Meet your pets' dedicated care team
DR TONY VIGANO
PRACTICE OWNER AND VETERINARIAN
Tony joined the practice in January 1969 after spending 2 months as a student in the Christmas of 1967/68. He was employed to allow the fledgling Doubleview practice to increase its hours and apart from a period 1973-76 spent in the UK has been here ever since. He joined Ian Miller in partnership in 1976 and became the sole owner in 1988 on the tragic death of Ian in that year.
A past president of the WA Division of the Australian Veterinary Association (1984), he was inaugural chairman of the Australian Veterinary Boards Council (1999-2001) and was a member of the Veterinary Surgeons’ Board in WA from 1988-2003 and chairman from 2001-2003.
He remains active within the AVA and is currently a co-organiser of the WA State Conference held in September concurrently with the AVA/Murdoch/Trade Fair that he has convened since 1981.
He also holds a regular weekly time slot on talk back radio (6PR) since 2001 and is currently a senior sessional member of the State Administrative Tribunal since 2005.
Since the sale of the Doubleview practice in March 2004 he has assumed a more active hands on role at the Swanbourne practice and completes 50 years in practice at the end of 2018.
To say he is enjoying the success of his beloved Cats (Geelong Football Club) is an understatement. An active supporter since 1955 he has been ecstatic with their current success.
GO CATS 2019
“Simply the greatest team of all”
DR MICHELLE HARRISON
PRACTICE OWNER AND VETERINARIAN
Michelle joined the practice in September 2005 not long after she and her family arrived in Australia from England.
Born in Scotland, she was brought up on the tea plantations of India and Malawi. She later returned to Scotland, attended university in Glasgow, and qualified as a vet in 1995.
She spent the next 2 years in the Welsh hills treating anything from hamsters to bulls. It was here she met her husband, Harry, and together they then moved to the Cambridgeshire Fens where she spent a further 2 years in mixed practice.
Realising that the safe, warm, clean confines of surgery appealed to her more than the cold, dirty, often hazardous conditions of large animal practice, she hung up her wellies and moved to a small animal emergency hospital in Bedfordshire where she worked until June 2005.
Michelle and Harry have 2 daughters – Chloe and Amy – and in July 2005, Michelle and her family arrived in Perth to start a new life in the sun with the emphasis on spending more quality time as a family.
On the vet front, Michelle loves the diversity of general practice but her main interests include surgery, orthopaedics, dentistry and rabbit medicine.
Michelle shares her house with her fun-loving labradors, Gus and Saffy, and 2 cheeky cats, Mango and Skittles. She spends a lot of her spare time chauffeuring kids, managing netball teams and officiating at surf clubs.
Michelle and her family are now firmly entrenched here in Perth, and Michelle is now enjoying the new challenges that come with owning a veterinary practice.
DR MELANIE CRIDDLE
PRACTICE OWNER AND VETERINARIAN
Melanie joined us in March 2011, having previously worked in a mixed animal practice in Geraldton, and in small animal practice in Perth.
A 2001 Murdoch graduate, she completed her membership of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in small animal medicine in 2007 and has a special interest in this field and cancer care.
A local girl, having been educated at St Hildas, Melanie is married to Paul, an Investigative Steward with RWWA, and they have a daughter Madison.
Her outside interests include boating and fishing, scuba diving and snorkelling and she also plays the piano. Much to Tony’s disappointment, she is an avid West Coast Eagles supporter! To round off the household she shares her home with a Bengal cat Cooper and Jake the Beaglier.
Melanie is committed to providing a high quality of care to her patients, and is also enjoying the world of veterinary practice ownership.
DR MONICA LIN
VETERINARIAN
Monica joined the practice in July 2011 and recently returned to work part time after becoming a mum to Freya. She is definitely a super-mum and continues to run her kelpie Cherry everyday and is hoping little Freya will join the run in the near future.
