Our Veterinary nursing team has both a wealth of experience and youthful exuberance which together provides a dynamic combination. We are very fortunate to have a group of such enthusiastic, dedicated and caring nurses who day in day out provide exemplary pet healthcare and also endeavour to provide our clients with the peace of mind that their pet's specific needs will be met.

Cathy Forrester

Cathy began work at Brandon Park Veterinary Hospital in 1980 after completing a Bachelor of Education and deciding teaching was not for her! Cathy heads the veterinary nursing team and still thoroughly enjoys all aspects of veterinary nursing. Over her time at Brandon Park Vet, Cathy's infectious smile and warm greetings have endeared her to many clients and pets alike. Her customer service is second to none and her attention to detail and respect for client needs act as a model for all our junior nursing staff. Combined with her senior veterinary nursing role, Cathy is also the Practice Manager, where her leadership and positive attitude bear well with all our staff.  

Cathy loves spending time with her husband and three children. She spends most of her leisure time camping with family and friends. She hopes to spend more time travelling with her Husband over the next few years. The "Darling Heart" of her life however is her Golden Retriever Tyler, who despite three legs and a constant stream of drool has managed to become a mascot of the practice.

Kelly McGrory

Kelly gained a Bachelor of Psychology from Deakin University in 1998. She started working at Brandon Park Veterinary Hospital in 1999 and has since completed Certificate III in Veterinary Nursing.

Kelly is one of our most experienced vet nurses. She has a keen interest in surgical nursing, and patient monitoring, which she excels in. Her considerate, and compassionate nature along and her "can do" attitude, has seen her become an integral part of our team, and leadership group. Her thoroughness and willingness to please has also seen her leave many an impression with our clients and pets.

Kelly is also the coordinator of our Puppy Preschool Program, a role which she thoroughly loves. She loves meeting all the new puppies and their pet parents, and in particular loves seeing how they progress.

In her off time, Kelly enjoys going to the gym and shopping.  She has a spoilt Chihuahua called Tara who hates to get her feet wet and has a different coat for each season.

Deanne Papas

Deanne was born and grew up in Adelaide but moved to Melbourne in 1999, when she joined the team at Brandon Park Veterinary Hospital. Deanne started her working life as a fitness instructor, but her passion for animal care saw her seek out a career in Veterinary nursing.

After a short break following the birth of her son Thomas, Deanne's welcomed return sees her rejoin the team as one of our experienced, senior veterinary nurses who really enjoys her veterinary nursing, combined with her various administrative tasks

Together with her husband Dave, and son Thomas, Deanne lives in Olinda with their beloved Labradors Cooper and Molly. Molly is like Deanne's shadow and at the clinic can often be found hiding under Deanne's desk. Cooper on the other hand is a little more care free and just enjoys playing around. Deanne also has a special interest in raring and breeding birds and has several breeding aviaries and an Alexandrine parrot by the name of Pete.

Erin Bennett

After working in the hospitality field for several years, and volunteering at various animal shelters Erin's true passion for animal care guided her into a career in Veterinary nursing. She joined the team at Brandon Park Veterinary hospital in 2006. Erin's genuine concern for our all our patients and incredibly compassionate nature has seen her quickly become a favourite and easily recognizable with many clients.

Erin has completed her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. She also has an interest in and helping our injured wild life.

2010 was a big year for Erin culminating her wedding day which was a spectacular event set within the Dandenong ranges. Erin and her husband have now settled back to normality and are kept busy at home looking after her two energetic Staffies, Roxy and Frog as well as looking after a couple of green tree frogs, and all their little offspring.

Brianna Sharp

Brianna joined the veterinary nursing team in 2008. She has always had a love of animals and a keen passion to become a Vet nurse. After completing high school Brianna volunteered regularly at the RSPCA and undertook an animal science course at Tafe. Brianna is quiet but very good at what she does and most importantly loves her nursing role. One of her most admirable qualities is her incredibly compassionate nature towards all our patients.

Brianna has completed her certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing and hopes to be able to build on surgical nursing skills utilizing her further training, within the practice.

She is also involved in coordinating the clinic's Kitten Adoption Program.

In her spare time Brianna enjoys spending time with her friends, and looking after her household of animals including Harley the Jack Russell, Ayvah the Sheltie, Billy the cat, a guinea pig, Jack the rabbit, a bird and three mice (who can all see very well).

Nicole Makepeace

Nicole has joined us in 2008 after deciding that she wanted to pursue a career in veterinary nursing after having worked in the animal kennel industry for several years. She has a very calm, confident personality when combined with her strong work ethic has seen her become an important member of our team in a very short period.

Nicole has already completed her animal handling and behavior certificate and has a keen interest in animal training and behaviour. She is also currently undertaking her Veterinary nursing certificate, and is also heavily involved in helping to run our puppy preschool program which has seen her running several of our classes.

Nicole and her partner Mel share a household with two smart little Jack Russell Terriers, Toby (who has helped Nicole with her dog training qualification, and Lola. They also have three cats, birds, fish and her most unusual acquisition has been a stick insect by the name of Spiny (who now also has lots of little sticks around).