Meet Our Team

About Us

A world-class centre for equine practice and one of Australia’s leading equine hospitals, located in the heart of the Goulburn Valley region at Shepparton, Victoria.

We offer complete equine veterinary care to the public, ambulatory services and a class of specialist equine referral services in the fields of lameness, medicine, surgery, dental and reproduction.

Meet our team

We have a skilled team, from board-certified specialists in surgery, medicine, and reproduction, to experienced senior veterinarians and our newly graduated and very keen intern veterinarians.

Our Clinicians

Dr Denis Verwilghen

Dr Denis Verwilghen

DVM, MSc, PhD, DES, Diplomate ECVS, Dipl EVDC (Equine).

 

Denis joins GVEH as a specialist equine surgeon, with a passion for arthroscopy, advanced maxillofacial surgery and dentistry.

In addition to a wealth of professional experience, Denis has a PhD in equine orthopedics and is an accomplished internationally published author and teacher.

Dr Gaby Van Galen

Dr Gaby Van Galen

DVM, MSc, PhD, DES, Diplomate ECEIM, Diplomate ECVECC .

 

As a duel diplomate of the European College of Equine Internal Medicine and European College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, Dr van Galen has special interest in treating critically ill patients such as horses with colic or diarrhea, neuromuscular disorders and sick neonatal foals.

Gaby also completed a PhD investigating the epidemiology and pathophysiology of atypical myopathy in grazing horses and most recently returned to private practice after Associate Professor positions at Sydney University and Copenhagen University.

Dr Wynne Collins

Dr Wynne Collins

MBV, PhD, Diploate ACT

Wynne brings extensive international experience in equine reproduction and theriogenology, having completed her Equine Reproduction Residency at UC Davis, a PhD in Animal Science at the University of Maryland, and becoming a Diplomate of the American College of Theriogenologists.

She spent six years as Chief Clinician in Equine Theriogenology at the University of Queensland Veterinary Medical Centre, Gatton, and has worked in specialist reproductive roles across Australia and North America.

We’re thrilled to have Wynne join our team and look forward to offering our clients her extensive experience and specialist knowledge in equine reproduction and breeding management.

Dr Angus McKinnon

Dr Angus McKinnon

BVSc, MSc, Diplomate ACT, DipVetMed, Diplomate ABVP.

Angus graduated from Melbourne University in 1978, and worked in private practice for a year, before heading to Ontario Veterinary College, Guelph, Ontario, Canada in  1980 to work and study for a Diploma in Large Animal Medicine. He continued at Ontario Veterinary College as Assistant Professor in Large Animal Medicine, Surgery and Reproduction for the period 1982-84.

Angus then travelled to Colorado State University, USA, where he was employed as Assistant Professor in Equine Reproduction and Field Service 1984-1988, and as Associate Professor in Equine Medicine and Field Service 1988.

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Dr Caitlin Watret

Dr Caitlin Watret

Associate Veterinarian.

BVM

Dr Chiara Di Donato

Dr Chiara Di Donato

Associate Veterinarian - DVM

I graduated from the University of Milan, Italy in 2022 and have since worked in both Belgium and Italy, gaining a wide range of experience in equine medicine. In 2024, I completed an internship in Belgium, where I expanded my expertise by practicing in a variety of equine care fields. With a lifelong passion for horses and a deep interest in the various facets of equine medicine, I am eager to contribute to the wellbeing of horses and their owners in Australia.

Dr Tegan Hine

Dr Tegan Hine

Associate Veterinarian.

BVM

Dr Esther Detailleur

Dr Esther Detailleur

Associate Veterinarian - DVM

I’m Esther Detailleur — Associate veterinarian at Goulburn Valley Equine Hospital with a background from the University of Ghent and a one-year rotational internship at Dubai Equine Hospital. My main interests lie in equine surgery and dentistry, and I enjoy the reproductive work as well. Outside the clinic, I’m passionate about Arabian horses and love spending time diving, horseback riding, or hiking through nature.

I’m constantly seeking new challenges and opportunities to grow — both in veterinary medicine and in the world around me.

Dr Max Hannan

Dr Max Hannan

Associate Veterinarian.

 

Max graduated from the University of Glasgow in 2017, she then spent 2 years in mixed practice on the small island of Jersey before completing and equine internship in England. She started working at GVEH two years ago as an intern and now is part of the ambulatory team enjoying all aspects of first opinion practice.

Max is also the rotation coordinator for Melbourne University DVM Program, so you will probably see her accompanied by students wherever she goes! In her spare time she enjoys traveling and hopes to see more of Australia while she is here.

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Our Interns

Dr Amy Beechinor

Dr Amy Beechinor

Intern Veterinarian.

BVM

Dr Ella Ryan

Dr Ella Ryan

Intern Veterinarian.

 

Dr Millie Wark

Dr Millie Wark

Intern Veterinarian.

Our administration staff

Robert

Robert

Practice Manager

Tammy

Tammy

Reception

Rhiannon

Rhiannon

Office Manager

 Emma

Emma

Purchasing Manager

Shawna

Shawna

Accounts Receivable

Julie

Julie

Health and Safety Officer

Our Reproduction Team

 Tahnee

Tahnee

Reproduction Manager

Angus O. McKinnon

Angus O. McKinnon

BVSc, MSc, Diplomate ACT, DipVetMed., Diplomate ABVP

Brooke

Brooke

Reproduction Assistant

Dr Tegan Hine

Dr Tegan Hine

Associate Veterinarian.

BVM

Our Stable staff

 Garry

Garry

Stable Manager

Wayne

Wayne

Stable Attendant

Our Vet Nurses

Nhyah

Nhyah

Lead Equine Veterinary Nurse

Emily

Emily

Equine Veterinary Nurse

Eve

Eve

Equine Veterinary Nurse

Horse handler

Joel Goulding

Joel Goulding

Horse Handler

Kylie Lynch

Kylie Lynch

Horse Handler

Our Veterinary Tutor

Max Hannan

Max Hannan

Associate Veterinarian

 

Max graduated from the University of Glasgow in 2017, she then spent 2 years in mixed practice on the small island of Jersey before completing and equine internship in England. She started working at GVEH two years ago as an intern and now is part of the ambulatory team enjoying all aspects of first opinion practice.

Max also is the rotation coordinator for Melbourne University DVM Program, so you will probably see her accompanied by students wherever she goes! In her spare time she enjoys traveling and hopes to see more of Australia while she is here.