Jess Brooks

Head Nurse

Ever since Jess was a kid, she knew that she wanted to work with animals. She worked in a kennel for a while and really enjoyed it. She then decided that she wanted to do something more rewarding in the industry.
Jess has a passion for caring for animals, and finds it really rewarding when she sees the difference she has made to an animal's life.

Jess tries to deliver the highest standard of care for both owners and their pets. She understands the attachment people can have to their pets and wants to be part of helping to achieve the best result when they may not be feeling their best. It's important to her to provide good care for pets and to ensure the owner walks away feeling comfortable, aware of their pets health and what the plan is going forward.

Jess worked with animals for 2.5 years while she completed her animal studies certifications, including pet stores and dog kennels. She then focused on completing her Cert IV in Vet Nursing.

Jess has a Cavoodle named Rosie, who's favourite game is tug of war with any toy she can grab. Jess comes from a family with three other siblings, and loves going to the gym and weekend brunch in her spare time.

Jess would like to continue to grow her knowledge and has commenced further studies in a Bachelor of Veterinary Technology as of February 2024.

Fun fact: Jess has a twin sister who works as a human nurse.

Kassie Sherring

Veterinary Nurse

Kassie joined the team at SSVC in March 2023 and is currently wrapping up her Certificate IV Vet Nursing journey.

She absolutely adores and has always been surrounded by animals, growing up with three dogs, a cat, and a bird.

When she is not immersed in her studies, Kassie loves spending time with her family, going on long drives, camping adventures with her partner & energetic Labradoodle, Kenny, or training for calisthenics.

Kassie loves the variation that working in a mixed practice brings and thrives on embracing new experiences, soaking up knowledge wherever she can.

Corrine Binaisse

Veterinary Nurse

Corrine has been completing placement at SSVC since March 2023, studying Certificate IV in Vet Nursing after returning to work from raising her two daughters.
She has a Diploma in Equine Stud Management and Certificate II in Equine Studies and has worked at Melbourne Polytechnic as a Teacher's Aide for equine/agricultural departments, along with other casual work in the animal industry.
Prior to Vet Nursing, Corrine worked in the Aged Care and Disability sector.
Animals have always been a part of her life, and she has a passion for breeding and young stock.
Corrine currently has two kids' ponies, a broodmare and Clydie cross weanling, along with Border Collies that she breeds, rescue cats, chickens and guinea pigs.
Fun facts: Corrine holds a truck/motorbike licence and loves camping and being outdoors.
On the job, she has a keen interest in pathology and imaging.

Emily Spano

Veterinary Nurse

Emily started with SSVC in 2023 while completing small animal placement for her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. Emily has been a practicing Equine Veterinary Nurse since 2021 with a Certificate III in Equine Studies & Introductory EA Coaching Qualification.

Her passion is equine, having had horses since a young age and has wanted to ride since before she could walk! She has been professionally riding since the age of 7 with multiple horses over the years. She found a passion for Veterinary Nursing originally when she had a horse with a degloved back leg, she was so intrigued to help the vet with bandage changes. She fell even more in love with the job when she got to experience a work week with SEEH back when she was in year 10.

When she isn’t nursing or riding her horses, she loves to spend time with her family & her 2 dogs Sunny & Gucci. Her dream is to one day own an Equine Rehabilitation Centre to look after horses from injuries & surgeries.

Tayla Jackson

Veterinary Nurse

Tayla started at SSVC in 2024. She has worked as a Vet Nurse since 2021, completing her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing qualification in 2023. Tayla also has a Certificate II in Equine Studies.

Tayla grew up around animals and they have very much been a big part of her happiness. She always knew she would work with animals, which is what sparked her interest in Veterinary Nursing.

Tayla has 2 dogs, Rosie who is a rescue Kelpie cross and Zoe, a fluffy Samoyed. She also has a Scottish Highland bull whose name is Mumbo. Tayla likes to occupy her time outside of work going on hikes with her partner and driving tractors. She also has a soft spot for wildlife and has her wildife license, which she utilises to care for them.

James Elphick

Practice Owner/Manager

Brought up in rural South England as the son of a Veterinary Surgeon and Veterinary Nurse, James became an apprentice engineer in 2005 building MRI Gradients and Superconducting magnets. He qualified with an HND in Mechanical Engineering in 2009 and spent a further 4 years in a project engineering and management roll. In 2012 James moved to Australia and spent 3 years’ self-employed as an agricultural engineer. In 2015 Sophie and James set up Corylus Pty Ltd and purchased Station Street Veterinary Clinic. James now manages the day to day running of the company and oversees the business development.

