OUR PEOPLE

Meet the team at Beach + Bay Vet

MEET THE TEAM AT BEACH + BAY

Meet our wonderful team of vets and nurses!

All our veterinarians have multiple years in practice – some have multiple decades! – so rest assured that your pet is always in capable hands. Along with this wealth of knowledge and skills, the vets all share a passion for great veterinary medicine and a love of their animal patients.

Our nurses are all qualified with their certificate IV in veterinary nursing and are registered with the Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia. They enjoy nothing better than using their exceptional skills to keep your pet comfortable, happy and safe.

Both our vet and nurse teams complete annual continuing education courses to retain their registrations. Therefore, you can be sure that our team is not only helpful, caring and good fun, but are up-to-date with the latest and best healthcare options for your four-legged family members too!

Meet the Team at Beach + Bay Vet - Our People
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Call (02) 4363 2222
★★★★★

“I would not trust anyone else”

“Alice was our vet at a previous practice. Even though this practice was 2 minutes from our house, we very happily followed Alice to her new practice 20 minutes away. Alice is the kind of vet you’ll happily travel for. Alice has performed surgery on our two dogs and one of our cats. Alice remembers our pets and genuinely cares about their progress. I would not trust anyone else with the care of our pets.”

-Crosbi K., Facebook Recommendation

DR HELEN MARKS

BVSC, Recover CPR trained

Helen has been practicing as a registered veterinarian since 1992. She has spent all of her career on the Central Coast helping animals and their families. Helen is a caring and knowledgable vet who enjoys looking after all her patients and their humans.

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Acupuncture, soft tissue surgery, metabolic and endocrine medicine are some of her special interests. Helen is pursuing further study in analgesia (pain relief) techniques and dentistry at the moment.

In her spare time Helen enjoys swimming, surf boat rowing, reading and running a ‘glamping’ business with her husband.

Beach and Bay Vet - Our Team - Dr Alicia

DR ALICIA VAN ARKEL

BVetBiol / DVM, Recover CPR trained

Alicia moved to the coast after graduating from Sydney University in 2019. She has been working as a mixed practice and emergency veterinarian before joining the team at Beach and Bay in May 2022. Alicia has a love of all animals large and small and enjoys all aspects of being a veterinarian. She has a keen interest in orthopaedic and soft tissue surgery, diagnostic imaging and emergency medicine, with publications in canine virology and welfare.

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In her free time Alicia enjoys making the most of the coastal change and her love for the outdoors. You can find her at the beach, paddling on the lake or hiking a mountain – that’s assuming she isn’t busy with her two scruffy and snuggly (and somewhat mischievous) rescue dogs Polly and Butch.

DR FELICITY WEST

BVSC, Recover CPR trained

Felicity worked as a kennel hand in veterinary clinics through high school before graduating as a vet from Sydney University in 2015.

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Felicity and her husband moved to the coast right after graduation and she has been working hard as a vet developing a solid understanding of veterinary practice, individual owner and patient needs at local clinics since then. Felicity is continuing to grow her veterinary interests, especially in feline medicine, internal medicine, soft tissue surgery and dermatology, but she also enjoys the different challenges every new day brings.

When she’s not contributing her gentle and thoughtful presence to our Beach and Bay team, Felicity enjoys spending time with her cats and husband, knitting, board games and playing the flute in a concert band.

DR ALICE DUNN

BVSC BA (HONS)., Recover CPR trained

Alice has worked on the Central Coast for the majority of the past decade having previously worked in mixed practice in the Hunter Valley and small animal practice in metropolitan Sydney.

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Alice has always enjoyed working with patients and their owners to create the best health care pans for their animals. She prides herself on forming good relationships with patients and their owners, working together to create their best health care plan.

Alice has special interests in orthopaedic surgery, soft tissue surgery, dermatology and internal medicine.

Alice regularly attends conferences and workshops in her areas of interests of specialty. Recently she attend the FASAVA Conference on the Gold Coast and an orthopaedic surgery workshop in Queensland.

She lives locally with her young family and loves walking her dogs on the beach, or by the bay.

DR ADÈLE LLOYD

BEng BVSC, Recover CPR trained

Graduating from Sydney University in 2009, Adèle has worked in multiple small animal general practices across Australia, as well as a 5-year placement in a welfare clinic in WA. The majority of her vet life has been on the beautiful Central Coast and on moving back here late 2018, Adèle also became part of the Beach and Bay vet team.

