JOE SULYOK
Veterinarian/ Practice Owner
Joe graduated from Sydney University with first class Honours in 1995 and bought Heathcote Veterinary Clinic in 1998. Over the years Joe has worked very hard to establish Heathcote Vets as the friendly, professional and reputable practice it is today. Joe is committed to Veterinary Science and regularly partakes in post graduate studies including Veterinary Ultrasonography and Advanced Soft Tissue and Orthopaedic Surgery. Joe has a keen interest and competency in complex small animal orthopaedics and as such is able to offer the most advanced and efficient techniques of bone and joint repair for his patients. He is also keen on reptiles, particularly bearded dragons. Joe and his wife have 2 beautiful children, and a mischievous hand reared kitten called “Princess Lara”.
REBECCA ROBEY
Veterinarian
Rebecca grew up in Heathcote and started as a veterinary nurse at Heathcote Vets in 1995. She always dreamed of becoming a vet and finally graduated with first class honours from Sydney University in 2007. Rebecca also has a degree in Zoology and volunteers weekly with the vets at Taronga Zoo. Her special interests include wildlife and exotic medicine, reptiles, rabbits and emergency and critical care. Rebecca is the veterinary advisor for the ANSTO Animal Ethics Committee and is also a member of WIRES. Beck shares her home with one husband, 2 step-kids, one cat, 2 turtles, a chook, 2 rabbits, mice, lorikeets and her canine soul-mate, “Kyro” who is over 100 years old (in dog years!).
ANDREW BROWN
Veterinarian
Andrew graduated in 1964 and has been part of the team at Heathcote for over 20 years. Early in his career, Andrew had his own practice down on the South Coast and still lives there today with his wife. As well as 3 daughters, their house is also home to 5 cats, many of whom have been rescued from certain death. Andrew is some what of a “cat-whisperer” and is able to calm even the wildest of patients. He is also very fond of crosswords and word puzzles and is literally a walking thesaurus.
SARAH ANDERSON
Veterinary Intern/ Nurse
Sarah began working weekends at Heathcote Vet in 1999 while at high school. She completed a Bachelor of Music Performance at the Sydney Conservatorium in 2004 and began studying veterinary science at Sydney University in 2007. Sarah still works the weekend shifts but now lives on site at the clinic performing after-hours care for inpatients and is on call for emergencies. Her areas of special interest include natural medicine, reproduction, emergency medicine and anaesthesia. Sarah will be a qualified veterinarian from 2012! Sarah shares her home with a mini zoo that includes turtles, chickens, a rex rabbit “Cupcake”, 2 kelpie crosses “Loki” and “Hiro” and 2 cats “Panda” and “Spinnaker”.
TIFFANY PARKINSON
Veterinary Nurse
Tiffany began vet nursing here at Heathcote in February 2003. She completed her Certificate IV in Vet Nursing in 2005 and went on to complete Certificate IV in Professional Practice Management, a skill much valued at Heathcote Vet Clinic. Tiffany has a special interest in surgical care and anaesthesia and is also a very passionate soccer player! Tiff lives on site at Heathcote Vet Clinic looking after hospital patients during the night and assisting in emergencies after hours. She has 3 lovable pet dogs; “Keato” and “Ella” who are both Boxers and “Belle” who is a Golden Retriever. All 3 of her dogs regularly donate their blood to be used for emergency transfusions in our critical hospital patients. Tiff recently adopted an abandoned kitten called "Henry".
ALYCE TOPPING
Veterinary Nurse
Alyce has been vet nursing since March 2004 and became an invaluable team member at Heathcote in November 2008. She has since completed her Certificate IV in Vet Nursing with flying colours and has attained certification in Animal Nutrition. Alyce is extremely competent with in house diagnostics and enjoys assisting with major surgeries. She has a Rough Collie named “Elsie” and a cat named “Bacardi” who she successfully hand-reared from birth.
HAYLEY WALKER
Veterinary Nurse
Hayley is our newest team member, joining us in 2010. Hayley has completed her Certificate II in Animal Studies and is undertaking her Certificate IV in Vet Nursing whilst continuing to work full time. She has a strong interest in dog obedience and training, and is also very passionate about animal welfare. Hayley owns a Poodle x Bichon Frise named “Coco”, a Shih Tzu x Poodle named “Daisy” and a cat named “Grace”.
T.C.
Top Cat
T.C. has been our head receptionist since Christmas 1999. He arrived at Heathcote Vet in a critical condition suffering from tick paralysis and on the last of his 9 lives! Thankfully, against all odds, we managed to save his life, and he has been a much loved member of our practice ever since. T.C. enjoys pats, scratches, BBq chicken and chilling out on the reception desk. Be sure to say hello to him next time you pop in!
Other members of our clinic family who live at the practice include “Junior”, a cheeky T.C. look-a-like, “Basil” the very bashful and elusive long haired tabby and “Zena” the bold and daring female tabby. “Jessie” our long haired German Shepherd and “Nelson” the Cattle dog cross, are our 2 resident clinic dogs.