was hand reared from the age of 3 days old and comes to work with Simmone every day. Simmone has a particular interest in small animal medicine and soft tissue surgery.
Dr Charles Foster BVSC (Hons) - Veterinarian
Charles grew up in Gippsland and studied at the University of Melbourne Veterinary School, graduating with honours in 1985. He has practiced in New Zealand, England and Australia in a variety of practice types, starting in mixed country practice and University held programs for dairy cattle, sheep and goat farms. Charles then moved into companion animal practice in Melbourne and England, including time at the Animal Emergency Centre. More recently Charles has done volunteer work in Papua New Guinea and Sri Lanka. He now divides his time between clinical work, management, training and some lecturing at Melbourne University. He enjoys all aspects of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery. Charles is married with two children, whose lives are shared with Pebbles and Fluffy, the two super moggies and assorted fish. In his own time Charles enjoys, family, church, camping, dining, traveling, photography and reading.
Dr Anu Appan BVSc - Veterinarian
Anu graduated form Melbourne University and worked for a small animal practice in Castlemaine for some time. After some time off to travel the world. she returned to Victoria and worked at a practice in Mornington Penninsula. From there she moved into the city and began work with the Fitzroy team. Anu has a Red Heeler X "Ralph" and a special interest in Canine internal medicine.
Dr Libby Morton BVSc(hons)BSc - Veterinarian
Libby is a veternarian grew up on a farm in North-East Victoria. She graduated from The University Of Queensland in 1999. After spending a couple of years in large animal practice in Gippsland she saw the light and moved into small animal practice. Initially spending 3 years in the United Kingdom, then settling into the wonderful city of Melbourne. Libby has what she regards as three of the best cats in the world. Basil, Polly (pictured) and Foss.
Dr Emma Rigby BVSc - Veterinarian
Emma is a veternarian who is born and bred is sydney but has been turned south to Melbourne and, it appears is here to stay. Having graduated from Sydney University in 1993, Emma has worked on the central coast and south coast of NSW and inner city of sydney.
Emma is married with two young children and a lovely old cat and a cheeky young puppy named Paddy.
Dr Karen Block BVSc (hons) - Veterinarian
Karen is a part-time veterinarian at the Fitzroy Veterinary Clinic . Most of the time she is 'out the back' doing surgery which is her special interest.
Karen graduated in 1986 (20 years ago!!) from Melbourne University. She travelled to Kentucky in the U.S. and spent two years working with horses. She then returned to Melbourne, where she took a temporary position at the Lort Smith Animal Hospital and treated her first ever small animal. That's when she decided there was a lot more satisfaction to be gained from caring for pets and their people. The 'temporary' position stretched out to 5 years, during which she gained a lot of experience in all types of surgery and particularly orthopaedics. Since that time Karen has been working with our Team.
When not working or caring for her family Karen likes to spend time gardening, learning new things or (you guessed it) travelling.
Tina Hislop CVN - Head Veterinary Nurse
Tina has worked at the Fitzroy Veterinary Clinic since 2002 and is the currently the nursing manager. Tina initially split her time between nursing and working in the cattery. Tina has a degree in Animal Science and has completed certificate 2 in veterinary nursing. Tina has a keen interest in anything feline related. She enjoys interacting with the animals on a daily basis and leading a great team of nurses.
Tina believes “The bond we have with our clients and their pets is what makes Fitzroy a great veterinary clinic”. Tina lives with the ‘Taz’ the friendly foxy-cross and “Tilly” the snuggle puss.
Erin Gibson
Erin has been a veterinary nurse since 2000 and trained and qualified in the UK, where she worked in a mixed practice, Emergency and Specialist centres. In Janurary 2005 Erin worked at Fitzroy Vet Clinic as a locum for 6 months and returned for good in April 2006.
Erins particular areas of interest are behaviour, medicine and emergency care. She has a naughty kelpie cross pup called Ned.
