Dr. Briar Ballantyne
Veterinarian
Dr Briar is one of our part time Veterinarian, she graduated with honors from the University of Queensland in 1995, Briar initially worked in rural mixed practice for several years. She then travelled and worked in both the UK and India, spending a year working at Help in Suffering Animal Shelter in Jaipur. Since settling back in Australia in 2002, Briar has dedicated herself to small animal general practice, and has worked at many clinics across Brisbane. She has a diverse set of skills and expertise in Veterinary medicine and regularly attends conferences and continuing education seminars. Briar has a special interest in internal medicine and dermatology.
Dr Briar has a Labrador X called Betty, a cat called Rafiki, a small flock of pet chickens, budgies and Guinea Pigs at home. When not at work, she is kept very busy with her family and three children.
Karen
Veterinary Nurse
Karen has a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. She is a valued long-standing member of our team, having been with us since 2005. She has seen many pets grow from puppies and kittens through to their senior years, which has allowed her to develop close friendships with many pets and clients. Karen is passionate about wildlife, having completed a Certificate III in Native Animal Rehabilitation as well as volunteering for the Redlands After-hours Wildlife Ambulance and caring for orphaned possums and wallabies.
Cooking is another of Karen’s passions – she loves to attend foodie events! When she is not busy working, you can generally find her in the kitchen preparing delicious dishes for her family and friends.
She has a cheeky Cavoodle called Maisie (pictured)
Courtney
Veterinary Nurse
Courtney is one of our full time Veterinary Nurses who joined the team in June 2019. She completed her Certificate II in Animal Studies in 2016 and her IV in Veterinary Nursing in June 2017. Courtney has worked at multiple Veterinary Clinics all over the Redlands. She also started running our Puppy Preschool classes in November 2020.
In her spare time, she loves spending time with her little family; her partner Jakob and their two dogs Luna (pictured) and Bullet. Courtney loves watching tv shows and movies in her spare time!
Connie
Veterinary Nurse
Connie is our Part-time nurse, she had been working at a few different vet clinics until she landed at Capalaba Vet Clinic in August 2022 and has been with us ever since!
When she is not working she is studying a PhD in Spatial Veterinary Epidemiology.
Connie and her family moved to Australia, from Chile in 2019.
In her free time Connie, her husband and her two boys love to go camping with their Border Collie X - Manchas. Connie also has a very cuddley cat called Run-run who is a Domestic Short-hair.
Sarah
Veterinary Nurse
Sarah came to Capalaba Vet Clinic as a student for work placement in 2014 while completing her Certificate III in Animal Studies.
She adopted her cat Toulouse (pictured) when he was brought to the clinic as a stray. Sarah is well known as our resident "crazy cat lady"!
Sarah is also a groomer, so you may see her beautifying animals at the clinic when our regular groomer Ellie is away. Sarah can now mostly be seen in the clinic on weekends, since reducing her hours to care for her gorgeous new bubba!
Outside of work Sarah likes spending time with her partner and new bub at the Sunshine Coast, surfing and pottering around in her herb garden.
Jade
Junior Veterinary Nurse
Jade began her Veterinary life at Capalaba Vet Clinic as a Certificate III Animal Studies placement student in 2023. She will be continuing her studies during 2024 and will be a fully qualified Veterinary Nurse by the end of 2024.
Jade has also began working with us as a Grooming Assistant on Thursdays and Fridays as well as our Junior Nurse on Saturdays!
Before starting with us, Jade worked at an Animal Management Centre and since, has fallen in love with gentle giants (dogs)! She has her own gentle giant rescue dog at home named Nugget.
Outside of her love for animals, Jade loves everything music and travel!
Ellie
Grooming Manager
Ellie has spent the last 10 years working in the animal industry, with a focus on grooming specifically. She has a Certificate III in Companion Animal Services, has attended numerous grooming seminars and clinics, and has spent many years working alongside veterinarians and fellow groomers in Brisbane. She is truly passionate about beautifying all dogs & cats that come through our doors for grooming.
In her spare time Ellie is kept very busy surrounded by her beloved fur babies – rescue dogs Flick the Blue Heeler & Morty the Labrador, Cleocatra the cat, two miniature goats Merry & Pippin & a ‘miniature’ pig Hamlet whom she hand raised from 4 days old and now weighs close to 200kg!
Andrew
Groomer
Andrew is one of our Groomers, he joined our team in December 2022 and helps our Senior Groomer Ellie every Saturday.
He spends his free time being active, either going to the gym, going on hikes or taking his Border Collie, Whisky to the dog beach.