Meet our experienced team

Dr Denis RyanVeterinarian, MVB Dublin Ireland 1984

Graduating in Dublin, Ireland in 1984. Darina and I came to Australia in 1987. After 6 years at Kyneton (north west of Melbourne) in a very mixed practice. The family (now with 3 young kids) moved to Torquay in 1993, to set up a veterinary practice from scratch.

We found it to be such a wonderful place and intended to stay here forever! When I’m not at the vets, I spend time at continuing education conferences, bringing the wealth of knowledge gained back to the practice to share with all the other staff.

Everybody working at the practice is encouraged to keep their veterinary expertise up to date with the latest developments. Having interests in all aspects of veterinary practice – especially diagnostic imaging and surgery.

I’m also interested in communicating very well with clients, using available forms of imagery in explaining the diagnosis that the team works so hard to arrive at.

Dr Mark YeeVeterinanian, BVSc

I began my veterinary career working in mixed animal practice on the Bellarine Peninsula before deciding to focus on the care of companion animals.

This led me to working in busy urban clinics in Melbourne and then in Sydney where I was the head veterinarian and manager. I spent 2008 based in the UK where I locumed in a small animal clinic in Romsey, Hampshire and was able to travel within Europe.

I started at Torquay Animal House in 2009 and have been able to focus on my interests in surgery, dentistry and care of older pets.

Torquay Animal House is a fantastic team environment and it is a joy to be able to provide high quality pet care with motivated people in a great part of the world.

When I am not working I enjoy spending time outdoors with my wife Emma and our rapidly growing kids, Robbie and Chloe. We have a Kelpie cross called Sushi, two miniature goats Tandi and Zola and a cat named Erik.

Dr Lara DayVeterinarian, BSc DVM (Cert ivVN)

I competed my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Melbourne in 2017. After high school, I did a bit of travel, then settled in Aireys Inlet.

I began a double degree in Arts and Science, which I never completed as our children arrived on the scene! After some time being a stay at home mum, I started vet nursing in Geelong, and then at Torquay Animal House.

I enjoyed working in a vet clinic so much, that after I finished my nursing qualifications, I decided to go back to uni to study Veterinary Medicine.

After completion of my DVM and doing placement at many different clinics around Victoria, I decided that there really is no place like home, and came back to Torquay Animal House to work full time.

I have an interest in surgery, imaging and echocardiography, but i’m really enjoying all aspects of being a small animal practitioner. I’m currently looking at post graduate study in small animal medicine.

I particularly love working with such an amazing team of caring nurses and vets, and with our lovely surf-coast clients and their gorgeous pets.

When I’m not at work, I’m usually reading veterinary literature, surfing, bushwalking, or ferrying my kids around to various after school sports and activities. I’m the proud owner of one very spoilt rescue cat, Chip, who is currently curled up on my lap as I type.

Dr Jess PoulsenVeterinarian, BVSc

After graduating from Queensland Uni I worked in a busy small animal practice in NSW for a couple of years before moving back down to the Surfcoast to be closer to family.

I have a keen interest in preventative health and also enjoy both medical and surgical cases. I attend continuing veterinary education conferences in the aim of keeping up to date with the latest treatments and procedures for your pets.

I have two energetic sons and two beautiful mongrels; Lucy is a boxer cross and her brother Arthur, a border collie cross from Geelong Animal Welfare.

After completion of my DVM and doing placement at many different clinics around Victoria, I decided that there really is no place like home, and came back to Torquay Animal House to work full time.

I have an interest in surgery, imaging and echocardiography, but i’m really enjoying all aspects of being a small animal practitioner. I’m currently looking at post graduate study in small animal medicine.

I particularly love working with such an amazing team of caring nurses and vets, and with our lovely surf-coast clients and their gorgeous pets.

When I’m not at work, I’m usually reading veterinary literature, surfing, bushwalking, or ferrying my kids around to various after school sports and activities. I’m the proud owner of one very spoilt rescue cat, Chip, who is currently curled up on my lap as I type.

Dr Kate ChambersVeterinarian – B.V.Sc (Hons)

I grew up in Hobart, Tasmania and following completion of my veterinary science degree in Sydney in 2007 I worked in a large mixed practice in Mount Gambier, SA.

I then pursued my interest in equine work to an internship at an equine specialist hospital. A couple of years down the track I decided a ‘career change’ to companion animal practice and a ‘sea change’ was needed and I have been here ever since.

Having met my husband here in Torquay we have made it our home and welcomed our daughter last year. Upon returning to work from maternity leave the opportunity came up to live the dream and work at Torquay Animal House which is just amazing.

I love the dedication of each and every staff member to providing the best possible care to your beloved pets and the pure enthusiasm for all aspects of veterinary medicine and surgery that this team exudes.

My main areas of interest are dermatology, internal medicine and emergency/critical care and I love reading Veterinary textbooks and attending continuing education courses.

