The Estuary Vet Team
We take pride in looking after your pets as they were our own.
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Thea
I graduated from Massey in 2010 and returned to my hometown of Christchurch, the best little city in the world! I was going to be a horse vet, after growing up horse mad, and travelling the country competing in eventing. But I discovered a love of companion animal practice, and get so much satisfaction from helping to keep much loved family pets well.
I love running and biking around the Port Hills, a good G&T, and hanging out with the family. Tom and I have a son Willis, a lovely old black and white dog Gloucester, and a young Maine Coon Vlad. |
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Tom
Growing up on a small farm and being a son of a vet, perhaps I was always destined to work with animals. I certainly loved raising lost spring lambs, petting the old cat and walking about the hills with our barking ‘eye-dog.’
After graduating from Massey vet school, I started out in the mixed animal world with a lean toward our larger production animals. However, I learned it wasn’t just the animals I was interested to work with, but also the owners. And in companion animal work I found my passion to work along side owners to help support their relationship with their furry family members. I enjoy educating owners and making the complex simple. Outside of work, I enjoy a good lengthy visit to a golf club, a cruise on a mountain bike or a pair of skis, hiking with our boy in NZ’s great outdoors and being an amateur wine and beer connoisseur. |
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Pip
I live with my husband Tony, my boys Jimmy and Gus, Fozzie the cat who terrorizes the street and 7 tropical fish. We recently lost our beautiful old Huntaway cross Wilma. She was a rescue from Dogwatch who made it to the grand age of 13 ½ years.
After Vet Nursing for over 20 years, I still love the daily contact with the animals. I grew up in an animal loving family full of furry family members and holidays helping on my Grandparents farm. |
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Gill
Gill has been vetting for over 30 years and joined the team at EVC about 1 year ago. Gill’s special interest is in the field of behaviour. A few years ago, her own dog had an unusual behavioural problem and this piqued her curiosity in this interesting and ever-evolving field of veterinary science. So, she took a year off work in 2018 and studied a behavioural course through Sydney University.
Gill has 2 pets, Olive, a young and mischievous Miniature Schnauzer and Xena, a grey moggy cat that wandered into her household as a stray kitten many years ago. In her spare time Gill likes skiing, mountain biking, cooking and throwing on her running shoes. |
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Marysha
Hello everyone! My name is Marysha and I’ve been with the Estuary team since March 2022. I graduated with my Diploma in Veterinary Nursing in 2016 and have been working as a nurse ever since.
I’ve been exposed to a varied and interesting caseload over the years which has fuelled my love to keep busy and see pets through from presentation to recovery. Nothing compares to the gratification of seeing a healthy pet with their family after you’ve cared for them. I have an affinity for senior animals and love nothing better than having cuddles with a friendly hospitalised cat. I have my own special gal, a Maine Coon called Kansas (pictured) who wraps everyone she meets around her polydactyl paw. I enjoy getting out and about in the city, meeting with friends and eating out at all the cool places Christchurch has to offer. I’m excited to work alongside this awesome crew who love what they do and I look forward to meeting yourselves and your furry children. |
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Helen
I moved to Christchurch approximately 4 years ago, from Australia. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to move over here with my partner, who was born and grew up in Christchurch. We brought our fur baby along as well. A domestic short hair cat called ‘Ned’. We adopted Ned from the RSPCA in Townsville, QLD, nearly 9 years ago.
I started my Veterinary nursing career quite a few years ago in Darwin, Northern Territory, where I was born and grew up. I enjoy the challenges and rewards being a vet nurse can offer. I started at the Estuary Veterinary Clinic in 2018, when Griff and Maree Lash owned the clinic and now, I continue the journey with Thea and Tom Taylor. Currently, I am in the process of attaining my diploma in Veterinary Nursing. In my spare time, I enjoy nothing more than relaxing with good book. I also enjoy getting into the garden (Ned likes to help with the gardening as well). |
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Lin
My name is Lin and I have been a veterinary nurse for, shall I just say 30+ years. I have a certificate in veterinary nursing and certificate and diploma in feline behaviour and psychology.
I live with my husband and Bruce, a rescue cat that challenges my life on a daily basis (but I wouldn't have it any other way). I am very lucky to work with a team that have the compassion and care and are totally dedicated to your furry family members. |
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Kelsey
I have always had a love for animals, and am very passionate about caring for them. I received my diploma in veterinary nursing in 2018. Every day is a new challenge and I love every minute of putting my skills to use. I enjoy all my roles whether it's greeting you and your fur babies at the front desk, monitoring their anaesthetic/procedure, or tending to their needs in our hospital.
I have 2 beautiful ragdoll cats at home, who are super spoilt and absolutely adored. I love being a part of the estuary team and am looking forward to meeting your pets. |
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Lauren
Hi everyone, I’m Lauren. I completed my certificate in vet nursing at Wintec in 2015. I moved down to the South Island, worked for a couple years at a mixed animal practice and then went overseas. I went for a holiday to Thailand first and got to volunteer at an elephant sanctuary and dog rescue for a week, then in Rarotonga. I volunteered for Cook Islands SPCA for about 7 weeks on their dog desexing program. It was awesome to get different experiences overseas and I learnt a lot from other people.
I went back to mixed practise again and studied for my vet nursing diploma part time, graduating in 2020. I moved into Christchurch city and joined the awesome Estuary team in 2021. I love all aspects of vet nursing, everyday is different, and its great working together with like-minded people nursing an animal back to health. In my spare time I like to be outdoors; hang out with friends, road trip/camp in my van, hiking, snowboarding and bike riding. Equally, I also love to be inside watching Netflix with my 3 legged cat Chief, or learning to crochet something. |
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Kate
Hi, my name is Kate. I am currently completing a diploma in veterinary nursing. I am passionate about veterinary medicine and feel fortunate to work alongside such a fun, dedicated team. I look forward to expanding my knowledge throughout my career.
In my spare time, I enjoy playing hockey, traveling, and finding new coffee spots with friends! I look forward to meeting you and your pets! |
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Mark
Hello there my name is Mark Gillyon. I have recently moved to Christchurch from the Marlborough region. I am married with a lovely wife Emma who is a teacher, and we have a beautiful daughter called Claire. We own a cranky aged Abyssinian cat rescued from Hong Kong called Willis.
I graduated from Massey University in 2000.I have been lucky enough in my career to work in Australia and Hong Kong in speciality practices in emergency and critical care, and in a surgical capacity. I have completed an internship in surgery and medicine at The Animal Referral Hospital in Sydney and additional training as a surgical resident in Auckland. I love sci-fi films, the more B grade the better, and playing guitar in bands. |