Monica also has 3 cats at home (Luna, Ashlee and Silver) which she describes as the destructive indoor variety honing her house keeping skills on a regular basis!
Originally from Taiwan where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Zoology, she decided to follow the pathway of becoming a veterinarian after her own dog had an unsuccessful procedure and joined a practice working part time before she came to Perth.
Once in Perth she applied to the Veterinary course at Murdoch University and subsequently met her husband Joshua, so all the pieces started to fall into place.
A real pocket rocket Monica feels her size limits her in sports but loves dancing, swimming, scuba diving and table tennis and from what I can see her determination more than makes up for her small stature. Soccer and tennis absorb her as a spectator though Tony has been trying to sell her the benefits of following the Mighty Cats!
She has completed an acupuncture certificate and she now offers acupuncture services within the clinic and also as home visits.
DR LAURA GIRAUD
VETERINARIAN
Laura is a local Perth girl who initially studied Engineering at UWA where she met her husband Ian, and then switched to the Veterinary Faculty at Murdoch. She completed 9 years at University on graduation with her Veterinary degree!
She includes surgery, dermatology and possible future specialisation as her main interests, and would love to do volunteer work overseas, for example with Vets beyond Borders in Indonesia or India.
She and Ian share their lives with Bella, a Great Dane and Daisy, one of our adopt-a-cats, and her outside interests include coffee and cooking (she is an avid foodie), creating recipes, eating out and so on. Laura also enjoys rock climbing, and loves getting into the gardening and growing vegetables and succulents. Laura loves traveling, and hopes to spend more time exploring places like South America and South-East Asia.
Many of you will know Laura as she has worked at Swanbourne for years – on weekend reception and in the kennels prior to that, so we have a long association with her. It is a pleasure to be part of the development and the journey of people like Laura and we hope to hang on to her for some time!
DR LEAH RICHARDS
VETERINARIAN
Leah has now joined the Swanbourne Vet team permanently, but has previously done some locum shifts with us since March 2017. She graduated from Murdoch University in 2009, and upon graduating, moved back to her hometown of Melbourne, where she worked in Small Animal veterinary hospitals for 8 years.
Longing for Perth’s sunny weather and outdoor lifestyle, she and her family moved back to WA. Leah is married to Leon (also a vet!) and they have 2 young children – Ernie and Layla. They also share their house with Luna, a 2 year old rescue domestic shorthair cat.
Leah grew up in Melbourne, attending high school at Wesley College, and then went on to commence study in a Bachelor of Science degree at Melbourne University. 2 years into this, she was accepted into the Veterinary Science course at Murdoch University and moved to WA.
In her spare time, Leah enjoys running and yoga – she is currently completely a 2 year yoga teaching training course! She also loves to spend time with her family in the great outdoors – you will mainly find her at the beach. And of course, she is an avid Collingwood Pies supporter, and so siding with Tony in the Swanbourne clinic rivalry of Victorian vs WA AFL teams is alive and well.
Leah enjoys all aspects of canine and feline medicine and surgery, and has a particular love of fostering the special bond between owners and their pets. Dear to her heart is ensuring that ageing pets are comfortable and have optimal quality of life in their geriatric “golden years”.
DR NATALIE ULLRICH
VETERINARIAN
Natalie is a country girl who hails from York in WA. She attended the local primary school and then commuted daily to Northam to attend the high school there. Growing up, Natalie’s hobbies included breeding Pekin Bantam chickens and she loved horse riding, being a member Pony Club member in York. It is of little surprise that Natalie has gone on to become a Veterinarian!
Natalie graduated from Murdoch University in 2009, and has worked in mixed animal practice in Geraldton, Toodyay and Wongan Hills. She shares her house with her 3 children – Matilda, Noel and Hazel, as well as Ernie the 12 year old Ridgeback X dog, and many Pekin Bantam Hens – Princess, Rosie, Storm, Cloud, Coco and Bella.
