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Veterinarians

Dr John Montgomery BVSc

Dr John has been working as a veterinarian since he gained his Bachelor of Veterinary Science from the University of Melbourne in 1972.  He built the first veterinary practice in Eden NSW where he worked for many years, before relocating to Sonza.  Again, he established a clinic and quickly developed a loyal clientele.  Working 50 hour weeks, Dr John has clients extending from as far north as Newcastle, down south to Cooma, east to Batemans Bay and to the west to Albury, as well as locally throughout Canberra, Queanbeyan, Bungendore and the surrounding region.  With almost 50 years experience as a veterinarian, John is a highly skilled clinician and constantly keeping up to date with the latest advancements by attending seminars and conferences.

Dr John is a very forthright and honest person.  Our clients value that he is straight to the point and works tirelessly to provide the best of care to his patients.

Outside of work, Dr John loves spending time judging at obedience trials and conformation shows in the group rings for Utility and Gundogs.  He enjoys working on the family property and breeding horses and dogs with his family.

Dr Hayden Montgomery BVBio / BVSc

Hayden graduated with a Bachelor of Veterinary Biology / Bachelor of Veterinary Science from Charles Sturt University in 2021.  The son of Gill & Dr John, Hayden has grown up in the veterinary industry and is eager to now develop his skills as a clinician.  He has a special interest in assisted reproductive techniques, breeding methodologies and heritable traits in horses and dogs and is hoping to complete further studies in companion animal theriogenology.

In his spare time, Hayden enjoys spending time with our horses and dogs, attending dog shows and doing work around the family farm.  Hayden has a strong passion for genetics, bloodline research and other aspects of the dog and horse breeding operations at Sonza.

Practice Manager

Gill Montgomery

Certificate IV Veterinary Nursing

Accredited Veterinary Nurse

Gill has been working as a veterinary nurse since 1992 and joined the team at Sonza in early 1993.  Whilst Gill has done her fair share of full-time nursing over the years, these days you’ll often see her popping in and out of the clinic as she manages the team and helps out wherever she is required.

With numerous qualifications under her belt, Gill enjoys continuing professional development and the immense benefits that go with furthering qualifications and education. Gill became an Accredited Veterinary Nurse in 2009 and continues to strive to do the best she can. Being very passionate about the veterinary nursing profession, Gill enjoyed a long tenure on the Executive Committee of the Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia (VNCA) and held the position of National President in 2010 and 2012.

Gill has two beautiful children, Hayden & Tayah, who both share their parents passion for animals.  Outside of the business, Gill also breeds Paint Horses and is regularly seen around the equine show circuit competing at both State & National levels.

 

Veterinary Nurses, Student Veterinary Nurses & Animal Attendants

Tilly Turner

Certificate IV Veterinary Nursing, Registered Veterinary Nurse

Tilly joined the Sonza team at the beginning of 2016 and has loved every moment of it!  She completed her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing and became qualified at the end of 2017.

Tilly grew up on a farm from a very young age, and this is where she found her love for animals, big and small.  She has many animals, including horses, dogs and birds.  One of her horses, named Flash, has been in her life for the past 14 years.

Tilly has a passion and empathy for all animals which is displayed every day in her nursing at Sonza. Tilly’s hobbies include anything and everything equestrian, travelling and camping.

Ashley Giampaoli

Veterinary Nurse

Ash started her veterinary nursing career in 2009, and her love for animals has only grown stronger and stronger.  She joined the nursing team here at Sonza Veterinary Clinic in 2018.
In between veterinary nursing jobs, Ash has worked in numerous horse studs across Australia.  She grew up on a Quarter horse stud, and ever since, she has bred, trained and shown her own horses. Horses are her primary passion as she is also a qualified Equine body-worker.
Apart from horses, any spare time Ash has is spent with her cats and partner!

Brittany Heycox

Certificate IV Veterinary Nursing, Registered Veterinary Nurse

Brittany joined the Sonza team in mid-2020 and is enjoying each and every moment of it.  She has since completed the Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing.

Brittany has grown up with animals her entire life and has always had a passion for caring for them.

When Britt is not at work, you can find her at home with her two dogs, two cats or out riding and competing on her horses.

Britt’s hobbies include horse riding and competing in dressage / showing, getting away camping on her days off and spending time with her family and friends at the beach.

Maddison Shannon-Hooper

Certificate IV Veterinary Nursing

Maddie completed her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing and became a qualified Veterinary Nurse at the end of 2013.  Maddie joined the Sonza team in 2021.
Maddie has always been around animals from a young age. From bring home strays to nursing injured wildlife back to health. She has many animals from horses, dogs and even a rescued talking galah that doesn’t shut up!
Maddie loves what she does and enjoys every moment of it. When she’s not at work, she’s enjoying time with her other half Peter and their young family.

Maddie’s hobbies are, spending time with family and friends, horse riding and camping.

Iris Cooper

Animal Attendant

Iris is currently on a gap 2 years while she takes time to decompress and enjoy doing hands on work with animals before jumping into a Veterinary Science Degree.

She have been around animals her whole life and loves spending time with them. Her first dog, Rosie, who is now 15 years old, has been with her since she can remember.

While she was born in Canberra, Iris has moved to several different countries including the United States and Mexico. Regardless of where she is in the world, you can always trust she will be spending her free time with horses, dogs, cats or any other creatures that come her way.

Iris is so excited to be apart of the Sonza team and she cannot wait to learn more through working here.

Victoria Zeman

Animal Attendant

Vic began working at Sonza in 2021 and is loving every aspect thoroughly. She loves working here to support her income while she completes her studies in fitness and nutrition.

Vic has a strong interest in wildlife conservation which stems from her time spent working with a broad range of animals at the zoo. She loves working with all animals and has grown up with them being a big part of her own family at home.

Outside of work, Vic spends most of her time focusing on fitness, her studies and everything outdoors.

Ashley Yarrow

Animal Attendant

Ashley joined the team at Sonza in 2020 and works here during her University breaks.

Ashley is in her final year of University, studying a double degree of Animal Science and Zoology, with a strong interest in working as a Veterinary Nurse or a Zookeeper.

Ash has always had a love for animals and she enjoys interacting with animals of all shapes and sizes here at Sonza.

Tamika Lovelock

Animal Attendant

Tamika was born in and has lived in Canberra all of her life. She first began working in the veterinary industry at 16 years of age. She has always had a passion for animals and pet care and has always had a lot of pets at home. She currently have seven shepherds, two cats, three horses, a macaw, a pet sheep, a carpet python and many turkeys! In her free time, Tamika enjoys riding her horses and high level training with her dogs!