We care about your bestie
You can trust our experienced team
Meet our team
You can expect a friendly and knowledgeable team to take care of your best friend. We lead with experience, knowledge, and passion for all our animals- it’s what makes us different from other vet clinics!
Health checks are also a great opportunity to ask us about questions or concerns you have. Book a health check for your pet with one of our vets.
Dr Sam Lackenby
Veterinarian (Bachelor of Veterinary Science)
Sam grew up on a sheep/cattle/wheat farm in Gulargambone, NSW. She graduated from Sydney University in 1995 and went to work in Deniliquin, NSW for 2 years as a mixed practice vet and then travelled and worked overseas for another 2 years. On her return she has worked in Sydney and various practices gaining invaluable small animal experience.
Her passions are solving the illnesses that trouble our pets and working out the best possible way to make them better. Sam enjoys surgery, medicine, dentistry, behaviour, oncology and skin diseases in particular but is comfortable dealing with all the variable cases that vets have to deal with.
In her spare time she is chasing after 4 daughters (with her husband Scott) who love their sport and outdoor activities. She also has 1 labrador; Ted and a cat called Theo who make her family complete!
Dr Markus Mander
Veterinarian (Bachelor of Veterinary Science)
Markus graduated from the University of Pretoria Vet School in 1996 and spent the next 5 yearrs gaining a vast amount of veterinary experience working in small animal practices in England. Markus moved to Australia in 2001 and completed a postgraduate study in Small Animal Medicine.
His interests include complex medical cases, soft tissue and orthopaediac surgery. His main surgical passion lies in knee surgery-both cruciate ligament rupture and luxation surgeries.
Markus lives in Kellyville with his wife and 2 children and plays an active role in the local community. His hobbies outside of work include travel, cycling, running, kite surfing and scuba diving.
Dr Chelia Law
Bachelor of Veterinary Science MANZCVS (Small Animal Surgery)
Dr. Chelia graduated from The University of Sydney in 2015 and began her veterinary career at a bustling small animal practice on the Central Coast. Eager to further her expertise, she completed a year-long surgical internship at the renowned North Shore Veterinary Specialist Centre, where she gained invaluable hands-on experience alongside experienced specialists. During this time, Chelia honed her skills in soft tissue and orthopedic surgery, as well as advanced imaging techniques.
Her journey then led her to the General Practice and Emergency and Critical Care departments, where she continued to broaden her knowledge and clinical proficiency. Chelia’s passion for surgery took her to a small animal clinic on the Northern Beaches, where she focused on and completed her Memberships in Small Animal Surgery with the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in 2021.
In 2023, Chelia joined Pendle Hill Vets as a locum to assist with surgeries and quickly found herself enjoying her time with the team and the community. She now proudly contributes to the practice on a permanent part-time basis.
Outside of work, Chelia enjoys exploring new places and travelling with her beloved rescue Cavoodle, Layla.
Dr Laura Kerrison
Veterinarian (Bachelor of Veterinary Biology and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine)
Laura graduated from the University of Sydney in 2020 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Biology and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation, she worked as a mixed practice veterinarian for a few years, working with many different species including cows, horses and alpacas.
Laura enjoys working with all animals, and especially loves rabbits! In her spare time, Laura enjoys going for walks, playing netball, and trying new food!
Dr. Alex Heggie BVSc MANZCVS
Veterinarian (Small Animal Radiology)
Over almost a decade, Alex’s career as a veterinarian has spanned general practice hospitals, specialist referral hospitals and a mobile ultrasound service. In addition to a 12-month multidisciplinary internship, she’s spent over two and a half years working as a diagnostic imaging intern at two different specialist referral hospitals in Australia. In 2022, Alex completed her memberships in small animal radiology with the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists. Since 2018, Alex has been an on-and-off team member at Pendle Hill Vets, returning periodically while pursuing additional training in specialist services. Alex’s main passions lie with diagnostic imaging (ultrasound in particular) and internal medicine.
Alex “accidentally” adopted Jasper the clinic cat here at Pendle Hill Vets in 2019. He would come home to visit on the weekends, and then eventually he never left. Jasper is now a very important part of her family.
Dr Alex Kannegieter
Veterinarian
Alex graduated with Honours from Charles Sturt University in 2014 has since worked exclusively in Small Animal Practice. He has worked in both smaller village practices and large Veterinary Hospitals, and brings a practical and direct approach to any case he sees. Alex is comfortable handling a wide range of cases and conditions from medical to surgical across a range of species including Cats, Dogs, Rabbits and more. His particular areas of interest are Soft Tissue Surgery, Oncology and Palliative care.
Alex is otherwise kept busy by his wife and three young sons. He is often also accompanied by his Chihuahua cross Wentworth.
Dr Claire Fu
Veterinarian (Bachelor of Veterinary Science)
Although born and raised in Sydney, Claire studied at James Cook University in Townsville and graduated with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science in 2020. She moved to Brisbane for another 2 years after graduating to enjoy sunny Queensland where she practiced in a small animal clinic.
She has since returned back home to Sydney with her dog, cat and snake. She enjoys getting outdoors, staying active, and loves to travel. Claire has always wanted to be a veterinarian and has volunteered across 10 years at RSPCA, vet clinics, zoos, and a raptor rescue and rehabilitation.
She has a keen interest in all kinds of surgery, and is also working towards becoming an exotics veterinarian.
