Cairns Veterinary Clinic

Dr Richard Thomas BSc BVMS

Richard graduated from Murdoch University in 2006. After managing a large practice in the Pilbara region and working in an emergency clinic in Perth, he became a partner of Cairns Veterinary Clinic in July 2014. Richard is currently enrolled in a Master’s degree in small animal medicine. In his spare time, Richard enjoys the great outdoors and loves the diving, hiking and waterfalls the Cairns region has to offer. He lives with his two cats – Kang and Mama Cat.

Dr Helen Reakes BVSc

Helen qualified from the Liverpool University (UK) in 2004. After working in small animal and emergency practice in the UK and obtaining a postgraduate certificate in small animal medicine she emigrated to Australia in 2013. After some travelling she joined Cairns Veterinary Clinic in early 2014 and became a partner in November 2015. Outside of work, Helen is continuing to renovate her home, enjoys CrossFit and has two rescue cats, Smokey and Marmie.

Dr Adam Hakim BVSc MANZCVS (Surgery)

Whilst Adam grew up in Sydney, he’s no stranger to Far North Queensland after completing his Veterinary Degree at Townsville’s James Cook University. After working in mixed/farm animal practice in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, he joined Cairns Veterinary Clinic in early 2018 and became a partner in August 2020. Adam has a keen interest in small animal surgery and completed his surgical membership in July 2021. (Membership of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists is an official recognition of a veterinarian's knowledge and experience in a designated field of veterinary science. Membership is an indication of an advanced practitioner, representing advanced knowledge, competence and experience in a specific area of veterinary practice). Outside of work Adam enjoys playing rugby, fishing and exploring with his rescue Staffy x Kelpie ‘Miley’.

Dr Yari Mansia BVSc

Whilst not born in Cairns, Yari grew up here and completed his veterinary degree at Townsville’s James Cook University in 2014. Since graduating, Yari has been working in Cairns area as a small animal vet and has a special interest in surgery, in particular orthopedics. In his spare time Yari enjoys spending time with his family, going to the gym, playing soccer and keeping his two dogs, Albert the whippet and Delilah the red heeler X occupied.

Dr Samantha Leung DVM

Originally from Hong Kong, Sam moved to Australia and completed her veterinary degree at the University of Melbourne. After holidaying in Cairns after graduation, Sam fell in love with the Far North Queensland lifestyle and made the move to Join our team in June 2022. Sam is a huge foodie and in her spare time loves to try out new restaurants and cuisines. She also enjoys exploring the regions waterholes and snorkelling at Fitzroy Island.

Dr Liam Sweeney BVSc

Cairns born and raised, Liam has been working in FNQ since graduating from Townsville’s James Cook University in 2018 and joined our Team in May 2023. Having two dogs and two cats, Liam prides himself on being able to relate to clients on both the joys as well as the occasional difficulties of pet ownership. When not hanging out with his fur babies at home, Liam loves to make the most of FNQ’s great fishing, hiking and camping.

Dr Lisa Gooden BVSc

Lisa is a local girl born and bred and grew up on her family’s mango farm north of Mareeba. She studied her veterinary degree at James Cook University and graduated in 2018. After graduation, Lisa worked in Townsville and South East QLD before moving back home to FNQ. Lisa has a keen interest in ultrasonography, soft tissue surgery and ophthalmology. Outside of work she is kept busy by her young family and fur babies.

Jane Quinn – Practice Manager

Jane qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in 1999 whilst working for a specialist referral practice in North West England. She came over to Australia as a backpacker in 2000, where she met her husband whilst mango picking in the Northern Territory. She returned to the UK for a brief time before emigrating in 2002. Jane joined the Cairns Veterinary Clinic nursing team in August 2002 and worked for several years before taking time out to have her children and start up a family construction business. She returned to Cairns Veterinary Clinic as Practice Manager in 2011. Outside of work, Jane enjoys spending time with family and friends and her pets Maggie the Labrador and her two cats Bluey and Bob.

Kristy Jaunzems – Veterinary Receptionist

Kristy grew up in Malanda and joined the Cairns Veterinary Clinic in 1997. Obtaining her Certificate 4 in veterinary nursing in 2005 she was part of the veterinary nursing team until 2007 before deciding that providing outstanding customer service was her passion. Professionally, Kristy has a special interest in animal behaviour and runs the clinics puppy preschool classes. Outside of work, Kristy enjoys cake decorating, dog agility and motor racing.

Shanyce Mackedie – Veterinary Receptionist

Born and raised in Cairns, Shanyce joined our reception team in October 2022. As a child she aspired to be a Veterinary Nurse before deciding a customer service role was more her style. An animal lover, Shanyce has quite the menagerie, with two cats Willow and Prince and two dogs Bella and Odin sharing her home. Shanyce loves to spend her spare time snuggling up with her pets and exploring the beaches with her dogs.

