Continuing Veterinary Education Events

CONFERENCE SPEAKERS

Dr Rebecca Nilsen BSc BVMS (Hons) MANZCVS (Small Animal Dentistry and Oral Surgery) President Australian Veterinary Dental Society

Dr Rebecca Nilsen owns and operates The Smiling Pet Veterinary Dental Services and WAVES Dentistry. She graduated from Murdoch University in 2012 and worked in both general practice and emergency medicine. During this time, Bec recognised a significant need for improvement in veterinary dental care and went on to complete her Memberships in Small Animal Dentistry and Oral Surgery with the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in 2018.

Since then, Bec has worked exclusively in veterinary dentistry as a referral veterinarian, providing services to more than 180 clinics across Perth and regional Western Australia. Bec has a particular passion for endodontic procedures and challenging jaw fractures, and practices with the strong belief that every animal deserves a pain-free mouth.

When not at work, you’ll find Bec busy with renovations, or relaxing at the beach with her lovable rescue dog, Libby and supportive husband.

Dr Kellie Lorschy BVSc(HonsI) BSc(Vet) Cert IV TAE PGDipMktMgt 

Dr Kellie Lorschy, a University of Sydney graduate (1995), has extensive experience across veterinary practice, education, and industry. She has worked in small and mixed animal practices in Australia and Saskatchewan in Canada, spent around 10 years teaching veterinary nurses at TAFE NSW. Her industry background includes roles in technical services, and sales and marketing within veterinary pharmaceuticals and pathology. Since joining IDEXX in 2017, she has served as a Senior Professional Services Veterinarian, focusing on education and leading the Australian team of veterinary educators.

Dr Kimberly Lim BSc BVMS MANZCVS (Radiology)

Kim graduated from Murdoch University in 2018 and went on to complete a rotating internship in Internal Medicine, Oncology and Emergency and Critical Care followed by a Diagnostic Imaging internship. In 2021, she commenced her Diagnostic Imaging residency training at Perth Veterinary Specialists before joining the WAVES team in 2023 to complete her residency.

Kim enjoys all aspects of diagnostic imaging and collaborating with clinicians in the multidisciplinary team at WAVES and the referring veterinarians of Perth. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their very cute tabby cat (Theia) and Border Collie (Professor X).

Dr James Ramsden BVSc (Hons)

Dr James Ramsden is an expert in growing veterinary clinics by helping pet owners better understand and act on the care their animals need. A veterinarian by background, he co-founded Petpack to deliver on this vision and is widely recognised for advancing veterinary communications as a driver of both business growth and improved animal health outcomes.

He has worked with leading organisations across the global pet care industry, helping shape how clinics communicate with and engage their clients. Today, hundreds of clinics across Australia and New Zealand rely on Petpack to strengthen client relationships, increase demand for care, and build more sustainable, successful businesses, with many seeing improvements in animal healthcare outcomes of up to 50% through Petpack’s communication strategies.

Dr Eben Martin BVSc FANZCVS 

Before becoming a surgical specialist in 2023, Dr Eben Martin spent nearly 10 years in general and emergency practice. He’s never forgotten the substantial challenges he faced in both general and emergency practice. Since specialising, he takes a keen interest in aiding general practitioners in tackling some of the more tricky and stressful surgical dilemmas that present themselves. He takes great pride in his chosen profession and feels incredibly lucky and privileged to be able to work alongside the Primary Care Veterinarians of Perth to provide gold standard care to all of our patients.

Dr Alana Ryan BSC DVM

Dr Alana Ryan graduated from the University of Adelaide in 2021 and began her career in a busy rural practice in New South Wales, working as a general practitioner for two years. During this time, she developed a strong interest in complex medical cases, which led her to pursue further training. She subsequently moved to Sydney’s Northern Beaches, completing both a rotating internship and an internal medicine internship. Dr Alana is now based in Perth, where she is currently undertaking a residency in internal medicine.

