Dr John Parncutt B.V.Sc. (Hons) MACVS (Pharmacology)John graduated from The University of Melbourne with a B.V.Sc. (Hons) in 1989. He had always thought he would be a farm animal vet, working in the country. He was the top of his class in equine medicine and surgery, and a career with horses beckoned. So naturally, he took a job in dairy practice in Western Victoria, seeing mostly cows, some greyhounds, the occasional horse and some pet dogs and cats. After a year or this he found himself back in Melbourne, where he took a job in Glen Iris, in a small animal practice. He found that he loved the work. Small animal medicine is varied, challenging, interesting and rewarding in ways that the large animal work wasn’t. He still misses the dairy cows, and wishes that one day someone would bring him a horse as a patient, but really enjoys his work with dogs, cats, rabbits, rats, mice, ferrets and various birds.John worked at Lort Smith Animal Hospital over a couple of years, as well as at the RSPCA in Burwood, and spent a year as shelter manager and veterinarian at Peninsula Animal Aid in Pearcedale, Victoria, before deciding to open his own clinic, curiously called “John the Vet”, in 1994.As well as practice, John has sat on an Animal Ethics Committee at Monash Medical Centre, and is a cub-scout leader at 9th Caulfield in Murrumbeena. In 2008 John was awarded Membership of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists, in the Pharmacology chapter.In the last few years he has rediscovered his bicycle, and found that he quite likes it. He goes out on it most days, and sometimes even enters the occasional race. This has ranged from the 6 day long Tour de Timor in 2011 to local criterium and road racing.Like many 'weekend warriors' out there on Beach Road he is now just quietly waiting for the talent scouts to spot him, and for his European Pro career to take off. Cadel Evans is apparently unconcerned.He has a wife, Liz, and three children, as well as Woody the burmese cat, Spike Mullet, the standard poodle, and Cecil the sulphur crested cockatoo who has been joined recently by Monty the ageing galah.
Dr. Julia Dalton B.V.Sc.
Originally from Melbourne, Julia graduated with a degreed in veterinary science from teh University of Queensland in 2001. Julia's first job after graduation was in Central Queensland where she worked with large animals, mostly cattle and horses, as well as companion animals. After a couple of years she moved to England where she worked at practices in East Sussex, Essex and London for 6 years, focussing on companion animals, developing her skills in both medicine and surgery. Julia returned to settle in Melbourne in 2010, and joined us here at JTV soon after.
Like John, Julia is committed to providing a very high standard of care to her patients. Julia is passionate about veterinary medicine and has an innate love for animals.
Dr. Heidi Bao, BVSc (Hons)
Heidi has wanted to be a vet since high school, after witnessing the difficult birth and miraculous resuscitation of a kitten at her local clinic. She went on to adopt the kitten (now named Sephiroth) and, quite a few years of hard work later, the veterinary profession as well. Heidi joined the team at JTV in 2012, and loves hearing all the stories pet owners have about their wonderful (though often mischievous!) animal companions.
Aside from her position at JTV, Heidi works as a research assistant at the University of Melbourne, and has an avid passion for digital art. Her greatest ambition is to one day combine her veterinary and artistic endeavours, though she’s not yet sure how!
Kim Collins Qualified Veterinary Nurse
Kim commenced her career in Veterinary Nursing at John the Vet. Having come to work with us with no nursing experience, she immediately commenced Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing at Box Hill TAFE and has proven to be an excellent student. Prior to joining our team, Kim was a part owner of a pet shop.
Kim says she is a bit of an animal nut! She has 4 dogs - Bella the Boxer, Max and Benji the Maltese dogs and Sophie the Beaglier. Kim also has Smittens the kitten, a rescue kitten, Lorry the lorikeet, 2 white cockatiels and 2 clown fish. Kim is also the proud owner of a horse named Blaze, and spends as much of her spare time as possible riding and competing with him in barrel races and cutting events. The newest and cutest addition to the brood is Waffles the goat. Waffles has spent a bit of time hanging out at the clinic lately, and she is loads of fun. Kim would like to pursue a career in equine nursing in the future, but would first like to work as a vet nurse in Wales, UK where she was born.
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Sharon Ware Qualified Veterinary Nurse
Originally from Wales, Sharon joined us at John the Vet in September 2012 after 20 years working part time for the PDSA, a well-known animal charity in the UK. It was at the PDSA that she qualified as a Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons-registered Veterinary Nurse. She also worked part time in a thriving, private mixed-animal practise. She loves animals and forced her poor partner to spend thousands bringing her two rescue cats, Ralph and Ted, down under. Outside of work, her hobbies include trying every cake shop in Melbourne and visiting Healesville animal sanctuary whenever possible. Her catchphrase is "I am a Taff not a Pom".
Cindy Collins Reception, and trainee Veterinary Nurse.
Originally from France, I spent eight years in the UK before moving to Melbourne seven years ago with my husband. I worked in Administration for ten years but my love for animals made me decide to change career. I volunteered for the Bali Adoption and Rehabilitation centre for a month in 2011, which was a very good experience although at times very sad. I then became the receptionist at John the Vet which I am loving as I can interact with all sorts of animals on a daily basis. I am currently studying the Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. I own two gorgeous Bernese Mountain dogs Murphy and Meggy who are my “children”. We’ve had Murphy since he was eight weeks old and adopted Meggy eighteen months ago when she was rescued from a puppy farm. I would probably have a lot more animals at home if my husband would let me!
Emma Klappish Trainee Veterinary Nurse
Emma has always wanted to work with animals since she was a child. She grown up with cats her whole life and has always loved going horse riding. She began work experience at John the Vet in 2010 and then began working in January 2011. She is now studying at the University of Melbourne doing a bachelor of agriculture and majoring in production animal health. On completion of this course she will hopefully go on to study veterinary science and maybe even become a vet one day! she would like to aim for an equine vet, or rural animals in general or work in a zoo.
Claire Ambler Trainee Veterinary Nurse
Claire started working at John the Vet in 2010, working just a few hours a week while she was still at high school. Her love of animals led her to complete Certificate 3 in Animal Studies at the RSPCA soon after starting with us. She also soon realised that she wanted to be a Veterinary Nurse, and started her Certificate 4 in Veterinary Nursing at Box Hill TAFE as soon as she completed school. Claire currently has a 13 year old Kelpie called Kramer, a bunny rabbit named Harley, and two ducks called Charles Darwin and Ferdinand. She enjoys caring for them every moment she can. Claire hopes one day to travel to South Africa and do volunteer work in a lion rehabilitation program.