In her spare time, Natalie enjoys DIY house and garden projects. She loves exploring outback Australia and taking in all the native plants and wildlife, so of course camping and bushwalking are on her list of things to do!
Natalie always enjoys learning new things, and takes pride in being a compassionate and skilled veterinarian.
DR BETH THOMPSON
VETERINARIAN
Beth hails from Gisborne in New Zealand where she was dux of her secondary school, Campion College in Gisborne.
She completed a Bachelor of Science in Biomed at the Auckland University before moving to Perth to study Veterinary Science at Murdoch University.
Her pedigree for the position includes grandparents who owned a dairy farm and a stepfather with a cattery so she definitely has the background.
Two sheep, an aged retriever and younger Labrador along with a host of chickens and two cats all make up her menagerie, which her mum is hosting in her absence!
In her spare time she runs half marathons regularly and aims to do a full marathon one day!
Beth has worked at Swanbourne for several years now, initially on weekend reception. She is now part of our wonderful team of veterinarians that take loving care of your pets. Look out for Beth when you are next in the practice!
KRISTY
VETERINARY NURSE AND OFFICE MANAGER
Kristy is one of our success stories joining the practice fresh from school 20 years ago as the kennel hand. At the same time she enrolled in the part time Veterinary nursing course at Bentley TAFE which she completed with ease and then joined the full time nursing staff at Swanbourne.
Her reliability and unflappable nature have made her an integral part of the practice and she ensures the back half of the practice functions efficiently organising the vets and supervising the younger staff.
She took the plunge in April 2009 marrying Mark and they now have 2 children in tow – Mia and Zac. They share their life with Storm the Staffie. Kristy enjoys spending time with her family, and going camping and 4-wheel driving. She is also a thermomix consultant, and enjoys cooking up a storm in her thermie.
KYLIE
VETERINARY NURSE AND HOSPITAL MANAGER
Kylie is one of our senior veterinary nurses. She commenced with us in March 2005 as a kennel hand and grooming assistant, whilst doing the nursing course part time.
From Tambellup, Kylie attended the local primary school and then completed high school at the Katanning High School. She relocated to Perth and commenced a government traineeship in veterinary nursing which allowed her to work full time with us during the course.
Her family has a farm in Denmark, and coming from a country background there is no shortage of pets in the household with dogs, pet sheep and fish. Having done work experience at a vet clinic in Bunbury, as well as helping her father in the shearing shed during school holidays, we believed Kylie was the perfect choice, and she has certainly fulfilled our hopes.
Kylie shares her home here in Perth with her partner Mark, and her Miniature Schnauzer Odin. In her spare time, Kylie is a lover of sports, and enjoys kickboxing and kayaking and spending time in the gym. She also has her own personal training business called Unleashed Active, with classes for dogs and their owners. Kylie hopes to travel more and further her education in Management and Behaviour.
NAOMI
VETERINARY NURSE
Naomi has had a desire to be a veterinary nurse since the age of 9 and after finishing school she completed the Certificate 3 Companion Animal Services including dog training and behaviour. In 2010 she completed the Certificate 4 Veterinary Nursing course and started at Swanbourne in 2011.
Naomi is married to hubby Brad, and they share their life with daughter Lily, her 2 cats Nala and Mr Mario, Ratchet the always happy and bouncy kelpie, Daisy the pink and grey galah, Woody the weiro, and lots of fish!
Naomi has a keen interest in avian medicine, animal welfare, and specialist surgery. She loves to learn and hopes to one day get a Diploma in Veterinary Nursing.
In her spare time, she also enjoys volleyball, gardening, baking and cooking, and all things artistic. Naomi is passionate about animal welfare, Giant Pandas and the West Coast Eagles. Naomi plans to travel to different places in the world to see her favourite artworks.
MICHELLE
VETERINARY NURSE
Michelle joined our team in April 2014 having completed her nursing course (certificate 4) in 2013.