Hollie McAlpine
Registered Veterinary Nurse (Certificate IV Vet Nursing and Advanced Small Animal Nursing)
Hollie grew up loving animals and surrounded by deers, horses, rabbits, dog & birds. She has been a veterinary nurse since 2005 and has completed certificate 4 in veterinary nursing and Advanced Small Animal Nursing.
Hollie developed meningitis at 14 months old and as a result is hearing impaired. However, this has not stopped her passion working with animals.
She enjoys monitoring surgical cases and making sure they are getting the best care possible.
Hollie is married with 2 young children. After she had her first daughter she rescued a stray cat named Spike. Hollie enjoys spending time with her family & friends, outdoor activities, baking & travelling.
Cindy Talbot
Senior Vet Nurse (Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing)
Cindy has been vet nursing for 28 years of which 13 years of her career has been at Pendle Hill Vet. Her passion is birds, especially parrots. She has 2 lorikeets called Ricky and Keet along with 2 cats, 4 chickens, a turtle and a pond full of fish. Cindy has spent a substantial part of her life involved in wildlife rescuing which has spanned 15 years. She has cared for sick, injured and orphaned native wildlife such as birds, possums, gliders, lizards and kangaroos. She has also caught and relocated pythons, red-bellied and brown snakes!
Cindy has enjoyed getting to know and become close to the clients over her many years at Pendle Hill vets and looks forward in helping them for many more years to come!
Melissa Ellis
Registered Veterinary Nurse (Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing)
Mel has worked at Pendle Hill for the past 13 years. She started working with animals when she became a kennel attendant in 2003 and then commenced her studies at Tafe. Mel has 3 lovely children and a husband who help her to care for her 3 dogs; Winnie, Elver and Ranger.
She also spends her spare time helping at the local pound and at her childrens’ school particularly the P&C committee. Her hobbies are football and swimming.
Mel loves her job and working in all aspects of the hospital and could not imagine doing anything else!!
Victoria (Torrie) Langford
Registered Veterinary Nurse (Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing)
Torrie started working at Pendle Hill Vets in June, 2018. She found her love and passion for animals once she started studying her certificate 2 in Animal Studies at the RSPCA in 2017.
Torrie’s hobbies include spending time with her nieces and nephews and caring for her 4 dogs: Maddie, Missy, Buddha and Bessie. She also has a rabbit called Jimmy and a bearded dragon whose name is Malaki.
She loves her job at Pendle Hill Vets and always strives to ensure the client and animal gets the best care that they need!
Katharine Babatzanis
Registered Veterinary Nurse (Certificate IV Vet Nursing)
Katharine started working with Pendle Hills Vets in 2022 and had been working as a Veterinary Nurse for 5 years prior.
She started her career in the animal industry in 2007 working at a dog daycare centre while studying her Dog Training and Behaviour Certification. She then moved on to work at a cattery and animal shelter helping to adopt out animals, creating behaviour modification plans and providing advice to clients. Katharine loves learning and is currently studying a Bachelor in Veterinary Technology at Charles Sturt University.
Whilst in the hospital Katharine enjoys assisting with surgery and has a particular affinity for her feline patients (making sure they are relaxed and comfortable whilst in hospital). She also loves helping to educate clients through her Puppy Preschool and Kitten Kindy classes.
When not working, Katharine enjoys cycling, exploring new places, and spending time with her four cats (Lucky, Bobby, Matilda and Miss Honey); all of whom found their way to her
Chloe Park
Registered Veterinary Nurse (Certificate IV Vet Nursing)
Chloe joined Pendle Hill Veterinary Hospital in February, 2022 and is loving everything about it! She is currently studying certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing at TAFE
She also has a WIRES RICC certificate and a Puppy Preschool Training Certificate. Chloe is interested in the rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife, animal behaviour/ psychology, neonatal care, monitoring surgeries and emergency situations in the veterinary field. Her hobbies are volunteering at animal shelters and fostering kittens. Chloe enjoys going to dog parks / dog beaches with her two dogs and spending time with family and friends.
Layne
Practice Manager
Started her veterinary nursing career in 2001, where she worked for 19 years at a practice as their head nurse. This is where she met Dr Sam, before leaving to try her hand at managing a GP team in a busy specialist veterinary hospital for 5 years. She and Dr Sam had stayed in touch so she was thrilled to be invited to join the team at Pendle Hill as their Practice Manager in 2023.
Layne’s love for animals developed from an early age spending all her school holidays at a large family farm helping with sheep, cattle, pigs, horses their 6 dogs and numerous cats. Her own family have always had a posse of 3-4 rescue dogs at any one time.
Layne enjoys helping people to achieve the best out of their role and ensuring clients and patients have the best possible experience when they visit.
Layne really enjoy’s inventory and putting systems in place to make things run more effectively.
When not at work Layne is busy wrangling a toddler and a baby, as well as 2 stepchildren and helping with her family’s burger shops.
Amanda Killey
Reception/Admin Support
With nearly 20 years of experience in the animal industry, Amanda brings a wealth of knowledge, compassion, and hands-on expertise to the clinic. She holds a Certificate III in Companion Animal Services and has completed an advanced grooming course, skills she still enjoys putting to use, happily picking up the clippers whenever she gets the chance.
A proud pet parent to two dogs Bronx (a Kelpie cross) and Belle (a Boston Terrier), as well as Koby the cat and Barney the rainbow lorikeet, she understands the deep connection between pets and their families. At home, she’s also a busy mum of two young children and plays an active role in the community, managing her son’s local rugby league team and volunteering with the football club.