CareVets Gisborne

Ross graduated from the University of Liverpool Veterinary School and has since built an impressive international career. After gaining experience in the UK, Ireland, and Fiji, he established and ran his own award-winning practices in Chester and North Wales for 15 years. He then spent four years as a Senior Veterinary Officer in the Falkland Islands before moving to New Zealand to be closer to his Kiwi family. Ross now calls Gisborne home, where he enjoys the region’s stunning beaches with his wife, two adopted cats, and two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. When he’s not at the clinic, you’ll find him walking the dogs, swimming, snorkelling, or catching the occasional wave.

Rhonda joined CareVets in January 2021 as Receptionist/Administrator/Assistant to the Clinic Coordinator. Her main motivation for applying for the job was her love of animals. It’s the most rewarding job she’s held, and she is now lucky enough to have the opportunity to cover maternity leave as Clinic Coordinator. Rhonda is loving the challenge and having more involvement in the day to day running of the clinic. Her favourite part of any day is getting to cuddle the puppies that come in for their vaccinations! At home, her husband and her foster animals for the SPCA and have 3 dogs and a cat of their own, all of who are rescues.

Emma has been a valued member of the CareVets team since 2021, bringing energy, skill, and a love for hands-on veterinary care to her role. She especially enjoys assisting with unique and challenging after-hours cases, where she can put her knowledge and experience to good use. Outside of work, Emma is just as hands-on—spending her spare time building engines for her motorsport cars. At home, she’s kept busy by her two Labradors, two rescue cats, and a lively flock of 12 chickens.

Hayley came to work at CareVets in 2020 while studying to become a veterinary nurse after a change in career from shepherding. She’s always loved animals and knew she wanted to work with them in some way since a young age. She lives with her partner and son on a lifestyle block with Casper the cat, 8 work dogs and 4 horses. She loves to take her horse to the beach for a ride in her spare time and help out on the farm with the dogs.

Kaz is excited to be back at CareVets after having a few years off. Her and her partner have two children together, a son and a daughter, who both love animals as much as she does. Kaz currently has five rescue animals, two dogs and three cats. She completed her Certificate in Veterinary Nursing back in 2005 and has a particular interest in working dogs and nursing emergency trauma cases.

Lesli immigrated from Canada to join our team. She graduated from the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus, Canada with a Diploma in Veterinary Technology. After working in large animal medicine for two years she switched to small animal for a new challenge, and hasn’t looked back. She takes an interest in surgery and medical cases, taking pride in offering the best patient care. Lesli has two fur-babies, a cattle dog named Chevy and a cat named Itty Bitty. In her free time she enjoys hiking and landscape photography.

Vicky has worked for CareVets for over 10 years since the clinic first opened in Gisborne as “PetVets on Ballance”. She loves her job and enjoys the interaction with our clients and their fur babies, most of whom she has got to know well over the years.

Since graduating from Massey University with a Diploma in Veterinary Nursing in 2009, Sarah has worked in various mixed and companion animal clinics around both New Zealand and Australia. Sarah is passionate about animal welfare and strives to deliver a high standard of patient care. She lives on her own little farm with her partner and their cheeky daughter. Sarah lives and breathe animals – she has pigs, chickens, cows, dogs, cats and many horses. In her spare time, she is a keen equestrian, often attending local competitions. Her main side kick is Joey, the ‘almost’ famous blue heeler – he and Sarah have had many adventures together over the years.