Our veterinarians each have an area of special interest, in addition to general medicine and surgery.

Dr Jane Tiernan BVSc MACVS(SAM)

Jane is originally from Drysdale and always wanted to be a veterinarian from a very early age after growing up surrounded by animals. She attended school in Geelong before starting her Veterinary Science studies at the University of Melbourne. After attaining her Veterinary degree in 2000 Jane worked in mixed practice in Bendigo before moving to the UK for seven years. During her time in the UK Jane worked in several locum positions around England and Wales before taking a job at a busy Veterinary Charity Hospital in London.

After Jane married her husband James, they left the UK and moved back to her hometown Geelong and Jane took on a job at the Corio Veterinary Clinic before coming to Highton. Jane and James took over ownership of the Highton Veterinary Clinic in mid-2010.

Jane has done postgraduate studies in Small Animal Medicine and has been admitted to the Medicine Chapter of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists. She has also done additional study in small animal surgery with the University of Sydney Post Graduate Foundation course. Jane enjoys both small animal medicine and surgery cases.

Jane and James have a very spoilt dog called Abbie, who is often seen around the clinic and their cats Paddy, Fergus and Sebastian. Lucky Paddy was brought back with Jane and James from the UK and is thoroughly enjoying his new Australian life. To add to the pets in the Tiernan household is a collection of goldfish in their outdoor pond.

At the clinic you can see Jane for just about anything related to your pets health, but in particular general medicine and surgery cases.

Dr James Tiernan BAppSc BVSc GPCert(SAM)

James was raised in country Queensland. After growing up with lots of pets becoming a veterinarian was a natural progression for James. Following graduation with a Veterinary Science degree from the University of Queensland in 2001 James moved to the UK and worked in several busy small animal clinics dealing with dogs, cats, and many other small furry patients that are common in the UK such as rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, rats, mice and birds. Whilst in the UK James undertook examinations in a General Practitioner Certificate in Small Animal Medicine [GPCert(SAM)] through the European School of Veterinary Postgraduate Studies. This was extremely useful in helping James to further build his skills in small animal medicine.

After spending eight years in the UK, James returned to Australia with Jane. On returning to Australia, James spent a short period of time at the University of Queensland Veterinary Small Animal Hospital before moving to Victoria and starting employment at the Western Animal Emergency Centre based at Werribee which is part of the Melbourne University Veterinary Hospital in 2009.

In June 2010 James and Jane were very excited to take over ownership of the Highton Veterinary clinic, it had long been their dream to have their own clinic. They are enjoying working with the very capable staff and meeting all the clients and their pets.

James' main interest is mostly in small animal medicine, especially emergency medicine. He also has a soft spot of cats (particularly British Short Hairs) and loves Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, especially since acquiring a particularly cute one called Abbie. Although she sometimes loves to torment cats, she does for the most part get on well with Paddy, Fergus and Sebastian their cats.

At the clinic you can see James for just about anything related to your pets health, but in particular general medicine and emergency cases, as well as all pocket pets. 

Dr Susanne Jacker BVSc(Hons)

Sue is a local Geelong girl, growing up in Highton. After finishing her secondary schooling in Geelong she went to the University of Melbourne and completed a Veterinary Science degree graduating in 1997. After graduation Sue moved back to Geelong and has now been working at the Highton Veterinary Clinic for over ten years. During her time at the clinic she has gained a wealth of knowledge in the veterinary world and has developed a strong rapport with many of the clients and their pets. Sue is known for her bubbly personality and caring nature.

Sue's special interests are feline medicine and ultrasonography, and she has done numerous courses on these subjects. Having two Birman cats herself, she has been known to spend ages doting on these cats given the opportunity. However Sue enjoys all animals brought into the clinic, especially the dogs she's taught in puppy class that have gone on to mature into lovely pets and companions.

 At the clinic you can see Sue for just about anything related to your pet's health, but in particular ultrasonography and feline medicine cases. 

Dr Narelle Hooper B.VSc. (Hons) M.A.C.V.S. (SAS)

Narelle graduated from the University of Queensland in 1997 with a degree in Veterinary Science. She attained first class honours, Dux of her year level, and if that was not enough she was awarded a University Medal. Although clearly a born academic, luckily for us Narelle loves working as a Veterinarian.

Following graduation, Narelle worked in mixed practice in Northern Victoria before moving to the UK for work and travel. As she got further from home the animals seemed to get smaller. At one point she reflected on how twisted stomach surgery in cows had made way for exploratory abdominal surgery in hamsters and decided that regardless of size the surgery was exciting. She returned to Australia and completed postgraduate studies in small animal surgery and in 2005 attained membership of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists by examination in Small Animal Surgery. This means that Narelle likes to deal with the challenging surgical cases we see. Narelle has also spent time working at a busy Melbourne Emergency Centre for 2 years so excels at treating our critical and emergency patients.

At the clinic you can see Narelle for just about anything related to your pet's health, but in particular routine and complex surgeries and emergency cases.

Dr. Lisa Tragear B.V.Sc.

Lisa is originally from Melbourne and grew up spending family holidays on the Surfcoast.  In 2010, she and her own young family finally got wise and decided to make it their home permanently.

Lisa graduated from the University of Melbourne in 1994, and has been lucky enough to have spent 15 years of her working life in one of Melbourne's largest and busiest small animal hospitals.  This has given her exposure to an enormous case load, and enabled her to work alongside some very skilled veterinarians and consequently, she is experienced and proficient in all aspects of small animal medicine and surgery.  She also enjoys
seeing smaller pocket pets, birds and wildlife.

Lisa has also spent two years working in the UK and enjoyed the diversity of work and the opportunity to become more proficient with pocket pets.

Lisa shares her home with her husband, her two young children and a very silly greyhound named Hugo.  Her interests include spending time with her family, craft, surfing and the environment.

She looks forward to meeting you and your pets and will be happy to help with all general medicine and surgery.

Dr Kim Lim BVSc(Hons) IVAS MAnimChiro

Kim graduated with a Veterinary Science degree from the University of Melbourne in 1990 and worked in Melbourne, Portland and Canberra before settling in Geelong. Since 1996 she has been treating animals with a combination of acupuncture, chiropractic and more recently osteopathy. She has an acupuncture diploma from the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society and a master degree in Animal Chiropractic from RMIT. In 2009-2010 Kim was the Australian Veterinary Association Geelong Division President. When not working, Kim enjoys riding her bike around Geelong, gardening, swimming and being mum to her two lovely children.

At home Kim has a cat called Peter, two guinea pigs, a rat and some chickens who run around the garden.

At the clinic you can see Kim for acupuncture, Chinese Herbs, chiropractic and osteopathy.

Dr Ulrike Wurth BVSc DipAc IVAS

Ulrike graduated from the University of Melbourne in 1972 with a Veterinary Science degree. She made the move to Geelong after a few years of working as a veterinarian and set up the Highton Veterinary Clinic. After years of treating animals with traditional medicine she decided to also learn alternative medicine to enable her to successfully treat a wider range of conditions. After completing a human acupuncture course she began treating pets with acupuncture and more recently Chinese Herbs. Ulrike now is involved on passing on her knowledge of veterinary acupuncture to other veterinarians through teaching.

Ulrike has two dogs Jim and Pip, and two cats Meg and Archie. She is enjoying spending more time pursuing her interests in alternative medicine and sees clients and their pets at the clinic for acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine.

At the clinic you can see Ulrike for acupuncture and Chinese Herbs.