Our healthcare team can assist you with education, advice and care to ensure your pet has the happiest and healthiest life possible. We stay informed on current therapies and procedures by regularly attending relevant seminars and education programs.
MEET OUR VETS
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 20 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 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:
Dr Tara Craft, BVSc
Role:
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 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 2 cats – a Tonkinese called Kwazii and a Domestic Long Hair called Willow
Name:
Dr Anika Kalka, BVMS
Role:
Veterinary Surgeon
Experience:
Anika is a 2016 graduating veterinary surgeon and joined the Midwest Vet Centre team in early 2017. She grew up on a hobby farm in Tasmania and is enjoying getting some more sun in Geraldton. She loves all animals but has a particular soft spot for sheep.
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery (BVMS)
Current Pets:
Lyra the “Warburton Special” puppy and always at least one foster kitty for Mid West Cat Shelter.
Name:
Dr Isabelle Connor, BVMS
Role:
Veterinary Surgeon
Experience:
Isabelle (or Izzy as she prefers) 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, plus Sarah the old cat left in Perth
MEET OUR NURSES
Name:
Lauren Renwick
Role:
Head Veterinary Nurse
Experience:
Lauren graduated from Polytechnic West in 2010 with a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. She joined our team in October 2016 after moving back to Geraldton with her family in 2013. She loves spending her weekends perfecting her gardens and lawn, and kicking the footy around with her three kids and husband. Lauren loves the pressure of emergency nursing.
Qualifications:
Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing, Cert IV in Frontline Management
Current Pets:
Simba the Ragdoll. Angus and Tyson the American Staffies.
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.
Qualifications:
Cert IV Veterinary Nursing.
Current Pets:
Paris the Chihuahua Cross and Ash the Siamese cat.
Name:
Iliria Dauti (Min)
Role:
Veterinary Nurse (currently on Maternity Leave)
Experience:
Min joined Midwest Vet in December 2013 after working as a jockey and horse trainer in Geraldton. Min completed her veterinary nursing studies in 2013. Min’s passion is in equine nursing, however she has a particular soft spot for her feline friends.
Qualifications:
Cert IV Veterinary Nursing.
Current Pets:
Min has two dogs named Bailey and Devo, two cats named Squishy Cat and Greylin and a horse named Murray.
Name:
Loni Gillespie
Role:
Veterinary Nurse
Experience:
Loni has been a part of the Midwest Vet team since 2012 and is a qualified vet nurse. You’ll normally catch Loni at the out on farm visits or at the Geraldton Turf club attending to her favourite animal; horses!
Qualifications:
Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing
Current Pets:
Bindi the Shihtzu x Jack Russel Terrier and Lilly the Domestic Short Hair.
Name:
Jessie Scolari
Role:
Veterinary Nurse
Experience:
Jessie grew up on her family farm in Kojonup, which is where her passion for animals began.
She moved to Dongara in March 2015 after working in various Small Animal practices in Perth for 10 years. She also had the amazing opportunity to work in the Vet Department at Perth Zoo, where she gained experience caring for a broad range of wildlife and captive wild animals!
In her spare time, you’ll find Jessie in the outdoors and spending time with her loved ones, including her rescued fur-babies, Lola and Bindi.
Qualifications:
Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing
Current Pets:
Lola the Ridgeback Rescue Dog and Bindi the Tonkinese Rescue Cat
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
Name:
Sam Bell
Role:
Student Veterinary Nurse
Experience:
Sam originally started as a school based workplace student and was super stoked when she was given the opportunity to start as a casual kennel hand in late 2017. After proving herself as a very valuable team member, we were pleased to be able to offer her a traineeship for veterinary nursing early in 2018!
Qualifications:
Studying Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing
Current Pets:
Koda the Koolie
MEET OUR CLIENT CARE TEAM
Name:
Ebony Masotto
Role:
Practice Manager (currently on Maternity Leave)
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:
Two rescue chihuahuas named Indie and Piper
Name:
Casey Fiorenza
Role:
Practice Manager & 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. Certificate III Retail Supervision.
Current Pets:
Jaina a rescue dog from the clinic, Ponyo the Shorthaired Persian and rescue kitties Alex, Ares and Cheeky Charlie.
Name:
Natalie Woods
Role:
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 has finally taken the plunge into the industry. This year Natalie has been completing her certificate in veterinary nursing through Central Regional Tafe. Natalie is always bringing home fosters in all shapes and sizes to help out our local rescue organisations and is looking forward to meeting all of your furry family members.
Qualifications:
Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing
Current Pets:
The local residents at Nat’s are Tess the blue heeler, Miley the maltese, Weasel the ferret, 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:
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
Role:
Chief Mischief Maker (and Dermcare’s WA Clinic Cat of the Year 2016!)
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