Shereece Kaden – Head Veterinary Nurse

After growing up with a wide variety of animals which cemented her love of animals and nature, Shereece completed her certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing in 2011. As our Head Nurse, Shereece is responsible for mentoring our nursing team and enjoys helping them reach their full potential. She also has a keen interest in anaesthetics and patient care. Outside of work, Shereece loves exploring new places, photography, socializing with close friends and chilling at home with her cat Skitz.

Kristy Anne Davies – Veterinary Nurse

Kristy-Anne completed her Certificate 4 in Veterinary Nursing in 2002 and has been working at Cairns Veterinary Clinic since 2006, after relocating from Brisbane. Outside of work Kristy Anne enjoys spending time with her husband and daughters and her 2 dogs Sky and Kingston.

Amy Williams – Veterinary Nurse

After growing up on a cattle farm on the Tablelands, Amy followed her passion for animal care and graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science with an Extended Major in Veterinary Technology in 2016. She moved back to Tropical North Queensland and joined our team at the start of 2017. In her spare time, Amy likes to travel home and spend time with her cattle, horses and dogs at the family farm. Keep an eye out for her at the local shows, where she displays her prize winning Droughtmaster Cattle.

Clare Zagata – Veterinary Nurse

Clare qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in the U.K working in equine, small animal & large animal practices. She came on a working holiday to the Antipodes in 1996, locuming up the East Coast of Australia at small animal clinics and an Avian Clinic. Finally she arrived in beautiful Cairns where she managed a clinic, got sponsorship & her Australian citizenship. Clare met her husband in Cairns and has 3 daughters, as well as 2 dogs Luna & Roy plus 3 horses, Nikki, Jiraay & Victor. She enjoys spending time outside of work with her family, training for endurance rides, camping, swimming and reading.

Lucy Poulter – Veterinary Nurse

After graduating with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Zoology at the University of Queensland in 2015, Lucy moved to Cairns to work as a wildlife keeper, studying her Certificate III in Captive Animals. After four years at the wildlife park, she decided to change fields into veterinary nursing and completed her Certificate IV in 2021. She loves all animals including the feathery and scaly ones, and has a young Bull Arab X called “Caelan” and a pet Woma python! Lucy is passionate about wildlife and in her spare time she loves exploring the outdoors.

Jessica Kitching – Trainee Veterinary Nurse

After living and working as a Veterinary Nurse in the UK, Jessica moved to Cairns in 2018 and joined the Cairns Veterinary Clinic’s nursing team in February 2020. She is passionate about caring for animals and treats each patient as if they are her own. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring with her partner Adam and her Pomeranian X “Kevin”.

Brieanna Smith - Trainee Veterinary Nurse

Brie began her career by taking part in an internship program which allowed her to study a Certificate II in Animal Studies. Completing this certificate in Jan 2020 she worked as a Animal Nursing Assistant before joining us in September 2021. She enjoys providing quality care to all patients she encounters and is eager to further her education in Veterinary Nursing. Outside of work Brie takes care of all of her own furry and feathered family members which include 5 Cats, 2 Dogs, 2 Cockatiels and 6 Guinea Pigs.

Anne-Klode Suare – Veterinary Nurse

Anne is a French Canadian who moved to Australia in 2015. For as long as she can remember, she’s always wanted to be a Veterinary Nurse. Anne qualified in October 2022 and joined our nursing team in June 2023. Anne treats her patients like they are part of her family and has a keen interest in surgery. Anne has an abundance of energy and loves to make people smile.

Mikaela Fields – Veterinary Nurse

Mikki had a desire to work with animals from an early age and after graduating high school in 2012, she went straight into Veterinary Nursing. 10 years later and she’s never looked back. When she’s not at the clinic, you’ll find her in the great outdoors with a fishing rod in one hand and a cocktail in the other. Mikki is a fur mum to dogs Binx, Koda and Monty and a feather mum to parrots Winnie Blue, Doobie and Cherry.

Jorja Shaw – Kennel Hand

Jorja is an aspiring veterinarian and a passionate animal lover. She joined us in September 2021 and is responsible for giving our Gordonvale hospital patients tender loving care. Outside of work, you can find her on the soccer pitch playing for her local team.

Breannan Harris- Corcoran – Kennel Hand

Breannan joined our team in February 2023 after impressing us during her school work experience. An aspiring vet nurse, Breannan is currently studying towards a Certificate II in Animal Care. Outside of work, she loves camping and spending time with her family.

Ashley Budd – Kennel Hand

Ashley grew up in Cairns and joined our team as a Kennel Hand in June 2023. Ashley loves her animals and aspires to have a career in Veterinary Nursing. Outside of work, Ashley enjoys pet sitting and looking after her two Cavoodles, budgies, fish and pet snake.