Our team believes that your pet is an important member of your family and our community. We are passionate about looking after both our clients and their pets from the moment they walk through the door.
We are committed to our work, pursuing further education to provide thorough and complete care for your pet.
Meet our Veterinarian Team
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Dr Saraih Werry
BVSc (hons) CHPV GAICDE
Dr Saraih is one of the partners here at Weston Woden Animal Hospital. She has come from Central West NSW where she spent 10 years caring for all sorts of creatures in mixed practice. She enjoys all aspects of medicine, especially working with our older patients and ultrasound. She loves caring for her patients and their owners and completed a certification in palliative and hospice care to provide comprehensive support to our the pet parents and patients with chronic disease and in their end of life stages.
When not at work you will find her trail running, hiking and sometimes swimming in the lake with her crazy Labradors Oliver and Sunny.
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Dr. Clare Hibberson
BSc BVSc (hons) GPCert (SAM)
Clare grew up just outside Canberra and always knew she wanted to work with animals. After graduating with an honors degree in Veterinary Science from the University of Sydney in 2010, she returned to Canberra where she married her husband, started work at Kippax Veterinary Hospital, and adopted their cat, Poppet, from the RSPCA.
Clare has a special interest in all areas of small animal medicine, completing more advanced training in Small Animal Medicine in 2025. Her interest extends to ultrasonography including echocardiography and runs our chemotherapy program. She can even be found performing echocardiograms on rabbits!
In her spare time, Clare enjoys catching up with friends, gardening, camping, hiking, and going to the movies – and finding ways to involve her 3 kids in all of these activities!
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Dr Steven Kijlstra
BVSc (Hons)
Steven graduated from the University of Queensland in 2014. He developed a keen interest in small animal medicine and ultrasonography. Steven joined us at Weston Woden Animal Hospital in April 2020. He has developed his skills and now has a keen interest in abdominal and ultrasonography and echocardiography and the more complex medicine required for this! We are fortunate to have him as our head mentor for our junior vets.
In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and son. He also has a lovely koolie dog called Lift who often comes to work with him.
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Dr Aichlinn Ballard Manning
Aich is Canberra born and bred growing up on a property just outside of Canberra. After graduating from University in Townsville Aichlinn spent 5 years in a busy Sydney Practice.
We were privileged to have Aich join our team in 2025. She brings a wealth of experience and knowledge and is particularly passionate about caring for cats and our anxious pets needing behavioural support.
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Dr Katie Pasfield
Katie joined us from Sydney in 2024. While Katie enjoys treating elderly patients and complex medicine cases, her particular interest lies in anything reptile, rabbit, and other exotic pets. She even extends her ultrasounding skills to her rabbit, chicken and reptile patients.
Katie has a soft spot for cats, and she enjoys tackling difficult dental cases and complex behavioural issues, inspired by the challenges of her own rescue pup.
When not at work, Katie is usually off adventuring with her goofy mutt Albie, caring for her pet frogs and gecko, or out hiking.
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Dr Samantha Isbell
BVB DVM
Sam worked in the UK and Sydney in the marketing and psychology sectors before returning to the University of Sydney to realise her childhood dream of becoming a veterinarian. She moved to Canberra in 2021 to work at Kippax Veterinary Hospital and joined us during 2025. She is enthusiastic about canine and feline surgery ranging from our routine desexings to more complicated lump removals. She enjoys supporting pet parents along diagnostic and treatment pathways.
Sam loves to unwind trail running and travelling, plus spending time off her feet playing board games, or reading with her rescue dog Nessie.
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Dr Amanda Soo
BVSc
Amanda joined us this year after graduating from Sydney University. She has settled into Canberra this year, enjoying its food culture with her partner.
She enjoys caring for clients and their pets, helping them with their sore ears, lamenesses and any lumps and bumps that might surprise you. She has been a great addition to our team, with her caring nature on display in each consult and caring for her patients and fellow team mates.
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Dr Emma Williams
Emma joined our team in 2024. She graduated from Melbourne University in 2020 and has worked in general practice, emergency and at the RSPCA.
Emma loves all animals but has a soft spot for the older patients and pocket pets. She has a keen interest in surgery and emergency medicine.
In her spare time Emma loves spending time away in the caravan with her partner and their Australian Shepherd Kira!
Our Nurse Team
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Rachel McNamara
Head Receptionist
Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing
Rachel joined the nursing team here in early 2010 after completing her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing at CIT. Rachel is an incredibly caring nurse who has a special place in her heart for cats. Rach has completed extra studies in nutrition, providing valuable advice to our clients and team. We are so proud of Rach and her commitment to ongoing learning. Rach plays an important role as Reception Manager and is always on top of keeping the clinic organized! She lives with her extremely spoilt domestic shorthair kitten named Milly. Outside of work Rachel enjoys spending time with her friends and loves anything Harry Potter related.
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Alli Needham
Practice Manager
Veterinary Nurse
DipVN, AVN, RVN
Alli has been a part of the nursing team here since mid-2010. She graduated from CIT with a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing in 2011, is both registered and accredited, and has recently completed her Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (General Practice). She has valuable experience training our nursing team and enjoys the chaos of a hospital shift and emergency care. Alli lives with her tabby cat named Jolene, 2 chihuahuas, 2 Shingleback lizards and 9 chickens. She has a passion for feline and emergency nursing, indoor plants and travelling.
