Dr Ralph Webster

BVSc MACVSc(SAS) DACVS-SA

Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons – Small Animal
Registered Australian Specialist in Small Animal Surgery

Ralph is the director and founder of Melbourne Animal Specialist Hospital (MASH). His vision when forming MASH was to create an expert team, with a strong focus on collaborative case management to ensure the best possible care is provided to every patient.

He aims to provide his clients with treatment options that are tailored to their particular needs and supports them in making informed decisions about the best solution for their pet.

Ralph is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in Small animal Surgery and a Registered Australian Specialist in Small Animal Surgery. He regularly attends international specialist conferences to ensure he is up to date with cutting edge surgical advances that optimise his surgical outcomes at MASH.

Outside of work Ralph is a part time taxi driver for his two kids and a keen, but relatively inept, spear fisherman.

Dr Amelia Hanos

BBioSci, DVM

Amelia is the Surgical Coordinator at Melbourne Animal Specialist Hospital and an integral part of our surgery team. She ensures each patient’s journey through the department runs smoothly, carefully managing workflows so that every patient receives timely, efficient, and compassionate care.

Amelia graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2014 and completed a small animal internship with VCA in Connecticut, USA. She has since worked in several referral hospitals in the United States and across Australia, supporting specialist services, particularly referral surgery. Her diverse veterinary roles have included extensive experience in emergency medicine, general practice, welfare and canine rehabilitation therapy.

Amelia has a strong passion for surgery and is deeply committed to providing an excellent client experience while delivering the highest standard of bespoke care for every patient.

Dr Merrin Hicks

BVSc (hons) MVSc PGCert (VetEd) FHEA FANZCVS 

Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists – Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care; Fellow of the Advance Higher Education Academy (UK)
Registered Specialist in Emergency and Critical Care 

A graduate of the University of Sydney, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Merrin has completed residency training Murdoch University and obtained Master’s Degree from the University of Melbourne. In 2012, Merrin passed Fellowship examinations in emergency and critical care in 2012 to become a registered specialist in emergency and critical care the same year.

Merrin has undertaken advanced surgical training in the USA, taught at various Universities nationally and internationally, and published a range of research papers. In 2024 she completed a post-graduate certificate in Veterinary Education (University of London) and obtained FHEA status. Merrin has been a founding director of several specialist and emergency hospitals, and has a strong interest in business development, teaching, mentoring, and all aspects of emergency and critical care medicine.

Merrin has acted as a Fellowship Examiner for the ANZCVS for several years, overseeing the examination of specialist candidates; as well as sessional lecturing with Improve International and the Centre of Veterinary Education.

Merrin joined MASH on a part-time basis in 2024. In her spare time, Merrin enjoys spending time on her farm with her young family, as well as their horses, ponies, sheep, chickens, dogs and miniature pigs.

Dr Rachel Peacock

BVSc MVMedSc MVS CHPV DipPractMgt MANZCVS DACVECC 

Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care 
Registered Australian Specialist in Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care 

Rachel is a University of Melbourne graduate and a career emergency and critical care (ECC) veterinarian with over 20 years’ experience. Early in her ECC career Rachel became a Member (by examination) of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in ECC, completed a Masters degree and a Diploma of Practice Management. 

Wanting to develop her clinical skills to the highest level she completed an ECC residency at Murdoch University, with placements at the University of California Davis and Tufts University. Rachel became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care in 2013. While completing her residency, Rachel was awarded a second Masters degree for her toxicology research. Rachel has completed the University of California, Davis, haemodialysis academy and is a Certified Hospice and Palliative Care practitioner. 

Across her career, Rachel has held a variety of local and national leadership roles alongside her clinical practice. She has achieved a number of ‘firsts’ in the industry including developing an industry leading 2 year ECC Graduate Development Program, development of a modular Foundations in Emergency Practice induction course for new emergency veterinarians across a corporate network, the first ACVECC residency in private practice in Australia and was a co-founder of Australia’s first animal poisons information service; the Australian Animal Poisons Helpline/Centre. 

Rachel enjoys all aspects of ECC practice, in particular toxicology, sepsis, endocrine emergencies, heart failure and acute kidney injury. Over her years as an ECC specialist she has developed a passion for end-of-life care and communication. Rachel is always willing to accept referral cases and assist pet parents presenting their pets for emergency care. 

Dr Sachin Naidoo

BbiomSci, DVM, GradCert ECC, MANCVS (ECC)

Sachin graduated with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Melbourne in 2016 and started his veterinary career working in general practice clinics in regional Victoria and the USA before returning to Melbourne to pursue his chosen career as an emergency and critical care clinician.

He has worked in the emergency and critical care department of multiple busy 24hr Referral and Speciality clinics and loves everything about veterinary emergency medicine. In 2022 he passed the examination to become a Member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in Emergency and Critical Care.

He likes to spend his time away from the hospital being outside, playing with clay,

and spending time with family and friends. He has one adorable, food-loving, faecal incontinent cat named Pablo.

Dr Yew-Ping Tan

DVM MANZCVS (ECC)

Yew-Ping graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation, she worked at a busy small animal mixed GP/ECC referral clinic, quickly developing an interest in emergency and critical care. 

Since then, she has embraced her inner night owl and predominantly worked night shifts in emergency, loving the fast paced and immensely satisfying work.   

She is currently completing a Graduate Certificate in Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care with the University of Melbourne to further hone her skills.  

At home, Yew-Ping is mum to Mimi and Ori, two cheeky tuxedo cats, and the little princess spoodle Phoebe. In her spare time, Yew-Ping loves bouldering, hiking and board games.

