Name: Dr. Tara Craft, BVSc

Role: Head Veterinary Surgeon, Feline Doctor & Clinic Cat Advocate

Experience: Tara graduated from the University of Sydney in 2008 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science. After working in Dubbo, she moved to Geraldton in 2012 with her Husband. Tara has a special interest in cats and has done further studies since graduating to hone these skills. She also has a high interest in surgery, with experience and further training in orthopaedic surgeries, but her passion lies in soft tissue surgery. She loves Geraldton and loves raising her family in our wonderful community.

Qualifications: Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc), Australian Government Accredited Veterinarian

Pets: Kelpie called Jazz and two Tonkinese cats called Kwazii and Smudge

Name: Natalie Woods

Role: Veterinary Nurse & Accounts Manager

Experience: Animals have always been Natalie’s passion and have played a big part in her life, so it is no surprise that she ended up as a veterinary nurse. Natalie is always bringing home fosters in all shapes and sizes to help out our local rescue organisations and is dubbed the clinic’s “Professional Puppy Cuddler”

Qualifications: Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing

Pets: The local residents at Nat’s are Yogi the Bulldog puppy,  Miley the Maltese, The Sheep Clan, Chickens, Ducks, Geese and Luna the Turkey. They all help her out to make any foster family members feel at home before heading to their new forever homes.

Name: Dr. Isabelle Connor, BVMS

Role: Veterinary Surgeon

Experience: Izzy graduated from Murdoch University in 2017. She spent her early childhood in Kalgoorlie before moving to Perth in 2000. Her love for animals began young and she has an interest in both small and large animal care with intentions to do further training in animal behaviour. Moving to Geraldton has always been a dream of hers as she loves the friendly people and the laid-back, outdoor lifestyle.

Qualifications: Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (BVMS), Bachelor of Biomedical Science (BSc)

Pets: Middy the Kelpie x Koolie

Name: Dr. Kat Smith BVSc

Role: Equine Veterinarian

Experience: Dr. Kat has returned to Midwest Vets after a couple of years to raise her two children. Dr Kat’s special interest is in equine reproduction and stud medicine, but can attend to any of your equine needs. Dr Kat is excited to be back in the team!

Qualifications: Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc)

Pets: Maisie the West Highland Terrier, Wookie the Birman Cat and Blue the Standard Bred

Name: Dr. Suellen Taylor, BSc BVMS

Role: Veterinary Surgeon

Experience: Suellen graduated from Murdoch University in 1993 and has worked with the Midwest Vet team since 2011. Suellen also works at our local TAFE as the Coordinating Lecturer of Animal Care. She has experience in large and small animal care, and is an active member of the board for Mid West Cat Shelter.

Qualifications: Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (BVMS)

Pets: Digby the Koolie, Murphy the Koolie, Abi the Tabby Domestic Shorthair and Blax the Quarter Horse.

Name: Dr. Stacey Russell (BSc DVM)

Role: Veterinary Surgeon

Experience: Stacey graduated from Murdoch University in 2019. Stacey is a Geraldton local, being born here and growing up on her family farm before heading to Perth for university. She returned to Geraldton to work as she loves the friendly people and the variety that mixed practice brings. She loves promoting fear-free veterinary visits and making your pet feel at home. She has an interest in both small and large animal surgery, however, her favourite animals to treat are cows!

Qualifications: Bachelor of Science (BSc), Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)

Pets: Dusty the staffy

Name: Emma Fletcher, RVN

Role: Practice Manager

Experience: Emma began her veterinary nurse journey in 2010 when she enrolled with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in England. After 3 and a half years of study, she qualified in 2014 as a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN). After a year locumming in Western Australia in 2015 she fell in love with the warmer climate, the laid-back attitude and the Australian way of life. She had to head back home to the UK, with plans to return as soon as she could! She was soon lucky enough to be welcomed into the Midwest family in 2019. Growing up on her family’s sheep and dairy farm, she has always had a passion for animals and loves caring for the people and pets of Midwest Vets!

Qualifications: RCVS Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing

Pets: She doesn’t currently have any Australian furry friends at her home but it won’t be long before a Border Collie in need moves in.

Name: Hannah Greyson

Role: Head Veterinary Nurse

Experience: Growing up on Christmas Island, Hannah has always had an affinity for unique animals and cases. Wanting to become a vet in the future, Hannah is with us to gain the experience she needs, and cuddle some puppies along the way.

Qualifications:  Cert III Animal Studies and Cert IV Veterinary Nursing.

Pets: Callie the Kelpie

Name: Roxanne Yates

Role: Veterinary Nurse

Experience: Joined Midwest Vets in January 2014, after qualifying as a vet nurse in 2013 from our local TAFE. Roxanne grew up in Nelspruit – South Africa and moved to Australia in 2005. Roxanne has always been passionate about caring for animals and as a child wanted to work in a zoo. Roxanne has recently returned from maternity leave and is loving being back in the team.

Qualifications: Cert IV Veterinary Nursing.

Pets: Paris the Chihuahua Cross and Ash the Siamese cat.

Name: Jess

Role: Veterinary Nurse

Experience: Starting her nursing in 2018, Jess lived her life on the road as a locum nurse seeking experience and exposure to the weird and wonderful things WA has to offer. Jess aspires to become a veterinarian in the future but is enjoying her time as a veterinary nurse. She loves all things exotic and within the pocket pet class, as well as farm/livestock nursing. In her free time she enjoys weight lifting, taking part in continued veterinary education, and spending time on the highway looking for off road adventures!

Qualifications:  Cert IV Vet Nursing

Name: Susan Hogbin

Role: Veterinary Nurse

Experience: I have always wanted to work with animals since a very young age. My study was completed at Geraldton TAFE to qualify as a Vet Nurse in 2009. I started at Midwest Vet in April 2021 and am enjoying all aspects of the work. At home I have two dogs, a pug named Cocco and an Australian Bulldog named Ned. I also have a couple of horses and enjoy working with them and riding when time permits.

Qualifications: Certificate IV Veterinary Nursing

Pets: Cocco the Pug & Ned the Aussie Bulldog

Name: Greg Townend

Role: Kennel Hand

Experience: Greg grew up in North Wales, having a passion for helping animals from a young age. When he arrived in Australia Greg was working heavily involved with the entertainment industry but couldn’t let go of the passion for animals, having seen a position for kennel hand he knew this was his chance for change and went for it. With a keen interest in elderly animal care and physiotherapies, Greg is looking to gain the experience and knowledge to complete his studies.

Qualifications: Coming Soon

Pets: Gwynne the shepherd, Luca the terrier, Sweetie, Lana and Rocky the cats, Cedric and Hoppy the canaries and Gil the goldfish

Name: Dora the Clinic Cat

Role: Chief Mischief Maker (and Dermcare’s WA Clinic Cat of the Year 2016 and 2019!)

Experience: Joined Midwest Vets in March 2013 after being brought in as a stray. The staff fell in love with her and managed to persuade Dr Peter to adopt Dora as the practice cat. Dora is at the practice every day, knows the daily routine well and is particularly enthusiastic about ward rounds feeding time! She likes to help herself to the teams’ lunches without asking. She’s very cheeky, but we love her all the same! Dora also took out the WA title for Dermcare’s Clinic Cat of the Year 2016 and 2019. We’re very proud. For your daily dose of Dora, check out her own Facebook page Dora the Clinic Cat

Qualifications: Catificate IV Veterinary Practice Management

Pets: Staff at Midwest Veterinary Centre