ULLADULLA
VETERINARY HOSPITAL
Meet the Team
DR ANDREW OTTLEY
Owner / Veterinarian
Andrew graduated with honours from The University of Sydney. He worked in Ulladulla for 5 years before moving to the U.K to work and travel. Andrew returned to become co-owner of the Hospital in 2005. In 2017 his co-owner Gary retired and Andrew became sole owner of the practice.
He enjoys all that the area has to offer-both the natural beauty and wildlife and the great sense of community. He has a special interest in dermatology. Outside of work, Andrew enjoys tennis, skiing, the beach, gardening, travelling and art.
DR NAOMI SINGLETON
Veterinarian
Originally from Somerset, England, Dr Naomi graduated from the University of Sydney. Keen to work in a coastal mixed practice she chose the lovely Ulladulla as her next home.
Naomi loves all aspects of veterinary medicine and enjoys dealing with all creatures great and small.
She is kept busy looking after her dog Kody, cat Holly, two children and loving husband. Any free time is spent doing something outdoorsy.
DR RACHEL NIGHTINGALE
Veterinarian
Dr Rachel graduated from the University of Sydney and started work at a mixed practice in Lismore, Northern NSW. At the start of 2018 she decided to trade the north coast for the south coast and moved to Ulladulla to join our team. Rachel is recognisable as the tallest of our vets, and so fittingly she has two tall (and spoilt) rescued greyhounds named JoJo and Flick, as well as a cat named Miso who she takes for walks.
Rachel has an interest in behaviour and wildlife but enjoys all aspects of the job. Rachel enjoys scuba diving, hiking, going to the beach and just about anything in the great outdoors.
DR ROMINA ARTAGAVEYTIA
Veterinarian
Romi graduated from a veterinary degree in her home country of Uruguay in 2017 and travelled to Australia shortly afterwards. What was supposed to be a holiday turned into a slightly longer stay and, luckily for us, she's now here in Australia for good!
At the end of 2021 she passed exams to have her qualifications recognised here.
In her spare time, Romi enjoys going to the beach with her husband and her dogs Wubba and Daphne, Yorkshire terriers. She also has a love of all things chocolate!
DR CHRISTIAN RAFFRAY
Veterinarian
Dr Christian is originally from the Island of Mauritius where he grew up on his family farm. He lived in Canada for several years where he obtained his first degree in Biomedical Science before moving to Australia in 2015. He then completed his Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Sydney.
Christian fell in love with the South Coast of NSW and moved down to Ulladulla with Cacahouète, his pet python.
In his free time, he enjoys going camping, hiking and anything to do with the ocean!
DR MARIO VISCARDI
Veterinarian
Mario graduated Veterinary Science in Italy in 1986 and moved to Australia in 1987. Soon after moving he passed his professional exam to be a qualified Vet in this country.
Mario has been with us at Ulladulla Vet for the past 12 months working 2 days per week. Mario has always called Ulladulla his second home and has spent many years down the coast with his family.
Previously, Mario had owned his own Veterinary Practice for 30 years in the Campbelltown area of NSW and has now sold the business to enjoy the beginnings of retirement with his wife and family.
In his spare time, Mario loves to go fishing on his boat, and any outdoor activities and of course being a Vet.
Throughout his whole life, he enjoyed the company of many exotic pets such as Gazelles, hedgehogs and any other unusual animal you can think of.
SUZIE JOHNSON
Practice Manager
Suzie has been working with us since 2002 and is our practice manager. She has a passion for child and animal welfare and has been a child foster carer for over ten years. All of her pets over the years have been rescue pets!
Suzie’s role is to ensure that our practice runs smoothly while taking into consideration our valuable clients as well as our dedicated staff. In her spare time she likes to go camping with her family and loves working in her garden.
ALEX MODOUX
Duty Manager RVN
Alex is our Swiss legend! She is grateful to have been given the opportunity to do her practical work with us while she was studying veterinary nursing. Her passion for animal welfare, her excellent nursing skills and her good Swiss work ethic were evident, so she was offered a job with our practice. Alex is not only a vet nurse but she is a qualified pastry chef.
Her own pets include Piper the Cavalier King Charles, Leeroy the boxer, Sooty the French bulldog, and a bearded dragon.
LAURIE WILKINS
Operations Administrator
Laurie has been a local for many years and started working at Ulladulla Vet as a voluntary concierge during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Laurie is now in charge of our admin in house and is our go-to girl for all questions and concerns!
Laurie spends her weekends enjoying the local area and walking her dog Harry.
BEN SIMMONS
Animal Attendant
Ben started working at Ulladulla Veterinary Hospital in late 2023 and is currently studying a Certificate ll in Animal care. Ben hopes to complete this course and continue with study in the Certificate lV in Veterinary Nursing and to work as a Veterinary Nurse once completed.
Ben is vital part of our team. Always lending a hand to help, and using his height to reach all things for our other nursing staff.
In his spare time, Ben enjoys playing guitar, spending time with family and tending to his cat Winkle and his rescue rabbit Lee!
ASHLEIGH HANCHARD
Veterinary Nurse RVN
Ash's first introduction in the veterinary world started in 2012 when she did work experience with us and then completed her Certificate 4 in vet nursing in 2014.
