Our Team

Hi, I am Cato, I grew up on a sheep farm in the Northern Cape of South Africa. Living rural, about 60km from the closest town has taught me from an early age to be sensitive to nature and all living creatures.  There was nothing else I wanted to do with my life than to be a Vet. After graduating in 2007, I have spent most of my time in Cape Town working in a small animal practice. Me, my husband, and daughter with our elderly cat moved to New Zealand in 2020.  I do enjoy the wide range of clinical cases seen in general practice and building relationships with clients and their pets.  My happy place is being outdoors, getting my hands dirty in the garden and reading a good book. 

Hi, I am Dr Varushka, Although I’m South African I’ve completely fallen in love with the natural beauty of New Zealand, as well as its culture and its people. I’m so proud to be a part of the Sommerville Family because we encompass a familiar South African concept called “Ubuntu” which means a person is a person because of another person. Every member of our team is dedicated to supporting each other to reach our common goal of providing the best care for you and your pets. In my downtime, you can find me reading a good book, listening to an exciting podcast, enjoying the company of friends, or out and about exploring this beautiful country I now call home.

Hi I am Lindsey, I am originally from Scotland and studied in Edinburgh University to get my veterinary degree. I worked in mixed and small animal practice in the UK and Australia before coming to New Zealand and joining Sommerville Vets many years ago. I work part-time at Sommerville and enjoy all areas of general practice here with our amazing team. When not working I am kept busy with my family and our every expanding menagerie of pets.

"Hiya, I'm Jesse and I am originally from Wisconsin, the dairy state of the USA. I have always loved science and started my career in human medicine following getting a BSc in human biology from UW-Green Bay. I decided I would be happier working with animals, and worked as a receptionist in a vet clinic as well as volunteered doing wildlife rehabilitation for three years. I also love traveling and decided to attend the University of Edinburgh and graduated with a veterinary degree. After working a few years in England, I decided to travel again to the beautiful country of New Zealand at the end of 2024. I am very happy I decided to do so, as the team at Sommerville are fantastic, talented and supportive! I especially enjoy surgery and working with exotic species. When not working, I love anything outdoors, exploring this gorgeous country, reading and playing computer games with my Scottish partner."

Hi I am Rebecca, I am from right here in Auckland. I graduated from Vet Nurse Plus in 2017 and I have recently come back to nursing after being on maternity leave with my first child. I have 2 cats Howie and Theo and I love indoor plants and have around 100, though these days they don’t get as much attention as they use to (haha).

Hi I am Alexandria, I am a very bubbly person, and you will regularly see me with my purple stethoscope and purple hair. If you couldn’t tell, I like the colour purple. I graduated with a Diploma in Veterinary Nursing back in 2019 and have worked at many different clinic’s since, both with “exotics” and cats and dogs. I have a menagerie of animals at home, including rodent’s, birds and a turtle as well as cats and a dog. I love my crafting, I find the most peaceful time is spent painting or writing my novel that I hope to publish one day (far far in the future).

Hi I'm Steph, quirky, bubbly and outgoing. I graduated with my Diploma of Veterinary Nursing in 2012 after rescuing 2 extremely sick kittens and nursing them back to health and finding my calling. The best part about this role is getting to meet so many adoring pet parents and their much loved, gorgeous babies. I am passionate about nutritional and behavioural sciences so welcome the chance to meet with you for a nurse consult to assist with any concerns that don't require any of our talented vets' attention. I am deeply passionate about animal welfare and have spent the last, nearly 20 years, in rescue and community work and love being able to go above and beyond to help those in need. Any time spent outside of work, I am spending time with my family, including 2 awesome school age daughters.

Hi, I am Jean, I’m originally from China and have lived in New Zealand for eight years and just moved from Invercargill to Auckland, I graduated last year with a Diploma in Veterinary Nursing and now work in my dream field. I love all kinds of animals especially dogs and donkeys and hope to have a few of my own someday. In my spare time, I love 4WD trips, camping, and mountain biking with my husband. I also host my own radio show Share Box on 96.4FM Radio Southland to share all kinds of music, especially from Asian cultures.

Hi I am Jotishna and I was born and brought up in the beautiful islands of Fiji. I moved to New Zealand a couple of years ago after graduating with BVSc. I am a cat person at heart but I also have a genuine fondness for dogs and a wide range of other animals too. Outside of work, I love shopping, crafting, travelling and exploring new places with my wonderful husband.

Hi I am Joseph, I’ve always had a major interest in animals and that carried on through my life so far. I’m the youngest of the team and I help the nurses out the back of the clinic and occasionally help out at reception. I do favour cats over dogs for my own pets but that doesn’t mean I don’t love giving attention to dogs!. I was born in Manchester, UK and moved to NZ when I was young. I currently have a tabby cat, Pebbles and bulldog, Eli who I love very much and love to show off. I hope to continue learning about veterinary services until I complete my qualifications and can help people keep their animals healthy and happy.

I joined Sommerville Vets in February 2023. You will find me at the front desk, welcoming you and your beloved pet into our clinic. During your visit, I aim to make you and your fur baby's visit with us, as comfortable and stress free as possible. After working many years in the service dog industry, I no longer have dogs about the home, however, within weeks of starting at the clinic I adopted a cat that I love to bits. In my free time, I love spending time with my wonderful husband, and son, as well as fishing, and traveling.

Hi I am Bronwyn,I am part of the friendly and helpful reception team, generally working on a Monday.s and Thursday’s. My family have a small menagerie in semi-rural Whitford consisting of adopted cats, chickens and wild ducks who think they are chickens when feeding time rolls around.

Hi I am Raewyn, I am privileged to be part of the Sommerville Team providing front of house care to your beloved pets for over 19 years. Thank you for allowing us to be part of your pets life journey.

Hi I am Michelle, born and raised in the beautiful multi-cultural rainbow nation of Southern Africa, but have been in New Zealand for the last 5 years. I am part of the dedicated Reception team here at Sommerville Vets, I have a great love and admiration for animals of all shapes and sizes and luckily, get to meet and play with all the different ones on the daily – when the phone is not ringing of course. I am the latest addition to this wonderful team and I trust to be here for many more moons to come.

Hi I am Angela, I have lived in Auckland all my life and have always had a love of animals having volunteered at the SPCA I made the decision to want to work with animals after having worked many years for New Zealand Post. I have worked at the clinic since July 2001 and have watched the clinic grow and I am immensely proud of what Sommerville Veterinary has become today and I look forward to seeing what future holds for the clinic. Outside of work I enjoy reading, exercising, and spending time with my family (my 6 fur babies included).