Meet the team
Dr Liz Kenny
Beleura Vet owner Liz knew from the ripe old age of three that she wanted to be a vet. It’s a dream that eventually saw her achieve a Veterinary Science degree from the University of Melbourne, graduating with Deans honours in 2008.
Liz has an animal and client centric focus to her work. Possessing a deep dedication to veterinary medicine, she strives to provide the highest level of care for both her clients and patients while delivering stress-free consultations and pain-free treatment as much as possible.
A life-long learner, Liz has completed further training in soft tissue surgery and diagnostic ultrasound, and in 2019 was granted admission to the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists, after passing her membership exam in small animal medicine.
Having grown up on the Mornington Peninsula, this is where Liz is now raising her two boys, Ari and Luca, along with Connie the beautiful Border Terrier.
Dr Jemma Heritage
Jemma joined Beleura in early 2019, bringing not only her veterinary skills, but also an infectious energy and enthusiasm to the team. Having yearned to work with animals for as long as she can remember, Jemma began her career as a marine biologist. While working in Ireland rehabilitating injured seal pups, she soon realised she wanted to become a vet, knowing that with those skills, she could do more not only for the pups she couldn’t save, but all injured animals.
Fast forward several years and Jemma has graduated as a vet from Perth’s Murdoch University, and moved back to her home on the Peninsula to join the team at Beleura Veterinary Hospital.
Jemma is the proud owner of Marloo, a joy-giving Beagle Staffie cross who she adopted from a rescue centre. In her spare time, you’ll find her enjoying one of her many outdoor pursuits including free diving, hiking and removing plastic and rubbish from local beaches. When at home Jemma is also an avid gardener spending time tending to her loved vegetable patch.
Dr Philip Lambley
‘PJ’ originally grew up in South Africa, and was always surrounded by animals which really cultivated his interest in becoming a vet After graduating with honours in 2011 from The Royal Veterinary College, London. Pj moved to South Australia and worked in a small animal practice for a while, before returning to the U.K. Pj then continued with his passion working in different practices before opening up his very own vet clinic.
With the urge to gain further experience, Pj explored deeper into small animal surgery and cardiology obtaining qualifications with post graduate certificates in both these areas. Pj and his partner then decided to move to the beautiful Mornington Peninsula for a new adventure.
Pj thrives on how multifaceted and diverse the industry is with investigations and treatment plans constantly evolving. When Pj is not in clinic, he enjoys getting involved with the hustle and bustle of what Melbourne has to offer. From beaches to theatre, you will always find Pj eating out and exploring what this beautiful world has to offer.
Dr Katrina Couttie
Vet Katrina is a Mornington local who began her veterinary career in equine practice having completed an equine internship following her graduation from Charles Sturt University in 2013.
In 2019, a change beckoned, and Katrina made the switch to small animal practice. Passionate about building relationships with her patients and their owners, she has a particular love of dogs and counts frequent dog cuddles as a perk of the job.
Katrina is a mum to sons Lennox and Henley, who do an excellent job of keeping her busy when she’s not at work, along with a very sooky Staffordshire Bull Terrier called Bronson. In her spare time, Katrina enjoys Pilates and yoga as well as long walks around the neighbourhood with Bronson.
Beth Dowell
When Beth moved to Australia from the UK at age 19, one of the first things she did was rescue her two beloved Huskies, Paige and Storm. Having owned pets all her life, including dogs, hamsters, rabbits, guinea pigs, chipmunks and even a Brazilian rainbow boa constrictor, it came as no surprise that finding a pet would be a priority. However it also planted the seed that would eventually become a career, with Beth realising she wanted to help animals for a living.
While dabbling with jobs in hospitality, retail and food service, Beth also spent time working on a farm on the Great Ocean Road looking after alpacas and goats. She finally fulfilled her ambition by becoming a vet nurse and has now been meticulously applying those skills with us at Beleura since June 2018.
When she’s not taking care of Beleura patients and their families, Beth and her husband are now busy taking care of their own human baby girl, Billie. When time allows, Beth also loves jet skiing in summer, snowboarding in winter, and taking her dogs for long walks on the beach.
Kerry Jones
Kerry is one of the Senior nurses here at Beleura with over 15 years of veterinary nursing experience under her belt. Although Kerry loves all animals, she adores her giant breed dogs the most. Her Newfoundland ‘Howie’ makes a regular trip in to say hello to call the staff and clients. If you see him around make sure you give him a big pat but mind the slobber!
