Dr Andrew Hemming graduated from the University of Queensland in 2005 with honours and immediately embarked on an internship training position with the Queensland Veterinary Specialists and Pet Emergency Room which has put him in good stead for life as a vet.

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Dr Joanna Oreb graduated from the University of Queensland with honours and is a weath of veterinary knowledge. She has a special talent communicating her passion of veterinary science to clients and their pets and instantly puts you at ease in the consultation room. The animals instantly pick up her love of what she does and you will too.

When she's not at work or playing with her pets, she's off adventuring around the mountains or preparing for hikes in the Himalayas. 

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Dr Samantha Riemer graduated from the University of Queensland with honours and is a shining beacon of energy in the consultation room. Sam moved all the way from Canada to study Veterinary Science and fell in love with the beautiful Queensland beaches and endless sunny days. She hasn’t looked back since! She has a profound love for the great outdoors, and enjoys scrambling up mountains and hiking through the surrounding national parks.

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Dr. Calvin Lai was born in Hong Kong and moved to California during his childhood. From an early age, he developed a deep passion for animals, which was evident in his enthusiastic volunteering at the Greater Los Angeles Zoo during his high school years. Whether caring for small cats or marveling at majestic lions, Dr. Lai’s love for animals became the foundation of his career path.

After earning his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Dr. Lai pursued his passion further by moving to Australia, where he completed a second degree in Veterinary Science. 

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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.

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Erin is an esteemed member of our veterinary nursing team. Having successfully completed her studies at TAFE Queensland, she attained her Certificate III in Animal Studies in 2020, followed by her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing in 2021. During her academic journey, Erin underwent practical training at Ripley Vet, where she demonstrated exceptional dedication and skill. Since then, Erin has remained an integral part of our team, showing a particular interest for anaesthetics and dentistry. In addition to her nursing duties, Erin is part of Ripley Vet's Marketing Team, where she runs our social media presence on platforms including Instagram and TikTok. When she isn’t hard at work, Erin enjoys 4WDing, beach camping, and spending time with her beloved feline companions: Bel, Bean, and Bert.

Meet Rylee, a vet nurse with a love for 4x4 driving, her furry companions, and the adrenaline rush of emergencies. At work, Rylee’s passion for orthopedic surgery is matched only by her excitement for handling emergencies, where she thrives under pressure. With her calm demeanor and quick thinking, she’s a reliable support for both her team and her animal patients, ensuring they receive the care they need, even in the most critical moments. To keep her company at home, she’s surrounded by a cheeky little Jack Russell called Archie, and two cats she adopted as strays from work!

Chloe is one of our casual nurses who is currently in her third and final year of her degree, Bachelor of Veterinary Technology. She has a particular interest in anaesthetics and feline behaviour. If you don’t find Chloe at University or within the clinic, you will see her reading, going on walks, or watching the latest documentaries on Netflix. At home, Chloe has her two cats Jellybean and Lollipop that love to keep her on her toes.

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.

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 second 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!

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.

Emily joined Ripley Veterinary Hospital in 2025 with a strong background in both customer care and wildlife science.
Currently studying a Bachelor of Wildlife Science at the University of Queensland, she is passionate about
conservation, animal welfare, and supporting both pets and their people.
Before joining Ripley Vet, Emily worked in animal care and education roles, including as a Nocturnal Education Officer
at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary leading night education tours through the Sanctuary. She has also trained with the
Royal Australian Air Force and brings a unique blend of discipline, empathy, and calm under pressure to her work on
the front lines (front desk!).
Outside of the clinic, Emily volunteers with wildlife rehabilitation, writes books, and is planning another trip to Europe in
2026! Whether it’s welcoming clients with a warm smile or lending a hand during busy days, Emily is always ready to
help.

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.

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!​