Dr Phil Pearson

Senior Veterinarian and Director

I'm Dr Phil, the proud owner and senior Veterinarian at McLaren Vale Veterinary Surgery. I grew up in Sydney and completed my Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine at James Cook University in North Queensland in 2011. I moved to the Adelaide Hills in South Australia in 2011 and worked as a rural veterinarian for 9 years. Living in the McLaren Vale region, I decided to work closer to home, and joined the team at Familypet Vet (now known as McLaren Vale Veterinary Surgery) in 2021. I also worked as a surgeon at a veterinary referral surgery for 18 months, performing advanced surgical procedures including fracture repairs, cruciate ligament repair, patella luxation repairs and large tumour removals. In 2022 Dr Nick West decided to take a well-earned retirement, and passed on ownership of Familypet Vet McLaren Vale to myself.

My main areas of interest are surgery, dentistry and reproduction where I have undertaken extensive training to be able to provide the best treatment possible to my patients.

I live with my wife, Brooke, on a small hobby farm in the McLaren Vale region. I have a dog and running partner 'Codie', cat 'George' as well as 5 sheep, an alpaca, chickens and guinea fowl. In my spare time, I am often found running with my dog in the forest and on the beach. I also enjoy mountain biking, surfing, snowboarding, and any other water sports.

Dr Brooke Hasler

Veterinarian

I grew up in Adelaide and always had a strong connection to animals and the outdoors. After graduating as a veterinarian from James Cook University Queensland in 2011 I moved back down south and have been lucky to work with an amazing amount of creatures great and small.  These days I am really passionate about cat medicine and love working with chickens, however I also have a lot of experience with soft tissue surgery of all species, dentistry, emergency medicine and small mammals like rabbits, rats and ferrets. 

I have lived on the Fleurieu peninsula for the last 7 years and love the rugged beauty of the area and how the forest meets the ocean. Outside of work I love gardening, cooking and looking after orphaned lambs. I am expecting my first child in July 2023, and I'm looking forward to the adventure of being a new mum, but unfortunately I will be on maternity leave during that time.

Dr Emma Liebich

Veterinarian

I grew up on the Fleurieu Peninsula on a dairy farm where my passion for animals begun. I graduated from the University of Adelaide in 2014 and started my career in Murray bridge before later returning home to the Fleurieu to raise our young family. I have been with McLaren Vale Vets since 2021 and love being back in the region. My interests are particularly in small animal medicine. When not at work you’ll find me spending time with our two young daughters, along with our Border Collie, Maltese Shi-tzu and cat!

Dr Meghan Biggar

Veterinarian

I grew up in rural Alberta, Canada. I’ve always loved animals and the sciences, and being from the prairies, loved cattle. I graduated from Melbourne university in 2018, and moved back to Canada to work in mixed practice for a few years.

After Covid, my partner and I decided to move back to Australia, and I have been working with small animals since. I enjoy surgery, working up difficult cases, and forming connections with people and their pets.

When I’m not working, you’ll find me exploring the hiking trails around Adelaide, travelling, or lazing around the house with my pets.

Dr Emily Sandow

Veterinarian

Growing up on a farm in the Clare Valley I have always had a keen interest in the country and animals. After graduating from Murdoch University, Perth in 2006, I started in mixed practice in the Riverland. From here I ventured to the UK treating animals big and small. For the past 12 years I have been living on the Fleurieu Peninsula, working as a small animal vet.

Last year, I completed a Master’s degree through Massey University, New Zealand which reinforced my passion and knowledge for the profession. I have a keen interest in both medicine and surgery and love to tackle a tricky medical case! I strongly believe in exceptional patient care and quality of life and aim to maximise this for the pet and owner. I have recently joined the team at McLaren Vale Veterinary Surgery and am excited to be here.

Outside of work you can find me running long distances, playing Lego with my son, cooking, reading, walking on the beach, or doing yoga.

Natasha

Veterinary Practice Manager

Animals have always been a part of my life and I knew from a young age I wanted to work in the industry. I have been nursing since 2007, it took me awhile, but I finally became a qualified nurse in 2019. During my time as a nurse, I have enjoyed many aspects from surgical nursing to running puppy preschool classes.