Kerry loves that her job is so rewarding and she can go home at the end of a working day and know she has made a difference in peoples and animal’s lives. When she’s not at work Kerry enjoys the outdoors and being on holiday with her husband and 2 girls.
Chloe Rainbow
Chloe began her journey to Veterinary Nursing 8 years ago by starting as a kennel hand in a large mixed country practice. Her weekends involved tending to all the patient’s with lots of cuddles and pat’s and helping her wildlife warrior Mum with every animal under the sun. Growing up in an 'animal centric' household, she knew from the very first moment she could talk that she wanted to love and care for animals. She comes from a long line of veterinary nurses, zookeepers and wildlife carers but has found her true love within the small animal veterinary world. After working in Emergency care, Chloe has found her new home here at Beleura and adores all her colleges and patient’s dearly.
Chloe has a true passion for native wildlife and can often be found nursing a baby possum out in the treatment room or x-raying an injured bird. She loves every aspect of veterinary nursing but particularly loves showering her patients with all the love and care whilst they are in hospital. Chloe is a keen teacher and enjoys taking our junior nurses and kennel hands under her wing, teaching them her knowledge at every opportunity she gets in the clinic.
When Chloe isn't at work, she is spending time with her own fur babies, Betsy, Spud and Bruno (and sometimes a ringtail or two). Her fiancé Trent has had to learn over the years to accept all the weird and wonderful animals she brings home with her at the end of a working day and love them just as much as he loves her.
Zoe Apostolides
Both of Zoe's parents worked within the animal industry so it was only natural that she joined too. Zoe's love of animals was fostered at a young age by her parents and she knew veterinary nursing was the perfect fit for her after school. If there's an opportunity for a patient snuggle, you can guarantee that Zoe will snap it up in heatbeart. Having an altruistic heart, she loves being able to help those who otherwise wouldn't be able to help themselves. She enjoys the opportunities she get's to build on her learning here at BVH and soaks up all the knowledge she can get from her fellow nurses and vets.
Zoe is a total foodie and you can find her hitting up a restaurant or two with her partner in her downtime. She also has her adorable tabby kitten Harvey who is always keeping her on her toes with his mischievous behaviour. After work Zoe enjoys heading home and debriefing to her Dad about her patients and her day as he shares the same love and passion for the industry.
Holly Curigliano
After a few years at University striving towards a career in the healthcare industry, Holly decided to take a break and branch out, finding her way to us and becoming an animal attendant. Having always grown up with animals Holly took an interest in caring for them at a young age and was drawn to working in a role that would help provide care for all animals, big and small.
Holly enjoys working in the fast paced environment that comes with the clinic. She loves that there’s always something new to learn working alongside the vets and vet nurses. Holly thrives on the knowledge she learns everyday and appreciates being given the opportunity to support both patient and client. "All the cuddles and beautiful moments we have with your pet is certainly a perk of the job!' -Holly
Holly's other interests include travelling the world, spending time with friends, family and of course her fur babies, Louis, Milo and Cleo!
Tiffany Baumgartner
Beleura receptionist Tiffany has always adored animals, and feels she was destined to work in a field devoted to their wellbeing.
Although she grew up in the city, as a keen horse-rider and dog-lover, she used to take any opportunity to escape the big smoke and help out on family farms. She has since travelled throughout Australia and worked with esteemed horse trainers learning natural horsemanship in western disciplines, including cutting, reining and camp drafting.
Tiffany loves the amazing stories she hears from pet owners, particularly those involving rescue animals and projects dedicated to improving animals’ quality of life. As the owner of two rescues herself, this holds a special place in Tiffany’s heart.
In her spare time, Tiffany enjoys yoga, being in nature, and pursuing her creative passions which include designing clothes, fashion and interior styling, and furniture restoration. In addition to her travels around Australia, she has explored many other parts of the world including Europe, New Zealand, Vanuatu, Canada, North and South America, and The Caribbean. But for Tiffany, nothing beats Australia.
Her ultimate goal is to live on a farm along the peninsula near family and friends, surrounded by horses, dogs, cattle, sheep and chickens. Just as soon as she’s seen a little more of the world and our great country…