Meet the Team
The Mt Helena Veterinary team is here to provide the “best local care” to pets in the Perth hills region. We genuinely care about the health, welfare and comfort of your pets and find that our personal approach has meant that many patients are keen to walk through the door.
We always have the best interests of the pet in mind… in fact every decision is made in the best interests for our patients. This in combination with spending the time with our clients to explain and recommend best practice care has helped create a loyal clientele that happily trust us with their valued family member.
We pride ourselves on providing the highest level of care and an elevated skill set ultimately benefiting the patient with the best possible outcome every time. For every surgery our patients are placed on intravenous fluids to maintain their blood pressure and protect their kidneys. We always have a dedicated nurse closely monitoring the patient during surgery and on recovery. We provide pain relief to every patient not to mention plenty of cuddles especially on recovery which absolutely always helps. 🙂
Our Veterinarians are experienced exclusively in small animal surgery and medicine and all our highly-skilled Nurses are registered with the Veterinary Surgeon’s Board. We make every effort to keep up to date with the best veterinary practice relevant to your pet’s needs.
Our team comes complete with a multitude of beloved furry, winged and scaly valued family members.
Dr Tanya
BSc BVSc
Dr Tanya is the full time senior veterinary surgeon and co-owner of Mt Helena Vet Clinic. Tanya grew up in the Perth Hills and studied Environmental Science at the University of W.A. She then moved to Melbourne to continue her studies completing her second degree being a Bachelor of Veterinary Medical Science at Melbourne University.
Tanya has extensive experience practicing in various clinics ranging from country clinics to the very busy inner-city Melbourne clinics.
Tanya moved back home in 2014 and has loved living and working back in the eastern hills of Perth since.
Although enjoying all aspects of medicine, Tanya has a special interest in soft tissue surgery and pocket pets and is delighted in the number of chickens and rabbits we see at Mt Helena Vet!
As often as she can, Tanya enjoys long walks with her fur baby Tilly the whippet.
Dr Marian
BSc BVMS
Marian was born and raised in the Perth Hills.
Before studying to become a veterinarian she travelled through Canada and Europe where she worked and volunteered for ranches and wildlife organisations. Her passion for working with all animals ranging from working dogs to wild bears combined with her love for biology, led her to pursue a path to become a veterinarian. She then travelled home to complete a veterinary degree at Murdoch University.
Marian enjoys a large variety of cases, from routine surgeries, to intriguing medical presentations.
If not at work, Marian can be found in the garden, or out exploring nature with her partner and their dog, Mila.
BSc BVMS
Tammy was born and raised in Perth, living most of her life around the hills.
She graduated as a vet from Murdoch University in 2001. After working in a number of clinics in Perth over the years, Tammy was delighted to join Mt Helena in early 2019.
Although Tammy has a soft spot for cats, she loves all animals and enjoys seeing the varied species that pass through the clinic. Tammy appreciates the diversity that each day the job brings, from vaccinations, to medical cases and surgeries.
Outside of work, Tammy enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, watching the Eagles win, jigsaws and logic puzzles. Her present fur/feather “kids” are two cheeky cattle dogs, two cats, two guinea pigs and six free-loading chickens.
Dr Michelle
BSc BVMS
I was born in Melbourne and raised from my teens in Perth, graduating from Murdoch University in 1997 with my veterinary degree. I have worked for 5 years in London and south west England before a long term commitment to an inner city Perth practice but am now very much enjoying working in the Perth hills. I love pretty much every aspect of being a vet but particularly enjoy soft tissue surgery and the opportunity to cherish and treat every pet as I would treat my own, and every client as if they are family. I live in a menagerie of kids and animals and thrive on growing things and cooking them.
Kaylee – Veterinary Nurse (RVN)
I am originally from Busselton and moved to Perth four years ago. After exploring a number of career pathways it ultimately led me to the Veterinary Nursing course at South Metropolitan Tafe.
I have always loved being around animals whether big or small. I grew up with my many pets including Cats, Dogs, Sheep and Rats all playing around the house which often made my home feel like a Zoo, which I loved!
Being able to find a career where I can work with animals and meet new people everyday, I love! and I feel I have found my place at Mt Helena Veterinary Clinic.
I often love unique pets and have little fur babies of my own named Clifford and Rudy, though they are small they are the best little boys and provide the best snuggles.
Arusha – Veterinary Nurse (RVN)
My name is Arusha, a Veterinary Nurse and friend to all animals, especially Australian Working breed dogs and native wildlife. I come from a large family of best mates, raised down near Fremantle.
