Meet the team
VETS
Dr. Joanne Lonergan BVSc
Dr. Jo is originally from New Zealand and graduated from Massey University in Palmerston North. She moved to Tasmania in 2010 and worked in the Greater Hobart region for three years but quickly realised she loved the valley and so decided to move down here and open her own practice. Her goal was to ensure high quality veterinary care was available and provided in a friendly, compassionate atmosphere.
Southern Tasmanian Veterinary Hospital began operating just over four years ago in a small flat next to Jo’s house in Glen Huon, with her as the sole vet and a couple of support staff – two of which are still with her today. From there it has moved to its current premise in Sale Street and employs three other vets and seven support staff (receptionists, nurses and practice manager). Jo has a particular interest in animal welfare, medicine and surgery; with preventative medicine also an interest. She currently spends her ‘relaxing’ time with her 2 year old daughter Evelyn and multiple fur babies – 2 dogs, 3 cats, 2 sheep, 4 pigs and a menagerie of chickens and roosters.
Dr. Felicity Voigt
Felicity recently joined the Southern Tasmanian Veterinary team after moving from Western Australia to the Huon Valley with her two Borzoi puppies Mia and Cora, and her Siamese cat Nikita. She loves seeing patients of all shapes and sizes, including horses and helping hobby farmers with their livestock.
Graduating from Murdoch University in Perth, WA in 2013, Felicity has worked in rural mixed practice ever since. She has a special interest in soft tissue surgery, emergency and critical care medicine and surgery, equine reproduction and holistic health care.
In her spare time Felicity enjoys walking around the beautiful state with her dogs, she is a keen fisherwoman and enjoys four-wheel driving and camping.
Dr. Kim Jennings
Kim has been with the clinic since 2014. Since graduating from Sydney University and living in England, she took some time off to spend with her two daughters. Now with crazy little daisy the dog they are building their own home and love living in the Channel and working in the Huon. Kim particularly enjoys working with small animals.
Nurses and Administration Team
Bella – Head Receptionist
Our most popular team member at the clinic, Bella and her human Linda man our reception desk. Bella was adopted by Linda and now is one very spoilt pooch! She loves meeting and greeting our clients, she especially gets excited when she sees her boyfriend who is a Alaskan Malamute !!
As you can see Bella is hard at work in this picture!!
Megan – Veterinary Nurse/Practice Manager
Megan is a born and bred Tassie girl originating from the North of the state. Currently studying her Certificate IV in Companion Animal Services, she aims to continue her education with a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing.
At home with her husband Hagen and daughter Abigail, they also have a tribe of spoilt family members including their deaf Red Heeler Peppa, and Pushka the Russian Blue. With a passion for horses all her life, it’s no wonder she also has a large horse family including her best friend Jimmy (a thoroughbred who is in his late 30’s), Winter the crazy Welsh pony, and Tim Tam.
Recently Megan has taken on another role at the clinic as Practice Manager. An exciting opportunity to learn more of the daily routines of running a successful small business, she loves being able to help all her fellow team members and the clinic’s human and furry clients with all their needs.
Linda – Receptionist / Administration
Linda has lived in the Huon Valley for almost 14 years and her past background was working in Human medical centres. Going back further, her experience has been in the Airline, Real Estate and Hospitality industries, always caring for people. For the past 21 years she shared her life with two very special feline friends, named Louie and Lucy, who sadly have now gone over The Rainbow Bridge. She now has Bella, a canine friend that many of you have seen managing the reception desk!
Linda has been caring for our furry friends at our clinic for the pas 4 years and at the end of a working day enjoys the feeling that she has made a rewarding contribution. She appreciates the opportunity to support Dr Joanne and the team in looking after our wonderful animal customers.
Andrea – Receptionist / Veterinary Nurse
Andrea is a Certificate IV qualified veterinary nurse with a special interest in animal behaviour. She recently completed a Certificate IV in Companion Animals through The Delta Society, making her a qualified Delta dog trainer; and also holds an Advanced Certificate in Feline Nursing and Behaviour through International Cat Care.
Andrea took ‘the long way round’ to working in the veterinary industry, having worked for many years in local government media relations in Queensland before moving to Tasmania in 2010 and taking the opportunity to switch careers as well as states.
She trained as a vet nurse at RSPCA Tasmania where she also took on the role of community education manager, travelling to schools across Tasmania to teach responsible pet ownership.
Following this she worked at various clinics in Hobart and Kingston before moving closer to home at Southern Tasmanian Veterinary Hospital in 2016. Here, she works mainly in reception but also happily assists with general nursing duties and offers training and behaviour advice to clients.
Andrea is also a Hill’s Pet Nutrition Advisor and is happy to chat with clients about the range of Hill’s products available through the clinic.
Melissa – Certificate IV Veterinary Nurse
Melissa grew up around animals and has always loved them, despite taking a few years to make it her career (formerly she worked in retail and customer service). She was inspired to pursue veterinary nursing after becoming the owner of two rabbits – a pivotal moment which saw her frequent the vet clinic and allowed her insight into the passionate and rewarding role of vet nursing.
In 2014 she enrolled in a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing and undertook work placement at Mayfair Veterinary Clinic before joining the team at Southern Tasmanian Veterinary Hospital in July 2015. Here Melissa has continued her studies and has successfully finished her Certificate IV.
Chantelle – Veterinary Nurse
After joining the team in 2014, Chantelle soon completed her certificate II in Animal Studies. Having grown up with animals of all sorts, Chantelle has always had a passion for the little furry ones and working in the veterinary industry was always her dream.
Chantelle has two dogs at home, Avie and Laurel, who keep her very busy along with two horses, Hunter and Zoe. Currently studying her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing, Chantelle’s goal is to eventually complete her Diploma of Veterinary Nursing.
Chantelle is currently on Maternity Leave.
Sarah Ramondetta
Sarah started at the clinic in July 2017. Previously she managed a local pet store for 10 years, but her passion has always been working as a Veterinary Nurse. She has always had a love of all animals, she opened up her heart and home to a beautiful but crazy Golden Cocker Spaniel named Oliver, a very spoilt moggy cat Imogen and a temperamental cockatiel named Tippy. In her downtime she enjoys trail riding on her Arabian gelding Natez and spending time with her family and friends. Sarah will start studying Veterinary Nursing in the near future.
Jennifer Nixon
Jennifer joined the nursing team in June 2017, she grew up on the North West coast of Tassie and moved to the Huon Valley in 2007. She has completed her Certificate II in Animal Studies and is currently studying Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing, which she will complete later this year. She lives on an eight acre property with her family and has 2 dogs, a cat, 5 chickens and 14 Alpacas.
In her spare time she enjoys being in the garden and spending time with my family, friends and animals.