Dr Cameron Murray BSc BVMS

Dr Cameron Murray graduated from Murdoch University in 1994 before working in mixed practice in Esperance followed by a four year stint in the UK in general practice. On return to Perth he moved to fully small animal practice becoming a partner in 4 clinics in Perth over the next two decades.

Throughout his time in the profession he has maintained a keen interest in conservation matters. In particular, he has served voluntarily as a committee member with the Perth based rhino conservation charity SAVE African Rhino Foundation since 2013 and became a Director of the conservation NGO Nature Needs More in 2023. Through these roles he has developed an understanding of the dynamics of wildlife trade, both legal and illegal.

Cameron’s talk will look at the global exotic pet trade, Australia’s contribution to this, the risks it poses and how the veterinary profession may play a role in addressing these issues.

Dr Hadisa Goodman BSc BVMS MANZCVS (Small Animal Surgery)

Dr Hadisa Goodman graduated from Murdoch University in 2015 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery. She subsequently worked for four years in a busy general practice in Perth, where she developed an interest in surgery.

She went on to complete a one-year surgical internship at WAVES, followed by a one-year surgical traineeship at Murdoch University. She is currently in the final months of her surgical residency at WAVES.

Hadisa has an interest in all aspects of surgery but particularly enjoys neurosurgery and trauma surgery. 

Dr Liv Oginska DVM MRCVS PGCert SAS Msc in Applied Positive Psychology

Liv Oginska is a veterinarian, keynote speaker, positive psychology coach, a certified workplace conflict mediator and an emotional intelligence specialist who “speaks Human”. Liv devoted her veterinary career to supporting both individuals and teams (especially leaders) in becoming more human-savvy. The humansavvy  work focuses on helping veterinary and medical professionals create psychologically safe organisations, as well as sustainable and thriving careers. Liv graduated as a veterinarian from the University of Poland in 2010, worked as a veterinarian in multiple countries in Europe, Australia and North America, and gained experience and credentials in positive psychology, emotional intelligence and conflict mediation in Cambridge, UK. Currently, she teaches emotional intelligence at Murdoch University Vet School in Perth, Australia, and is pursuing a PhD in the topic of emotional competencies among veterinary teams and leaders.

Dr Meng Siak BVMS MANZCVS (Canine Medicine) FANZCVS (Veterinary Dermatology)
Registered Specialist in Veterinary Dermatology

Meng graduated from Murdoch Veterinary School exactly 20 years ago! In 2014, he passed examinations to become a specialist veterinary dermatologist with the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (ANZCVS). In 2026, he successfully applied to become a diplomate of the Asian College of Veterinary Dermatology (AiCVD).

In 2018, Meng started Perth Animal Dermatology (PAD) operating out of WAVES Referral Hospital. With his team and support from colleagues, the clinic has grown to become a very busy clinic helping pets from WA with their skin and ear diseases.

Outside work, Meng is actively involved in the ANZCVS Derm chapter, serving as program convenor, treasurer and was the head subject examiner for the Derm fellowship exams in 2025.

Meng and his wife have two young children and he really has no time for anything else in his life except to watch his favourite sports team Spurs and Dockers.

Dr Jonathan Wood BVSc GP Cert (Ophthal) MRCVS MANZCVS (Small Animal Medicine)

Dr Jonathan Wood graduated from Sydney University in 2006 and travelled to the United Kingdom shortly after graduation. Jonathan worked as a small animal vet in the UK in a busy mixed practice on the Isle of Wight. Since referral practices were on the mainland, he set about learning as much about ophthalmology as he could. In 2011, he passed a post-graduate examination in Veterinary Ophthalmology.

In 2012, Jonathan returned to Australia, settled in Western Australia, and has been involved in ophthalmology since then.

Jonathan joined Perth Animal Eye Hospital in 2021, completing a residency in Veterinary Ophthalmology. In 2023, he was admitted as a member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists after passing the Small Animal Medicine examination. He has a keen interest in retinal diseases and the management of glaucoma.

