Dr. Kathrin Brinker
PhD, FTA Kleintiere
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.
Dr Kat Orr
BVSc
After finishing her honours degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering in Auckland she pursued a change of career – she finished her Bachelor of Veterinary Science at Palmerston North in speed time and since has been working in the Small Animal Field.
Kat lives with her partner and cat ‘Tiny Tim’ in central Auckland. She is also proud owner of rabbit ‘Pikachu’ who prefers staying in her parent’s garden. In her free time Kat enjoys spending time in the outdoors or alternatively hanging out with her cat.
She has a special interest in pocket pets and in ultrasound diagnostics, but also enjoys all other aspects of Veterinary Medicine.
Jess Dr Beer
OLY BVSC MANZCVS Veterinary Behaviour
Born and raised in One Tree Hill, Auckland, Jess is a real local, but known New Zealand wide for her achievements and engagement in animal behaviour.
She qualified 2002 with a BVSc at Massey University. She moved to the UK to gain experience there for 10 years before returning back to NZ and working in companion animal clinics since. She has also regularly worked as a veterinary volunteer throughout the world, in places like India, Thailand, Gibraltar, Mexico, Panama, Romania, Portugal to name only a few and she has continued to work with local Auckland pet charities over the years.
In 2014, Jess gained her Membership of ANZCVS in Veterinary Behaviour, and runs the highly regarded Kiwi Vet Behaviour private consulting business. Jess is regularly invited to speak at tertiary training institutions and private veterinary clinics, teaching animal behaviour and low stress handling techniques. She has also been a regular veterinary behavioural expert on NZ radio and television.
In her spare time, she runs around after her two small boys and enjoys her family life. If any chance, she’ll be back to the piste with a sword and a mask, reliving her time as a representative of New Zealand Olympic fencing.
You will always find her with some foster animal attached to her, too!
Dr Emma Ruck
BVSc (distinction) MANZCVS Veterinary Behaviour
Emma enjoys all aspects of veterinary work but is most passionate about helping animals (and their owners) with behaviour problems and creating a low stress environment in the veterinary clinic – you will always find her with lots of treats to help facilitate this! In 2023 she passed her exam for her Membership in Animal Behaviour Medicine.
In her spare time Emma and her partner enjoy teaching and competing in Ceroc (also known as Modern Jive) dancing. She also enjoys baking, training and walking her dog, Echo, finding local food spots, and spending time with friends and family.
Dr Michelle Johnston
BSc (Hons) BVMS
Michelle hails from the UK. She graduated from the University of Glasgow with a commendation in Veterinary Medicine and an honours degree in Molecular Biology.
She moved to NZ in 2007 and worked in companion animal clinics in Auckland and also worked as a locum vet. She started a Masters of Veterinary Medicine while working, completing several papers and is currently working to complete this.
Michelle has returned to veterinary practice after having a break with her small children. During this time she and her family went back to the UK for 3 1/2 years but they have returned back to NZ to stay for good.
Michelle has completed the NZVA companion animal refresher scheme and is very excited to be back in the veterinary field.
In her spare time, she is very busy with her three small children and husband. They all love the outdoor life NZ provides and are always keen to be active! So they spend lots of time swimming, running or cycling, and exploring the beautiful country of NZ.
Jasmin Clarke
Senior Surgical Nurse
In her spare time she is usually in her garden with her pets, all of whom were her fosters which she bonded with and couldn’t give back! Lando, the crazy Fox Terrier cross, kitties Rue and Toph who are both blind, and Kingsley, who is just dandy and was the first member of the family, helping Jasmin raise her foster kittens.
Della Kidd
Senior Veterinary Nurse
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 Laustsen
Veterinary Nurse
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.
She is particularly interested in imaging and enjoys performing state-of-the-art radiographs and assisting with ultrasonography.
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.
Sascha Brinker
Practice Manager
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 Klapproth
Veterinary Nurse
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.
Lynn is married with two step-sons who are both grown-up. She and her partner adopted rescue kitten ‘Piper’ who keeps them (and the entire neighborhood) well entertained.
Lynn enjoys paddle boarding, running, reading and cooking.
Danielle Asche
Senior Veterinary Nurse
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.
She is known for not sitting still for a moment during her busy work days – and if you ever think of a task that needs to be done next, Danielle would already have done it.
Danielle is on maternity leave from July 2024.
Nina Rabic
Head Veterinary Nurse
At a very young age Nina loved caring for animals at home and she couldn’t ever stop since! She started off with maintaining a quite technical aquarium with different colourful fish, then went on to caring for small pets like her guinea pig (Bajsi), her rat (Gusti) and her rabbit (Uhec). Nina then complimented her menagerie with cat Lady and dog Mik.
Nina developed an awareness of animal welfare, further enhanced through her studies of Biology and through vet nursing, she discovered a way to act on this.
When not at work, Nina likes baking Slovenian desserts (very much to the delight of the rest of the team!), exploring different places and all the outdoor activities, New Zealand has to offer. Whenever possible, she goes travelling and so far, she has been to 26 different countries and made very unique memorie during her travels.
As the daughter of a dentist, Nina is very interested in dentistry and enjoys performing anything involved in dental procedures for your pets.
Libby Elwood
Veterinary Nurse
Libby is fond of her work, growing and learning new skills alongside the team daily. She enjoys assisting in surgeries as well as hospital care, ensuring your pet is well looked after throughout their vet visit. Previously working at a dog day-care whilst studying, she is particularly interested in canine handling and behavior.
Outside of work she enjoys scenic walks, being out on the water and spending time with family and friends.
Rentia Sutherland
Veterinary Nurse
After arriving in New Zealand, she has been working for the SPCA and the Blind Low Vision NZ Guide Dogs Foundation. She absolved a few courses in fear free dog handling, as well as completed a certificate in Companion Animal Care.
Rentia enjoys utilizing her vast knowledge that she accumulated over years in dog handling and behavior. She also feels very passionate about animal welfare and can use these skills for her daily work. She started her career at Ellerslie Veterinary Clinic in 2022 and successfully graduated with top marks from Unitech as a Veterinary Nurse in 2023.
She lives in rural South Auckland with her partner and dog Lyra, who equally enjoy going on walks with Rentia in the beautiful Drury countryside.
Always staying busy, Rentia also loves designing and baking birthday cakes for dogs!
Natalie Moulder
Veterinary Nurse Student
Jill Allan
Veterinary Nurse Student
+ ER
(09) 281 3 481
In the event of an emergency during clinic hours, please call on above contact and proceed directly to Ellerslie Veterinary Clinic & Cattery.
(09) 281 3 481
For after hour emergencies, please call the VS A&E Emergency Veterinary Care on