STAFF PROFILES

Dr Chris Peterson

BVSc MACVSc: Owner/Head Veterinarian

Chris has worked here for an 'undisclosed' but significant number of years, having previously worked in Tauranga, the Manawatu and at Massey University. He has a particular interest in Equine and Dairy work, but covers all areas of the business. Chris performs Pre-Purchase Exams for horses and overseas the majority of our equine work across both clinics. Chris has a passion for horses both work related and recreationally. He enjoys hunting his horses through the winter and travels about the country showjumping in the summer. Chris and his wife Gillian now live in Whakatane with their many pets and two daughters.

Dr Sandra Hegh

BVSc: Mixed animal Veterinarian

Sandy has been here since the early 90’s! She is primarily a farm and equine vet however she is a very experienced orthopaedic surgeon and does all the orthopaedic surgeries for both clinics. Horses and dogs are Sandys other passions and she has accumulated a few of both. She is a keen tally-ho hunter during the winter and is kept busy training her young horses throughout the year.

Dr Joanne Allan

BVSc: Small Animal Veterinarian

Jo started in Opotiki on the 1st of June 1999, she enjoys small animal medicine and surgery although she covers farm calls as required. Jo is a breeder of Belgian Shepherds and has a very keen interest in all facets of dog training, obedience, agility and breed showing. She loves competing with her dogs and tending to her lovely farm plot in Opotiki.

Dr Gillian Hogarth

BVMS MRCVS: Small Animal Veterinarian

Gillian (Mrs Boss) is from a Dairy farm in Ayrshire (west coast of Scotland) and studied at Glasgow University, working in Scotland and Northern England after graduating as a dairy/small animal vet. She was involved in the control and eradication of the Foot and Mouth outbreak of 2001. Gillian discovered New Zealand working as a locum in Opotiki and has since decided to make it her home with husband Chris. Due to motherhood Gillian works part time doing mainly small animal consults and surgery.

Dr Ben Miller

BVSc: Large Animal Veterinarian

Ben is one of our senior dairy vets, and his main interest is dairy cows. Ben also works out of the Opotiki clinic a couple of days a week. He has completed a course in Advanced Dairy Production Systems, is an accredited body condition scorer and is InCalf trained so is a wealth of dairy knowledge. He also claims to be a fully certified disbudding and teatseal insertion specialist! In his spare time Ben is an avid sportsman. Along with his wife and young children Ben lives in Ohope and loves summers at the beach with the kids.

Sally Gummer

BVSc: Small Animal Veterinarian

Has worked in Whakatane since 2000 after working in a range of places including Waiuku, North Shore and Te Puke. She enjoys all aspects of small animal work and has been a mentor to many young vets through the practice. Sally and her husband Ron are kept busy with their lifestyle block and their two children who are high level competitive rowers.

Heather Wise

Mixed Animal Veterinarian

Heather is originally from Canada but has been working in New Zealand for a number of years as a mixed Veterinarian with a dairy focus. She coordinates a lot of our animal health programmes in Whakatane and is handy in all fields of the job. 

Anna Cochrane

BVMS MRCVS: Mixed Animal Veterinarian

Anna gained her qualifications from Glasgow, Scotland. From then until 2003, when she came to New Zealand she worked in a Mixed Practice in the Derry/Donegal area of Ireland. Her main interest were in Sheep and Beef production, however she is a mixed practice Vet in Whakatane and due to motherhood (she got a bit carried away with 4 children!) she mainly does small animal work which gives her time at home to enjoy with her kids but you will also catch her on farm afterhours. Anna is married to Charles and they live on a small lifestyle block out of Waimana. Outside of work Anna enjoys most sports especially playing soccer and hockey and looking after her menagerie of animals/children.

Carolyn Hamill

BVSc: Small Animal Veterinarian

Carolyn graduated from Massey University in 1997 and spent five years working in the Deep South before embarking on an OE. A highlight of her three years overseas was six months working in rural Ethiopia as a cow and buffalo vet! Since returning to New Zealand, she and husband Keith have made Whakatane their home. Carolyn works part time at VHC while raising their three kids. She has recently completed her Master's degree with a thesis on Mycoplasma bovis in dairy cows - no small achievement! Carolyn enjoys dermatology and loves nothing better than seeing itchy cats and dogs! In her spare time she enjoys biking and helping on the Community Board.

Bridget Malcolm

BAgrSc(Hons): Practice Manager/Veterinary Technician

Bridget joined our clinic in 2004, working primarily as a rural animal technician. In 2006 she took on the Commercial Managers role for both clinics. Since then she has progressed into the role of Practice Manager. Bridget worked for over 10 years in the sheep and beef industry as a shepherd, casual musterer, and farm manager mainly in the Taupo and Matawai areas. She still enjoys getting out on farm doing technician work. Bridget and her 'other half' Wayne manage a sheep and beef station down on the East Cape, with most weekends being dedicated to her horses, either at home or away at competitions.

Tai Ibbetson

BVT: Large Animal Veterinary Technologist

Tai grew up in the Bay of Plenty and worked in our Whakatane clinic as an after school helper a few years ago now! She completed her Bachelor of Veterinary Technology at Massey University in 2018 and worked in Levin until her partner finished up his service in the New Zealand Army, and they both decided it was time to relocate 'back home', where she now works out of our Whakatane and Opotiki clinics once again! Tai brings us a wealth of experience in all things farm, and has a particular interest in lifestyle block services, dairy cattle and small animal rehabilitation. Tai is also an accredited Body Condition Scorer, and co-ordinates our Welfarm programme. Fun fact: Tai is also a volunteer firefighter at the Matata Fire Station, and has been for nine years! In her spare time you can find Tai riding her horses, at the gym, or out adventuring with her two gorgeous dogs Alfie and Maisie!