Jonathan currently works at Perth Animal Eye Hospital as an Ophthalmology Registrar

Dr Ellie Drynan BVSc MANZCVS DACVAA

Dr Ellie Drynan graduated from the University of Sydney in 2002. Following graduation she worked in both mixed and small animal practice in Melbourne, London and then back here in Perth. In 2007 she commenced an anaesthesia residency at Murdoch University and in 2013 obtained her Diplomate of Anaesthesia and Analgesia. In 2017 she joined the WAVES family providing an anaesthesia service for all animals but particularly for the critically-ill patients.

Dr Tatiana Kurniawan BSc DVM

Dr Tatiana Kurniawan graduated from Murdoch University in 2023 and went on to complete both an anaesthesia internship and a rotating internship before being fortunate enough to start her anaesthesia residency training with the wonderful team at WAVES. She enjoys all aspects of anaesthesia and analgesia, and has a particular interest in making procedures as smooth, fear-free and pain-free as possible for her patients.

Jenni Andrews RVN

Jenni began her nursing career in regional mixed practice in south Western Australia in 2012. It was here she found a passion for emergency and critical care. She began working at West Australian Veterinary Emergency & Specialty in 2014 and has stayed there ever since. She achieved her Diploma in Emergency and Critical Care nursing in 2016, and her Certificate IV in Training and Assessment in 2023. She has been working as Head Nurse at WAVES Emergency since 2021. She has a passion for intensive care nursing, and for teaching.

Dr Ally Davis BSc BVMS GradDipEd MVetClinStud

Ally completed her Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery at Murdoch University in 2016. After graduating she spent three years as a General Practitioner in the South West Region of Western Australia. In 2020, Ally relocated to Melbourne to pursue further training in Small Animal Surgery, completing a one-year surgical internship in a referral centre in central Melbourne. In 2021, Ally returned to Perth to continue her surgical training, completing a one-year specialty training program and three-year residency in Small Animal Surgery at The Animal Hospital, Murdoch University. During this time she completed a Diploma in Higher Education and a Masters in Veterinary Clinical Studies, and is currently completing a Research Masters. Her areas of research have included canine soft tissue sarcomas, surgical management of anal sac disease, and the feline microbiome. Ally enjoys all aspects of surgery and working within a team to provide a high standard of care to pets and their owners.

Dr Paul Davey OAM BSc BVMS

Paul graduated from Murdoch University Vet School in 1992, and has spent over 30 years in small animal practice. He has been a partner in 6 small animal veterinary clinics, and is currently a Clinical Director at Grantham St Vet Clinic. He remains connected to Murdoch as a Banksia Association Member, and regular contributor to the teaching program. Paul has contributed to the AVA as President of the WA Division and prior to that was heavily involved in Graduate Support Programs and Mental Health Initiatives for which he received an Order of Australia Medal. In December 2021 he was elected to the Veterinary Practice Board, and in September 2025 was appointed as Chair. Paul is also one of the founding Directors of Veterinary and Community Care formed to create a training program for One Welfare Social Workers and support universal access to veterinary care.

Wendy Till BSW AMHSW

Wendy Till is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and Co-Founder of Veterinary and Community Care (VaCC), a socially driven organisation with a mission to provide community centred and accessible veterinary care.

She holds a postgraduate qualification in Veterinary Social Work from the University of Tennessee and works at the intersection of human wellbeing, animal welfare and veterinary practice.

Wendy is leading the development of One Welfare Social Work (OWSW); an emerging model that supports veterinary and animal related teams, strengthens interspecies family wellbeing, and addresses the social and structural barriers that influence animal health outcomes. This work focuses on models of contextualised care, workforce wellbeing, family violence responses involving animals, and collaborative service models that keep people and animals safely together.

Through training, service delivery and research, Wendy is collaborating with both human and animal sectors to co-create an evidence base for how social work can contribute to sustainable veterinary practice and more equitable access to care.

