Veterinarians
Louise Ingram
Louise joined OVL in 2001, having recently graduated from Glasgow University. Louise has a particular interest in Ruminant Nutrition, gaining her Membership of the Australian & New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in this subject in 2005.
Jen Gordon
Jen graduated from Cambridge University in 2001 and made the big move to Otautau. Jen works mainly on the companion animal side, with a particular interest in surgery. She is also a trained InCalf advisor.
Teressa Skevington
Teressa joined the practice in 2005, fresh from Massey University. Teressa is our resident sheep expert and is also an accredited Healthy Hoof Advisor. She is also our NVSB Supervisor.
Julia Nuttall
Julia completed her Veterinary Studies at Liverpool in 2011 and made the move to NZ. Julia’s main interest lies on the dairy side, with a developing interest in Ruminant Nutrition.
Ruby Ryan
Ruby made the move to NZ at the same time as Julia, having just graduated from the Royal Veterinary College. Ruby is a mixed practitioner, with an interest in Mastitis and Milking Management, and enjoys all aspects of Veterinary work here at OVL.
Jenny Paterson
Jenny is another Massey graduate and spent her early career at NSVets Ltd prior to joining OVL. Jenny has a particular interest in Sheep and Deer medicine, but also enjoys the variety of species and work here in Otautau.
Emma Berges
Emma joined the OVL crew in 2019 after 5 years study in Edinburgh. Emma enjoys both small animal medicine and surgery and also the farm animal/herd health aspects of our work.
Sarah Salas
Sarah originates from the USA and graduated from the University of Glasgow in 2022. Sarah is keeping herself busy with the variety of work we have here in Otautau.
Mae Jones
Mae joined the team as a new graduate in 2023, having completed her studies at the University of Surrey. Mae has an interest in all aspects of Veterinary Medicine and would like to develop her surgical skills for both small and farm animals.
Katharina Wolkenhauer-Buhre
Katharina completed her Veterinary Studies in Germany prior to emigrating to NZ with her family in 2008. Katharina spent 13 years working as a Veterinary Nursing & Rural Animal Technician tutor at SIT, before making the decision to return to clinical practice. Katharina has an interest in Dairy Medicine and works solely on the large animal side.
Sam Lie
Sam graduated from the City University of Hong Kong in 2024 and started her veterinary career in Ashburtob prior to making the move down south. Sam is orininally from Malaysia and has a strong interest in mixed practice and particularly Dairy Medicine.
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Rosie Richardson
Rosie gradusted from the University of Bristol in 2025. She enjoys all aspects of Veterinary Medicine, with a particulary interest in both fame and companion medical cases.
Technicians and Veterinary Assistants
Emma Smith
Emma is a qualified Rural Animal Technician and Veterinary Nurse and has been working with us since 2017.
Garry Hull
Garry joined the crew in 2022 from a background in Dairy Farming and works as one of our Veterinary Assistants.
Nurses
Keely Findlay
Head Nurse
Keely has been working with us since 2019 and Head Nurse since 2022. Keely coordinates the Small Animal side of the clinic alongside our Veterinary team.
Robyn Burnett
Courtney gratuated from SIT with a Diploma in Veterinary Nursing in 2024.
Teagan Ashley
Teagan completed her Diploma in Veterinary Nursing in 2023.
Support Team
Sandy MacGillivray
Practice Manager
Sandy has the challenging job of Practice Manager, ensuring that everything is running smoothly and everyone is happy and healthy.
Bri Excell
Receptionist/Shop Manager
Bri is our Receptionist/Shop Manager who endeavours to ensure that calls are booked efficiently and orders are fulfilled.
Pru Renshaw
Receptionist/Shop Manager
Pru also covers the Receptionist/Shop Manager role working alongside Bri.
Marion Breach
Receptionist
Marion is our ever-versatile Receptionist who also doubles up as a Veterinary Assistant during our busier periods on the farming front.
Elaine Patterson
Accounts Manager
Elaine is our Accounts Manager, working three days a week.
Jane Anderson
Practice Cleaner
Mavis
CXO
As Chief Experience Officer, Mavis brings a unique perspective to the team, having spent countless hours observing and understanding the needs of both companion animals and their owners. Her dedication to creating a welcoming and stress-free environment is unmatched. When she’s not overseeing clinic operations, you can find Mavis lounging in sunbeams, offering purrs of encouragement, or testing out the latest in catnip toys.