I have been Practice Manager since July 2022 and have loved seeing a different side to nursing but cuddling all the gorgeous patients is hard to beat though.

Outside of work animals are involved as well. I have a tea cup cavoodle called Payton, 2 cats  Nymeria and William and 3 beautiful lorikeets, Sparkle, Glitter and Sapphire.

I also have a husband and young daughter who fill up the rest of my time.

Monique

Veterinary Nurse

I have been vet nursing since 2000, where I started this passionate journey and interest in animal health and care at Aldinga Vet Clinic. After a year or 2 I moved to Southern Animal Hospital, there I obtained my Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing, and I was a theatre nurse for 7 years. I then moved to McLaren Vale Vet Clinic in 2009, where I have loved working and continuing my learning, knowledge and the love and care for animals.

I have always been passionate about animals my whole life; I have had horses my whole life as well. I currently have 2 fur babies, a Labrador ‘Cooper’ and a Fox Terrier ‘Peanut’. I also own a husband and a 10-year-old son. We enjoy bike riding and motorbike riding together; we love to go camping too. I am also passionate about old cars, that my husband and I seem to collect and restore.

Rachael

Veterinary Nurse

After years or travelling and volunteering in animal conservation centres overseas and my time as a foster carer for Moving Paws Inc. I decided to change career and devote my life to the care of animals, especially those with special needs.

I still enjoy my travels abroad exploring different cultures and nature, but also love camping locally in my caravan with my dogs.

Jody

Veterinary Nurse

I have just completed my final year of a traineeship to become a qualified veterinary nurse.

My loves are animals, surfing, hiking, skate/snowboarding, drawing, photography, asking 100 questions and of course my family. A happy little family of husband, wife, 3 dogs and a cat. 

I can’t explain how lucky I feel to have become a team member at McLaren Vale Veterinary Surgery. It is such a caring work environment with an amazing bunch of talented, compassionate people. During my traineeship here, I have been so well supported. 

My favourite part of the job is welcoming the patients and the recovery process after surgery. 

Mark Twain once said, “If you find a job you love, you will never work a day in your life”. 

And here I am.

Lindsay

Veterinary Nurse

I have been veterinary nursing since 2005, with the majority of those years at the McLaren Vale clinic.

I enjoy all aspects of nursing but have a particular interest in behaviour and recently orthopaedics. I also spent about 10 years running puppy school which I really enjoyed.

Outside of work, I love to spend time outdoors with my husband and twin girls, and we also love to travel Australia in our caravan.

Debbie

Veterinary Nurse

I’ve been working as a Veterinary Nurse for 20 years, starting the profession in the UK in 2003, then moving to Australia in 2018. I love all aspects of my job, especially anaesthesia and radiography. I also enjoy improving my skills and knowledge through online webinars and lectures.

I have a cat called Archie who I rehomed in 2020 and a horse called Fizz who emigrated with me in 2018.

In my spare time I like going to the gym and generally love the outdoors, including riding my horse, photography and going to the beach.

Jessica

Veterinary Nurse

I completed my Certificate IV Veterinary Nursing in June 2021 after a long career in administration. I have worked with the RSPCA in a voluntary position, work placement and casual employment. I spent time with Southern Animal Group learning and putting theory into practice.

I live with my husband of 19 years, 6 cats, two dogs, Bruce the bearded dragon and a huge tank of African Cichlid fish who are as much a part of our life as all the others.

Having grown up in Tasmania, I have always been a small country town person and my heart was set on working in a community-based practice, and I have now found a perfect fit.

As a member of the VNCA and pending registered nurse, I look forward to my future with the amazing team at McLaren Vale Veterinary Surgery.

Hayley

Trainee Veterinary Nurse

I have always wanted to work the the Veterinary industry, having a love of animals since I was little. I grew up with a Blue Heeler named 'Bess' which cemented this passion.

I have completed multiple certificates to help me in my journey, those being - Pet First Aid, Grooming, Rural Operations and Animal Care.

I have now begun my Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing to become a fully qualified nurse.

I live at home with my husband and 3 dogs, Red the Red Heeler, Nova the Blue Heeler and my newest addition, Koda the Border Collie. In my spare time I love to spend time in my garden growing produce to make food from scratch, enjoy a good book, knitting and sewing.