Dr Zoe Devine BSc BVMS MANZCVS (Veterinary Behaviour)

Does every second dog feel like a behaviour case? Is it just the owner’s fault? Dr Zoe outlines why we have seen an increase in anxiety disorders in our dogs and cats. We will deep dive into the contributing factors; how to handle these conversations and practical steps all GPs can take to help these pets and their people feel better.

Dr Zoe has always been passionate about the mental health of pets and their people. Dr Zoe holds her membership to the ANZCVS in Veterinary Behaviour, which she obtained in 2022, along with being a Fear Free Certified Professional.  Zoe enjoys the complexities and nuances of behavioural medicine and the human-animal bond, especially when cases include working closely with other industry professionals, to get the best result for the family. Zoe enjoys presenting to students, groomers, vets and vet nurses about behaviour topics. She is kept busy at home with her dog, cat and a very cheeky rabbit.

Leif Cocks OAM BAppSci GradDip (NatRes) MSc

The Orangutan Project was established in 1998 by founder and world-renowned orangutan expert, Leif Cocks, as a result of his almost 40 year career working with orangutans. Leif is a passionate campaigner for orangutans and has been the leader of The Orangutan Project since its inception.

Leif’s years in the field have earned him respect within the conservation field. He has been a key player in developing conservation plans for orangutans and influencing positive change for orangutan protection and survival. This includes the first ever successful reintroduction of the zoo-born orangutan. This respect has given The Orangutan Project world standing in conservation.

A small population biologist and curator by trade; Leif has several academic qualifications, including a Masters of Science studying orangutans. He is a seasoned public speaker and has published several papers on orangutans in peer-reviewed journals. Leif is also the author of the books Orangutans and their Battle for Survival (2002) and, Amazon best seller, Orangutans My Cousins, My Friends(2016) and Finding our Humanity (2019).

Amongst many roles, Leif is currently: a Technical Advisor for PT Alam Bukit Tigapuluh (a company leasing and protecting rainforest), Head of International Elephant Project, head of International Tiger Project, Vice President of Orang Utan Republik Foundation and on the Advisory Board for Forest, Nature and Environment of Aceh and Center for Orangutan Protection.

Dr Rebecca Vaughan-Higgins BSc BVMS CertAVP(zoo med) PhD DipECZM (Wildlife Population Health)

I am the Veterinary Services Manager at Perth Zoo and the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions (WA state environmental
agency) Wildlife Response co-ordinator for H5 avian influenza. I also hold a faculty position at Murdoch University in Wildlife and Conservation Medicine.  I have worked in the field of zoo, wildlife and conservation medicine for 23 years.

I entered the field in 2004 when I was successful in my application for the John Howell clinical residency in zoo and wildlife medicine at Perth Zoo in conjunction with a PhD at Murdoch University researching health and disease aspects of Australia’s most critically endangered mammal the Gilbert’s potoroo.  Over this time, I gained substantial experience in zoo and wildlife medicine which included clinical diagnostics, preventative health, quarantine import and export examinations, post-mortem investigations, remote and captive anaesthesia and medical, surgical and nutritional management of Perth Zoo animals and wildlife admissions.  In 2008 I relocated to Europe and worked at the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands in their exotics and zoological medicine division as a clinician. Returning to England I was employed as a Veterinary Officer for the Species Recovery Programme at the Zoological Society of London (ZSL – London Zoo). This position involved Disease Risk Analysis (DRA) and wild animal health surveillance for Natural England’s Species Recovery Programme. Pre and post release health surveillance for 13 species recovery programmes including avian, reptilian, mammalian and invertebrate species was undertaken, with a strong emphasis on quarantine and biosecurity to prevent the importation of exotic disease. At the same time, I completed my Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice in Zoological Medicine through the University of Edinburgh and was awarded and Diplomat status in the European College of Zoological Medicine – Wildlife Population Health specialty.