Michelle grew up on a large sheep and grain farm in the Great Southern town of Jerramungup attending the district high school until year 9 after which she completed her education at Penrhos in 2009. She attended TAFE here in Perth completing several animal related certificates including the cert 4 nursing qualification.
Like most country girls she worked extensively on her parent’s farm as she grew up. As a general rouseabout, on the wheat bins, drenching, needling, drafting and jetting sheep she gained lots of experience and it is no mystery that she is now a veterinary nurse. Throw in chaser bin driving, work at a reptile park, and volunteer work with native animals it is no surprise she looks forward to continuing specialised courses as she furthers her studies.
In all of this she finds spare time to play netball, as well as scrapbooking, cross stitching and card making. She also loves to go camping and travelling. Sharing her life with partner Robert and their Domestic Shorthair cat Mustang, they have plans to one day travel the world with an emphasis on France.
It is a pleasure to be surrounded by people like Michelle in our every day work and we look forward to her long association with the practice.
RACHELLE
VETERINARY NURSE
We are pleased to welcome Rachelle to the team here at Swanbourne.
Rachelle has completed her certificate 4 nursing course and also has a Science degree in Conservation Biology with the primary aim of becoming a wildlife veterinary nurse helping in the rehab and re-introduction of native fauna into the wild.
She comes from Mt Barker where her parents have a farm near to the Porongurups, and attended Mt Barker Community College.
A keen sportswoman she plays netball, volleyball, tennis and soccer and follows the mighty Cats in the AFL.
Her outside interests are camping and fishing and she regularly goes home to the farm where her horses Toff and Billy reside along with Mocha the dog.
Formerly a medical receptionist she joins the nursing team, but will also be seen on reception.
Great to have Rachelle on board as she continues our association with the Great Southern.
OLIVIA
VETERINARY NURSE
Olivia joined the team at Swanbourne vet midway through 2018.
She is a Perth girl and finished her secondary schooling at Hollywood High School. She then spent 2 years overseas in Berkshire (UK) working with horses.
On returning, she started work at the Dunsborough Vet Clinic. From there she completed the Certificate 4 nursing course at Subiaco and was there for 7 years. After this she spent two years in NSW returning to Perth in 2014.
Olivia enjoys her sport, specifically boxing and running. She shares her household with her two children Ella and Oscar, and her 8 year old female labrador Sunny.
Olivia loves to go down south in her spare time, visiting the wineries and beaches along the coast.
EMMA
VETERINARY NURSE
Emma has recently joined the Nursing team at the Swanbourne Veterinary Centre, and has a Bachelor of Communications, whilst recently graduating as a Veterinary Nurse with a Certificate 4 from the Applied Vocational Training Centre.
A local Claremont girl, Emma was educated at MLC and attends the practice with her dog Otis, a 2 year old Griffon.
Along with her family and partner Alex, she enjoys travelling, having recently been to Hong Kong, and is also keen on tennis, boxing and netball.
Her recent employment includes traineeships at Vetwest and the Perth Cat Hospital and her aim is to achieve a diploma in Veterinary Nursing.
So, watch out for Emma when next you attend the practice as we welcome her to what we hope will be a long and successful career here at Swanbourne.
GABRIELA
VETERINARY NURSE
Gabriela was born in Brazil in a small town in San Paulo, called Santos. Incidentally a very famous town as it is also the birth place of iconic soccer legend Pele.
Whilst her parents still live in Santos for 6 months of the year (spending the rest of the year in Perth with Gabriela and her brother and his family), Gabriela moved to Australia 3 years ago to join her brother and she already speaks perfect English, along with Spanish and Portugese.
She worked with a mobile Dog Groomer initially when she moved here and was trained up as a dog washer which she still enjoys and does part time.
She commenced the Veterinary Nursing Cert 4 course at Bentley TAFE this year and whilst doing work experience here she impressed us with her work ethic so watch out for her on Mondays and Fridays.
