Dr Andrew Hemming graduated from the University of Queensland in 2005 with honours and began his career with an internship at Queensland Veterinary Specialists and Pet Emergency, providing a strong foundation for his work as a veterinarian.

He then spent time in Tasmania, gaining experience with a wide range of animals including dogs, cats, horses, cattle, sheep, goats, and alpacas, and even working on King Island. His career has since taken him across Australia, travelling through VIC, ACT, NSW, and NT before returning to Queensland. During this time, he also assisted the DPI and Queensland Government in managing the horse flu outbreak.

Andrew has now called Ipswich home for the past 15 years and enjoys the variety and challenges that veterinary work brings.

Outside of work, he enjoys camping, 4WDing, gardening, kayaking, and cycling. He shares his home life with his Border Collie, Normus, and his two daughters, Mila and Charlie, who keep him busy exploring the outdoors.

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Dr Jess Biddle joins us as Head Veterinarian, bringing extensive experience in emergency and critical care. She began her career as a veterinary nurse before becoming a veterinarian and has spent many years working in emergency medicine. Through this, she developed a strong interest in acute care, complex medical cases, and chronic disease management.

Jess has a genuine passion for all areas of veterinary medicine and is known for her calm, thoughtful approach. She is committed to providing high-quality, compassionate care to every patient. Jess is also passionate about supporting the veterinary profession and enjoys teaching, mentoring, and helping vets and nurses build their skills and confidence.

Outside the clinic, Jess loves spending time with her family and animals. She is also a keen sports fan and enjoys golf, cricket, and rugby league.

Born and raised in South Africa, Tanya joined the veterinary field to complete her certificate IV in veterinary nursing. Initially working as a therapeutic horse-riding instructor for disabled children, she transitioned to her real calling - veterinary nursing. Initially a client, followed by work placement, Tanya has worked her way through her nursing career with Ripley Vets, leading her up to her practice management role where she has settled into her calling.

Tanya is passionate about providing a support network for the growth of Ripley Veterinary Hospital, not only for our staff, but for our clients and the greater community too! As practice manager, Tanya is responsible for managing a great team, and ensuring everything behind the scenes runs smoothly.

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When she is not busy at work Tanya is being supermom to her beautiful daughter Emilia. She also has her fur babies, Lio (a domestic shorthair feline) and Duke the Jack Russell.

In her spare time, she enjoys family outings, 4wdriving and camping trips to get out and explore our beautiful country.

Dr Katie graduated from the University of Glasgow in 2022 and has spent the past four years working in small animal practice in Scotland. She’s recently traded the Scottish winter for sunny Queensland, and we’re very happy to have her here!

Katie enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine, but her favourite part is building strong connections with both pets and their people. 

Outside of work, she loves staying active and spending time outdoors. She’s especially excited to explore Queensland’s beautiful beaches and hiking spots.

Born in Hong Kong and raised in California, Dr. Calvin Lai developed a passion for animals early on, volunteering at the Greater Los Angeles Zoo during high school. He completed his undergraduate degree in California before moving to Australia to study Veterinary Science.

Dr. Lai gained valuable experience working in a busy emergency hospital and a large non-profit clinic, building strong skills in emergency care, surgery, and general practice. His professional interests include orthopaedics and diagnostic ultrasound, with experience in procedures such as BOAS surgery, TPLOs, and fracture repairs.

Dr. Lai is committed to delivering high-quality, compassionate care to all his patients. Outside of work, he enjoys exploring the outdoors, scuba diving, and spending time with his five furry companions.

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Steph joined the Ripley team all the way from England , bringing her expertise and passion for veterinary care to sunny Queensland! She became a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2023 and has a special interest in anaesthesia, loving every moment of keeping our patients safe and comfortable during surgical procedures. 

Steph is thrilled to continue growing her career with a team dedicated to top-notch patient care, and we’re just as excited to have her on board!

When she’s not in scrubs, you’ll find Steph travelling the world , catching up with friends, or getting lost in a good book 

Meet Chelsea, one of our amazing veterinary nurses at Ripley Veterinary Hospital!  She started with us on her student placement and quickly realised that veterinary nursing was her true calling. 

Chelsea completed her Certificate III in Animal Studies in 2024 and went on to achieve her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing at TAFE Queensland in 2025. Since then, she’s been dedicated to growing her skills and giving every patient the compassionate, top-notch care they deserve. 

When she’s not at work, Chelsea loves gaming  and hanging out with her beloved boxer, Jaz

Meet Rya, one of our passionate Veterinary Nurse and a convert from the marketing industry. She left her office job after falling in love with one feral kitten (she is now a somewhat well-mannered little cat), and has never looked back. Rya has been working in busy animal shelters since 2022 and completed her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing in 2025.
Furry, scaled or feathered, Rya is brimming with love and enthusiasm for our animal companions. She is committed to providing the highest possible standards of care and compassion for the animals we are trusted with. Rya will talk dogs and cats to all day every day and is constantly looking for learn new ways to care for them better.
When she is not tending to her menagerie of animals at home or working, she loves to read lengthy fantasy series, go on hikes and participate in dog sports. 

In 2019, Megan participated in a volunteer program in Seychelles, documenting lemon shark migration and Aldabra giant tortoises. This experience ignited a lasting passion for working with animals. In 2022, Megan moved from New Zealand to Australia to pursue her dream of becoming a veterinary nurse. Currently, she is studying for a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing through the Australian College of Veterinary Nurses.

Born in Zimbabwe, Megan has always been deeply connected to nature and animals. This connection naturally drew her to Australia, renowned for its unique and diverse wildlife.