Presently I enjoy a real mix of emergency response preparedness, clinical management of Perth Zoo animals, wildlife research and teaching. and managing our wonderful team here at Perth Zoo.

Dr Megan Rawlings BSc DVM

Dr Megan Rawlings is an Australian veterinarian and Co-founder of the Rhino Connect Veterinary & Conservation Program, an international initiative linking clinicians, researchers, and conservationists across continents in the fight against rhino extinction.

In this presentation, she sets the global scene examining declining rhino populations and the urgent realities driving conservation intervention. She will discuss frontline conservation efforts, the growing role of the private sector, and the development of her veterinary program designed to immerse clinicians and students in authentic, high-impact conservation medicine.

Dr Rawlings will explore advanced reproductive research positioning IVF as a critical lifeline for the species, including ovum pick-up and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) as part of a long-term surrogate strategy. With projections suggesting wild rhinos could face functional extinction within the next decade, this session calls on the veterinary profession to recognise its scientific capacity and moral responsibility to alter that trajectory.

Dr Phil Tucak BSc BVMS

Dr Phil Tucak is a veterinarian, journalist, communications manager and science communication consultant. As the Wildlife Outreach Vet, Phil works to share the conversation about conservation. As a journalist he writes and develops content for various publications including SBS, dvm360 and Vet Practice Magazine, and provides communications management consultancy services for various veterinary businesses, science organisations and not-for-profit groups – including Vetnostics, Wildlife Health Australia, the Australian Companion Animal Health Foundation, and Animal Management in Rural and Remote Indigenous Communities.

Phil has previously worked as the Science Communication Manager for the Australian Chief Veterinary Officer and Australian Chief Plant Protection officer at the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry. He has also worked as Science Communication Advisor for Wildlife Health Australia, Communications Manager for the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, Communications and Interpretation Coordinator for Perth Zoo, as a journalist for SBS News, television producer and presenter, and radio producer for the ABC, and in clinical practice at Cottesloe Vet.

Phil is a member of the IUCN’s Conservation Planning Specialist Group, and is a course facilitator for the IUCN’s wildlife disease risk analysis global online training program, which he helped develop. In 2025 Phil was awarded the Wayne Lawler Nature Conservation Photography Grant 2025 for a project promoting numbat conservation. In 2020 he was awarded Veterinary Business Professional of the Year by the Australian Veterinary Association’s Veterinary Business Group. In 2011 Phil was awarded the Veterinary Practice Managers Association (VPMA) of WA, Veterinary Travel Scholarship to work as a wildlife vet in Malawi in Africa. In 2006, Phil was awarded the Murdoch University Veterinary Trust, BJ Lawrence Veterinarian in Residence Scholarship in support of his work as a wildlife vet in Antarctica.

https://www.philtucak.com/

Dr Heidi Lehmann BVMS MANZCVS (VAA & ECC) DACVAA

After completing veterinary school at Murdoch University, Heidi worked for a few years in small animal general practice south of Perth before she undertook a three-year specialty training programme in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia back at Murdoch, becoming a board-certified specialist of the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia. Moving to New Zealand to gain research experience in animal welfare, Heidi worked clinically in the Massey University Veterinary Teaching Hospital teaching and mentoring both undergraduate and post-graduate students. In 2021 Heidi returned to home shores working as a Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Anaesthesia at Charles Sturt University in NSW, followed with a private practice stint in Melbourne, and finally last year home to WA. Heidi maintains an interest in mentoring young vets in the area of anaesthesia and analgesia, and has a particular interest in anaesthesia for critically ill patients, both large and small.  

Isabelle Lockett RVN

I have been a veterinary nurse since 2016, and within the Australian zoo and wildlife industry since 2018, supporting the health, welfare, and rehabilitation of a diverse range of exotic and native species. My passion lies in delivering gold-standard care, advancing animal welfare, and contributing to conservation through high-quality clinical support. I am currently a senior nurse at Perth Zoo where in addition to providing for all our zoo residents, we also work behind the scenes to provide medical care to Western Australia’s iconic wild black cockatoo species. Perth Zoo is one of several organizations in the region that work collaboratively towards the recovery of black cockatoos, of which we are both passionate and proud.

