Nursing Staff

Joanne Tapp

Jo obtained her Associate Diploma in Animal Technology from Ultimo TAFE in 2001, and joined the UVTHS as a veterinary nurse in April, 2003.

Like most nurses, she has a menagerie, which keeps her busy (two dogs, a cat, a rabbit and assorted fish). She also enjoys being outdoors, reading and spending time with her son.

Rhonda Foreman

One of the most longstanding members of the medicine team, Rhonda joined the UVTHS as a veterinary nurse in 1986. During her time here she has completed TAFE training in both Domestic animal care and veterinary nursing. Rhonda is also the safety officer at the UVTHS.

Rhonda’s interests include veterinary dermatology and diagnostic imaging. Rhonda also enjoys taking care of her two young sons Kane and Bowen, her goldfish and Chihuahua cross foxy ‘Chelsea’.

Jennie Doyle

Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing

Jennie joined the UVTHS team in June 2005. Jennie had previously worked in a busy small animal clinic in Sydney, where she had been for three and a half years. Jennie is a qualified veterinary nurse, completing certificate IV in veterinary nursing with distinctions, in 2001.

In her spare time Jennie enjoys doting on her two very spoilt babies (her cats!) as well as two horses.

Kelly Amaro

Kelly spent 15 years in a busy private practice as a head nurse and Puppy Preschool teacher and some time in a specialist centre before joining the UVTHS team in 2005.

Her dog training business 'Love on a Leash' was established as a result of her interest in animal behaviour and she now also runs Puppy Classes at UVTHS. Kelly enjoys belly dance and listening to Prince.

April Hadges

Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing

April is a qualified nurse having completed her Cert I, II and IV in veterinary nursing and is currently finishing her Veterinary nurse technician certificate. April joined the UVTHS team in 2007; her prior work was with a 24 hour vet hospital, where she enjoyed emergency and critical care cases.

When not at work, April is busy with her horses and precious Labrador, Rajah.

Nicole Kingston

Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Nursing
Certificate in Enrolled Veterinary Nursing
Associate Diploma in Biological Techniques

Nicole is one of our surgery nurses. She has been a veterinary nurse for the last 10 years and has worked at various veterinary hospitals in both Sydney and the United Kingdom. Some of these include Kirrawee Veterinary Hospital, University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Camden, The Animal Referral Hospital, The North Shore Veterinary Hospital, RSPCA Putney, London UK and The Julia Boness Veterinary Hospital, Bedfordshire UK. Nicole has extensive training in both emergency medicine and surgical nursing. Nicole has a Maltese x Shih Tzu called ‘Pebbles’ who is featured on the appointments page of the website and a Pearl Cockatiel called ‘Ollie’.

Jordana Busenshut

Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing

Jordana completed Certificate I and II in animal studies and Certificate IV in veterinary nursing in 2004. She has been working as a veterinary nurse and an ICU nurse at UVTHS since Jan 09. Jordana is currently studying at Wollongong University, a Bachelor of Medical Science.

Jordana has 2 dogs, Rosa (chihuahua cross) and Sally (Spoodle) who she absolutely adores. They are often seen here at work as her night shift guard dog companions.

Emmalene May North

Emmalene completed Certificate I & II in animal studies and Certificate IV in vet nursing. She commenced her job with Sydney University in January 2009.

Emmalene shares her spare time between- riding horses - Caper and Bunns; playing with Jaydee (minature pony); looking after 2 birds Monito (a very cheek y galah) & Aussie (a very playfull scally brested lorrikeet) and spending time with 2 dogs - Angel (chichuahua) and Freddy (Dachound)

Meghann Kuchar

Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing

Faculty of Veterinary Science