Now being apart of the team for 11 years you'll find her out the back hands on with surgery, team consulting with the vets or helping with hospital patients. Ash has always been passionate about animal care and has hopes of attending spey clinics to help reduce the number of stray dogs and cats in countries that are less fortunate.
Ash married her high school sweetheart 6 years ago and have a son together. On weekends you'll find them exploring outside and playing at the park.
They have two Kelpies, Daisy and Koda, a cat Teddy and a Childrens Python called Mouse.
ASH PARKS
Veterinary Nurse RVN
Ash is a qualified veterinary nurse with thirteen years experience in the field and joined our team in 2019. She started her nursing in Wollongong, before moving to the North Coast, and then down to Milton to live on her families farm. Her main interest is surgical nursing and loves being hands-on with patients, but she also has an interest and love for large farm animals.
Ash has been running our popular Puppy Preschool classes for the past 3 years .
When she's not at the clinic, Ash spends her time horse riding, and hanging out by the pool.
She has 3 horses, Cisco, Scarlett and Harley, an emu named Bert, and two furry babies - a Staffy named Lola and a Bull Terrier named Alfie.
PROFILE COMING SOON
ERIN CLARE
Veterinary Nurse
Erin has been working with Ulladulla Vet Hospital since 2019 and is a well known local around the Ulladulla area. She completed her Vet Nursing degree back in 2010.
Erin has always had a love of animals and has spent the last 10 years travelling around with her partner and kelpies to manage farms, work as a Jillaroo and has always ended up back working in the nursing industry.
Erin is a mum of 2 boys and lives on a small acreage with her family where she loves to spend time outdoors on their farm, cooking in the kitchen and gardening with her kids.
Erin is currently studying a Bachelor of Veterinary Technology via Charles Sturt University
ASHLEIGH SULTANA
Veterinary Nurse
Ash started out as an animal attendant at the RSPCA in 2016 and then began her studies in veterinary nursing. She then followed her soulmate to the South Coast and started working at Ulladulla Vet in 2021.
Ash also moonlights as a nail artist, running her own small business. She enjoys spending time with her family and had just had her wedding this year.. She has a beloved dog named Charli, two cats named Mila and Zara, and a brushtail possum living in her roof!
ASHLEIGH KOMAL
Veterinary Nurse
Ash (number four!) joined our team in 2021 while undergoing her certificate in Vet Nursing.
Ash has spent a lot of time in the animal world prior to beginning her vet nursing venture. She spent three years volunteering in the marine mammal department at Taronga Zoo while studying captive animals. You might also recognise her friendly face from Petstock Ulladulla, where she managed store for two years before joining our team.
Ash spends most of her time outside work being mum to her two human sons, and two labradoodle sons Ziggy and Dublin (who she says are far better trained than the human kids!).
RHIANNA PARNELL
Veterinary Nurse
Rhianna has been working at Ulladulla Veterinary Hospital since 2017 when completing her Certificate ll in Animal Studies. She is now enrolled in a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing which she is completing while working full time.
Rhianna has a passion for animal care and welfare and is always out the back giving extra cuddles to all our patients.
Khushka and Khlova are her Jack Russell companions who she loves spending all her spare time with on the weekends.
LISA LANDER
Veterinary Nurse
Nurse Lisa is one of our newest members to the team and started with us in September 2023.
Lisa started her esteemed career at North Shore Veterinary Hospital, and then spent many years at Northwest Animal Emergency Centre. Lisa then spent many years working at the University of Sydney Veterinary teaching hospital as a nurse for the consultant Dermatology Specialist.
After having many years away from the Veterinary Industry, Lisa is back working 2 days per week and is a valuable member of our team.
A long term local and a loyal client of ours.
Lisa enjoys spending time at home cooking, with her horses and her kelpie dogs.
SELENA WATSON
Reception / Veterinary Nurse
Selena started her first veterinary job with the University of Sydney in Camden, later venturing into veterinary nursing at private practices in the Macarthur region. In 2021 she had a sea change, purchased a family farm in Milton and joined the Ulladulla Vet team.
Selena has an interest in dog behaviour and is an APDTA qualified trainer.
In her spare time, Selena is an accomplished equestrian and is kept busy on her farm looking after her family and various animals.
LEE KIDD
Reception
Lee joined the team at Ulladulla Vet just over a year ago after relocating from Sydney. Lee had many diverse roles in Sydney working at Animal Welfare League and more recently as a Customer Care Representitive at the Animal Referral Hospital and Emergency Vet Homebush.
As part of our dynamic reception team, Lee loves nothing more then greeting the puppies on arrival, giving them extra cuddles to ensure a positive experience. She's fast becoming known as 'The puppy whisperer!
When not at work, Lee can be found walking down a bush track, along the beach or with her head in a good book.
She is a member of the local Dog training club, where she enjoys training her cheeky Kelpie Jedda.
LISA JAMES
Reception
Lisa is originally from Coffs Harbour but has been a part of the team at Ulladulla Vet for over twenty four years.
You will see Lisa at our front reception 3 days a week assisting our clients with any needs they have.
Lisa has many pets including two teenaged children, a Rottweiler named Soulice, a pug x named Chuggy, a cat named Rosie, and a ferret called Dougie.
In her spare time Lisa enjoys spending time with her children.