OUR NURSES
Kit Lace
Veterinary Nurse
Kit has been part of our nursing team since 2005. She completed her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing in 2007 through a traineeship with the Albion Park Veterinary Hospital before becoming our Nurse Coordinator in 2009. Kit is interested in dentistry and surgical nursing, and has completed continuing education courses in pathology and infectious diseases. Kate is our resident techno-wiz and is always looking to incorporate new technologies into the practice.
Kit shares her life with two dogs, 'Titus' a Cavalier with attitude, and 'Jake' a handsome 10 year old Labrador. When she is not working, Kit enjoys gaming, cosplay, tabletop hobbies, comic books, conventions and tattoo art.
Chloe Potter
Veterinary Nurse
Chloe joined the Albion Park team in 2008 on work placement, completing her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing at Yallah TAFE in 2009. Chloe is interested in canine behaviour and training, and medical nursing of hospital patients. She is currently undergoing further training in Safe Animal Handling and Dog Training (Delta).
Chloe has three furry children 'Ruby" a 10 year old Shih Tzu, "Pebbles" a 9 year old Fox Terrier Cross and "Lolo" a 4 year old Moodle x.
When she is not at work, Chloe enjoys walking the dogs, going to the beach, adventuring, stand up paddle boarding, and travelling.
Laura Cascarino
Receptionist
Laura joined our team recently in Jan 2021.
After working in an Osteo clinic for 6 years as a practice manager and receptionist, Laura has joined our family at Albion Park Veterinary Hospital.
When working, Laura enjoys the variety in each day and being able to interact with customers and enhance their experience from their first point of contact right through until when they leave their consult. Laura appreciates when our clients come in and remember our staff from previous experiences and can have a friendly conversation with them, building bonds with our wonderful clients.
When Laura isn't working, she enjoys crossfit, going to the beach and camping.
Laura shares her home with a very energetic and excitable border collie x kelpie named Harper who she rescued when she was a pup and is now 7 years old (but still acts like a 1 year old).
Kylie Rowlan
Veterinary Nurse
Kylie has been with the Albion Park Veterinary Hospital since 2005, having completed her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing at TAFE Ultimo in 2000. She is interested in radiology, medical and emergency nursing and brings a wealth of experience from working as a critical care nurse at the Animal Referral Hospital in Homebush.
Kylie shares her home with "Moo Moo" a DLH kitty that Kylie rescued from the clinic, and "Mac" a boisterous Labrador puppy that's keeping everyone on their toes. She also has a flock of chickens at home.
Kylie shares her life with her husband, two step-sons and daughter Libby. When she is not busy working, she enjoys travelling, being outdoors in the sunshine.
Katelyn Cable
Veterinary Nurse
Katelyn joined our team in 2015 after working with several clinics in the Illawarra and the RSPCA Yagoona. She completed her Certificate II in Animal Studies in 2011 and Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing in 2013. She has an interest in orthopaedic surgery and plans to complete a Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Emergency).
Katelyn is our resident pug fanatic with an ever growing tribe at home. Her fur babies currently include "Brutus" a 5 year old Pug, and "Layla" a 3 year old Pug.
Katelyn is an avid supporter of animal welfare, running for the RSPCA and World Animal Protection in the City2Surf as well as volunteering at the Million Paws Walk regularly.
When she is not working, Katelyn enjoys travelling the world and going for long walks.
Emilee Della-Libera
Veterinary Nurse
Emilee has been apart of our Albion Park & Gerringong Veterinary Hospitals since early 2017. She completed her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing at Yallah TAFE in 2015 and began working at several practices in the Illawarra. Emilee has an interest in pathology, medical and surgical nursing, radiology, animal welfare and behaviour.
Emilee shares her home with her two rescue cats. "Leo" the ginger DSH (aka Emilee's shadow) and "Lumos" the flame point DSH.
When she is not working, Emilee enjoys MMA training, going to the beach, reading, diving, hiking, and hanging our with her friends and family.
Tess Kennedy
Practice Manager
Tess has been our Practice Manager since 2010, bringing with her vast experience as both a Veterinary Nurse and Pharmaceutical Representative. Tess has completed her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing and Human Resources, an Advanced Diploma of Management and most recently a Bachelor of Business in 2014.
Tess has a husband and two children who share their home with three furry children, "Angus" a 2 year old Border Collie, "Pip" a 3 year old Jack Russell Terrier, and "Marlie" a 3 month old DSH kitten. When she is not at work, Tess enjoys gardening, mosaicing, fitness training and health.
Michelle Besnard
Veterinary Nurse
Michelle has been apart of our team since 2016. Starting with us as a trainee completing her Veterinary Nurse Cert IV through Tafe NSW. Upon completing Michelle joined our Nursing staff and is now studying Bachelor of Veterinary Science at Charles Stuart University.
Michelle has a particular interest in medical nursing, animal behaviour and laboratory work.
When she isn't at work, Michelle enjoys adventuring outdoors, hiking, walking with her dogs and dancing. She also enjoys partaking in Safaris in Africa and hanging out with friends.
Michelle shares her home with "Jedda" - A beautiful 5yo Rottweiler and "Charlie" the rescue DLH ginger floofy cat.
