CareVets Kilbirnie

Linda originally studied at Victoria University of Wellington and achieved a BSc in Biochemistry/BSc (hons) Physiology before returning to academia and gaining her Veterinary qualification, graduating with the year of 1988 from Massey University with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science. Linda was the original owner of Kilbirnie Animal Health Centre & Cattery before selling to CareVets in November 2015 and thankfully, she stayed with us. Linda really enjoys forming relationships with her clients and their pets and has been fortunate enough to establish long-term relationships with her clients over the many years she has worked at Kilbirnie. Linda is particularly interested in oncology, soft tissue surgery and pain management. She currently has quite the collection of animals at home including a pack of Curly Coated Retrievers, cats, goats, pigs, cows, chickens, ducks and geese. In her spare time, Linda breeds and shows her Curly Coated Retrievers and also enjoys gardening and cooking.

Linda achieved her Class 1 Veterinary Technician qualification through the Royal Army Veterinary Corp in the British Army in 1994. After relocating to New Zealand, Linda settled in Upper Hutt and joined the CareVets Kilbirnie team in November 2015 as Clinic Manager. Linda is responsible for the smooth running of the clinic and enjoys interacting with staff and clients who come through the doors. She also likes to keep her hand in on her clinical work and has a special interest in emergency medicine and surgery cases. She also has an interest in companion animal behaviour and can offer advice to clients in need. In her spare time, Linda enjoys relaxing at home reading, watching movies, socialising with friends and playing board games. She also enjoys camping, travelling, and spending time with her three dogs.

Sam qualified in 2018 with a Diploma in Veterinary Nursing through UCOL in Palmerston North and joined the CareVets Kilbirnie team soon after qualifying in June 2018. Sam loves every aspect of her job from nursing the most challenging of cases right down to cleaning the clinic. She has a particular interest in nursing geriatric feline patients and helping her clients care for their elderly pets. During her spare time, Sam enjoys taking part in several activities including running, netball, bush walking, swimming and water-skiing, as well as spending time with friends. Sam also enjoys spending time with her own pets and currently a rescue cat, Oscar.

Una qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in 2018, achieving a Diploma in Veterinary Nursing through Weltec, and joined the CareVets Kilbirnie team in September 2018. Una enjoys being able to work with a range of animals and loves learning new skills relating to her job. She particularly enjoys encountering different situations and learning how to comfort and support her clients and their pets. Una has an interest in wildlife and conservation and enjoys the challenges that nursing wildlife patients presents. In her spare time, Una likes to read, draw and paint. She also enjoys practising martial arts.

Ella joined the team in April 2024. Prior to joining the CareVets family she lived and worked on a farm in the Wairarapa where she was responsible for the care of donkeys, goats, sheep, cats, dogs, pigs and the occasional possum! She is deeply passionate about animals and their welfare and plans to study veterinary nursing after attending Te Wananga O Raukawa. Ella has a red heeler named Rogue who is the apple of her eye and has sparked a lifelong passion for Australian and New Zealand herding breeds and stock dogs in general. If you bring in a collie, huntaway, heeler or kelpie she may just steal a cuddle!