Dr Ee Fung Teo (Teffy), BVSc(Hons) MANZCVS (SAM & ECC) DACVECC

Dr Ee Fung Teo is a board-certified veterinary criticalist at WAVES Veterinary Hospital in Perth, where she also completed her residency training.

Teffy has a special interest in sepsis, acute kidney injury, complex fluid therapy and shock resuscitation with a focus on practical, evidence-based care and genuinely enjoys working through the physiological puzzles that come with managing critically ill patients. She is passionate about making critical care practical and accessible for general practitioners, and loves helping GP colleagues feel more confident stabilising and managing high-risk cases.

Having trained and now practised in Perth, Teffy values strong collaboration between primary care and referral teams and is committed to supporting the local veterinary community — and she’s always happy for colleagues to call her “Teffy.”

Dr Linda Tong BVSc(Hons) MANZCVS MSAIM

Linda Tong is a small animal internal medicine veterinarian who has worked in referral practice since 2011. She completed her residency at Murdoch University and a Master’s focusing on platelet indices and canine heart disease. Her current interests include immune-mediated and fungal diseases, and she is the principal investigator of research identifying autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome, or ALPS, as a new inherited condition in dogs. Linda enjoys collaborating across disciplines, mentoring colleagues, and translating research into practical outcomes for clinical practice.

Dr Jannette Rose BSc DVM

Jannette graduated in 2021 and began her career in small animal general practice in private GP clinics, where she developed a strong foundation in all aspects of veterinary medicine. During this time, she discovered a growing passion for dentistry and oral surgery, recognising the significant impact that good oral health has on overall patient wellbeing.

In May 2024, Jannette joined WAVES Dentistry to pursue her interest in veterinary dentistry and oral surgery. She is currently preparing to sit her Membership examinations in Dentistry and Oral Surgery this June, further advancing her commitment to providing a high standard of dental care. She is particularly passionate about improving patient comfort and advocating for proactive dental treatment to ensure every animal enjoys a pain-free mouth.

At home, life is full and busy with two children, a supportive husband and a menagerie of much-loved pets. When she’s not in the clinic, you’ll likely find her at the gym or planning her next family cruise adventure.

Michelle Foxcroft RVN

Michelle Foxcroft is a veterinary nurse with more than 20 years of experience in practice across small animal, mixed, and specialist veterinary settings. Alongside her clinical work, she is a lecturer in the Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing and current WA Committee Member of the Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia, actively involved in advancing professional standards within the veterinary nursing profession.

In 2022, she became the first elected veterinary nurse member of the Veterinary Practice Board of Western Australia, where she has contributed to strengthening the professional recognition of veterinary nurses and technologists and supporting education standards aligned with regulatory and industry requirements.

Michelle is passionate about supporting the professional development of veterinary nurses and technologists at all stages of their careers. Her professional interests include clinical teaching, leadership, and the creation of meaningful learning and development opportunities that support engagement and professionalism across the veterinary industry.

Dr Lydia Pethick BSc BVMS MANZCVS Dip Pos Psych

Dr Lydia Pethick is a veterinarian with nearly 20 years of experience across clinical practice, the biomedical sector, and government. Since 2022, she has served on the Veterinary Practice Board of Western Australia, contributing to initiatives that support professional standards and veterinarian wellbeing.

Lydia works as a Senior Veterinary Policy Officer with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), focusing on animal biosecurity and developing the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) framework for veterinarians in Western Australia. She is passionate about helping veterinarians use CPD not just as a regulatory requirement, but to strengthen professional capability, wellbeing, and enhance career longevity.

She is a member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (MANZCVS) and has additional training in therapeutic horticulture, positive psychology, and wellbeing. Outside of work, she enjoys cultivating a food forest at home.