SPECIALISTS
Dr. Paddy Todhunter
Specialist Surgeon
BVSc, MS, Dip ACVS (Large Animal)
Dr. Paddy Todhunter is the Owner/Director of Newcastle Equine Centre and senior specialist equine surgeon. Paddy graduated from Sydney University in 1986 and then worked in mixed practice before commencing an equine internship at the University of Guelph (Ontario, Canada) in 1991. He then undertook a Large Animal Surgical Residency and Masters Degree at Auburn University (Alabama, USA) from 1992-1995. This was followed by 12 months as a staff surgeon at Cornell University (New York State) USA. Paddy attained his specialist status via the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 1997. Paddy joined our team in November 2004 after 6 years as an equine surgeon at the Scone Veterinary Hospital. Paddy brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Newcastle Equine Centre.
Dr. Lisanne Gallant
Medicine Specialist
DVM, DIP ACVIM (Large Animal)
Originally from Prince Edward Island, Canada, Lisanne always had a passion for horses which led her to pursue veterinary medicine. After completing vet school in her home province, she completed an equine internship at the Idaho Equine Hospital in the USA. During her internship Lisanne developed a strong passion for neonatal medicine which led her to pursue and complete a 3-year residency in large animal internal medicine at Michigan State University in USA. As NEC’s medicine specialist, Lisanne offers expertise in all areas of internal medicine, but has a special interest in neonatal medicine, neurology, cardiology, and critical care. During her free time you can usually find Lisanne at the beach or hiking with her very silly Golden Retrievers, Goose and Maple.
Dr. Tom Woods
Equine Surgeon
BAVBS(Hons), DVM, CertAVP(ESO) MVCS
Tom grew up in Sydney and completed his Bachelor’s of Animal and Veterinary Bioscience at the University of Sydney with honours in 2010. He then attended vet school and graduated from the University of Melbourne’s inaugural DVM class in 2014. He started his career in mixed practice in Gippsland, where he treated all creatures great and small.
After 2.5 years, Tom decided to focus his work on equine practice. This coincided with a move to the UK, which lasted for 5 years. While in the UK, Tom completed a 2-year internship at Rossdales Equine Hospital in Newmarket and subsequently worked for their ambulatory practice in Hertfordshire. He also completed a certificate in equine orthopaedic surgery through the University of Liverpool.
Tom then moved to Perth to begin his surgical specialisation training (residency) at Murdoch University under Dr David Murphy, an old vet school friend of Paddy’s by coincidence! After completing his 3-year residency, Tom moved to Newcastle Equine Centre and is enjoying life back in New South Wales after being away for 15 years.
Tom’s clinical interests are orthopaedic surgery, colic surgery, using higher order imaging (MRI and CT) and orthopaedic investigations in performance horses (racing and all sport horse disciplines). Outside of work, Tom can be found skiing, hiking, camping, cooking and playing most sports with his wife Tash and baby Hamish.
VETERINARIANS
Dr. Rachel O’Higgins
DVM, VS Degree in Equine Dentistry
BVMS, MRCVS
Rachel qualified as a veterinary surgeon at the University of Glasgow and worked in mixed practice in the UK. She then traveled to Egypt to spend 6 months volunteering for a charity, providing free veterinary care to working horses and donkeys. Rachel moved to Australia in 2010 to take up a year’s internship position in equine medicine and surgery in Ballarat, following that she worked in equine practice in South Australia before moving to the Hunter Valley. Rachel spent 6 years working in equine reproduction practice in the Hunter Valley followed by another stud season in Victoria. For the last 2 years Rachel has worked as a veterinarian in technical services for Minitube, an international reproductive technologies company. Here she advised on reproduction in all domestic animal species. She missed the busy stud seasons and has now returned to practice at NEC! Rachel’s clinical interests include reproduction, dentistry, and anaesthesia.
Dr. Sally Kiernan
MVB MRCVS
Sally is from Co.Meath Ireland, she grew up on a family run thoroughbred stud farm. This early introduction to horses led to Sallys keen interest in Horse Racing and equine breeding.
She completed her Veterinary Medicine Degree in University College Dublin graduating in June 2019.
Sally went on to work in mixed practice in Northern Ireland where she gained valuable experience working two busy seasons. The beginning of the year 2022 took her to Yorkshire, England where she worked a season for an equine reproductive referral and ambulatory practice.
Sally moved to Australia in August 2022. Her main clinical interests include reproduction, lameness and dentistry.
Sallys favourite part of being an Equine Veterinarian is the variety in the day, meeting clients and their horses.
In her spare time, Sally loves to go to the beach, hiking or go to the gym.
VETERINARY INTERN
VETERINARY INTERNS
PATHOLOGY
Dr. Kristen Todhunter
Veterinary Pathologist and Practice Manager
DVM
VETERINARY NURSES / ASSISTANTS
Samantha
Jacinda
Emily
Taylor
Molly
Georgia
Makenna
Tahni
Cassidee
Susan
ADMINISTRATION
Alex
Alfie
CLINIC ANIMALS
Charlie
Boris
Rodney
Haggis (Aggi)