DR RICHARD NAYLOR B.V.Sc (Hons II) B.Sc (Agr) Dip.Surg (Guelph)

Richard is the practice principal and completed a Bachelor of Agricultural Science before graduating in 1976 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science from Sydney University. He attended the University of Guelph in Canada where he gained a Diploma in Small Animal Surgery in 1978. His work interests include orthopaedic and spinal surgery, neurology, radiology and ophthalmology. Outside of work Richard enjoys golf, the beach, performing in shows to raise money for charity, and spending time with his family (wife, 3 daughters and 9 grand children).

DR MAX SLEEMAN B.V.Sc (Syd)

Max is a partner of the practice and veterinary director. He graduated from the University of Sydney in 2014 and has worked at Castle Hill Veterinary Hospital ever since. Max’s medical interests include endocrinology and oncology. Also a keen surgeon Max has sought advanced training in both orthopaedic and soft tissue surgery. Max’s real passion still lies in general practice and working with the local community to achieve the best outcomes for their pets. In spare time you’ll often find Max on the golf course or cricket pitch and during the winter months he is an avid skier.

DR AMELIA TENNENT B.V.Sc (Massey)

Amelia graduated from Massey University with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science in 2004. After three years in mixed practice in New Zealand she moved to the United Kingdom and spent five years working as a small animal veterinarian. Amelia moved to Australia and started at Castle Hill Veterinary Hospital in 2011. Amelia enjoys all aspects of her work as a veterinarian, especially the challenge presented by complex medical cases. Outside of work she can be found chasing her three small, energetic children around or pottering in the garden.

DR JESSIE SUN D.V.M (SYD)

Jessie completed the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine course at the University of Sydney in 2022. Prior to that, she worked as a veterinary nurse at a busy small animal clinic in Southwest Sydney. Her interests are in fear-free animal handling, pain management, behaviour, and dermatology. On her days off, she enjoys travelling, trying new foods, and playing with her sassy kitten, Dim Sim!

DR TERRY JUNG D.V.M

Terry completed his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine course in South Korea in 2017 and then passed the Australian Veterinary Examination in order to practice here in Australia. He has completed an internship and worked in general practice, referral hospitals and emergency hospitals. Terry has a special interest in emergency/critical care and surgery but does also enjoy all aspects of veterinary medicine. He is fluent in both English and Korean. Outside of work, Terry spends his spare time with family (wife, daughter, son and Nacho the Cavoodle) and also enjoys playing tennis.

NATALIE HECKMANN

Natalie has worked in all areas of the hospital for over 25 years. Her current role is that of Practice Manager. Her interests include animal welfare, staff wellbeing and education.
Natalie started up our kitten adoption program many years ago which has seen hundreds of kittens being rehomed.
Outside of work, she likes to spend time with her family and all her special rescue pets.

JIMEIL CORCORAN – VN

Jimeil is our senior registered Veterinary Technician and has been at Castle Hill Veterinary Hospital since 2004. She is a well loved and respected part of the Castle Hill team. She is highly trained and proficient in all aspects of Anaesthetics and Radiology which is her passion. Jimeil has a crazy Burmese cats Tarzan and a beautiful Staffy pup Daisy.

SALLY HARVEY

Sally is our Kennel Manager and Senior Veterinary Nurse who has been with the hospital since 1999. In 2012 she went over to the UK to work and travel. Whilst over there she worked in 13 different practices and discovered a love for hamsters. Sally has a special interest in surgery, dog behaviour pain management and rehabilitation but loves every aspect of the job. She has furthered her studies in analgesia and rehabilitation, where she offers physio and laser therapy. She has a clumsy rescue little maltese cross named Penny.

SARA NAJAFIPOUR

Sara studied Veterinary Science at Shiraz University in Iran. In 2012, Sara and her family moved to Australia permanently and while she was preparing for her NVE exam, she also applied for the vet nurse position at Castle Hill Veterinary Hospital. She finds working in such a friendly environment an incredible blessing which helped her to settle down in a new country much more easily. Sara is married and blessed with two children. When leaving Iran to move to Australia, Sara had to rehome her fur baby which was heart breaking. However, she was lucky enough to adopt the most beautiful poodle Lola, which was one of Castle Hill Veterinary Hospital’s leukaemia patients at the time. Another addition to her family is Leo the handsome dachshund cross which she rescued in 2016 and Mr Luke a cheeky kitten from our kitten adoption program. She enjoys spending her spare time doing courses on small animal nutrition and is passionate to help clients to get the right diet for their furry friends.

NATALIE SALE

Natalie is one of our veterinary nurses and has been working at Castle Hill Vet Hospital since 2015. She is very passionate about conservation and sustainability and is currently undertaking extra training with Vets Beyond Borders in native wildlife care and rehabilitation. At home she has a three-legged cat named Ollie and two Jack Russell Terriers named Ginny and Harry 💕

NINA REDFERN

Nina has been in the Veterinary Industry for over 20 years and has completed her Vet Nursing Certificate. Previously she worked at Parramatta Vet, before joining Castle Hill Veterinary Hospital in 2008. As a receptionist she believes in giving a high level of customer service. When not working Nina enjoys catching up with friends over a movie or coffee and looking after her own pets.