My first baby is my golden retriever Sadie, who has been with me since graduation, and we also have Oscar, a border collie and Mabel the ‘naughty tortie’ Burmese Cat.

Outside of work I enjoy swimming, going to the gym and getting out and about with the human and fur family to enjoy our beautiful Surf Coast beaches and bush.

Dr Lisa TragearVeterinarian, BVSc

I graduated from the University of Melbourne in 1994 and began my veterinary career working with one of Melbourne’s largest small animal clinics, where I continued to work for many years.  This gave me exposure to a huge case load and the opportunity to develop wide ranging skills and experience in all areas of small animal medicine and surgery.

A couple of years working in the UK in Derbyshire and Suffolk was a fantastic experience professionally and preceded travel with my husband through Europe, South America and Africa.  After returning home it wasn’t long before our two beautiful children arrived and in 2010, we made the decision to make the Surfcoast our home.

Since then I have enjoyed working around the Geelong area while raising a family but feel very fortunate to have joined the team at Torquay Animal House in 2020.

It is a privilege to work with such a talented and dedicated team of vets and nurses who really are committed to providing the best possible care to their patients.  I also love having the opportunity to meet and support the pets and families of my local area.  At the clinic, I enjoy and am able to help with all aspects of small animal medicine and I particularly enjoy surgery.

When I’m not working, I enjoy getting out into nature with my family to enjoy our beautiful Surfcoast surrounds, getting stuck into a good book or indulging my inner Nana with a bit of knitting!

My family and I share our home with James, our gentle adopted greyhound, who enjoys sleeping, reminiscing about his racing days, sleeping, eating and sleeping a bit more.

Ann LukeClinic Practice Manager / Veterinary Nurse

I have been nursing with Animal House since 1998. I have always had a passion for patient care and ensuring owners are well informed of their pets needs.

My nursing experiences range from university, welfare, overseas locums and volunteer work. As the clinic has evolved over the years, so too has my role within it.

I continue to attend regular Veterinary Nurse seminars, conferences to keep up with current techniques and advances in the industry.

Being a Practice Manager gives me the ability to encourage the team to also give their best, which in turn creating a wonderful work environment.

Shanny StanleyVeterinary Nurse / Receptionist

I decided to become a veterinary nurse when my old girl Daisy became ill. The compassion and care that the vet nurses at Torquay Animal House showed me, really made me believe that I wanted to become a vet nurse myself and make a difference.

I have always had a passion for animals, but it wasn’t until my children were old enough that I decided the time was right to pursue my dream of working with animals.

I studied my Certificate 4 in Veterinary Nursing. I feel very preiveledged to be able to come to work every day, to a place where I can work with a fantastic team.

Jade VaughanVeterinary Nurse / Receptionist

I started my career as a dog groomer at Torquay Animal House in 2004 and loved it. Handling the dogs and starting to understand their body language was great.

Then in 2009 an opportunity came up for me to study veterinary nursing at Victoria University Werribee part time and also work at Torquay Animal House and I haven’t left.

I love working with animals and I love the amazing team I work with, so I’m never leaving.

Deb EarlVeterinary Nurse / Receptionist

I have always had a passion for animals and animal care and before kids looked at achieving something in this area. My attention shifted when I had my 3 boys and was lucky enough to be a stay at home mum for several years.

But now that they are heading off to school I was given the opportunity to join the awesome team at Torquay Animal House in 2018 and begin my dream of becoming a veterinary nurse.

I’m very much enjoying being a working mum as I have loads of support from my husband, kids and work colleagues. I feel so very lucky to be a part of the team and I always look forward to going to work to learn more and be the best that I can be!

I’m really excited about what the future holds for me at this amazing veterinary practice.

Steph KeetVeterinary Nurse / Receptionist

Growing up surrounded by animals, I knew I wanted to work with them since I was 7. I graduated my certificate IV vet nursing in 2016, and began my bachelor degree of Zoology and Animal Science in 2017.

I joined the family at Animal House in December 2017, where I have been given the opportunity to grow my nursing skills as part of one big supportive and nurturing team.

In my spare time you can find me either studying or spending time with my feline furbaby Buster.

Darina RyanAdministration

For many years I worked as a nurse, practice manager and receptionist at Torquay Animal House. Having well over 25 years experience in the veterinary nursing field.

Still involved in the vet practice in an administrative role, while owning and managing the Torquay and Surfcoast Cattery, I have a particular interest in feline behavior.

Attending feline conferences to keep up to date with the latest in feline practices. I love the fact that Torquay Animal House is a cat friendly practice and is a member of the International Society of Feline Medicine.

However, should the need arise, I’m always available to help at Animal House.

Emma YeeAdministration

Growing up on small acreage in Freshwater Creek with dogs, cats, horses and a couple of pet sheep, my love of animals was ingrained from the very beginning.

As well as a successful career in sales, I have also managed a year of studying and working as a vet nurse in Melbourne.

Working at Torquay Animal House behind the scenes in administration I also help out whenever needed; this includes some nursing and that’s when you may see me in the clinic.