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.
VETERINARIANS
Dr. Morgan Weber
BVSC (Hons) MANZCVS (Equine Medicine)
Morgan is from Maryland, USA. She graduated with honours from the University of Queensland in 2008 and completed an equine internship at Ballarat Veterinary Practice. Since then she worked in Western Australia before joining the team at Newcastle Equine Centre in 2012. In, 2013 Morgan passed her membership examinations in Equine Medicine. Her main areas of interest are equine medicine and anaesthesia. When not at work, Morgan enjoys playing soccer and spending time with her husband and son.
Dr.Cecilia Cortina di Favria
DVM, IVAS
Dr. Hauke Gergeleit
DVM, VS Degree in Equine Dentistry
Hauke graduated from the University of Veterinary Medicine in Hanover, Germany, as a veterinary surgeon in 2016. He completed a rotating internship followed by an assistant veterinarian position in surgery and internal medicine at the equine clinic of the University of Hannover. Throughout the years, Hauke developed a strong interest in emergency medicine and dental disorders and holds a degree in equine dentistry. He has now joined NEC for the busy season of the year covering mainly ambulatory services. When he is not working, Hauke enjoys the beach, kitesurfing and exploring bushwalks.
Dr. Lorin Ascoli
BVSc
Lorin is from the Northern Territory and she studied at James Cook University in Townsville, QLD. She slowly crept further south to come to work in Newcastle and has been at NEC since 2018. She predominantly does ambulatory work which she really enjoys and is also interested in surgery and ophthalmology.
Dr. Rachel O’Higgins
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. Amy Harkness
BVM&S MRCVS
Growing up in the Irish countryside, Amy developed a love of horses from a very young age, and always wanted to be an equine vet. She rode and competed in all pony club discipilines, before concentrating on eventing prior to moving to Scotland to study Veterinary Medicine at the University of Edinburgh. She graduated in 2017, and moved to Yorkshire to complete an equine internship at Rainbow Equine Hospital. Here she gained experience in a wide range of areas, but developed a particular interest in medicine and emergency care. She then moved back to Scotland to work in first opinion equine practice, and improving her skills in lameness investigations, as well as ambulatory work. After a few years, she decided to relocate to Australia in search of better weather! In her spare time, Amy enjoys runnning marathons and ultramarathons, and relaxing with friends.
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.
Dr. Paulina Supera
DVM MRCVS
Dr. Edwina Lawson
MRCVS BID (Hons) BVMedSci BVM BVS
Edwina graduated in 2015 from the University of Nottingham in the UK. After working in Mexico for World Horse Welfare, Edwina completed a 12 month internship in Equine Medicine and Intensive Care at Scone Equine Group. Since then she has worked in equine and mixed private practice, as well as currently carrying out a PhD on mare fertility, under Laureate Professor John Aitken. She joined NEC in 2018 and balances clinical work at NEC with research for her doctorate.  Edwina has wide range of veterinary interests – but mares, reproduction and ambulatory emergency work are her main focuses at the moment. In her spare time Edwina loves the outdoors and spending time with her young family.
VETERINARY INTERN
VETERINARY INTERNS
PATHOLOGY
Dr. Kristen Todhunter
Veterinary Pathologist and Practice Manager
DVM
VETERINARY NURSES/ ASSISTANTS
Samantha
Jacinda
Emily
Molly
Lillian
Georgia
Thais
Makenna
Anika
Aela
Olivia