Working in her mother’s costume shop in Santos from an early age she is no stranger to hard work as one can see given the variety of her jobs.
She shares her life between her nearby family in Nollamara, partner Richard from Wales and her refuge Aussie Terrier Rosie.
JAIMEE
RECEPTIONIST
It is with much pleasure that we introduce Jaimee Dunn who joined the squad here at Swanbourne mid November 2014 as a receptionist. Jaimee comes from Whangarei in the North Island of New Zealand having arrived in Perth in July 2013.
She worked for a Pathology laboratory in NZ, then Barbagallo’s here in Perth before joining us, and spends her leisure time playing netball, keeping fit in the gym, socialising with friends, and at the beach. She has a naturally afflicted with a passion for the All Blacks.
Animals have always been part of her life coming from a farm so cats, dogs, birds, rabbits and fish plus a pet lamb and cows are very familiar to her as she looks forward in her new job and where that will take her, including possibly veterinary nursing. Jaimee shares her home in Perth with her partner Paddy, and Boomer the bull terrier.
PHILLIPPA
RECEPTIONIST
With both her parents as vets, it is little surprise that Phillippa is a Veterinary student at Murdoch University. Phillippa went to school at Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School and grew up on a small hobby farm surrounded by animals – sheep, cows, alpacas, a goat, cats, dogs, rabbits, and the occasional hand-reared joey or injured animal. Her dog “Blue”, a very boisterous Maremma sheepdog, is her best friend, and Phillippa has found it very hard to move up to Perth and away from her.
You will see Phillippa on reception, primarily on weekends, and she enjoys getting to know all of our friendly patients and their owners.
SALLY
RECEPTIONIST
Sally was born in Edinburgh Scotland and moved to Perth in 1998. She completed her first undergraduate degree in Arizona, USA on a sports scholarship. She is currently studying at Murdoch University and is enrolled in the DVM program.
Sally has 2 labradors – Jagga a 12 year old black Labrador, and 8 year old Zeppelin, a golden Lab.
In her spare time, Sally enjoys going to the beach, listening to music, and playing sport. And it goes without saying that she has a love of all animals!
Sally is joining us on reception, whilst she aims to become a successful, qualified Veterinarian.
BRITTANY
RECEPTIONIST
Brittany is a 3rd year Veterinary student currently enrolled at Murdoch University. She is a Perth girl, growing up and attending school in Attadale. However, she also spent 3 years of her childhood living in Scotland.
She shares her household with Ivy, a young Groodle, and Abbi a female Cavoodle, and they all enjoy a visit to the beach. Brittany also owns a horse and spends a lot of her spare time horseriding. Brittany has previously worked as a stud hand at Namerik Thoroughbreds.
Brittany joined our team February 2020, and you will see her on reception whilst she is aiming to graduate with a distinction and become a successful veterinarian.
SUZANNE
ACCOUNT MANAGER
Suzanne has been a part of the Swanbourne team for several years, looking after the book-keeping and administration aspects of the business. She has previously worked in managerial and sales roles with telecommunications and property development companies. Suzanne has attained a diploma in Business Management, Certificate IV in Book-keeping, and Certificate IV in Accounting.
Suzanne shares her home with husband Richard, two busy young boys Riley and Samuel, and fur-baby staff Lola. She is an avid West Coast Eagles supporter, however being Tony’s daughter-in-law, is also somewhat obliged to follow Geelong!!
In her spare time, Suzanne chauffeurs the kids to their sporting commitments – Riley is a passionate AFL footballer and loyal Cats supporter, whilst Sammy enjoys his soccer and basketball – and she loves watching them play. She also enjoy pottering in the garden, her daily run with Lola and swimming. Family holidays, Rottnest escapes and time out together on little adventures also completes Suzanne’s life, when she’s not at Swanbourne taking care of the books!