Outside of work James drives Woodford AKA Woody one of the Clydesdales he bred and can often be found on the roads around Loch and Nyora. James also runs 50+ first cross ewes with Southdown Rams to produce Prime Lamb.

Denelle Wake (Dee)

Practice Manager

Dee joined the SSVC team as Practice Manager in 2021 and can be found multitasking in various roles at the clinic, out on the road with the Veterinarians, or at the breeding facility in Loch for stallion dummy training, collections & assisting with A.I.

Having 19 years experience in the Equine and the Veterinary industry, Dee is very passionate about achieving the best possible results for clients and their fur friends. She has a keen interest in equine medicine, neonatal care & breeding, and enjoys helping the next generation of Veterinarians and Nurses.

Dee previously worked for 7 years at U-Vet Equine Centre and graduated from Charles Sturt University with a Bachelor of Equine Science in 2014. She had endeavoured to do a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Melbourne but her love for interacting with clients, patient care, and assisting students in their clinical skills swayed her plans.
She is currently completing a Bachelor of Veterinary Technology, as she has a constant thirst for knowledge and is always sourcing ways to improve and keep up to date with advancements in Veterinary science.

Dee has a boxer dog Lola who regularly hangs out in the clinic, and a small warmblood & derivative stud farm in Glen Forbes where you will often find her with her horses, geese, ducks and pottering around the garden.

Michelle George (Chelle)

HR Manager

Michelle joined SSVC as the Human Resources Manager in 2024 with an extensive background in the Veterinary Industry spanning over 34 years. Michelle’s special interest, apart from animals, is ensuring that the team members in veterinary practice are looked after and have every opportunity for professional and personal development.

Her career in the veterinary industry began as a nurse at Korumburra-Kooweerup Veterinary clinics, moving into practice management in 2007 and business ownership in 2016. During this time, Michelle completed her Certificate in Veterinary Nursing in 1997, a Bachelor of Business in 2015 and a Master of Human Resource Management in
2022.

After a short time away from the veterinary industry, Michelle managed an allied health clinic in Leongatha but was missing the patient and client contact within veterinary clinics. She felt her passion and experience for the veterinary clinic setting could be better utilised with the SSVC team as her values resonated with SSVC to look after people and animals and to continuously challenge and evolve.

Michelle has a daughter who is completing university in Melbourne, and she shares her home with her partner, Paul, a Golden Retriever, Dolly, a Burmese cat, Yoshi, a Siamese x, Delphine and 3 horses. When not spending time with her partner sign writing, Michelle can be found on the speedway track racing a standard saloon at local tracks such as Nyora, Drouin, Rosedale and Bairnsdale.

Alice Gough

Receptionist

Alice joined the team as our Receptionist in March 2023 having worked as a Veterinary Nurse (small animal general practice) since 2014.

She also brings experience and knowledge in pet retail and small animal nutrition and has completed Hill's Veterinary Nutritional Advocate and Puppy Preschool Training courses.

Alice aims to deliver an exceptional customer experience and a high standard of care for your pets.

She has always loved animals and been passionate about their welfare. As a child, she attended RSPCA programs and in adulthood volunteered at their Pearcedale shelter (livestock, kennels/cattery and vet clinic). She was obsessed with horses from a young age, getting her first pony when she was 9 and going on to work as a trail riding guide and own a horse in later years. She has owned an array of different species of pets and has a special interest in rabbit care.

Alice spends her free time with her daughter, partner, friends/family and her Basset Hounds, 'Rip' (pictured) and 'Beth'.
Her life goal is to have a hobby farm...and a cow!

Fun fact about Alice: She holds a Certificate 3 in Outdoor Recreation and enjoys outdoor activities, particularly canoeing/open kayaking.

Briseis Kane

Kennel Hand

Briseis began her time with SSVC in 2022 with work experience and continued on as a volunteer before joining the team as our Animal Attendant.

She is currently studying a Bachelor of Animal Science at Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga.

Briseis has grown up on her families Hereford beef farm and became interested in all things vet related after watching staff from SSVC operate on and help their cattle. She also completes work experience on dairy farms.

She has 4 dogs: 2 Kelpies, 1 Kelpie x Border Collie, and 1 Border Collie x Koolie, Missy, Archie, Koby, and Kenda. She also has chickens and cows.

Briseis’ goal is to get into the Bachelor of Veterinary Biology and Veterinary Science course at Charles Sturt University, where she can pursue her aspirations of becoming a mixed practice Veterinarian.