Andrew
Senior Veterinarian BVSc (Hons)
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 stood him in good stead for life as a vet.
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He moved to Tasmania to explore the island and worked with all forms of life, including dogs, cats, horses, cows, sheep, goats and alpacas, and even ended up doing a bit of work on King Island, where he enjoyed the luxuries of cheese, beef, and fresh air. He also developed a love of caramel slice while living in Tasmania.
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Eventually, the mainland called again, and his vet work took him by 4wd through VIC, the ACT, NSW, NT and finally back to QLD where he was even called upon by the DPI and Qld Government to assist in controlling the infamous horse flu outbreak. He eventually settled back in Ipswich which he has called home for the last 15 years. He loves the excitement and challenge of being a vet and wouldn’t have it any other way.
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In his spare time, he loves to play with “Normus” his Border Collie. His passion is to get out in the garden and get dirty; growing what he can for the kitchen table. He also can't get enough camping and 4wdriving and even writes articles for "4wd Action" magazine as a freelancer. He can be found kayaking on the upper reaches of the Brisbane River, our out on his bike. His biggest achievement was conquering the ACE250 - a mammoth 250km ride through the Victorian Alpine region.
His two gorgeous daughters “Mila” and “Charlie” keep him busy at home with lots of trips to the beach, into the mountains and exploring around their home.
Jo
Veterinarian BVSc (Hons)
Dr Joanna Oreb graduated from the University of Queensland with honours. She is a recent addition to our veterinary team, but you may recognise her as she has been one of our Saturday nurses for the past two years!
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Joanna grew up moving around Australia but has now settled in the Ipswich region! She lives with her partner Chris and their three fur-children, a kelpie “Rory”, border-collie “Alby” and their cat “Nitro”.
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Joanna has known she would be a vet for as long as she can remember. Prior to studying at university, she regularly volunteered with the RSPCA and Riding for the Disabled organisations. She cannot wait to continue volunteering and serving the community as a veterinarian!
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She loves being able to make a positive impact and help all our pets to be happy and healthy. While she is excited about all aspects of veterinary medicine, her passion lies in soft tissue surgery. In her free time, Joanna loves hiking, travelling, watching AFL games, and winning escape rooms! She cannot wait to meet all our wonderful clients and patients.
Samantha
Veterinarian BVSc (Hons)
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.From a very young age, Sam fell in love with all creatures big and small and knew she wanted to be a veterinarian. With a passion for all things veterinary science, Sam finds fulfilment in facilitating our furry friend’s surgical procedures as well as practicing medicine in the consult room and beyond. Her unwavering commitment to the well-being of animals drives her to continuously expand her knowledge and expertise, ensuring that every patient receives the best care possible. Whether she’s exploring the wilderness, running the rail trails, or lifting weights at the gym, her commitment to animal welfare remains steadfast.
Calvin
Locum Veterinarian BVSc
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. His early career involved working in a busy local emergency veterinary hospital and one of the largest non-profit organization clinics, allowing him to gain invaluable experience in emergency and critical care, as well as routine surgeries.
Dr. Lai’s professional interests include orthopedics and diagnostic ultrasound, areas where his expertise truly shines. He is skilled in performing complex soft tissue surgeries, such as brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) corrections, as well as advanced orthopedic procedures like TPLO (tibial plateau leveling osteotomy) and fracture repairs.
With a strong commitment to providing the highest quality care for animals of all shapes and sizes, Dr. Lai combines his technical skills, extensive experience, and compassionate approach to ensure the best outcomes for his patients. When he's not in the operating room or clinic, Dr. Lai enjoys exploring the outdoors, scuba diving, spending time with his five furry companions, and continuing to expand his knowledge in veterinary advancements.
Tanya
Practice Manager
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 Bella (a rescued Chihuahua x mini foxy) and 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.
