We consider ourselves extremely fortunate to have a group of people at Pittwater Animal Hospital who not only enjoy their work but also get on with each other wonderfully well. You and your pet should sense the positive vibes as soon as you walk though the door.

The practice employs five veterinary surgeons. Our two men, Dr Bryn Lynar and Dr Eamon Grattan-Smith, both work full time. Their shared interest in orthopedic surgery and their qualifications as AQIS veterinarians mean we are particularly well prepared for pets with needs related to these more complex areas.

Our three lady vets, Dr Jillian King, Dr Heidi Furber and Dr Evelyn Woods, work part time, combining professional careers with family commitments. Jill's interest in dentistry and rabbit medicine, Heidi's background in cardiology and internal medicine and Evelyn's post-graduate training in surgery mean that we can offer your pet benefits from extra expertise in these areas.

Dr Bryn Lynar - Bryn is our princial veterinarian and holds degrees in both Agricultural and Veterinary Science from Sydney University. Although he's had pets for most of his life, what really drew Bryn to veterinary science were the technical challenges of surgery and diagnostic medicine. Which goes a long way to explaining why PAH is among the first Australian practices to embrace new ideas, techniques and equipment that can improve life for our patients. Areas of personal interest for Bryn include birds, reptiles, wildlife and, of necessity, the paralysis tick. Bryn is married with three sons: Tom, Pete and Henry, plus two Jack Russell terriers, Bella and her daughter, Millie. In his spare minute or two, he's into canyoning, remote bush walking, swimming, sailing, surfing, golf and reading.

Dr Eamon Grattan-Smith - Medicine is in Eamon's blood - his dad and four brothers are all doctors (of the people rather than pet variety). A member of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists with a particular interest in small animal medicine, Eamon has been practicing for some 13 years. A touch of wanderlust led to his working in both the UK (Cambridge) and the US (Georgia). While hitch-hiking through Africa, Eamon also had the chance to accompany a group tagging rhinoceros. And in Indonesia he and his wife did some volunteer work at the Bali Street dog foundation. While studying at Sydney Uni, he would occasionally adopt a stray from the pound there. Their names - Basil, Sybyl, Polly and Manuel - might give a clue to some favoured TV viewing. Sybyl, by the way, is still with him and has the interesting habit of recycling her food. Eamon's outside pursuits include ball sports that don't necessarily require too much fitness, i.e., baseball, cricket and golf.

Dr Jillian King - Jill has always enjoyed the company of animals - she's had six dogs and seven cats - and found herself just naturally drawn to veterinary work. After graduating from Sydney University, Jill began her career in mixed animal practices up the North Coast at Wauchope before journeying to England for three years of locuming (or subbing) for resident surgeons. Some 10 years ago she found a practice that suited her perfectly. PAH. Jill especially likes the problem-solving aspect of the job and all the attendant challenges. She's developed an interest in soft-tissue surgery and small, furry animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs. And she's become a strong advocate of Puppy Pre-school as a means of not only training young dogs but young children as well. During her stay with us, Jill has taken time off to have three kids: son James, 8, daughter Amelia, 6, and son Jonathan, 1. Away from PAH, Jill loves spending time at the beach with her offspring. She's an enthusiastic, if less-than-accomplished surfer (when she can get her son off his board). She's been a rugby coach for the under-7s for two years. Fortuitously, Jill also happens to be married to a great cook, Peter, which has led to another outside interest: good food and fine wine.
TOP

Dr Heidi Furber - Heidi was born in the North of England and spent time living with her aunty, surrounded by creatures great and small. At the age of 12 she got the first pet she could call her own, a West Highland terrier cross called Willow. Later, when at Cambridge University studying Veterinary Medicine, Heidi shared her room with Snuggles, a rabbit in the habit of eating her stereo wires. After earning her Veterinary Degree, she spent three years working in England, taking time out for an overland trip through the heart of Africa where the most impressive creature she encountered was an Aussie bloke named Richard. After moving to Sydney with her new husband some seven years ago, Heidi has continued to to practice, developing a strong interest in cardiology and internal medicine while completing a counselling course. Aside from two Domestic Shorthair cats (Mops and Bam) and a terrier cross (Millie), Heidi dotes on three-year-old daughter, Zoe, and brand new son, Max.