A lot of My earliest memories involve animals. I seemed to share some kind of language with them which I couldn’t (and still can’t) explain. I moved to the Perth Hills in my early twenties, drawn up here by the flora and fauna, especially our 3 endangered Black Cockatoos which I will continue to advocate for. I am an ambitious person, and have worked in and studied many different fields. I started my own Wedding and Funeral Celebrancy business at 25 which fed my love of storytelling, but still something was missing, animals! Covid hit and it felt like my world was opening up whilst the rest of the world was shutting down.
I completed certificates in Animal Studies, Companion Animal Services and Veterinary Nursing back to back, and completed my prac with the intelligent, hilarious and dedicated team at Mt Helena Vet. I was thrilled when I was asked to stay and haven’t looked back. I have found that Surgery is my happy place. I am in awe of our Vets and Nurses at this practice, and my time in theatre with them is such a highlight.
In my rare spare time, you will find me in the native garden my partner and I have slaved over, enjoying a good glass of wine, listening to vinyl, watching sport, going to the footy when we can, and burying my head in Vet Science books as I want to become a Veterinarian before my time is done! Our two dogs Django (11 year old Blue Heeler x Kelpie) and our newest addition Merl (18 week old Blue Heeler) are the lights of our life and the entire reason for everything I do. Cheers!
“Kate has over 10 years experience as a Veterinary Nurse and force free, positive reinforcement based Dog Trainer. She was born and raised in Perth, but lived in the UK for a few years while scratching the travel itch. She moved to Mount Helena in 2020 with her now husband, and instantly fell in love with the “rural” lifestyle and the welcoming Mounties community! Their roots are firmly planted here now; with two beautiful young kids enjoying growing up in the hills!
Kate loves all aspects of Veterinary Nursing but has a particular passion for Behaviour Science and how it can be applied in a Veterinary setting to improve the mental, emotional and physical wellbeing of our patients. Kate loves to combine her Nursing, Dog Training and Fear Free Handling skills; to ensure you and your pet have a positive experience at every visit and ensure they get safe, stress free health care now and into the future!
Kate always had a passion for animals and was narrowly dissuaded from enrolling in Veterinary Science after graduating high school. But what is meant to be, will be, and after adopting a beautiful StaffyX Luna, who came to be her heart dog, she realised learning more about what makes our best friends tick and how to help them, was where she needed to be. Sadly Luna passed in 2024 but Kate honours her memory by striving to help animals with anxiety live happy, healthy lives. Her home is currently ruled by “Cindy Clawford” the sweetest tabby cat you could ever meet!
In her fleeting moments of “spare time” Kate likes to go camping far away from civilisation, lose herself in a good epic fantasy book, or find some zen in embroidery.
Melissa – Veterinary Nurse (RVN)
Melissa, a highly experienced senior veterinary nurse and Perth Hills local with over 30 years of industry experience. Having worked in various clinics throughout the Hills, she brings a familiar and friendly presence to our team.
Melissa’s extensive background includes working in London and abroad, experiences that broadened her skills and deepened her passion for veterinary medicine. She is a knowledgeable, dedicated professional and a skilled all-rounder known for her calm and caring approach with every patient.
Melissa is passionate about helping animals and supporting the people who love them. and loves being part of the local community.
Sandee – Veterinary Nurse (RVN)
Sandee has worked in pharmacy, (community and government) and book keeping to now following her dream job.
Sandee has a passion for ALL animals including exotics since she was young and is currently mumma bear to – Four birds – Larry, Dexter, Bruce and Shady – three which were rescued and one hand-raised from our clinic. Two dogs – Taizah and Diesel and Two rescue cats – Pauly and Rocket.
Michael – Practice Manager
Michael is co-owner of MHVC and comes with many years happily surrounding himself in the industry by being married to Dr Tanya.
Growing up in foot hills of Mt Baw Baw in a beautiful little Victorian country town of Willow Grove he was eager to travel and explore the world. Michael comes with a range of skills and experiences derived from his studies and careers in Hospitality/Marketing/Advertising/Public Relations/Sales and Small Business.
Michael has a genuine passion about providing an exceptional and elevated level of care to all our wonderful patients that enter through the door in company with providing the best possible customer experience for their owners. He loves meeting our clients when he can escape his office.
Tilly – owner of our lives 🙂 and we love it! – (Sadly departed in 2020)
Tilly is the very much loved family member of the Lovelock Bennett family clan. One of Tillys chores each day is to decide which bed she will rest on depending on the weather, view point and generally how she is feeling at the time. She loves walks through the many tracks that Perth Hills provide and loves a cow ear from time to time… yum yum
