Meet Our Team

Kathrin graduated from the University of Veterinary Medicine in Hannover (Germany) in 1998 with the German equivalent of First Degree Honours and completed her PhD on Congenital Sensorineural Deafness in Dalmatians in 2000, also with First Degree Honours.

In 2000, she decided to acquire the German National Board Certified Specialist for Small Animals (this title is not recognized in New Zealand). During this five-year postgraduate specialist training, she worked alongside some of Germany’s top veterinary specialists in a number of hospitals and clinics, receiving referrals from over 60 veterinary clinics and covering all aspects of Small Animal Medical care, including Emergency Care.

During her 13 year education as a vet and ever since she also trained Veterinarians, for example in Ultrasound or cytology and she received referrals for diagnostic work ups and treatment overseas as well as in New Zealand.

She fell in love with New Zealand in the 1990s when she spent six months doing work experience in a Vet Club in Northland and she feels blessed that her family and she were able to move to New Zealand in 2010. Kathrin enjoys all this beautiful country has to offer and the ‘kiwi way of life’.

When not busy at the clinic she can usually be found spending time with her two adorable daughters, Hannah and Helena, and her equally adorable husband, Sascha – preferably playing sport, joining in outdoor activities or hanging out with their two gorgeous ponies, Tonto and Diego, Summer the dog and their three guinea pigs Elliot, Silver and Ginger.

Cate was born and brought up in Africa and wanted to be a Veterinarian for as long as she can remember. She graduated from Massey University, Palmerston North in 2000 and has worked for years in small animal clinics in Australia and the UK. In the UK she worked alongside vets specializing in exotics. Cate saw pets like a huge Iguana over someone’s shoulder, a huge pet Python or a Chameleon in a carrier. One snake was so huge that it took 6 nurses to help hold the snake for a blood sample and Cate made sure the nurses worked in pairs – for their own safety!

When she and her partner, Mike (and beloved cat Mr. C) moved back home from the UK in 2010 Cate started to work for “Cats at Pet Doctors”.

Cate realized soon that her calm and gentle nature is a huge bonus for looking after patients. Cate always strives to personalize her care and attention for both pets and their humans.

Out of work, Cate is kept busy with DIY on her little villa in Onehunga and tending to the garden (with some supervision by her rescue cats Gavin & Casper).

Cate loves camping, volcanoes, music, VW beetles, cooking, baking and (of course) pets!

Su joined us late in 2019 and works at present Thursdays and Fridays. She started her career as veterinarian in India in 1985 and moved to New Zealand in 1997.

Sujata is proud mother of two boys (one is working in Melbourne and her younger son is studying at Auckland university). Su lives with her extended family in her senior doggy ‘Ellie’ in the Southeast of Auckland.
In her spare time, she enjoys painting, pottery and hiking with her husband. She’s also a keen traveller and has seen most countries of this planet (other than South America and Africa).

She’s always good for a laugh and we enjoy her cheerful and still thoughtful way to deal with our patients.
We are very happy to add Su’s experience to our team and together with our other senior vets Kathrin, Cate and Jess we look at more then 80 years of combined experience at Ellerslie Vet Clinic.

Jess grew up in Auckland loving animals, and was determined to be a vet from the moment she could talk! She graduated from Massey University with her BVSc in 2002, then headed overseas to work in companion animal practice in England. Working, and travelling in Europe and UK until 2011, she then returned home to Auckland to be with family. Jess sat further exams in 2014 to achieve her membership of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists. With that qualification in Veterinary Behaviour she runs her own private consulting business Kiwi Vet Behaviour. Jess also continues weekend work with the Auckland SPCA, helping animals in need.

Jess is passionate about her job and loves being able to work with all animals, ensuring a safe and healthy relationship between people and their pets. She brings her behaviour understanding to every interaction with dogs and cats. She is particularly enjoying being part of Ellerslie Veterinary Clinic as a gold standard Feline Friendly clinic.

When not working as a vet Jess was a New Zealand representative in Fencing, competing internationally for almost 20 years including a peak performance at the Olympics in Athens 2004. To keep fit she now enjoys circus classes and spinning around on the aerial silks and trapeze! At home Jess now spends time with her young son Oliver, as well as her Hungarian rescue dog Bella, and London rescue cat Kiscigombas, Auckland orphan cats Lucy and Oscar, as well as 3 rescue guinea pigs, Mason, Primrose and Sesame.

Della started working with small animals at Epsom Veterinary Centre and has been there for almost 12 wonderful years. She is a Unitec qualified Vet Nurse and enjoys all aspects of veterinary nursing.