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Zoe Kirwan
Clinic Education Supervisor
Veterinary Nurse
RVN, Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing
Zoe previously worked as a hairdresser and horse-riding instructor but joined the team here in July 2018 after doing work experience with us for her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing at CIT. She completed her Certificate IV via Australian College of Veterinary Nurses in 2023. She has a strong interest in surgery and dental procedures. Zoe lives with her border collie Arrow and two family cats Barbie and Voldy. She enjoys crafting, gardening, and spending time with family.
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Bella Lomax
Head Nurse
Veterinary Nurse
Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing (ACVN) RVN
Bella joined our team in 2017 as a work experience student, studying at CIT to complete her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. She was such a hard worker (not to mention a lovely person), so we quickly snapped her up and offered her a position in our team. Bella received her Certificate IV from Australian College of Veterinary Nurses in 2023. Bella has a special way of making even the most nervous and timid animals comfortable, especially our timid cats, lizards and birds. She is an integral part of the nursing team here at WWAH.
She has a passion for fear free care and for helping our older, more frail patients. Bella operates our home nursing service and has under taken further training in rehabilitation.
She lives with her partner and two beloved cats Juno and Maeve
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Jasmine Braybrooks
Veterinary Nurse
Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing, RVN
Jasmine has been part of the team since 2020, beginning as a placement student while doing her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. She now works with us full time and is a valued member of the team with her genuine and caring nature. She loves looking after hospital patients, in particular those undergoing chemotherapy. She enjoys hiking, snowboarding, and spending time with her two ginger cats.
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Rhiannon Paddick
Veterinary Nurse
Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing, RVN
Rhiannon began working for us in 2022 while finishing her Certificate IV at CIT and began working full time shortly after. She has a soft spot for dogs of all shapes and sizes and always has an amazing bubbly positivity about her and enjoys connecting with patients and clients in nurse consults.
She lives with her two dogs Angel and Billy. In her spare time she enjoys collecting bratz dolls, Britney Spears and 2000’s pop culture.
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Claire Blakeley
Veterinary Nurse
Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing
Claire previously worked as a beautician before completing her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing at CIT. She worked at our sister clinics Kaleen and Kippax before finding her home with the team at Weston Woden.
She has developed a passion for emergency and hospital patient care, and is our team’s wellness officer.
In her spare time she enjoys travelling, exercising and spending time with her cats Possum, Hamilton and Miss Ginge.
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Jessica Walton
Veterinary Nurse
RVN, Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing
Jessica joined the team in 2011 and graduated from CIT with her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing in 2012. She works part time with us here, ensuring that she has maximum time at home to devote to her beloved pugs Abby and Chino whom she affectionately refers to as “The Beige Brigade”. Jess is a caring and calming presence for all who work with her, and she always has time to cuddle patients and ensure their comfort while in hospital.
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Reed Sanderson
Veterinary Nurse
RVN, Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing
Reed completed their Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing at CIT. They began doing work experience with us in 2018 and was offered a casual position as a part of our animal care team. Reed currently works as our Head Nurse Assistant. Reed is an incredibly hard worker and is very keen to learn all they can. They are passionate about animal care, reading and cares for 2 cats and 5 chickens!
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Cassie Nolan
Veterinary Nurse
Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing
Cassie joined the team as a Vet Nursing Student and we loved her calm, caring nature she stayed on as a fully qualified nurse.
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Julia Shumaker
Veterinary Nurse
Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing
Julia joined the team in early 2024 while completing a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing at CIT. After seven years in the employment consultancy world with pet sitting as a side job, it was time to follow her passion of caring for animals in a more professional capacity. Julia has a particular interest in exotics and is keen to learn as much as possible through her time here at WWAH. She lives with her partner and partner’s cat (her adopted child), Bramble. Julia enjoys walks, travelling and having a boogie in dance classes.
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Jane Wowk
Receptionist
Trainee Veterinary Nurse
Jane's background is in Emergency and Critical Care Veterinary medicine as a receptionist and she is now in the early stages of commencing her studies to become a qualified Vet Nurse. Jane was looking to expand her knowledge and gain a well-rounded education in all things Veterinary and started with the team in late 2024. Jane has two cats and has recently become a first time dog-mum. She is learning the joys and chaos of life with a blue heeler pup.
Jane’s warmth and empathy when dealing with clients and patients helps her to tackle the emotionally challenging cases. She finds watching shy pets bond with the Vets and Nurses over time the most uplifting and rewarding part of her job. Those wagging tails and loving purrs say more than words ever could! -
Winnie Taylor
Receptionist
Vet Nurse Assistant
Winnie joined the team in April 2025 in her first role in the veterinary field. She will begin a Bachelor of Science next year with hopes of progressing into Veterinary Medicine. Winnie enjoys surgery, diagnosis and medical imaging, and at home she looks after a dog, a cat and four chickens.
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Shannon Riley
Shannon is our newest qualified Veterinary Nurse. We have loved watching her grow in confidence and knowledge over her last 2 years of training with us and are so proud of her achievements.
Shannon has a particular interest in caring for our surgical and hospital patients.
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Keishan Thompson
Keishan joined using 2026 to complete her Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing. She has come from a busy emergency clinic and has added joy, laughter and empathy for our patients whenever she is with us.
She enjoys everything about veterinary nursing - nurse consults, procedures and talking to our clients.
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Lift
Important moral support staff member!