Caroline Hallard CVN - Veterinary Nurse
Caroline joined the nursing team after arriving in Australia from the U.K in May 2007. Originally from North London, Caroline has been nursing for approximately 5 years, and received her qualification 9 months ago. Caroline enjoys working with small animals and is looking forward to meeting the different breeds that Australia has to offer. Caroline has a 7 year old Golden Retriever "Ellie" back in the U.K, who she misses very much.
Lucy Elliot - Veterinary Nurse
Lucy has been working at Fitzroy for only a short while and already has become an integral part of our nursing team. Lucy lives locally and can be seen out walking with her 12 year old Labrador named "Polly". Lucy has a degree in Marine Biology from James Cook Universtiy in Townsville and has recently returned from travelling throughout South America and the Middle East. Lucy is looking foward to an exciting career as a veterinary nurse.
Melissa Jones - CVN Veterinary Nurse
Melissa moved over from Perth where she had been working as a veterinary nurse for 4 years in a mixed practice. She started at Fitzroy in November 2007. She has 2 dogs Elvis who is a staffy cross and Wally who is a Rhodesian Ridgeback, they have both settled in well along with Tilly the cat. Melissa is really enjoying the small animal side of the veterinary industry and meeting all the wonderful clients and pets she sees at Fitzroy.
Shannon Royce CVN - Veterinary Nurse
Shannon has come over from New Zealand where she had been nursing for one and a half years. She graduate from Massey University with a diploma in Veterinary Nursing. Back home she enjoyed working in a mixed animal practice where she mainly worked with horses and competing with her own horse Chief. Shannon has been at Fitzroy since October 2007.
Catherine Gaunt - Veterinary Nurse
Catherine moved to Melbourne in April 2007 after spending 3 years living and working in London as a secretary. She started working at Fitzroy as a receptionist and has recently started her Certificate 4 in veterinary nursing. Catherine is currently caring for a troublesome kitten named Squirt who is keeping her very busy.
Anna Wilson
Anna has recently moved to Melbourne from Warrnambool, where she worked as a receptionist in a busy mixed animal practice. She completed her Certificate II in Animal studies early in 2008, and looks forward to undertaking further nursing studies.
Anna has a miniature pinscher named Tango and they both look forward to making many new friends at the Fitzroy Veterinary Clinic!
Shae Whittaker CVN – Cattery Manager/Veterinary Nurse
Shae became a member of the Fitzroy team in February 2003 as a cattery attendant, looking after all of our feline boarders. Later that year Shae started as a Trainee Veterinary nurse. She has since completed Certificates II and III, and is currently studying Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. Shae has several furry companions, two dogs, Steve the Staffi and Tilly the Heeler X, three cats, Merlin, Jack and Shardy, a horse called Dante and a school of tropical fish. Shae has two main responsibilities at Fitzroy Veterinary Clinic, one is being the cattery manager for Cats In the City, and the other is looking after our tank of Tropical fish. Shae’s main areas of interest as a veterinary nurse include surgical and emergency nursing.
Melissa - Cattery Attendant
Melissa lives at the bottom of the Macedon Ranges with four cats (Kalee, Chelby, Bounce, and Burnout), two Border Collie's (Patch and Zoe), and two rats (Jay and Silent Bob). She has always had a passion for all creatures, although admits to having a soft spot for cats. "I am really ecstatic to be working at Cat's in the City. I can give all the kitties the love and attention they deserve while their families are away". Since completing her VCE last year, Melissa has been studying Certificate II in animal studies as part of her Veterinary Nursing Course. Melissa and her family breed Border Collie's (Zoe had a litter in December!) and she enjoys spending time with her dogs while helping out at the Gisborne and district obedience club.
Kathleen Lotito - Cattery Attendant
Kathleen has been working at Fitzroy as a cattery attendant since 2007. She has a love for all animals and is studying to become a veterinary nurse. Kathleen has a Labrador named Cody, a Maltese cross names Axl and two cats Jade and Ray.