Della is a familiar face to the Epsom Veterinary Centre clients who appreciate her as a cheerful and warm-hearted Veterinary Nurse.

When Epsom Vets amalgamated with Ellerslie Veterinary Clinic Della did not hesitate to join Kathrin and her team as she loved working with her when Kathrin was locuming for Andrew a few years ago.

Outside of work Della shares her home with her cat Chrissy Hissy Pants who was found on a road in Newmarket. She has a passion for food and flavours, particularly the Asian cuisine – which suits us well as we are a bunch of always hungry people.☺

Hannah was born and raised in New Zealand. From a young age Hannah always had a passion for animals, starting by growing up in an animal filled household ranging from, cats and dogs, small mammals all the way to horses.

Hannah started studying a diploma in Veterinary Nursing in 2020. This is when she met the team at Ellerslie Veterinary Clinic. She stayed on and is constantly learning new things and continues to grow her clinical knowledge and her nursing skills.

When she’s not working in the clinic, she can be found out and about riding her horses, enjoying time with friends and family, cooking or simply spending time outside.

Other than being married to a vet, Sascha’s background is not linked to veterinary medicine at all! He graduated in 1997/98 from the University of Applied Sciences in Munich with a degree in Business Administration. After working as a Human Resource Consultant and making his way from a Junior Consultant to a Director, he started his own Human Resource Consulting Service in Munich in 2003.

You will find some of Sascha’s ideas of a modern veterinary clinic in the layout, interior and design of Ellerslie Veterinary Clinic. Starting with the Tranquillity Room and a Cat only Consult Room, to the interior design.

Sascha is looking forward to working together with the team of Ellerslie Veterinary Clinic & Cattery to constantly exceed our own high expectations.

Lynn was born in South Africa and came to NZ in 1998. She have always been passionate about animals and grew up with dogs, a cat and a pet rat. Wildlife and the African bush are very dear to her heart and she spent many weekends and holidays in the bush, learning about indigenous wildlife. To this day it is what she miss most about Africa.

Lynn worked as a radiographer after leaving school and then studied to become a teacher. She taught for many years in South Africa and continued to do so when she came to New Zealand. After 11 years in NZ classrooms, she joined the Life Education Trust and took Harold, the giraffe, and health promoting programmes in a mobile classroom to schools in the central Auckland area for 8 years.

But her heart yearned to be with animals and she volunteered at the Ellerslie Veterinary Clinic in 2015. This was a blessing as Kathrin and Sascha inspired her to follow her dream and, by doing relief teaching and studying part-time Lynn became a vet nurse in 2019. She loves being at the clinic on Thursdays and Fridays and is learning so much (and quick).

Lynn is married with two step-sons who are both grown-up. After her family lost their 15-year-old little crossbreed dog last year, her neighbour’s cat decided to adopt them and has pretty much moved into their home now.

Lynn enjoys paddle boarding, running, reading and cooking.

Danielle joined us recently, bringing with her a wealth of experience from her previous position as a senior veterinary nurse. Danielle is a real Auckland girl, growing up and still living in Remuera with her partner Tom and rescue cat William.

She completed a Bachelor of Science before finding her passion in animal health and care and completed her Certificate in Veterinary Nursing from Vet Nurse Plus in 2013, gaining the ‘top academic student award.’

Danielle’s kind and caring manner, and her attention to every last detail of your pet’s needs, will ensure your pet’s time in our clinic will be as comfortable as possible.

From childhood on Fran always had a huge fascination for the animal world. She believes that nature and animals are capable of teaching us many things. It was so much my interest that when she had to decide what to do with my life, the decision was not difficult at all.

Fran studied Veterinary Medicine at Universidad Mayor in Santiago, Chile. She lived, studied and worked in Chile until August 2018. She worked there in two veterinary clinics dedicated to the care of small animals for a year and a half, where she managed and treated the primary diseases that afflict our beloved pets.

At the beginning of 2018, Fran’s partner was offered to start a doctoral program at the University of Auckland, one of the most prestigious universities in this beautiful country. And that is how they decided to leave their home in Chile and started a new adventure.

Once here, Fran realised that she couldn’t work as a veterinarian without first doing a certification test. At this moment I am very excited to work and learn from the outstanding professionals who work in this clinic.

When I’m not working in the clinic, they are planning trips to see New Zealand beautiful landscapes, always including their little dog Linda. Fran loves being outdoors, and camping is one of her favourites things to do!