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Adèle’s broad experience makes her an exemplary veterinarian with a deep understanding of the different needs and levels of care her patients require. She has a deeper interest and further education in behaviour medicine, emergency and critical care and wildlife work. Adèle is also passionate about animal welfare and ethics; she volunteers her time regularly in many areas of wildlife work including brumbies, and Adèle is a founding member and Vice-President of Sentient; the Veterinary Institute for Animal Ethics, and Vice-President of Australian Cattle Dog Rescue.

Her thoughtful and caring presence at Beach and Bay is appreciated by both her patients and the rest of the team, and in her spare time Adèle enjoys our beautiful coastal lifestyle with her human and animal family members.

DR ERIN SHORT

BVSc (Hons I), Dip Ldrshp & Mgt

Erin graduated from the University of Queensland in 2006. Over her career she has worked in a variety of roles, including mixed practice, emergency, welfare and general practice. Her passion is general practice and she thoroughly enjoys the variety that it provides.
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Erin loves building relationships with clients, managing complicated cases and being able to work with clients to provide the best care for their pets. She has a special interest in geriatric care and all things feline.
Erin has relocated to the Central Coast to enjoy its beachside lifestyle.
Erin has two beautiful cats with big personalities, Eden (in the photo above) and Cedric, who refused to pose for a photo.
Beach and Bay Vet - Our People - Dr Eva

DR EVA McKENNA

BVM BVS BVMed Sci

Eva graduated from the University of Nottingham in 2021 and has since gained valuable experience in both mixed and small animal practice in the UK. She joined the Beach and Bay Vet team in September 2024 and is thoroughly enjoying all aspects of small animal practice here in Australia.

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In her spare time, Eva loves spending time with family and friends, travelling, and exploring the beautiful Central Coast. She’s excited to continue her veterinary journey with us and make the most of what this wonderful region has to offer!

DR GORDON HESLOP

BVSC

Gordon has joined the Beach and Bay Vet Team after a move to the Central Coast after successfully running two clinics in Sydney for many years. He brings along a wealth of knowledge having worked as a Veterinary Surgeon for over 42 years.

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Gordon has always enjoyed making strong connections with owners and their 4-legged family members. He enjoys all aspects of veterinary practice, especially soft tissue and orthopaedic surgery.  Gordon’s love for providing care is as strong as ever, and he continues to serve the Central Coast community with his exceptional skills and compassion as he loves being a vet! 

 
When he’s not at the clinic, you can often find Gordon enjoying the sunrise while walking his own family of four dogs along the picturesque shores of Killcare Beach .

NICOLE

Cert IV Registered Veterinary Nurse and Practice manager, Recover CPR trained

Nicole grew up on the beautiful Central Coast and qualified as a veterinary nurse in 2002. Staying in her first nursing job for 16 years, before a move to the Barrington coast gave her a taste of mixed veterinary practice, Nicole returned to the coast in 2019 to join Beach and Bay Vet.

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Having worked happily with vet Alice for many years before moving away, Nicole was excited to join the growing team at Empire Bay. While working in the Barrington coast, Nicole took on a more senior role and recognised her skill and passion for practice management. She worked hard to complete further qualifications including the Certificate III in Business studies and payroll and the Diploma in Business Administration. We are excited to have her bring these skills to Beach and Bay as well as her excellent nursing knowledge and bubbly personality.

Outside of the clinic Nicole enjoys using her other qualification in permaculture to tend to her large garden, and spend time with her husband, daughter, their three dogs, two cows, guinea pigs, cat and chickens.

ASH

Cert IV Registered Veterinary Nurse, Recover CPR trained

Ash is a fully qualified as a veterinary nurse, having completed her studies in 2015 and works full time at Beach and Bay Vet. Ash has worked in the veterinary industry since graduating and loves that she gets to help people care for their animals every day.

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She brings her extensive knowledge and skill, as well as a happy smile and calm reassurance to reception, treatment room and surgery. Ash enjoys all aspects of her role, working with people and animals and helping to educate the next generation of veterinary nursing students.

Ash has fun at home training her mischevious rescue dog Ned. Ash has always lived on the coast, and loves being with friends and family, bushwalking and enjoying the beach.

AMANDA

Cert IV Veterinary Nurse, GNVQ Business, NVQ care level 2, Recover CPR trained

Amanda moved to Sydney from Ireland in 2007 to continue and extend her work in human medical nursing. After moving to the Central Coast with her husband in 2011, Amanda was able to realise her life-long dream of working with animals by completing her certificate IV in veterinary nursing in 2018.

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Amanda worked as a veterinary nurse locally before her excellent reputation and high skill level brought her to the team at Beach and Bay. She is now part of our talented team of registered veterinary nurses and has quickly added her sunny personality and great sense of humour to the clinic.

