Meet our team
Dr Maria Dunbar
Veterinarian

Maria grew up in California and practised there for about 6 years prior to relocating to Cambridge in 2016. She and her family relocated to Cambridge to be closer to her husband's family and for the adventure of living in this beautiful country. Maria looks forward to establishing a long term relationship with her clients and their pets.

Maria has two cats and a Great Dane (aptly named Tiny). In her spare time she enjoys reading, exercising, and spending time with her two kids

Dr Aileen Russell
Veterinarian

Aileen graduated at Bristol University 1996, initially being employed as a mixed animal Vet for 3 years in UK before leaving for her OE. Originally only planning to stay in NZ for 1 year but 16 years later Aileen calls NZ home. In 2010 Aileen joined Pet Doctors where she enjoys all facets of veterinary practice including soft tissue surgery and medicine. Aileen has done volunteer work in India with Vets Beyond Borders where she treated street dogs and educated local communities.

Outside of work Aileen enjoys running and exploring the countryside with her 2 ponies Rue and Mia.

Claire
Team Leader & Veterinary Nurse
  • CVN

Claire holds a Certificate in Animal Care and Veterinary Assistance. She's been working in the Veterinary industry for more than 10 years and is now the Team Leader at Pet Doctors Hillcrest. Claire loves travelling in Europe and the UK; while at home she enjoys hiking and crossfit, as well as working in her garden. Claire is also a pet rescuer!

Jamie
Veterinary Nurse
  • DVN

Jamie has been working in the Veterinary Industry for more than 2 years now. She holds a Diploma in Vet Nursing Level 6 and a Certificate in Rural Handling and Conservation. Jamie's goal is to educate owners in any way she can, particularly behavioral issues and nutrition, and of course to help our furry friends ! She has 2 cats: an old boy named Fidget that she had when she was 11, and a little rescue girl named Marmite. Marmite was run over by a weed-wacker! Jamie is also a puppy class instructor and was a passionate cattery attendant for 18 months. Jamie loves to do Gymnastics and aero-acrobatics, reading and computer classes.

Rebekah
Veterinary Nurse

Before joining Pet Doctors Hillcrest, Rebekah worked at an emergency veterinary clinic in Auckland. She worked there for a year before deciding to move back home to Hamilton to be closer to family. Her favourite part about being a vet nurse is being able to watch an animal become its normal healthy self again after going through a huge ordeal. Rebekah has a special interest in physiotherapy and would love to expand on this.

Rebekah has a bird named Pearl who is a cockatiel. She has a lot of attitude and tells you all about how angry she is when you do something she doesn't like. Pearl goes crazy for all of her favourite treats!

Jessica
Veterinary Nurse

Jessica is a Graduate Diploma nurse who graduated in 2018 and has been working as a nurse support at Pet Doctors Dinsdale and Pet Doctors Tristram Street clinics for the past 3 years. She is excited to make the step from nurse support to Vet Nurse. She is based at Pet Doctors Dinsdale on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays, and at Pet Doctors Hillcrest on Thursdays.

Jessica is very passionate and enthusiastic about her work and is a great addition to our team. In her spare time, she plays ice hockey and inline hockey as well as go dirt biking and she also loves doing puzzles. She has an 11-month-old cat called Orea who she adopted when she was brought in to the Pet Doctors Tristram street as a 2-month-old kitten looking for a home.

Countess Jess Puss
Clinic Cat

Jess came to us on Valentine’s Day 2012, when her previous owner could no longer look after her. We had not long lost our other clinic cat Lord Puss, so it came as perfect timing to find a new clinic cat.

Long story short, we took her on and she has been with us ever since – nearly 7 years! Over the years we have had to remove most of her teeth due to dental disease and now she is on a special diet as she has developed a very sensitive stomach to most foods. Jess is now nearly 16 years old, and has the attitude of a grouchy old lady, who still looks for love and affection.

If you see her sleeping in her bed under the air con, feel free to give her a pat, she won't bite! (And even if she did, she has no teeth!)

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