Learn About
For Humans
- Ample street parking available.
- Comfortable reception area.
- Wheel chair accessible.
For Pets
- Cat friendly reception area and consultation rooms.
- Modern surgical suite.
- Complimentary treats.
- Wide selection of toys.
Dr. Catherine Harper
Veterinarian
Catherine's Bio
Catherine has a degree in Biology from the University of Louisville in USA and completed her veterinary training at Murdoch University in Perth. She graduated in 2013 and has worked in the Barossa since then, initially working for Dr Peter Jones and since July 2016 as the business owner of Barossa Veterinary Service.
Her special interests include small animal medicine and farm animal welfare and production. She is passionate about improving the management practices to maximise welfare and production for the farmer through education and awareness of the latest research.
Her hobbies include spending time with her daughter Isabelle, walking and training her crazy dogs, gardening and enjoying a good movie.
She has two dogs, Olly and working dog bitzer, Jax the German Shepherd and a cat named CC who she adopted from the clinic.
Dr. Carly Whittaker
Veterinarian
Carly graduated a Bachelor of Animal Science at University of Adelaide then studied Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Melbourne, graduating in 2017.
Carly's Bio
Carly previously worked at an equine and small animal practice in Victoria for before joining us and has plenty of equine and small animal experience. Her special interests lie in small animal ultrasonography, small animal surgery and oncology.
When not working she enjoys horse riding, drinking wine and walking her dogs. She also loves pole dancing, initially for fitness but has recently won a couple of pole dancing competitions too!
Pets include 2 rescue dogs – Tina the Kelpie and Cleo a staffy x whippet.
Dr. David Shalders
Veterinarian
Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, 2018 Graduate
David's Bio
David has lots of expertise with large animals, particularly ambulatory equine work.
He has a particular interest in and has completed additional training in Equine Dentistry. His other interests are small animal surgery and ruminants, in particular goats and alpacas.
Hobbies are mostly outdoors ones in particular squash, running and professional paintball. He also enjoys working on his family’s farm in Victoria running Black Angus beef cattle.
Pets include Thelma a German Shorthaired Pointer x Bluetick Coonhound, who enjoys running, chasing birds and beach walks.
Dr. Sarah Allen
Veterinarian
Sarah's Bio
Bachelor of Science (Vet Bio) & Doctor of Veterinary Medicine – BSc (Vet Bio) DVM, University of Adelaide Graduate
Sarah is a large and small animal vet with a wealth of experience, particularly with horses. Her special interests and expertise are small animal dentistry and ophthalmology.
Hobbies include horse riding, hiking and wine tasting.
At home there are Vincent (the most handsome!) 9yo Greyhound X and Tinkerbell an 8 year old stockhorse mare
Dr Meghan Hanna
Veterinarian
Anita Gaerth
Technical Operations Manager
Certificate IV Veterinary Nursing at Gilles Plains TAFE SA
Anita's Bio
Anita is our pocket pet enthusiast and loves to meet all bunnies and guinea pigs that enter the clinic.
Anita enjoys walking her dog, spending time with her family and brunching on the weekends.
Anita lives with her cat Rascal and dog Finley.
Chloe Williamson
Vet Nurse
Chloe's Bio
Chloe is an outstanding event rider on her horse Primrose, plus she resides with her 2 cats Gertrude and Elsie, and 2 dogs Malle the Golden Retriever and Carby the Labrador. Chloe also enjoys spending time with her daughter Mia and teaching her all about animals.
Brigita Prior
Vet Nurse
Brigita's Bio
Brigita enjoys all aspects of equine nursing and production animal health.
Brigita’s spare time is spent with her horses, competing in a variety of disciplines including eventing, dressage and showing and loves her rural lifestyle.
Her pets include a whippet named Steve, two cats Jeffery and Ruffles and too many horses to name individually.
Julie Mielnik
Vet Nurse
Julie's Bio
Julie’s expertise is in Paediatric Anaesthesia and her passion is dentistry. She originally graduated in 2009 and updated her veterinary skills in 2017.
Julie was previously employed at the AWL and now owns 2 rescue cats – Emily and Billy.
When not working, Julie enjoys running, kickboxing and gardening. She also loves spending time with her 3 beautiful children.
Jen McKinlay
Vet Nurse
Jen's Bio
Qualification: Cert IV Veterinary Nursing at Gilles Plains, TAFE SA
Jen is our cat nurse, she has a special interest in feline behaviour and loves nothing more than making a cat’s visit with us as comfortable as possible. Initially a graphic artist and animal foster carer in Sri Lanka and India, in 2009 Jen decided to follow her passion and trained as a vet nurse.
In her spare time she likes exploring Asia, fostering for the AWL, drinking strong coffee and listening to 80’s music.
At home there are 3 mischievous rescue cats called Marvin, Basil and Cassy.
Gay Ammerlaan
Vet Nurse
Gay's Bio
Qualification: studied at Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing at Gilles Plains, TAFE SA
Gay’s has a wealth of experience as a vet nurse and a special interest is in orthopaedics.
Her hobbies include watching AFL, particularly the Crows as she is an avid supporter. She also likes gardening and walking her dog, Amara.
Gay lives with 2 cats, Gizmo and Stewy, Benson the noisy Galah and Amara the German Shorthaired Pointer.
Lauren Freeman
Veterinary Nurse
Certificate IV veterinary nursing at Gilles Plains, TAFE SA
Lauren's Bio
Lauren has lots of nursing experience but specialises in medicine and intensive care. She also has a special interest in caring for native wildlife, the furry variety.
Her interests include caring for her rescued animals, dirt bike riding, camping, fishing and binging on Netflix when she has spare time.
At home Lauren has 2 border collies Leroy and Cobba, a cat called Bel, 4 kangaroos, Digger, Dot, Kenny and Poppy. 2 wallabies, Josephine, and Wallis, who was born blind and Jezza the pet sheep.
Ashley Pike
Veterinary Nurse
Cert IV Vet Nursing through GoTAFE in Victoria (run with CSU) and a Bachelor of veterinary technology studied at Charles Sturt University Wagga Wagga, Cert II in Agriculture and Certificate in artificial insemination and pregnancy testing of cattle.
Ash's Bio
Ash is a true country girl, with a keen interest in all things relating to production animals and horse, she is also interested in patient rehab.
Ash lives with her stumpy tailed kitten, Snowflake and Shelby who is a stockhorse.
In her spare time she loves playing rugby, riding, fishing/camping with my partner Luke and splitboarding!
Caring for Animals
Barossa Veterinary Service is dedicated to providing the best possible health outcomes for your pet. We will provide advice and care that aligns with best practice.
Caring for People
We recognise the positive impact pets have on the lives of their owners and endeavour to improve the relationship between owners and their pets.
Caring for the Environment
People and pets have a large impact on the local and global environment. We seek to educate owners on environmentally responsible pet ownership.