Meet the Team
Our hospital is proud to be independently owned by Dr Caroline Wood, a Northern Beaches local.
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Dr Caroline has worked at the practice since 2014, when it was owned by Dr Margot Horder & Dr Gary Boston, and known as Collaroy Plateau Veterinary Hospital. Dr Caroline has owned the practice since 2015 and guided the practice to a new era in 2023 with a new name and a more holistic ethos. Dr Caroline & her team love being a part of the Northern Beaches community, and are passionate about improving every aspect of your pet’s life, and by extension, your family’s life.
Dr Emma McCarthy
Lead Veterinarian
Dr Emma grew up on the Northern Beaches, then graduated from the University of Sydney in 2020. Dr Emma is passionate about a broad range of medicine & surgery areas, but has a particular soft spot for large breed puppies, dentistry, and more challenging surgeries.
Dr Emma has recently taken on more responsibility within the hospital and has stepped up to Lead Vet, her passion for team work and continually improving and learning new clinical skills makes her a great addition to our leadership team.
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Emma loves to travel the world, especially when she gets to combine her two loves and work with native wildlife when overseas. She has worked with lions, rhinos, cheetahs, giraffe, and wild dogs in South Africa, and Asian elephants in Thailand. Emma has a particular interest in canine medicine and surgery, and in particular loves large breed dogs, and has two Weimeraners of her own – Storm & Apollo.
Dr Alex Prentice
Veterinarian
Dr Alex is yet another one of our multi-talented vets; not only is she a fully qualified experienced veterinarian, but she is also completing a PhD in Theology!
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Alex grew up on Sydney’s North Shore, and met Caroline at university where they studied veterinary medicine together. They bonded over their love of books, strong tea, and all things veterinary. After graduation, she worked a number of clinics around Sydney for a few years prior to moving to Yorkshire in England for a wonderful stint of medicine, rolling green hills, and (you guessed it), more tea!
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When not busy working or studying, Alex enjoys spending time with family and friends, knitting, reading, and being active.
Dr Chloë Kempe
Veterinarian
Dr. Chloë, originally from the small island of Bermuda, graduated from the University of Sydney in 2011 alongside her colleagues Dr. Caroline and Dr. Alex! Throughout her diverse career, she has gained extensive experience working in four different small animal hospitals and as a veterinary locum for over 30 veterinary hospitals across Sydney and Australia.
Chloë spent a memorable year travelling and working around Australia in her van and considers the Northern Beaches to be the best of the best. While she enjoys the variety that general practice veterinary work offers, she has particular interests in dentistry, dermatology, and behaviour, with a special soft spot for bunnies.
Chloë is passionate about preventative medicine and believes that sharing a friendship with an animal is one of life’s greatest joys! When she’s not at work, you’ll likely find her with a good book or catching waves.
Dr Elle O'Connor
Veterinarian
Dr. Elle grew up in Cronulla, where she gained valuable experience in veterinary nursing while pursuing her university studies. Following her graduation, she relocated to the Northern Beaches, where she has enjoyed both her personal and professional life.
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Dr. Elle is passionate about all aspects of veterinary medicine, with the most rewarding part of her role being the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of clients and their beloved pets. As an owner of four rescue cats, she has developed a particular interest in feline medicine.
Outside of her professional commitments, Dr. Elle enjoys spending time with friends, relaxing on the beach, and expressing her creativity through painting.
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Dr Jess Hanna
Veterinarian
Originally from West Pymble, Dr. Jess has always had a passion for animal care and veterinary medicine. Her love for animals was further fostered during school holidays spent on her cousin’s farm in Orange, where she gained valuable hands-on experience and deepened her dedication to their well-being.
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While studying at Sydney University, Dr. Jess worked as a veterinary nurse at a local Sydney GP clinic, which helped her develop her clinical skills and her ability to build strong relationships with clients and their pets. She particularly enjoys getting to know clients and their animals during consultations and has a special interest in surgery, cardiology, and ultrasound.
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Outside of work, Dr. Jess loves exploring the outdoors—hiking, traveling, and ocean swimming. She particularly enjoys adventures with her Spoodle, Sam, who is her loyal companion and favorite outdoor buddy
Eloise Blake
Practice Manager
Eloise is our very beloved Practice Manager, who keeps us all in line, and ensures everything at AVH runs smoothly. She started her practice management career in the human sector many years ago, but decided to make the change into the veterinary world in 2018 and has never looked back, as she loves being part of a compassionate and motivated team of individuals who share her love for animals.
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Eloise and her family made the Northern Suburbs of Sydney their home in 2010, after emigrating from the UK. She shares her home with her husband and two lovely daughters, and their Groodle Atlas. When not at AVH, you’ll find Eloise at home with her girls and husband, gardening, cooking, enjoying a wine with friends or walking Atlas!
Elyse Havey
Lead Nurse
Elyse joined the hospital as a nurse in 2017, and has since become an integral part of the team at AVH. She graduated as a Veterinary Nurse in 2012, and worked at a number of veterinary clinics gaining invaluable experience before having her first child. Once a mother, she decided that some stability was in order, so she settled with her young family in Collaroy and has been with us at AVH ever since. Since then, her common sense and ability to keep her head in a crisis has made her an invaluable part of the team, and we couldn’t imagine life without her!
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Elyse has lived on the Northern Beaches her whole life, and, like any true local, adores her time at the beach. She shares her home with her husband and children, an enthusiastic Australian Shepherd puppy, Chester, and an ever-growing collection of indoor plants.
Ali Flemming
Veterinary Nurse
Ali joined our team in 2020 after making the brave decision to embark on a complete career change.
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A Northern Beaches local, Ali use to work in an admin position in hospitality; however, her passion & love for animals, wildlife, and large breed dogs in particular motivated her career change and she has now found her true calling in veterinary nursing. Ali loves to greet people as they enter our Reception area, and her smiling face is often the first one you will see when you visit us.
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When Ali is not at work or studying additional skills in veterinary nursing, she spends time with her family and friends, and her Great Dane Maremma Cross, August. Ali and Auggie love long bush walks and running.
Grace Polome
Veterinary Nurse
Grace began her nursing journey with us and has now proudly become a fully qualified vet nurse.
Originally from the Northern Beaches, her passion for animal care first sparked during her time working at a doggie daycare, where she discovered her love for working with pets and their families.
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Grace shares her home with her supportive family, including her two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Piper and Indie, as well as her beloved adopted rabbit, Robert—who, in his own playful way, secretly considers himself a Cavalier at heart
Olivia Howe
Trainee Veterinary Nurse
Olivia joined our team in 2022 as a kennel hand and is currently training to become a veterinary nurse while studying at TAFE and working part‑time with us.
A Northern Beaches local and passionate cat lover, Olivia brings care and enthusiasm to every shift. When she’s not at work or studying, she enjoys time with her two cats, friends and family.
Address
24a Aubreen Street,
Collaroy Plateau NSW
Australia
Hours
Monday - Friday:
7.30am – 6.30pm
Saturday: 8am – 3pm
Sunday: Closed
Public Holidays: Closed
Phone
+61 2 9982 9439