Outside of her clinic life, Amanda enjoys walking on the beach with her dogs and continuing to explore the beautiful Central Coast.

Sophie

SOPHIE

Cert IV Registered Veterinary Nurse, Recover CPR trained

Sophie started as a veterinary nurse student doing work experience with Beach and Bay Vet in 2019. During her studies and learning with us, Sophie quickly became a diligent and happy part our team. Sophie qualified as a veterinary nurse having completed her studies at Gosford TAFE in 2020 and we have been very excited and lucky to keep her as a permanent member of our nursing team.

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Sophie started as a veterinary nurse student doing work experience with Beach and Bay Vet in 2019. During her studies and learning with us, Sophie quickly became a diligent and happy part our team. Sophie qualified as a veterinary nurse having completed her studies at Gosford TAFE in 2020 and we have been very excited and lucky to keep her as a permanent member of our nursing team. Sophie brings enthusiasm and quick learning as well as her caring and bubbly personality to Beach and Bay’s lucky patients and clients.

In her spare time Sophie loves being with her many Golden Retrievers, taking them for swims and fun at our lovely local dog beaches.

Sophie

IZZY

Veterinary Nurse

Izzy joined our dedicated nursing team at Beach and Bay Vet in 2024 after completing her veterinary nursing studies. Her journey began at a local emergency clinic, where she has gained invaluable experience working casually.

Izzy is passionate about providing exceptional patient care, with a particular interest in surgeries and caring for our hospital patients.
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Izzy’s commitment to the well-being of animals extends beyond our clinic. She is eager to further develop her skills in wildlife care and has aspirations to undertake additional studies with Taronga Zoo. Her dedication and enthusiasm make her a wonderful addition to our team.
In her spare time, Izzy enjoys caring for her beloved rabbit, Bugs, and spending quality time with her newest family member, Ralphie, a playful 5-month-old ginger kitten.
Beach and Bay Vet - Our Team - Karen

Karen

Veterinary Receptionist

Karen’s passion for animal welfare commenced over 30 years ago when she began work in the animal care and management industry. In the ensuing years Karen gained invaluable experience beginning in grooming and general practice. Later moving into specialist, surgical and emergency nursing before transitioning into an admin and reception role.

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Karen has returned to general practice from an emergency hospital and brings that experience and knowledge to the Beach and Bay reception. She has relished the opportunity to reconnect with regular clients and their furry family members.
Beach and Bay Vet - Our Team - Karen

Katrina

Veterinary Receptionist

Katrina started her career as a Retail and Sales Manager before deciding to follow her passion to work with animals. In 2014 Katrina completed her studies and qualified as a Veterinary Nurse. For the past 9 years, Katrina has worked in many roles within the veterinary industry, including as a nurse, a practice manager and within the veterinary pharmaceutical industry.

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Katrina started her career as a Retail and Sales Manager before deciding to follow her passion to work with animals. In 2014 Katrina completed her studies and qualified as a Veterinary Nurse. For the past 9 years, Katrina has worked in many roles within the veterinary industry, including as a nurse, a practice manager and within the veterinary pharmaceutical industry. This range of experience has given her a wealth of knowledge around pets, people and keeping everyone happy and healthy. Joining the Beach and Bay reception team brings Katrina back into the front line of veterinary care and she looks forward to sharing her knowledge, sunny smile and kind heart with our clients and their beloved furry family members.

As well as a family with 3 human kids, Kat has an extensive furry/feathery/scaly family including goats and a pet pig on her hobby farm.

★★★★★

“Definitely will continue to use this surgery”

“Just attended Beach + Bay Vet, Empire Bay, 12/2/20, with our 9year old dog Maggie . From the moment we walked through the front door the friendly receptionist made us feel at ease, as this was our first visit to this surgery. Maggie was quickly seen by vet, DR Helen Marks , she was so caring and took so much time examing maggie and discussing everything that was thoughly checked over. We definitely will continue to use this surgery. Highly recommended.”

-Robert E., 5-Star Google Review

OPENING HOURS

8:30am – 6pm Monday-Friday
8:30am – 1pm Saturday

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CALL US

Call (02) 4363 2222

LOCATION

436 Empire Bay Drive
Empire Bay NSW 2257

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Beach and Bay Vet is an inclusive and welcoming space for everyone.

We acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we live and pay our respects to elders past and present.

We welcome pets from Empire Bay and the surrounding area, including Bensville, Blackwall, Booker Bay, Ettalong, Kilcare, Kilcare Heights, Point Clare, Umina, and Woy Woy.