About Us

Veterinarians

Russell Liddell BVSc I graduated from Massey University in 1988. I have focused on small animal practice since then with extensive experience in normal day practice and also emergency medicine based both here in New Zealand and in the UK. I have very high standards which are reflected throughout our practice. I am passionate about what I do and also how I do it. I am also lucky enough to be able to say that I have a "job" that I do actually enjoy more and more the longer I do it. I can think of no career that is more diverse and able to provide constant day to day challenge than veterinary medicine. I am constantly thankful for my wonderful clients and also that I ended up doing what I do. Apart from work I enjoy immensely my family - Raewyn my wife and our busy children - Finn, Jack, Jorja and Lucy. Do we have any animals? Ruby and Olive two Jack Russell Terriers, Maisey a Persian cross, Buzz and Woody two part Cornish Rex cats and Baby a domestic medium hair; plus two guinea pigs and, as lots of families with young children, a constantly varying number of mice. We also have an outdoor aviary with some canaries and budgies. I also try to fit into my life my push bike, motor bike, using my camera, going to the gym and last but not least getting some sleep!
Marieke Wijnen BVSc Marieke graduated in 2002 from Utrecht University in The Netherlands and started working in Arnhem as a small animal veterinarian. She has done a lot of travelling and used to do voluntary work with seal pups in several different countries. The ultimate travel was to move to the other side of the world and she has been a resident in New Zealand for almost six years now. She is a vibrant and compassionate individual with a strong drive to really do what is best for your companion. She is currently strongly focused on personal fitness - running, bike riding and swimming. She has recently completed an eleven kilometre ocean swim and is in training now for the half ironman later in the year.
Megan Alderson BVSc Megan graduated from Massey University in 1992. Since then she has worked as a mixed animal practitioner in the South Island, United Kingdom and Canada. In 1998 after a Practioner in residency at Massey University Megan moved to Christchurch to pursue a career in small animal practice. In 2004, with (furchild) - black Labrador Sydney in tow she moved to Auckland to enjoy the challenges of urban practice. "My ambition is to provide both top level veterinary care and customer services to both my patients and their owners, treating your animals as I would my own." Besides being a fanatical dog walker Megan has a busy family home life and still manages to get back down South to the mountains at least a couple of times a year.

Veterinary Nurses

Bernadene Pickett VN Bernadene began veterinary nursing in 1987 and graduated in 1989 with the NZVA ANTECH Veterinary Nursing Certificate; she started with us in October 2003 after 15½ years in another local clinic. Her main interests are her cats, reading, tramping, travel and is currently completing a proofreading course by correspondence.
Rachel Stone VN Rachel has a Vet Nursing Certificate from Unitec where she graduated from in 1997. She started her career nursing in a clinic for four years before leaving to experience other areas of the animal industry. These included kennel work, sales, and voluntary dog training for epilepsy assist dogs. Finally returning to vet nursing, Rachel joined us in April 2007. She enjoys spending her time with friends and family, and of course her "fur babies". These include Austin & Nemo both domestic short hairs, Dudley the Flemish Giant rabbit and her number one, Starla a senior citizen and slightly senile crossbreed!
Kate Gordon Kate is currently completing the Otago Polytechnic Certificate in Veterinary Nursing - we are proud to have Kate with us and to be able to help her in completing her education. She has been with us since March 2005. Kate is recently married and is enjoying settling into the routine of married life, with her two boys Charlie the three legged domestic long hair and Chesteroonie a domestic short hair. She enjoys cooking, reading and making baby clothes for Raewyn and Angela's new babies.
Janice Brooke We welcome Janice as the newest member of our full time staff. We have known Janice for over ten years initially as a client, then as a part time cattery girl, then in a full time role in our pet store. Janice is passionate about animals and is currently studying the Otago polytechnic certificate in veterinary nursing. We look forward to helping her to develop her role within the practice and also with her studies.
Angela Fletcher VN Angela has a national certificate in veterinary nursing and qualified from AUT in 2000; she joined us in June 2002. Angela has an 8 year old male boxer dog called Hazard. She runs some of our puppy training and socialisation classes here at the clinic and has a keen interest in animal behaviour and training as well as anaesthetics and surgery. Angela has left us to start her family with a new baby any time now. We wish Angela well with the new arrival.

Cattery Staff

Cattery Staff are Carrie, Praneeta, Meg, Aimee and Briar. They all work in the evenings and weekends helping us to run our cattery.

They are all young and enthusiastic and passionate about taking good care of your cat while boarding with us.