Name: Dr. Peter Taylor

Role: Clinic Owner and Senior Veterinary Surgeon

Experience: Peter graduated from Murdoch University in 1990 and opened Midwest Vet Clinic in November 1997 after moving to Geraldton from Bunbury. He has over 27 years experience as a Veterinary Surgeon. Growing up on the family farm in Armidale NSW, Peter always had a love of animals and an interest in holistic animal care.

Qualifications: Bachelor of Rural Science (BRurSc), Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (BVMS).

Current Pets: Two dogs Jimmy Jack and Rolly, and a grumpy cat named Cougar.

Name: Dr. Tara Craft, BVSc

Role: Head Veterinary Surgeon & Feline Doctor

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

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

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)

Current Pets: Middy the Kelpie x Koolie

Name: Dr. Helen Russell

Role: Veterinary Surgeon

Experience: Helen graduated from Murdoch University at the end of 2018 and joined the Midwest team in January 2019. She enjoys treating the pets of Midwest Vets, with a special passion within large animal medicine.

Qualifications: Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery (BVMS)

Current Pets: Hugo the Chocolate Lab X back in Perth

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)

Current Pets: Maisie the West Highland Terrier, Fantess & Wookie the Birman Cats 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)

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

Name: Emma Fletcher, RVN

Role: Head Veterinary Nurse

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

Current 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: Natalie Woods

Role: Veterinary Nurse & Client Care Representative

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

Current 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: Sam Bell

Role: Veterinary Nurse

Experience: Sam got her foot into the door by attending Midwest Vets as a Highschool Work Placement student in early 2017. Sam made such a good impression that she became an after-school kennel hand, and was then offered a veterinary nursing traineeship as soon as she finished highschool. Sam has since completed her studies and now enjoys the unexpected aspects of emergency and critical care nursing.

Qualifications: Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing

Current Pets: Koda the Koolie

Name: Hannah Read

Role: Veterinary Nurse

Experience:  Hannah started her career with animals in 2010 when she began working at the Big River Ranch in Kalbarri. Having a love for large animals in particular, Hannah studied a Certificate II in Animal Care during 2016 at Central Regional TAFE. She then moved to Geraldton after graduating from school in 2017 to further her studies as a veterinary nurse. During this course, Hannah completed a week of work-placement at Midwest Veterinary Centre. She absolutely loved the friendly atmosphere and when a position became available, she applied! Hannah loves all of the people and pets of Midwest Vets, but her passion is in equine nursing!

Qualifications: Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing

Current Pets: Sydney the Donkey, Digit the Thoroughbred horse, Ruby the Eclectus Parrot, Max the Red Healer x and Bundy the Bull Arab x puppy

Name: Melanie Duff

Role: Veterinary Nurse

Experience: Melanie joined the Midwest team in June 2018 but has been a qualified veterinary nurse since 2009. After an extended break from the industry and some time in Perth, she is excited to be back in Geraldton and working with animals again. She is passionate about all animals, particularly a love for large breed dogs.

Qualifications: Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing

Current Pets: Duchess the Great Dane x and Buster the Bull Arab x

Name: Roxanne Yates

Role: Veterinary Nurse (currently on maternity leave)

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.

Qualifications: Cert IV Veterinary Nursing.

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

Name: Ebony Verryt

Role: Business Manager

Experience: Ebony first worked at Midwest Veterinary Centre in 2009 as a Veterinary Nurse/Practice Manager. She then left in 2013 and ventured off to Cairns to work for AJ Hackett Bungy as their sales Representative for something a little different. After two years of her travels and hundreds of Bungy Jumps she decided to move back to beautiful Geraldton.

Ebony is currently studying to be a Intensive Care Paramedic and hopes to complete her qualification in the next 2 years, but for now Managing Midwest Vets.

Qualifications: Currently studying to be a paramedic.

Current Pets: A rescue chihuahua named Piper

Name: Casey Fiorenza

Role: Client Care Manager, Veterinary Nurse & Clinic Cat Advocate

Experience: With the majority of her childhood spent at the Geraldton Turf Club and her love of animals, it was inevitable that Casey would end up working in the industry. Though her true passion is with an animal a lot smaller than a race horse; she loves cats! Casey is the Cat Advocate for the clinic and is dedicated to constantly improve the welfare of cats in our care. Describing herself as an Extreme Cat Enthusiast, her free time is spent volunteering with Mid West Cat Shelter.

Qualifications: Cert IV Veterinary Nursing, ISFM Cat Friendly Professional, Certificate III Retail Supervision.

Current Pets: Rescue dog Jaina, Ponyo the Shorthaired Persian and Mid West Cat Shelter rescue kitties Alex, Mez, Cheeky Charlie and Valla.

Name: Lizzie Theobald

Role: Client Care Representative

Experience: Lizzie joined Midwest Vet Centre in February 2018. She has worked at vet clinics in Melbourne and London, enjoying working in both equine and cat & dog clinics, but happy to finally settle in and call Geraldton home.

She can be seen surfing at back beach, working on a cross-stitch on the weekend or cuddled up reading with her bested bud, Chev.

Qualifications: BSc Science, Certificate II in Racing (Stablehand), Certificate III Equine Nursing

Current Pets: Chev the old boy Border Collie

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. 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

Current Pets: Staff at Midwest Veterinary Centre