19 Ryde Road, Pymble, NSW 2073
Our Veterinary Staff
Dr DAVID LONERAGAN BVSc, MANZCVS (Feline Medicine), AQIS-accred
Veterinarian, Partner
David grew up and still lives locally and has worked at Gordon Vet since 1985. His love of animals and interest in all things veterinary started when he was a young boy spending time with his own pets and working on a country farm.
David’s post-graduate studies have been in the fields of medical problems of dogs and cats and diagnostic ultrasound and radiology. In addition, he is interested in dermatology, cardiology and ophthalmology.
The growth and development of Gordon Vet Hospital from a two vet practice in the 1980’s to the large, well-equipped facility that is among the top veterinary hospitals in NSW has given David much satisfaction. He is very proud of all the wonderful staff that give Gordon Vet its long held reputation for outstanding customer service.
David enjoys spending his time away from work with his family, including his beloved cavoodle Ruby. His other interests are golf, rugby and exercising.
Dr SCOTT LACKENBY BVSc, MANZCVS (Small Animal Medicine), AQIS-accred
Veterinarian, Partner
Scott joined Gordon Vet Hospital in 1999 and was immediately impressed with the high level of veterinary care and customer service. He became a partner and gained membership in the Australian and New Zealand College
of Veterinary Scientists in Small Animal Medicine in 2002. His particular medical interests include dermatology, endocrinology and geriatric care.
Scott is very popular amongst clients for his kind hearted approach to pet care and his great sense of humour. He also enjoys engaging with the team of vets and nurses, and nurturing their development in our
wonderful and evolving industry.
He is married to Gordon Vet’s Sam and they have 4 beautiful girls, Phoebe, Charlie, Zara and Alex, whom all love their Labrador Judo, Hattie the cat, and their chickens (Chickaletta, Henny Penny, Kentucky and Schnitzel).
He enjoys keeping fit, getting wet, and getting outdoors with the family.
Dr JOHN MORGAN BVSc (Hons) MANZCVS (Small Animal Surgery) MVS (Small Animal Practice)
Veterinarian, Partner
John is a Pymble local who developed an interest in veterinary medicine from a young age. He spent a lot of time with his uncle, also a veterinarian, on his farm in Manila, NSW during his summer holidays. John first worked at Gordon Vet Hospital from 2004 as a weekend nurse whilst studying veterinary science.
After graduating from Sydney University, John put his emergency, dermatology and soft tissue surgery skills to work in Goulburn for a few years. He then lived in Canada where he locumed for over two years in British Columbia and Ontario. This gave him time to enjoy travelling in North America, hiking, kayaking and sports such as snowboarding and snowshoeing. Back home in 2013, John came to work at Gordon Vet and our clients are really enjoying getting to know him. Outside of work, John enjoys keeping fit by running.
In 2013 John completed his postgraduate studies in Small Animal Practice and in 2015 gained Membership to the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in Small Animal Surgery.
Dr HELEN BURNS BVSc (Hons)
Veterinarian
Helen graduated from Sydney Uni in 1997 with First Class Honours and worked in a practice on the Northern Beaches for 16 years. Helen joined the Gordon Vet team early in 2014 and our clients have really enjoyed getting to know her. She loves being a vet and takes a keen interest in all of her patients. Her gentle, friendly nature helps pets to feel relaxed when they visit the vet.
Helen lives locally and has 3 children. At least one of her children seems destined to be a vet! When not ferrying her children around, Helen cares for her menagerie of pets. These include Chloe the dog, Obi and Leia the cats, Little Cocky the galah and Rosie the very tame eclectus parrot who all happily coexist at her house.
In her spare time, Helen likes to be active outdoors, running, kayaking, camping or playing any manner of sport with her children.
Dr SAM LACKENBY BVSc
Veterinarian
Sam’s interest in Veterinary Science was sparked by her childhood and growing up on the family beef/sheep/wheat property near Gulargambone in North Western NSW. After graduating from Sydney University in 1995, she worked in mixed animal practice in Deniliquin.
She then ventured overseas for a two year working holiday in the UK and experienced the life of a locum and the amazing and addictive world of travel. When she returned she worked at St George Animal Hospital, Carlton, Balmain and most recently Glenhaven.
She enjoys the challenges that Veterinary Science brings and loves the incredible team of people and amazing facilities at Gordon Vet. Sam is also interested in the latest research/technology that is available to animals and attends regular seminars to keep informed.
Sam is married to Gordon Vet partner Scott and has 4 beautiful daughters, a dog and a cat who all keep her extremely busy outside of work hours! She loves spending time with them all outdoors.
