Michael is the owner of Hurlstone Park Veterinary Hospital and has worked here continuously since the 1980s. He enjoys all aspects of veterinary practice and has a lot of experience and expertise in surgery and medicine. Michael has a special interest in animal acupuncture and has treated a vast number of patients over the past 20 years, offering another option for most muscular-skeletal conditions including arthritis, degenerative joint disease etc. On days off he is usually involved in the teaching and workplace assessment of student veterinary nurses in the Sydney metropolitan area. Michael was also a honorary committee member of the NSW Canine Research Foundation for twenty years, including eight years as vice president. He is an Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) Committee Member and he is the 2017 NSW AVA president.

Michael’s outside interests include rugby, surfing, skiing, squash, and of course his animals. He has a delightful Great Dane named Elsa who can barely fit in his car! His favourite animal will always be Louisa, a Border Collie cross who went from being a deserted pup to Michaels great companion for sixteen wonderful years.

Kate graduated from the University of Sydney with first class honours in 2013. She enjoys consulting, working on medical cases and behavioural medicine. She worked for several years at the RSPCA and remains passionate about animal welfare and rescue. Prior to studying veterinary science, Kate was a corporate lawyer (but don’t hold that against her!). She loves to ride horses, visit the beach and run in her free time. She shares her home with a very noisy tuxedo cat called Billie-Jean, a fiery fluffball called Amy Winehouse and an incredibly sweet but very nervous rescue Great Dane X called Archer (oh, and her husband and two small human children as well).

Ben has worked at Hurlstone Park on a part time basis since 1997. He regularly consults on Mondays. Ben enjoys performing surgery and has an interest in orthopaedics. Ben has travelled extensively overseas through Europe, Africa and the Middle East where he was working as a vet. He has had exposure to a range of exotic animals and currently has Aphrodite, a childrens python sharing his home. Ben also has Holly (full name: “Holy Moly Supa Holly”) who he describes as the most astounding Burmese cat he has ever known.

He has an interest in education and works at TAFE, teaching veterinary nurses the skills and knowledge required for their qualifications. Ben is a keen golfer and tries to play the guitar when he has time.

Kat is currently studying to obtain a Bachelor of Vet Biology/Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Kat says being a vet has always been her dream. Working at Hurlstone Park Vets has been such a great opportunity to learn and get experience. Kat grew up In the Hunter Valley on a horse stud. Her parents breed warmbloods and have recently started breeding miniature goats!

Kat has an interesting array of pets which include 3 rats named “Maple”, “Bacon” and “Moose”. She also has a cat named “Tabitha” and her newest member, a Guinea Pig named “Pancakes”.

Have you noticed a large ginger cat walking into the consulting rooms or possibly sitting on our reception desk? This would be our practice cat named “Nummy.”

Nummy has lived here at Hurlstone Park Vets since 2015 and is quite a character. He is possibly one of the most confident and friendly cats you will ever meet.

Prior to moving in to Hurlstone Park Vet, Nummy lived with Nurse Louise’s mother, Fay. He was rescued as a kitten and had been mistreated but luckily Fay took him under her wing.

He continues to be an adored and spoilt member of the Hurlstone Park Family.