We're a team of highly experienced vets and nurses dedicated to caring for your pet through every life stage.
The vets
When we took over Elwood and Albert Park Vets, the most common question we got was, 'Is Donald still here?' The answer 'yes' was always met with great relief.
Dr Donald Ward
If you don't know Donald, where have you been? Everyone knows, and loves, Donald.
Donald first came to Elwood and Albert Park Vets in 1988, and has been providing warm, compassionate and thorough care to local pets ever since.
When not in the clinics, you can find Donald at the theatre, sampling Melbourne's good eats, perusing local book shops or tending his native garden down at Anglesea. If you can't find him there, he may well be off exploring overseas.
Donald is the quintessential generalist – he enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine. His particular areas of interest include internal medicine and solving challenging behavioural problems.
We're very happy that the elegant Elena has joined our team as a permanent member!
Dr Elena Sammut
Elena used to locum for us when other vets were away or we need extra hands on deck. But we were so impressed with her high standard of care and dedication to her patients that we campaigned long and hard to join the team permanently. And she did!
Elena graduated with a veterinary degree from Murdoch University in 1991 and completed a grad dip in veterinary clinical studies at Sydney University in 1994. She's worked in small animal in Melbourne for over 15 years and is skilled in all aspects of veterinary medicine and surgery – including rabbits! She has a soft spot for guinea pigs too.
Albert Park Vet and Elwood Vet are owned by the same group of vets: Deborah Clift, Bec and Craig Goode and Raquel Newman. Although they don't regularly work at Albert Park, we can call on their specific skill sets whenever we need. This means that we have ability to perform ultrasounds and complex surgery, including orthopaedics, when required.
The nurses
Simone Ferguson
Simone is not only a very experienced vet nurse, she's also the face (and backbone) of Albert Park Vet. Her recent return after a stint away caused sighs of relief to ripple across Melbourne Ports.
Simone's charming smile and cupcake making skills hide her wicked and (seriously) rockstar side. We're all a bit jealous.
Georgie Loffler
Georgie is our youngest team member. When she's not busy completing her vet nursing studies or goldfish grooming she's out enjoying live music and cinema.
Georgie's quiet and calm demeanour comes in very useful for putting stressed patients at ease.
You'll find Georgie at both Elwood Vet and Albert Park Vet.
Occasionally you might see some of our Elwood Vet nurses (Kate, Camila and Kara) over at Albert Park too.