Dr DAVID OWEN BVSc
Veterinarian
David was born in Wales and moved to Australia at a young age. He graduated as a vet from Sydney University in 1976. He then started work at Gordon Vet in 1981 and has been our Sunday and after-hours emergency vet ever since. Most Sydney practices rely on alternative 24 hour facilities to cover their emergencies after hours, so it is very lucky to have David so that the clients and animals can come to a familiar hospital after hours.
Given his extensive experience, David is highly skilled in emergency, critical care and trauma management in dogs and cats. Over the years, he has seen many interesting and unusual cases including snake envenomations and hundreds of paralysis tick cases!
Outside of work, David is an excellent golfer who has a very low handicap at Roseville Golf Club. He also enjoys reading and is a keen amateur astronomer.
Our Nursing & Reception Staff
Layne Craig
Head Nurse
Layne joined the Gordon Vet team in 2001 and has been Head Veterinary Nurse since 2004. She grew up around animals, surrounded by pets at home and also regularly visited her relative’s farm near Dubbo where she worked with cattle, sheep and later pigs!
Layne is a very familiar face at Gordon Vet for all of our clients as she mainly works in our front reception. She is amazing at remembering the names of so many animals and their owners! With a strong retail background, Layne’s customer service and people management skills have always been exceptional.
Alongside Emma and Nicole, our reception staff ensure that your visit to Gordon Vet is a pleasant one.
Behind the scenes, Layne has several responsibilities as Head Nurse. She trains and mentors staff, manages stock and invoices and is involved in hospital marketing. Layne is also a very capable nurse when called upon.
In her spare time, Layne loves hanging out with her 2 dogs and planning exciting travelling adventures. This year she is heading off to Europe, primarily Italy, Greece and Turkey.
Angela Fawdry
Deputy Head Nurse
Angela is our most experienced veterinary surgical nurse and joined Gordon Vet full time in 2002. Since then she has gained a Certificate 4 in Vet Nursing and in 2008 became an Advanced Veterinary Nursing Technician which is the highest nursing qualification in Australia. She is now Deputy Head Veterinary Nurse and Senior Surgical Nurse at Gordon Vet.
Day to day, our clients may not see Angela often as she is in the treatment area; however Angela runs the surgery side of our hospital like clockwork! She knows all the animals well and has a lovely gentle nature that they really respond to. Angela is also a very good mentor for the team and guides and trains other nurses beautifully.
Angela is back from maternity leave after the arrival of her second child in February 2015. She will be working part time.
Hollie Jessop
Veterinary Nurse
Hollie has been a veterinary nurse at Gordon Vet since 2005. She has completed a Certificate 4 in Veterinary Nursing as well as an extra course in veterinary dentistry. She is now studying Advanced Small Animal Nursing, so is busy studying and working.
Hollie grew up loving animals and currently lives on acreage on the outskirts of Sydney, surrounded by deer, horses, rabbits, dogs and birds. As a 14 month old baby, Hollie developed meningitis and as a result became hearing impaired. However, this has not stopped her dream of working with animals.
At Gordon Vet, Hollie is not often seen by our clients, but the animals know her very well! She is in charge of the nursing ward and boarders, ensuring they are beautifully cared for. Hollie considers herself an animal whisperer possessing unique skills for pacifying stressed and awkward animals something she discovered as a child. She is in charge of our in house laboratory and maintains the surgical area.
Hollie has a spoilt Tibetan Spaniel called Phoebe and is an avid soccer and touch football player. 2014 was a special year for Hollie as she was named Runner Up in the National Vet Nurse of the Year Awards and then two weeks later she got married! This year Hollie is studying an Advanced Small Animal Nursing Course.
Nicole Keith
Receptionist
Nicole joined the Gordon Vet team on reception in mid 2014. She has an excellent background working in pet shops and vets for many years and of course she loves animals – so it has been an easy transition for her to settle into Gordon Vet. Nicole has fitted in very well with Layne and Emma and they are a great team. She ensures that all our clients and their pets are treated well from the moment they arrive. Nicole has started studying a Certificate 2 in Veterinary Nursing this year, so she is busy studying and working.
Outside of work, Nicole has a border collie x cattle dog called Kelsie who loves to play soccer! She also has a tortoise shell x ragdoll cat named Princess. Nicole really enjoys baking, art, music and volunteering in local community Church projects. Later this year Nicole is heading off for a big, month long adventure around Europe.
Dani Acheson
Veterinary Nurse
Dani is the newest member of the Gordon Vet nursing team. She started here in 2014 while studying her Certificate 4 in Vet Nursing and now that she is fully qualified she is becoming a valuable member of our nursing team. Dani has a particular interest in surgical nursing and radiography and enjoys learning many new skills from our experienced vets and nurses. Our clients are getting to know Dani as she becomes more involved in the care of patients.
Dani loves birds, exotic animals and wildlife. She is the proud owner of an Indian Ringneck parrot called Sasuke and in her spare time Dani enjoys travelling and exploring new places.