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
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
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
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
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.
.
Dr Caitlin Watret
Associate Veterinarian.
BVM
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 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
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.
.
Our Interns
Dr Amy Beechinor
Intern Veterinarian.
BVM
Our administration staff
Robert Ralston
Practice Manager
Tammy Bond
Reception
Rhiannon Nicholas
Office Manager
Emma Klug
Purchasing Manager
Shawna Macaulay
Accounts Receivable
Julie McNiece
Health and Safety Officer
Our Reproduction Team
Tahnee Griffith
Reproduction Manager
Angus O. McKinnon
BVSc, MSc, Diplomate ACT, DipVetMed., Diplomate ABVP
Brooke Cairns
Reproduction Assistant
Our Stable staff
Garry Campbell
Stable Manager
Wayne Marklew
Stable Attendant
Our Vet Nurses
Nhyah Howes
Lead Equine Veterinary Nurse
Emily Bazan
Equine Veterinary Nurse
Eve Connally
Equine Veterinary Nurse
Horse handler
Joel Goulding
Horse Handler
Kylie Lynch
Horse Handler
Our Veterinary Tutor
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.