Dr Kate Clifford

BVSc GradDipEd

Kate graduated from the University of Queensland in 2004, and initially worked in rural South Australia, before travelling to work in the UK to gain a different perspective. On returning home to Australia she undertook two internships, in emergency and surgery departments of large veterinary hospitals. She has worked at two university veterinary clinics, and moved to Melbourne to pursue a career in emergency medicine. 

Kate enjoys the action packed atmosphere and the varied caseload encountered in the emergency department. 

She relaxes by cuddling her lazy couch-dwelling cat.

Dr Rachael Harfield

DVM 

Rachael graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2017. After graduating she worked in small animal general practice in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne before spending two years working in rural practice in northeast Victoria.  

She has returned to Melbourne to pursue a career in emergency and critical care. Rachael has an interest in both emergency surgery and medicine and is passionate about making a difference in the lives both patients and clients by providing informed options for the best care possible. 

Outside of work Rachael is mum to Charlie, the one-eyed Cavoodle. 

Dr Jordie Botton

DVM

Jordie is originally from Adelaide. Having graduated from the University of Melbourne, School of Veterinary Science with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) in 2019, Jordie remained in Melbourne as she embarked on her veterinary career. Working in various GP and emergency clinics, she joined the MASH team in 2024 and has become an integral part of our ECC team. Jordie enjoys all aspects of emergency medicine. In her spare time, Jordie enjoys playing social netball, exploring Melbourne and playing with her 2 cats Piper (“Pippa Dee”) and Callisto (“Little One”).

Dr Andrea Khng

BSci DVM 

Andrea graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2022. After graduation, she moved down to the coastal Mornington Peninsula to work at a small animal GP clinic. She has returned to Melbourne to pursue her interests in emergency and critical care. Andrea enjoys all aspects of emergency medicine, especially the unpredictability that comes with every shift. 

Outside of the hospital, Andrea adores being active in the gym and outdoors, but equally enjoys lazing around with her toy poodle puppy and her many cozy hobbies that involve yarn, a sewing machine and a cup of tea.

Dr Natalie Webster

BVSc CertVDI DipECVDI MANZCVS

EBVS European Veterinary Specialist in Diagnostic Imaging
Registered Australian Specialist in Veterinary Radiology

Natalie graduated from Massey University in 2002 and after completing a small animal internship, went on to work in small animal practice in New Zealand and Australia for several years.    

In 2007 she moved to the UK to undertake a residency in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging at the Animal Health Trust, UK. During this time she obtained the RCVS certificate in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging (2007) and became a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging in 2009.  

Natalie enjoys all aspects of diagnostic imaging with a special interest in CT and ultrasound.  Natalie is a proud supporter of the Animals Asia Foundation.  Since 2009 she has been working with the Animals Asia Foundation to provide teleradiology services to rescued moon bears.
 
When not at work, she can be found playing in a ukulele group, horse riding or playing board games.  Natalie has two whippets called Zippy and Sparky who are very happy to laze on the couch and watch tv with the family.

Dr Mara Schier

BSc BVMS MANZCVS (Anaesthesia and Critical Care) Dip ECVAA

Registered Specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia

Mara graduated from Murdoch University in Western Australia in 2007. After going home to north-eastern Victoria for a brief stint in mixed practice, she undertook a small animal internship at the newly-opened Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga in 2009. Instead of returning to mixed practice like intended, she was distracted and fascinated by the practice of anaesthesia, and decided to pursue the discipline more fully and formally with a residency in veterinary anaesthesia at Murdoch University. Following a four-year stint at the University of Sydney, she moved to Melbourne in 2021 to pursue her career in private practice. Mara enjoys the challenge of critically ill patients, however she also gets a kick out of veterinary education and training.

Mara is a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia and is a registered specialist in Australia. She is also member of the Anaesthesia and Analgesia Chapter of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists.

When she is not thinking about how to better provide anaesthesia care and pain relief for companion animals, she enjoys long bushwalks, knitting, and aikido. She has a very cute, but very cheeky greyhound named Rosie.

Kat Stoddart

DipVN CertVN ECC

Clinical Practice Manager / ECC Nurse Manager.

Kat is a highly experienced emergency and critical care nurse, with over 8 years clinical nursing experience. Kat obtained her Diploma in Veterinary Nursing in 2018 from Otago Polytechnic School of Veterinary Nursing, and undertook further studies in 2023 to obtain her Certificate in Emergency and Critical Care. Kat joined the MASH team in 2023 as head nurse (ECC), and in August 2025 was successful in being promoted to practice manager. 

Passionate about continual learning and professional development, Kat enjoys leading and training teams, mentoring junior nurses, and regularly attends veterinary conferences and CPD events to stay at the forefront of the industry. Kat’s leadership philosophies are based around a fresh approach, focussed on upskilling and empowering nursing staff to reach their full potential. 

At home, Kat enjoys spending time with friends and in nature and shares her life with Dottie the greyhound and Reginald the cat—both proud blood donors, reflecting her commitment to animal health both in and out of the clinic.

Rav Pillay

MBM, SBAVB

Client Services Manager

Rav is a client-focused Practice Manager who is passionate about ensuring every interaction at MASH builds trust and care. With a Master’s in Business Management and a Bachelor’s in Veterinary Bioscience, Rav brings a unique blend of business insight and clinical understanding to the role.

Rav’s focus is on creating a seamless experience for clients and their pets, bridging the gap between the clinical team and those they care for. Through clear communication and genuine empathy, Rav works to make every visit to MASH smooth, supportive, and centred around meaningful relationships