Say hello to our friendly team

It saddens us to announce the retirement of Dr Bill Harkin in 2021. He has managed Blackburn Animal Hospital for over 30 years, and he has been an integral part of our community during that period. His contributions will always be remembered and valued; his commitment and dedication will be greatly missed. Our team will continue to provide the best service to our clients and patients. Our team wish Dr Bill Harkin the best of luck and health.

Bill has had a passion for working with animals all of his life. He grew up on a Gippsland dairy farm and graduated from Melbourne University in 1975 to be a cattle vet. After working in various roles with cattle, horses, sheep and dogs and cats, he found his greatest interest was in surgery.

Post-graduate study led to his attaining Membership of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists by examination in Small Animal Surgery in 1984. Bill was on the verge of going to America to become a specialist surgeon, but his love for general practice, particularly the chance to build lifelong relationships with pets and their 'parents', kept him in this country.

Bill is an Honorary Senior Fellow of the University of Melbourne. He has been an examiner for veterinary students and is involved in their training. He has been a member of the Australian Veterinary Association since his student days and has been honoured to be President of the Victorian Division of the AVA in 2009, 2010 and 2011. He is also involved in the training of veterinary nurses as a member of Box Hill TAFE's Industry Reference Group and Chairman of the Diploma Accreditation Committee. Bill has been a media spokesman, on behalf of the veterinary profession, in both print and electronic media.

Bill took over Blackburn Animal Hospital in 1988 and has driven the continual improvement process that has led to it being one of the state's best veterinary hospitals today. He is particularly proud of having assembled such a talented team of vets and nurses, all of whom are dedicated to looking after your pet's welfare in every way.

In his spare time, Bill enjoys woodworking and spending time with his family: his wife Jan, children Julie, Mary, Catherine & Tim, and grandchildren Sienna, Lachlan and Amelia. The four-legged members of Bill's family are Nala, a Labrador x Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and her companion Angus the ginger Domestic Short Hair cat.

Seung has had extensive experience in all aspects of internal medicine, advanced surgeries, reproduction and emergency medicine since his graduation from Massey University in New Zealand. Seung, with all of his postgraduate studies, enjoys dealing with surgical and medical cases plus chemotherapies; he has completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Small Animal Medicine at Massey University.

Seung is a skilled surgeon with a large amount of advanced surgery experience. He worked as the main surgeon for the last 6 years with many surgical caseloads; he successfully completed a Postgraduate Surgery Course at Sydney University in 2017. Seung particularly enjoys orthopaedic and advanced soft tissue surgeries including cancer resections and surgeries in brachycephalic breeds.

Seung was born in South Korea and experienced the efficacy of 'Alternative Medicine' such as Acupuncture, Herbs and Traditional Chinese Medicine. He wanted to apply this to our furry friends and proudly achieved a Certificate of Veterinary Acupuncture in 2013. Seung has treated many dogs, cats (and even a ferret!) suffering from musculoskeletal conditions, behavioural disorders, epilepsy, autoimmune and skin disorders.

Seung joined the partnership at Blackburn Animal Hospital in 2019; he enjoys working with the supportive team, meeting the wonderful clients, and helping their loved pets.

Seung spends his time out of work looking after his two young children, Lina and Noah, with his wife Hannah. He has three dogs: two Pug X (Boonam and Booja (pictured) and a Beagle (Boodong). Boonam was their first pet together (even before their children). Both Booja and Boodong were rescued from a pet shop and a puppy farm. Seung and Hannah also have a half adopted the neighbour's gorgeous cat, Lucky!

Alyssa has been working in vet clinics since she was in high school. She graduated from the University of Georgia in the USA with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (2008) and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (2012). After graduation, she moved to Melbourne and practised in and around the Eastern suburbs ever since.

Alyssa enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine, but especially ultrasonography. She loves working with a great team to provide owners and their beloved pets with the best possible care.

Alyssa has two young children, Brooke and Garrett, with her husband, Aaron. She has a tabby cat, Bandit, and a Mastiff-cross named Burke, who were adult rescues. In her spare time, she enjoys working in her vegetable garden and travelling.

John joined our team as a senior clinic veterinarian in late 2022. He was born and grew up in Australia and is of Chinese ethnicity. He speaks English and Cantonese.

He is a 1995 graduate of Melbourne University Vet School and has been working as a small animal veterinarian in both Australia and overseas. He previously owned his own vet clinic for many years in Hong Kong before returning to Australia.

John is passionate about improving the health and welfare of all small animals. He has a particular interest and experience in exotic pets and plans to sit his membership in Medicine and Surgery of Unusual Pets.

He currently owns fish and guinea pigs (Wax & Don), and keeps busy with a growing family.

Simone joined the team at Blackburn Animal Hospital in 2019 and came to us as the Senior Veterinary Nurse and Practice Manager with more than 20 years of experience and lots of passion.

She has worked as a nurse in general practice, emergency and specialist centres. Simone enjoys all aspects of veterinary nursing, particularly monitoring anaesthesia, medical nursing and customer service. She has a particular interest in pain management and ophthalmology.