Shanti Wale
Veterinary Nurse
Nurse Coordinator
Shanti joined our team in 2018 taking on a maternity leave position, becoming our permanent nurse coordinator shortly afterwards. After completing her certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing in 2008, she has gained extensive experience having worked at several clinics including RSPCA Katoomba and Yagoona clinics.
Shanti is particularly interested in Unusual pet & cat health care and anaesthetics.
In her spare time Shanti enjoys horse riding, archery and spending time at the beach with her dog.
Shanti shares her home with her husband, a Jack Russel called "Chloe", and her 3 legged cat, "Frankie".
Melanie Puggioni
Veterinary Nurse
Melanie has been apart of our team since early 2020.
Mel completed certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing at Yallah Tafe in July 2019.
For the past 2 years leading up to completing her course, Mel has worked as a Veterinary Nurse around the Illawarra, transitioning from work placement student to a nursing position.
Melanie loves all aspects of Veterinary nursing. Having a particular interest in medical and surgical nursing, radiology and pathology.
When Mel isn't working, she enjoys going to the beach, playing soccer, and spending time with friends and family.
Melanie shares her home with two animal companions. "Coal" the 14 month old Staffy x rescue, and "Nora" the 2 year old central bearded dragon.
Taylah Matthews
Veterinary Nurse Trainee
Taylah is the youngest of the team. She has recently graduated from High School, and has jumped straight in to her traineeship.
Prior to the traineeship, Taylah started with us as one of our kennel-hands for nearly 3 years.
Taylah has a particular interest in surgery, decontamination of the hospital, medical nursing, and is looking forward to learning about pathology.
When Taylah isn't working, she enjoys horse riding, going to the beach and spending time with friends.
Taylah and her family share their home with Marlee a 7yr old Rottie x Mastiff. Cooper a 5yr old Bull Mastiff, and Jax a 2yr old Eclectus.
Narelle Marshall
Veterinary Nurse
Narelle initially joined our team as a Veterinary nurse student in 2017. After completing her course in June 2018, she joined our team as a qualified Veterinary nurse.
Narelle has a particular interest in surgery, anaesthesia, medical nursing, laboratory management and testing, and customer service.
Narelle does continual education by attending webinars, online courses, and has recently attending her first conference this year through our hospital.
When Narelle isn't working she enjoys listening to music and attending concerts, going to the beach and catching up on her favourite series on Netflix.
Andrew March
Veterinary Nurse
Andrew joined our team in 2019, after working in multiple hospitals around Sydney.
Drew graduated from Bankstown TAFE in 2014, jumping in to Veterinary Nursing around Sydney, including the RSPCA and Emergency Specialist Centres.
Andrew has a particular interest in surgical nursing, analgesia and anaesthesia, and clinical pathology.
Andrew shares his home with his beautiful wife, one fur baby and one human baby, both of which take up much of his spare time.
Emma Ward
Veterinary Nurse
Emma recently joined our team in early 2020, fitting in perfectly with our team.
Emma completed her certificate IV Veterinary Nursing in Bankstown TAFE in 2019.
Prior to joining our team, Emma worked in the industry for 2 years in Sydney's Eastern suburbs.
Emma enjoys all aspects of nursing, having a particular interest in surgical nursing and pathology.
When Emma isn't working, she enjoys watching "terrible TV" (e.g Bachelor), enjoying a good board game and taking her dog for a walk.
Emma shares her home with 1 fur-child, "Tippy" who she describes as her frankendog, her best guess is foxie x corgi x chihuahua x cat.
Chloe Heywood
Veterinary Nurse
Chloe initially joined our team as one of our lovely work placement students/animal attendants whilst completing Animal studies Cert II and Veterinary Nursing Cert IV at Yallah TAFE.
During which, Chloe worked at a Zoo for 2 years doing both voluntary work with animals and demonstrative shows both at the zoo and at festivals.
As of December this year, Chloe has graduated from Yallah TAFE and has joined our team as a permanent qualified Veterinary Nurse (yay!).
Chloe has always been passionate about animals, having been inspired by the many garden skinks she would find in her backyard.
When Chloe is not working, she enjoys spending time with her many feathered, scaled and furred children at home.
Chloe enjoys hiking and exploring the outdoors, taking a little notebook along to record insects, spiders and animals as she investigates the world around her.
Chloe also enjoys reading, cooking and expanding her general knowledge of the world.
Chloe shares her home with many pets; “Ripley” a 2 year old rainbow lorikeet who is very hyper and loves saying "peekaboo" and singing "if you’re happy and you know it clap your hands", “Aristurtle” and “Shelldon” two 3 year old Saw shelled turtles, “Israi” a 10 year old disabled water dragon, “Big” and “Tiger” two 7 year old blue tongued lizards and “Cerus”, a 1 year old dachshund who is quite the handful. Essentially, Chloe’s house is a mini zoo!
“I have always wanted to help animals and better their lives and the best way for me to help them was to become a veterinary nurse and expand my knowledge. This allows me to not only help the animals of the world, but also allows me to extend my expertise to owners so they can be wiser with their care of their pets too.” - Chloe