The Vets
Natasha van Zyl BVSc (Hons) MACVSc (Equine Surgery)
Graduated from the University of Queensland in 2003 with first class honours and achieved Membership of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in 2008 in the discipline of Equine Surgery.
Natasha came to OVH following graduation to commence an equine internship, and has since remained as an Associate. Her principal interests lie in the Equine Surgery, Lameness, Wound Healing and Ophthalmology.
Natasha was the recipient of 6 Undergraduate Awards at the time of Graduation, including an award for clinical excellence in Equine Medicine and Surgery. She has since been awarded the EVA Norman Larkin Prize for the best short clinical paper in 2005 and the ACVSc Award for most commendable paper in 2007. Not surprising, Natasha seems to thrive on continuing her education, and has attended numerous conferences and training courses, including the basic and advanced Arthroscopy Workshops at Colorado State University in 2007 and the AOVET Equine Fracture Repair course in 2010.
In her spare time Natasha likes to ride and compete on her two dressage horses, attend the occasional ballet class and take long walks on the beach.
Emma Pudge BVetMed (Hons) GPCert DI (Europe) MRCVS
Emma graduated from the Royal Veterinary College, London in 2007, and has worked in a mixed practice in Wales since. She obtained the European Certificate in diagnostic imaging in 2010 before moving to Australia.
She likes most aspects of general practice and on the small animal side is most interested in emergency and critical care, small animal medicine and diagnostic imaging. On the large animal side she likes the challenges of calvings and calf medicine. Emma has a country background, and was brought up on a farm.
Outside of work, she would normally to be found hiking with Bertie, her very bouncy and energetic Springer Spaniel. Emma also played rugby for 5 years whilst at university, captaining the university team at the Heinekken 7's international tournament in Ireland. Cake baking, orienteering and Welsh speaking are some of her other interests.
Nela Kordich BVSc (Hons)
Nela graduated from Massey University, Palmerston North – New Zealand with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science.
Nela is also a member of the AVA (Australian Veterinary Association), the EVA (Equine Veterinary Association), and the CVE (Centre of Veterinary Education - Sydney University).
After completing her degree in 2008 she completed the Outward Bound 3 week Classic Course in NZ, and then went skiing in Austria and Serbia with friends. She then relocated to Australia in May 2009 to be closer to family who live on the Gold Coast.
Nela worked at the Murwillumbah Vet Clinic after Graduation where the clinic covered 70% small animal work and 30% large animals.
Nela’s passion has always been in the equine field where she has an interest in Equine Medicine, Reproduction and behaviour – she was very excited when an opportunity to work at Oakey came up.
In her spare time, Nela enjoys to compete in Dressage with her Lipizzaner horse Dancer, visit the family on the Gold Coast and likes to dance (ballroom, latin, modern jive, Argentinean Tango etc). She is also learning to play the piano.
Cassandra Robinson BVSc (Hons) BSc (Vet) (Hons)
Cassandra completed her BVSc at Sydney University and completed her BSc (Vet) (Hons) between 3rd and 4th year of her mainstream Vet Degree completing original research and the writing of her Thesis entitled “Wound Healing In Horses” under the supervision of Associate Professor Andrew Dart at the University of Sydney.
After a recommendation by her Honours Research Supervisor, Associate Professor Dart – who himself once worked at OVH - Cassandra made the big move to Queensland and starting working at Oakey Vet Hospital where her principal interest is in Equine Surgery. Cassandra is a member of the AVA and EVA.
Cassandra spends her free time riding her horse, reading a lot of speculative fiction and trying to expand her cooking repertoire.
Joe Weir BVSc (Hons)
Following Graduation from the University of Queensland in 2007, Joe came straight to OVH where his principal interests lie in Thoroughbred Medicine and Surgery with a special interest in Anaesthesiology.
He is currently studying for membership into the Australian College of University Scientists in the area of Anaesthesia and Critical Care.
Joe is a current member of the EVA.
Not one to sit still, in Joe’s spare time he operates a thoroughbred spelling and rehabilitation centre and is an active Polocrosse player.