Taylor Foxall

Taylor started at Castle Hill Veterinary Hospital in February 2022 and is one of our receptionists. She is currently in her fourth year at the University of Sydney studying a Bachelor of Science and Advanced Studies: Animal and Veterinary Bioscience. Taylor is interested in pursuing a career in conservation or animal nutrition and hoping to study koala or possum health in honours. In her spare time, she loves to surf with her boyfriend, go thrifting with her friends and spend time with her rescue dog, poppy.

CAITLIN CREAK PhD candidate at UNSW, B.Sc. (Hons I) & B.FA. (UNSW)

Caitlin began working at Castle Hill Vet hospital in 2015 to pursue a career in animal sciences. After completing a biological sciences degree, she made the decision to continue her career in biological sciences by doing a PhD at UNSW researching venom variation and evolutionary ecology in the Sydney Funnel Web Spider. Although she works full time as a scientist, Caitlin still works at Castle Hill Vet Hospital on the occasional weekend. Her love of Dogs, Cats and everything in between has remained the same over the years. Caitlin enjoys spending her down time with her family, including three dogs and a cat.

CAITLIN GIAM

Caitlin Started working at Castle Hill Veterinary Hospital in April 2014 in the kennels. She is currently studying Animal & Veterinary Bioscience at the University of Sydney with hopes to train in Animal Physiotherapy in the future.

BELLA FRANICH

Bella started working as a Kennel Attendant in September 2020. She plans on completing her Vet nursing qualifications, then continuing her studies into a Bachelor of veterinary science. In her spare time, she enjoys baking and cooking, and playing with her adorable and crazy rescue kitten, Calla.

TASHI GREGG

Tashi is currently studying Advanced Animal Science with the plans of pursuing a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. She is passionate about global social justice and wildlife conservation. When not working in our kennels she can be found hanging with her dog Merlin or making plans to travel the world.

ALEXANDREA COSTANZA

Alexandrea grew up surrounded by animals in snowy upstate New York and moved to Australia in 2018 after graduating from university. Alex began working at Castle Hill Veterinary Hospital in the kennels in August 2019. She is currently studying a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Sydney and is interested in mixed practice and livestock medicine. When she’s not studying, she is probably hiking, reading, or spending time with her flock of silky chickens or her cheeky black cat, Dragon.

Lily Wilson

Lily has been working at CHVH as a kennel attendant and more recently as a receptionist, since October 2018. She will be studying Veterinary Science at the University of Adelaide in 2024 with plans of going into mixed practice. She enjoys chai lattes and spending time with her beautiful dogs Dijon and Bean.

Ebonie Feely

Eb began vet nursing in 2017, starting in rural clinics and even worked as an equine veterinary nurse. She joined Castle Hill Veterinary Hospital in January 2023 to further her knowledge in a bigger clinic environment. Eb strives to provide the best care for your pets, treating them as her own and giving them all the love possible. In her spare time Ebonie enjoys spending time with her husband and taking their dogs on camping trips.

Mia Paull

Mia became a part of the CHVH team in early 2023. She is currently studying her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing with hopes to continue her studies into a Bachelor of Veterinary Science. She is passionate in all areas of vet nursing with special interests in surgical nursing and animal nutrition. In her spare time she enjoys heading to the beach, going to the gym or spending time with her kitty furbaby Mako.

Braydon Learmonth

Braydon graduated from WSU in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science: Zoology and joined the CHVH team as an animal attendant at the start of 2023 to gain valuable, hands-on experience with animals. He is also currently studying a Certificate III in Captive and Wildlife Animal Care through Taronga Zoo’s Training Institute with hopes of becoming a zookeeper in the future. Braydon has a lifelong passion for animals of all kinds and in particular for animal behaviour, training and conservation. When not at work or studying, he likes to spend his time playing guitar or helping out at his church as one of the youth group leaders.

Vanessa Hughes

Ness started working in 2015 in a small animal clinic whilst completing her vet nursing studies. Once qualified in 2018 she moved on to equine nursing where she worked at one of the leading equine clinics in the country. Deciding to return to small animal nursing, Ness began her time at CHVH in August of 2022. Her main areas of interest are surgery and anaesthesia, as well as internal medicine. Vanessa hopes to one day travel and work in the UK and hopes to do some intensive foal care nursing during breeding season. In her spare time Ness enjoys going to the gym, taking long walks and having fun with her two German Shepherds, Jerry and Ellie.

Lauren Lowe

Lauren is currently finishing up her Certificate 2 in animal studies and will then be commencing her studies in veterinary nursing in early 2024. While she has always loved and had a special bond with every animal she meets, she does have a special interest in livestock, especially horses and cattle. Lauren plans to continue her studies further to specialise in equine health and behaviour. When she’s not looking after and enjoying the company of the various animals at CHVH, Lauren is busy fawning over her beautiful cavoodle Lola, tending to her spoiled mice Rick and Lucille, doting over her budgies and perfecting her aquascaping skills on her prized guppy tank.