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Principal Veterinarian
Dr Aaron Healy BSc BVMS
Aaron first decided to become a vet after enjoying many a James Herriott book and school holidays on family friends farms,
he graduated from Murdoch University Vet school in 1993. He took his first job with Capel-Donnybrook Veterinary services where
he dealt with many late night calvings, horse colics, dog, cats and wildlife. After two years cutting his teeth in the South West
he took to the UK for the obligatory veterinary sojourn. For three years he worked in various parts of the UK as well as a stint
with an animal welfare charity in the Greek islands. He soon mastered the art of wearing a tie (a requirement in most English
veterinary practices) even when up to his armpits in bovine pregnancy testing. |
Before returning to Perth, Aaron stopped in Katherine, NT spending a year with large numbers of dusty but enthusiastic cattle and
the odd crocodile. As part of Government environmental health programs, Aaron made many visits to remote communities in the Kimberley
and Northern Territory looking after local dog populations. |
Over the last 8 years Aaron was the senior vet in a very busy, high quality practice in Perth’s northern suburbs.
During this time Aaron met his wife Helen who just so happened to be from true James Herriot country in North Yorkshire.
This gave him the perfect excuse to return to the UK for some shorter working holidays and live out his childhood dreams working
with large animals in the rugged Yorkshire Moors.
Aaron has continued to update his skills since graduation having completed post graduate courses in small animal medicine, surgery
and practice management. In 2008 Aaron decided to share his experience and buy his own practice where he intends to enjoy client’s
relationships with their pets at a more relaxed pace!
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Dr Kathy Stark BSc BVMS (Hons) - Veterinarian
Kathy wanted to become a vet from a very young age, having grown up in a suburban household where there were always multiple pets – not just cats and a dog,
but frequently orphaned lambs and calves from the family farm! Having practised her orphan-rearing skills on the said lambs and calves, and her bandaging skills on Rusty the
Labrador, she pursued her dream for real at Murdoch University. |
Kathy graduated from Murdoch in 1989, and on that note, celebrates her 20th year of practice this year! She spent 2 yrs initially at Swanbourne Vet Centre, then 12 months in the U.K. doing locum work in between her travels, then returned to Swanbourne for another 7 years.
She married husband Paul in 1995, and they have two gorgeous children, Emma (11) and Daniel (8). The Starks are proud owners of two much-loved Burmese cats, Scarlet and Archie, who have just turned 1!
Kathy has worked in and around Fremantle since 2002, including 15 mths at Palmyra Vet in 2006/7. She is very excited to be back with the Palmyra team, and looks forward to renewing her association with past clients, and meeting new ones, and of course, their beloved pets!
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Dr Sophie McPherson BSc BVMS - Veterinarian
Like Aaron and Kathy, Sophie’s dream of becoming a vet began at a young age.
She spent much of her childhood in Papua New Guinea, where, living on a coffee plantation she was able to have a variety of pets. The usual cats, dogs,
horses, chickens and ducks, but also some not so usual including two tawny frogmouth owls and a baby bird of paradise. She spent much of her spare time
after school helping out at the local vet clinic and watching the vet perform surgery. |
After moving to Perth in the 1980s, Sophie was fortunate to gain a place studying Vet science at Murdoch University and graduated in 1992. Since graduating, Sophie has worked entirely in small animal practice mostly in Perth but she has also spent five years working in a busy small animal practice in Sydney.
Sophie is delighted to have taken on a part time position here at Palmyra Veterinary Hospital, so that Aaron can have a well earned day off. She is a busy mum to daughter Ella and she currently has, well Ella has, ‘Roxy’ a pugalier, ‘Ted’ a Burmese cat, two guinea pigs named Fitzy and Frankie (who is blind) and ‘Merlin’ a Siamese fighting fish.
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Helen Healy - Practice Manager
Helen is our Practice Manager and owns the practice with Aaron to whom she is happily married.
Until she met Aaron, Helen’s only experience with animals was through working at the
WA Museum where most of them were behind glass display cases. Her introduction
into the veterinary industry came from attending late night calvings with Aaron
while he was practicing in the Yorkshire Moors. Helen now spends most of her
time in the office however she’s often on hand to help if there’s a particularly
squirmy patient in the clinic. Helen works part time as she also takes care of
their daughter Lucia. Outside of work and family life, Helen loves to travel,
especially to Spain where she can indulge in her passion for flamenco dancing.
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Jess Page - Registered Veterinary Nurse
Jess has been with Palmyra Vet Hospital since Feb 2007. Jess’s first ambition was to be a Top Gun fighter pilot, fortunately she kept her
feet on the ground realising Tom Cruise wasn’t all that he was cracked up to be. Jess’s second ambition to be a veterinary nurse was inspired
by Joy Adamson who raised lion cubs in Africa. Growing up on a farm near Pingelly, Jess also gained plenty of early experience looking after lots of
lambs, pigs, cats and dogs. Her favourite holiday spots include Kalbarri, Bali and Thailand but her dream is to go on safari in Africa.
Her prized pet is Geoffrey, a Siamese fighting fish.
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Erin Buck - Registered Veterinary Nurse
When she was very small Erin wanted to be either a rock star or a veterinary nurse.
Fortunately for Palmyra Veterinary Hospital she chose the latter. Completing her training in 2000, Erin has now been a veterinary nurse
for 8 years. She loves nursing because it is never boring and very hands on. Erin is always on hand to give a sick pet an extra cuddle to help them with their recovery. She is the proud owner of a rather ‘generous’ Border Collie named Jessie and three cats – Tilly, Sooky and Bonnie.
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Christine Clark - Registered Veterinary Nurse
Chris grew up in country Victoria as a Vet's daughter and developed a love for animals
at a young age. Childhood pets often included orphaned lambs and joeys, injured tortoises,
parrots and even an escaped emu. After working for some time in the pet food industry
back in Victoria, Chris' desire to help animals has led to her returning to University
to study Veterinary Science to continue the family tradition. She is enjoying the change
of scenery and tries to fit in cycling, hiking, dancing and snowboarding when possible.
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Sarah Stratmann - Registered Veterinary Nurse
Sarah is from the lone star state, Texas, and has been in Veterinary Nursing for over 10 years.
Sarah has a growing interest for the Veterinarian field and loves travel, and therefore packed
up her two Labradors and moved to Australia in 2006 to study at Murdoch Veterinary Science program.
When Sarah is not attending class or studying she enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors.
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Missy the C.A.T. (Client Admission Technician)
Missy our clinic cat came to live with us in March 2010 after her owner could no longer care for her.
Missy main role at Palmyra Vet Hospital is to welcome our clients into our reception area, however she spends
most of her time sleeping in the kitchen cupboard or asking one of us for more food. You can keep up to
date with Missy’s adventures by signing up to our newsletter. Email: nurses@palmyravet.com.au.
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