Simone prides herself on providing the highest standard of patient care and the training of junior nurses.

Simone owns a young Ragdoll, called Florence, who is very affectionate. She also shares a three-legged cat called Patrick with her partner. Simone is very excited to join the team and build trusting relationships with all our amazing clients and their fur families.

Emily joined the Blackburn Animal Hospital team in 2020 after completing her Associate's Degree in Veterinary Nursing.

Emily has always loved being around animals. She learned to ride and care for horses from a young age and has enjoyed working at a boarding kennel and cattery for the past several years.

Emily enjoys all aspects of veterinary nursing but is particularly interested in surgical nursing, clinical pathology and pain management.

Emily is committed to providing a high standard of care for all animals and is excited to be a part of such a friendly and dedicated veterinary team.

In her spare time, Emily enjoys watching movies, gardening and swimming. She loves spending time with her partner, a young daughter, two Beagles (Lamington and Puddington) and a cat, Tilly.

Prue grew up in Blackburn with her parents, older brother, two younger sisters and an array of dogs, cats, rabbits and mice.

In 1998, Prue obtained a Degree in Environmental Science at Deakin University. Prue has also undertaken voluntary work, a highlight being working in Queensland with the critically endangered Loggerhead Turtles and Green Turtles.

Prue has been part of the Blackburn Animal Hospital team since 2004 and loves her job as no two days are the same. She values the 'family' environment of the hospital.

Prue is a real asset to Blackburn Animal Hospital. You are likely to run into Prue in the consulting room assisting the veterinarians and caring for the outpatients.

Prue has welcomed her first child Eve Elizabeth.

Amie joined the team at Blackburn Animal Hospital in December 2020 as a Trainee Nurse with just over 1 year of cattery and nursing experience. She has a background and worked in both Agriculture and Conservation and Land Management and has completed Diplomas in both industries. She successfully completed her Certificate III in Animal Studies (Specialising in Veterinary Nursing), and she is currently studying for her Certificate IV in Veterinary nursing.

Amie has an enthusiasm for the welfare, health, and conservation of all types of animals, both exotic and native and has volunteered with a Wildlife Shelter for 2 years, as well as being a presenter for a Native Animal Zoo.

Outside of the Clinic, Amie enjoys snow skiing, water skiing and hiking. She is best friends with her German Shepard, Charlie!

Shantelle joined the Blackburn Animal Hospital team in 2022 as a trainee veterinary nurse with some nursing experience volunteering in the Blackburn area.

She began her journey working with animals as a dog groomer with an interest in stress-free techniques. She has a passion for animal behaviour and training, and utilizes her knowledge to ensure patients are as happy and relaxed as possible!

Since working as a veterinary nurse, she has loved all aspects of nursing and couldn’t imagine doing anything else. She has completed her Certificate IV in Veterinary nursing.

In her spare time, Elle enjoys spending time with her two dogs Hunter and Sparrow, and teaching them silly tricks.

Reanna joined the team at Blackburn Animal Hospital in March 2024 with over 5 years clinical experience in general practice clinics working with cats, dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs.

Reanna loves getting to know every patient and client that comes through the door.

Outside of the Clinic, Reanna enjoys performing with her choir Southern Voices and spending time with her family and many pets including her 2 year old Dog Merida and 4 year old Cat Gertrude, just to name a few.

Oliver is the youngest member of our hospital. He was born in Shanghai. Oliver started playing with animals in his aunt's pet shop when he was two years old.

During a trip to Melbourne in 2012，Oliver saw a koala rescue operation and decided to study to get into the animal industry. His family immigrated to Melbourne in 2014 and he joined Blackburn Hospital in 2022. Oliver has completed Cert II in Animal Studies, Cert III in Companion Animal Service and Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing.

Oliver is super kind and patient, always treating people and animals with respect and love. In his work in the clinic, he is very modest and hardworking.

Oliver has two cats with his partner, one overweight cat named Miu Miu and another fluffy little cat called Ash. Both cats were rehomed and gained a second life with Oliver.

Oliver started breeding geckos, frogs and scorpions when he was in China and now he has a baby blue-tongue lizard named Isaac. Outside of work, he likes tattoos, cars and surfing. Zoos and aquariums are Oliver's favourite places to waste time.

Lucia joined our team at Blackburn Animal Hospital in mid 2023 as a trainee vet nurse.

She completed a Certificate II in Animal Studies in 2022, and is currently studying Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing.

Lucia has been working at a boarding Kennels and Cattery for almost three years. She has a passion for caring for animals and Lucia has known she has wanted to work with animals from a young age. Growing up Lucia has had lizards, chickens and fish, as well as her dog Maxi.

In her spare time, she loves to go to the beach and swim, or read.

Leah joined the team in late 2023 as a trainee vet nurse and is currently studying Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing.

In her previous life Leah studied and worked in the architectural field but discovered her passion in animals after she started volunteering at an animal adoption centre. She has been volunteering for the last five years and continues to spend her weekends with these animals waiting for their forever homes.

When she's not at work or school, Leah enjoys spending time with her housemate's geriatric cat, Jack who has been a part of her life for over 10 years.