Dr Evelyn Woods - Evelyn was born in Scotland and at the age of seven emigrated to Western Australia with her family. Her mother had her lined up to do Fine Arts at university but she completed her degree at Murdoch University School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences instead. Following graduation she headed overseas to travel and work in England. Evelyn met her husband, Rupert also a vet in the same year at university. After moving from Perth, to Hobart, to Africa, to England, to Sydney, they eventually found themselves in Dubbo, where they finally had enough time and space to have pets of their own. All of their pets have been abandoned animals that have turned up at their place or were likely to be sent to pet heaven. From Dubbo Evelyn and Rupert moved back to Hobart then to Sydney once again. Today, they have two cats, Memphis and Larrs, and two dogs, Black Dog and D.C. (D.C. was born deaf but former stray Black Dog acts as the ears for both of them). They also have two young children, Kaelen and Jade. At work Evelyn particularly enjoys surgery and ophthalmology. At home she likes being outdoors, exploring new spots, hiking and camping, painting and sketching. Evelyn has also completed a year-long post-graduate course in surgery.
TOP

And now, Your Nurses:

Caroline Mashman - Twenty rabbits. Two cats. Four mice. Two budgies. Ten fish. Three snails. Two dogs. When Caroline says she's always loved animals, she isn't kidding. Right now she looks after a pair of kittens, Munchie and Snoopy, who supplement their diets by eating the flowers Caroline's husband, Stuart, brings her. Snoopy, probably because of his name, also thinks he's a dog. He retrieves toys so that Caroline can throw them again. And again. Along with certificates in Animal Studies and First Aid, Caroline has a BA in Psychology. Plus five years experience working in pet shops, as an animal walker/carer and, most recently, with us, first as a veterinary nurse and now in a managerial/administrative role. Away from the clinic, this Northern Beaches native likes bushwalking, the beach, movies and books.

Soula Hatzis - Ever since she was a little girl, Soula has been an animal lover. Over the years her menagerie has included many dogs, cats, assorted fish and a bird aviary. At the moment Soula has three dogs (Nelson, Roy and Dexter) and one cat (Napolean). Needless to say, her career choice didn't exactly stun friends and relatives. Soula has a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing and has been working at Pittwater Animal Hospital since 2001. For the past year or so she has combined her personal experience with her what she's learned with us to teach our Puppy Preschool. Soula also acts as our in-house photographer. Some terrific examples of her work can be found on the Pet Gallery and Puppy School Graduates pages. Although she is getting married next year, Soula assures us she won't be leaving PAH for some time to come.
TOP

Louise Colombari - After teaching high school music classes for 10 years, Louise decided she needed a change. The problem was, she had a B.Mus.Ed. and nothing else in the way of formal qualifications. But she loved dogs. She got her first one when she was around four and has owned five since then. So, to go along with her music degree, Louise now has certificates in Veterinary Nursing, Animal Attending, Canine Behavioural Training, plus Delta accreditation as a Canine Behavioural Trainer. She also accumulated seven years of veterinary experience along the way. After work Louise goes home to Tara and Murphy, a pair of Staffordshire bull terriers; Lucy, a cockatiel; Flipper, a budgie; a three-foot tank of tetras; Mushu, a Siamese fighting fish; and Neil, her husband. To relax Louise reads crime novels, watches movies and plays an assortment of musical instruments. Besides jamming with members of her family, she also plays bass guitar in a band and the organ at church.

Genevieve Uren - Gen was born and brought up on the Northern Beaches, where she began developing her love of animals at an early age; she was only one when the family got a poodle named Sally. Then came rabbits, guinea pigs, mice, peach-faces and numerous cockatiels. Currently, Gen has a border collie-cross named Brodie and two cockatiels named Tubby and Spike. Spike has a problem though: he's obsessed with Brodie. Whenever he's out of his cage, he'll follow the dog all over the house. If he can't find her, he'll squawk at the top of his lungs until Brodie is located. Brodie's forbearance lasted a couple of years, but she has now outgrown the attention. Meanwhile, Gen graduated from Narrabeen Sports High, earned a certificate in Animal Studies and is now studying for her Veterinary nursing certificate. Away from PAH she loves relaxing on the couch, watching TV with her boyfriend. Going out with mates. Camping. Going on holidays. And sleeping.

Alexis Seaton-Sykes - Currently studying for a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of New South Wales, Alexis works with us weekends acting as receptionist, assisting our vets and looking after hospitalised animals. She was born in New Zealand and has always had a variety of animals around her. At the moment she owns two bantams, Miss Tiggywinkle and Beatrix. Two Siamese fighting fish, Fabio and Roberto. One cat, Keisha. And the newest member of her little family, a dog. A self-confessed "soccer nut," Alexis used to play for for both her high school and local club and now plays indoor soccer at uni. Other than that, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. And going to the movies.
TOP