Our Staff
The staff of Woollahra Veterinary Hospital work as a team to assist in the effective management of your pet’s health and lifestyle. We love what we do and strive to excel in our range of services from management of medical cases to casual counter enquiries and friendly drop in visits from our regular locals.
All veterinarians employed by the practice are members of the Australian Veterinary Association [AVA] and are bound by the Association’s Code of Ethics and its continuing education program.
We are also members of the Australian Small Animal Veterinary Association [ASAVA] and subscribe to the Veterinary Information Network [VIN].
We value your feedback to our service and are available to answer any questions you may have about your pet’s health at any time.
Dr Paul Hansen
BVSc
Paul graduated from the University of Qld in 1986 and has practiced in large multi-vet Sydney hospitals at Guildford, Fairfield and Newtown before moving to Woollahra.
He has had a long standing voluntary involvement with the Australian Veterinary Association [AVA], convening the AVA’s Ethics and Complaints Subcommittee for several years, and office bearing as the Sydney Metropolitan Practitioners Branch President, AVA NSW President and the AVA’s representative on the Department of Local Government’s Companion Animal Advisory Board.
Paul has a strong commitment to the community role that the veterinary general practitioner plays and enjoys the fact that a veterinarian’s life is never dull!
Paul currently consults six days at Woollahra vets.
Dr Penny Dobson
BVSc MACVSc
Penny graduated from the University of Qld in 1986 and has practiced across Sydney in areas as diverse as Guildford, Double Bay, Waverley, Stanmore, Five Dock, Rose Bay and Denistone. Penny was admitted to the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists by examination in Canine Medicine in 1991 and has a special interest in veterinary nutrition.
She was the Secretary of the AVA Sydney Metropolitan Practitioners Branch for twelve years and currently works as a full time nutritional consultant for Hills Pet Nutrition as well as a part time clinical veterinarian. Penny grew up on acreage surrounded by animals and has always maintained a multicat household. Penny and Paul have a beautiful 10 year old daughter Olivia and their much loved 19 yo three legged ginger cat Noosa. Penny is available at Woollahra vets by appointment and is happy to discuss any nutritional or internal medicine issues you may have with your pet.
Dr Michelle Marquardt
BVSc [Hons] MACVSc
Michelle consults Thursdays at Woollahra vets and occasionally locums at weekends and other times. Michelle worked in the UK after graduation from University of Sydney then for many years with Paul at Sydney Animal Hospitals Newtown. Michelle was admitted to the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists by examination in Small Animal Medicine in 2006 and has a particular interest in pocket pets [rabbits, rodents, ferrets]. Michelle is a proud co-parent of Joshua and Lauren; and is also a published novelist, hopes to spend more time at her property in the Blue Mountains and fulfills the Woollahra vets requirement for ginger cat ownership.
Dr Alena Strizek
BVSc
Alena consults on Sunday mornings at Woollahra vets 10am -12 noon. A graduate of the University of Sydney, Alena worked in a variety of Sydney small animal practices including as a registrar at the University of Sydney Veterinary Teaching Hospital before moving to the colder, wetter climate of the University of Glascow, working in the Department of Veterinary Informatics and Epidemiology, and for the Foot and Mouth Disease Campaign in 2001. Since her return from Scotland, Alena has been working part time as a clinical veterinarian while studying for a Masters degree in Public Health and has returned to working in human pharmaceuticals.
Sheri Gould
Sheri is our nursing supervisor and also manages reception, front of house and boarding. Originally from the South Coast, Sheri has many years of animal care experience, beginning as an animal attendant while still at school and attaining her Certificate IV nursing qualification in 2006. Sheri lives locally with her cats Ace and Serina; and any of our adoption kittens who need to go home for the weekend!
Matthew Allen
Matthew is a fifth year veterinary science student at Sydney University and nurses on weekends at woollahra vets. A native of Wellington, New Zealand, and with a background in science and teaching, Matt enjoys the Bondi lifestyle and the the challenge that veterinary science study provides. He also knows a little about rugby, mountain climbing and crutiate ligament injury! A ginger cat owner at the age of four, Matt now has Lilly to test the human-feline behavioural interface!