Halifax Veterinary Centre

Halifax Veterinary Centre is the leading vet clinic in the Nelson region - offering up-to-date care for your dogs and cats. We are New Zealand's ONLY accredited Best Practice veterinary hopsital. We Treat Your Pet As If It Were Our Own. Our mission is to enhance the relationship you have with your pet.

Halifax Veterinary Centre has an extremely strong professional team. Be assured that your pet will benefit from the combined experience of qualified veterinarians and veterinary nurses.

In addition to each veterinarian being fully qualified in general medicine, surgery and dentistry, Halifax Veterinary Centre has 3 out of 5 of our veterinarians who are members of the Australian College Of Veterinary Scientists.

For more information about the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists (ACVSc) please click on the following link www.acvs.org.au/content.asp

Known for his love of people and pets, Hans was the first veterinarian in New Zealand to qualify as a Member of the Australian College of Veterinary Science in both cat and dog internal medicine. He now acts as a mentor for other veterinarians hoping to pass their examinations in this field.

A man of many talents, Hans also teaches veterinary nursing for polytechnic students and is the chief surgeon for Halifax Veterinary Centre.

His most famous patient would be Maude the Takahe of television fame. Hans also finds time for his two and four-footed family and for using his long legs for long distance running!

Since 2001 Duncan has confined his practice to companion animal dermatology.  He is one of the two veterinarians on the register of veterinarians with particular skills with an interest in companion animal  dermatology (skin diseases) in NZ. Having done "skin" training in top USA institutions, he now consults on a weekly basis in other centres, visiting Wellington, Christchurch and Palmerston North regularly (monthly) and other centres more sporadically. Most Thursday mornings, except during Rainbow Rage training, he can be found at Halifax.  He has a strong commitment to continuing education, and has presented on skin problems throughout the country.  His interests in dermatology include allergy and ear and nose problems.  He is one of two New Zealand veterinarians who regularly perform intradermal testing.

The smellier, balder, or itchier the patient, the better he likes it!

Duncan is also very interested in behavioural problems; it was he who introduced Puppy Preschool to New Zealand (and lectured on it) - another Halifax Veterinary Centre first.

Duncan is passionate about his family (and makes sure the Centre is child-friendly). He once had other interests like gardening and tramping but apart from yearly attempts to get mountain biking fit for the Rainbow Rage, his life revolves around his family and dermatology.

For information on maximising your dermatology visit, see FAQ's and Tips.

Chris brings extraordinary diagnostic abilities to Halifax Veterinary Centre. He is on the particular skills list in ultrasonography, and accepts referrals in scanning: even cat hearts, eyeballs, and whole fish for the Holmes TV One show!

He really enjoys unravelling unusual cases… and gets plenty of them.

With Hans, Chris has a special interest in birds and works for the Department of Conservation with endangered species. He is also very interested in cancer therapy and gets great satisfaction working with different methods in this field.

A warm, compassionate and dedicated veterinarian, he has a growing collection of varied rescued pets. And on days off? He disappears into the quiet of the bush.

Todd joined the team at Halifax in 2003.  Focus is one of Todd's strong points, in fact, Todd began to focus on his career in veterinary science at age 5. After watching several episodes of "All Creatures Great and Small" this was to be his lifes' ambition. Luckily lots of hard work (and perhaps a little too much socialising) paid off and this ambition became a reality. A Massey graduate of 1994 Todd spent his first years in practice in South Australia then returned to Massey University in 1996 to undertake a post-graduate training program in small animal internal medicine. He gained a Masters of Veterinary Science in 2000 after studying and researching critical care nutrition in dogs.

A member of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists by examination in small animal medicine, Todd has acted as both examiner and mentor for prospective candidates. Currently. Todd is involved in referral medicine cases and diagnostic imaging and is pursuing an interest in diagnostic cytology and more recently dentistry. In June of 2007 Todd attended a PennHip® training program and is now one of only 9 veterinarians in New Zealand certified to perform this method for early detection of hip dysplasia in dogs.. For more information about PennHip® please click on the following link www.pennhip.org/

Todd enjoys spending his spare time with wife Lucy and their three children Emma, Sam and Charlotte. Mountain biking, fishing and golf are some of his favourite activities. George the family faithful dog has recently been joined by Coco a beautiful tabby torti who now rules the roost!

"Working at Halifax is an absolute pleasure - it not only allows me to follow my dream but I am blown away by the passion the team brings to enhancing the the relationship between owner and pet. Halifax certainly is at the forefront of enriching this bond and ensuring wellness is maintained throughout life".

Bryan is really into orthopaedics: the diseases and conditions of the bones and joints.

Never happier than piecing fragments of a fracture back together again, Bryan is also the mainstay of Halifax Veterinary Centre’s Saturday and Sunday services, and by Sunday night he is still smiling.

Bryan has an extensive four-legged family: 3 cats and "Lochinvar," his lively Jack Russell terrier. He has spent time in Asia, climbing in Nepal and getting to know Indian culture. Keen on ecology, Bryan enjoys tramping and snow climbing.

Please Note: While Halifax Veterinary Centre is very proud of its veterinarians, it must be pointed out that none are registered specialists. To be a true specialist, one needs very, very intensive training and to be spending at least 50% of the working time in that specialty. We do, however, import specialists from time to time and/or refer on to these veterinarians (with whom we have a very good working relationship) when needed or requested.

All the nurses at Halifax Veterinary Centre are qualified, and are expected to continue their professional development with ongoing education.

While each one has special duties, they are all fully trained. You will find them helpful and knowledgeable.

They will register your arrival and weigh your pet. The latter is really important for monitoring body condition and getting dosages as accurately as possible.

They may also take you into an examination room and start the record, remove sutures, change bandages and so on. The most important thing they do is called triage: that means always being on the lookout for emergencies and knowing what to do immediately.

All of our nurses ensure the comfort of your pet while in hospital; they also assist in surgery and are responsible for administering the prescribed medications.

They are responsibile for monitoring animals under anaesthetic, and for ensuring the sterility of the instruments and theatre.

They also set up IV drips, take x-rays, and have had extra training in dental procedures, rather like pet dental nurses!

In contrast to traditional "obedience" work, The classes that Stephanie has set up with Halifax Veterinary Centre use no harsh commands. Good behaviour is encouraged with treats and cunning, bad behaviour discouraged by promoting a favourable change that results in praise or treats. The goal is a well-mannered canine companion.

She also offers consultations here at the clinic, and one on one with you and your dog at the place of your choice.

Because of Occupational Health and Safety concerns, all volunteers must be over fifteen years of age. Children under fifteen interested in veterinary medicine are welcome to come in for a special tour of the premises.