Outside of work, Megan enjoys traveling, going on camping trips, and exploring new places. An avid rugby fan, she also appreciates quiet afternoons spent with a good book.

Caylah completed her Cert III in Animal Studies in 2024, before continuing on to achieve her Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing in 2025 — graduating alongside her sister, who you might also recognise as part of our Ripley team!  She has already been working as a vet nurse for a year and brings such a caring and compassionate energy to everything she does.

Caylah has always had a passion for animals and loves being there to care for them, especially when they need it most. One of her favourite parts of the job is hearing all the funny and heartwarming stories that owners share about their beloved pets. 

When she’s not at the clinic, you’ll most likely find Caylah taking naps with her beautiful dog Jaz or crocheting adorable plushies and cosy blankets.

Rowan swapped the chilly Tasmanian weather for sunny Brisbane and joined us to share her love for animals!  She holds a Certificate II in Animal Care and is currently working towards her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing.

Passionate about animal welfare, Rowan loves giving a voice to pets who can’t speak for themselves and providing comfort and care during every clinic visit. 

Before following her paw-some calling in vet nursing, Rowan spent three years flying the skies as a flight attendant , proving she’s fearless both in the air and on the ground!

A proud cat mum, Rowan believes black cats bring good luck . Her fur babies Cleo and Sadie live in Tasmania, while little 10-week-old Mimi is already stealing hearts here in Brisbane. 

When she’s not caring for pets, you’ll find her keeping active with Pilates or soaking up the Queensland lifestyle, often heading to the Gold Coast for some beach vibes.

Annika first joined the Ripley Veterinary Hospital team in 2022 as one of our incredible kennel hands. After discovering her passion for working with animals, she has since progressed into a junior veterinary nursing role and recently commenced her nursing traineeship. Annika continues to show the compassion, dedication, and care that make her a wonderful addition to our clinical team, and she is well on her way to becoming an exceptional veterinary nurse.

In her spare time, you’ll find Annika playing fetch with her dogs and enjoying a good book.

Esther grew up in the bustling city of Hong Kong and made the leap to the quiet, open landscapes of Australia to pursue her passion for veterinary science. Currently in her fourth year of a Bachelor of Veterinary Science at UQ, she also works as a casual veterinary liaison and receptionist.
 

With a keen interest in both small animals and marine creatures, Esther is always ready for an adventure. When she's not at the clinic or hitting the books, you might find her scuba diving and marvelling at the underwater wonders or unwinding with a good book. She’s loving the Aussie lifestyle and all the new experiences it brings!

Meet Carole, casual nurse liaison in Ripley hospital who is in her second year of veterinary science. Carole has very deep roots in Portugal, but Australia is the country she calls home. She has had different careers throughout her life as an engineer and a marine biologist, she is a true traveller and adventurer, but she now moved to Australia to pursue her childhood dream of becoming a veterinary doctor. She is passionate about internal medicine surgery and wildlife conservation. In her spare time when she is not working or hitting the books, she loves writing in her travel blog, making pottery, dancing and scuba diving in the warm waters of northern Queensland. Being out in nature and travelling the world is where she finds her peace. Her furr baby is now a star, and his name was Mr. Sushi, a rescued elderly dalmatian that was the light of her eyes and her best friend. Her goal as a casual Nurse Liaison in Ripley hospital is to give all your best friends the best possible health care and utmost respect.

Born and raised in the greater Ipswich region, Mary is a true local. She has been on a journey throughout various components of the human healthcare industry her whole adult life, starting her first job out of high school as a pharmacy assistant all the way to graduating from a Bachelor of Health Science in western herbal medicine. However, Mary’s interests and talents continue beyond science and health. She reads as many books as she is able, is a performing artist, and makes a good cup of tea. Mary is a fur-mum to Lila whom she affectionately calls “Lila-Waffle,” and they are always going on long walks or car drives together. With her consistent smile and chipper attitude, it is Mary’s goal to make you feel like you’re the most important person in the world.

Born in London and raised in Ireland, Ciara is new to the Australian way of life. She brings a long-standing background in customer service, spanning over 10 years, and holds a bachelor’s degree in business studies. Ciara has always had a passion for working with animals, with several years’ experience in dog walking and dog sitting, as well as volunteering at a dog rescue centre.

We are confident that Ciara will be a wonderful addition to our hospital and look forward to the valuable contributions she will make to our team and to the families and fur babies we care for.

Originally from England, Becky moved to Australia two years ago and has been part of the veterinary world for over seven years. She began her career in her hometown after completing three animal-based courses in Cambridge, UK, and brings a wealth of experience in client care and practice support to the team.

Outside of work, Becky enjoys unwinding with a good book, exploring new hiking trails, going for beach walks, and spending time with Ben, her energetic Belgian Malinois who keeps life interesting.

I started my clinic cat life by charming all the staff into loving me. I even managed to get Meika on my side and then I just had to stay!

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I'm good at keeping patients warm and warming equipment! You may see me hard at work on top of some of the machines around the place. I'll happily take cuddles from anyone who wishes to give them but don't forget that I'm your top priority from then on!

I let Meika think she runs the place but really, I'm the true boss and everyone knows it.​

I love every minute of my life since being introduced to the world of being a hospital cat (Dr. Andrew found me under his tractor as a tiny little stray kitten)!​ I would say I've got an adventurous spirit... although I can be a little clumsy at times. I keep the staff entertained with my antics always finding something new to climb or showing off my amazing tightrope walking. I'm always interested in helping patients finish their food or just happy to say 'hi'. I don't mind a cuddle from time to time - wet food should always be the reward for my loyalty. I'm glad I've got an awesome new job running a clinic. Don't know what they would do without me!​