Chair
Dr Cath Watson (BVSc Dist)
Cath has been a companion animal clinical veterinarian since 2000. She has worked in a range of practices, both in New Zealand and in the United Kingdom. Currently based in Central Otago and travelling the country as a locum contractor. She has spent 12 years as a part-owner of a mixed animal practice in Invercargill, and has also served on the Board of the New Zealand Veterinary Association, was President of its Companion Animal Branch for three years, and a Southland regional representative for 10 years. Cath has also worked for the Veterinary Council of NZ as a Continuing Professional Development auditor, and has been a trustee of Companion Animals NZ Trust. Cath has a passion for anything in the outdoors, and loves exploring New Zealand's back-country haunts by foot, bike or skis. She shares her central Otago home with her husband, who is also an experienced companion animal veterinarian.
Dr Robyn Jarrett (BSc, BVSc, MVM, MANZCVS)
Robyn graduated in 1986 from Massey University, initially working in large animal practice in South Auckland. She has also worked in the United Kingdom in companion animal medicine before returning to New Zealand working part time in Tauranga while raising a family. Since 2009 she has been based in Auckland working full time as a companion animal veterinarian.
Robyn completed a Masters in Companion Animal Medicine in 2011 and became a member of the Australia and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in Small Animal Medicine in 2012.
Dr. Campbell Johnston (BVSc Dist)
After graduating from Massey University with a BVSC in 1980, Campbell began working in a mixed practice in Waihi with his wife (and former classmate) Alison. After 3 years, they left for the UK where Campbell spent a further 3 years working as a companion animal vet at different clinics around England. He returned to New Zealand in 1987 to a companion animal clinic in Tauranga- and has been there ever since! He has worked in many different roles over the years from employee, to partner, to owner, to shareholder and then back to employee. Campbell was Massey Vet School’s first Practitioner in Residence, he spent 6 years on the Companion Animal Vets Executive, and was the sponsorship chair when NZ hosted the WSAVA congress. Campbell was also was responsible for creating the “Veterinary Refresher Scheme” for companion animal vets returning to clinical practice. Campbell has a special interest in surgery and endoscopy and receives referral cases from the wider Bay of Plenty. When not working as a vet, he can be found working on his sheep and beef farm with his dogs, Chase and Sam.
Dr Sally Cory (BVM&S, MANZCVS)
Having graduated from Edinburgh University, the majority of Sally's working career has been spent in companion animal practice in NZ. She has a special interest in emergency medicine and gained Membership to the Australian New Zealand College of Veterinary Surgeons in Emergency and Critical Care in 2021. Sally joined the NZVA in 2022 as Head of Veterinary Services (companion animals) and is enjoying the balance of this exciting and diverse role alongside continuing her passion for clinical work. She is really looking forward to her involvement with HPNZ. Outside of work, Sally enjoys spending time running, skiing and mountain biking. She is a pet parent to a couple of crazy Hungarian Vizslas, "Margot" the demanding Burmese, along with "Splat" the rescue cat!
Dr Sally Aitken (BVSc, MANZCVS)
Sally Aitken is the Lead Companion Animal Veterinarian at VetEnt Turangi. “Community veterinary work is my passion; caring for animals through their life-stages. I grew up in Greymouth, worked 26 years in Taupo in mixed and CA practice and am now based in Turangi providing companion animal community veterinary care with VetEnt. Continuing education, ANZCVS, Massey MVM, avian medicine, dermatology and internal medicine are my other veterinary interests, along with mountain-biking, tramping and raising two fantastic teenagers and a Border Collie with my husband here in Taupo."
Dr Toni Anns (BVSc)
After graduating from Massey University as a veterinarian, Toni Anns (nee Pickering) worked in companion animal practices both in England and New Zealand. While working, completing further veterinary studies, and raising a family, Toni was drawn to the very strong emotional connection between people and their animals. Being intimately involved with this drew Toni to explore career options which enabled her to further educate, support and connect communities with animals, whilst caring for their wellbeing, with the goal to assist in providing both animals and people with their best and healthiest life. Toni subsequently worked as a technical veterinarian for 8 years and is currently the National Sales and Key Account Manager for Companion Animals for Zoetis NZ, a global animal health company. This role enables Toni to be widely connected to the NZ veterinary community with a direct understanding of the challenges and needs of veterinary teams. Toni has been a member of the Companion Animal Veterinarians of the New Zealand Veterinary Association committee for many years. Outside of work Toni is a very involved parent, enjoys keeping fit, going to yoga, adventuring around NZ in her bus and finding joy with her 5-year old Border Terrier.
Dr Hayley Hunt (BVSc, MVSc, PhD, Diplomate, ACVP, FHEA)
Hayley graduated from Massey University in 2010 and worked in companion animal practice in Whangarei for 2 years. Despite vowing never to return to study or Palmerston North, she ended up doing both these things to undertake a pathology residency, boards, and subsequently a PhD, and she is now a Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Pathology at Massey. Hayley’s research interests include eye diseases, muscle diseases, and working dog health. In the past, her research has benefitted from a HPNZ grant so she is looking forward to being involved as a trustee. Hayley lives on a lifestyle block with her 2 children, husband, and an assortment of spoilt animals (cats, chickens, and sheep), and outside of work she enjoys baking, reading and exploring new places.
Wendy Jarnet (BVN, VTS(SAIM), Dip.FN(ISFM), Cert. RAT, GradCertBus)
Wendy has been working in the veterinary industry for over 16 years as a Registered Vet Nurse, and more recently as a Registered Veterinary Nurse Specialist. Over her 16-year career Wendy has worked in numerous roles from small animal veterinary nursing, large animal tech work, veterinary management positions and as a specialist internal medicine veterinary nurse. Wendys current role is working for Otago Polytech as a lecturer and programme coordinator in the School of Animal Health. Wendy is passionate about giving back to the industry and in 2021 joined the executive committee for the New Zealand Veterinary Nurse Association. In 2023 Wendy successfully passed the examination to become a Veterinary Technician Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine, only the second vet nurse in New Zealand to do so. In her spare time Wendy enjoys training and teaching martial arts, spending time with her family and friends, and exploring New Zealand.