Alistair McDougall – Senior Veterinarian
Alistair joined EDVS as a new graduate in 1988. He left in 1991 for the Big OE and returned in 1993 after travelling and working in Britain and South Africa with a wife and hardly any hair.
Married to Tessa, his interests outside work include Golf, Fishing, watching too much TV, telling bad jokes (or telling good jokes badly), music, surfing and watching far too much cricket.
Now living at the beach at Oakura, Al commutes to Eltham each day and stays in town when on call. He finally did something of worth by catching a 30lb Snapper from his Kayak on Labour Day 2005 – and he won’t shut up about it. Al retired on 1st December 2023 and his replacement as CEO will be Leon Christensen who badly needs to change his profile photo.
Leon Christensen – Veterinarian
Hi my name’s Leon. I hail from the small town of Paeroa in the Waikato and have been an avid supporter of Waikato Rugby and The Chiefs through thick and thin (Mainly thin).
I’m interested in all aspects of veterinary medicine including dairy, dry stock, equine and the odd small animal here and there. My interests outside of work include fishing, diving, hunting and most sports involving a ball of some description.
P.S. I’m the one in a stupid pink jacket annoying Scott Styris
Editor’s note: Leon has matured greatly since this photo was taken. He has special interests in eye medicine and orthopaedic surgery and runs the companion animal side of the practice alongside Teresa. He officially became CEO on 1st December 2023 when Al retired.
Teresa Carr-Matthews – Veterinarian
Started at EDVS in March ’94. Teresa works for us 4 days a week.
Married to Shawn, Teresa has two sons called Jack & Liam, who were meant to become All Blacks when they got older, or at least play for Kaponga like their Dad. But instead one became a vet (Jack) and the other one (Liam) is a physiotherapist. So that’s her All Black dreams out the window.
Teresa runs the companion animal side of the practice along with Leon and works 4 days a week.
Jim Robins – Veterinarian
Jim joined our team in 2003 after running his own succesful practice in Stratford for 10 years. Jim amazes us each day with his enthusiasm, capacity for work and good humour.
A vet with vast experience in equine and dairy medicine, Jim is an invaluable addition to our team and always ready for a chat about racing, rugby and politics. Jim works 4 days a week and refuses to retire
Lindsay Lash – Veterinarian
A welcome return to EDVS, Lindsay left the profession in the mid-nineties to become a Baptist minister, having worked at Eltham for 20 years prior.
He came back and initially worked 3 days a week, re-learning the ropes as a vet. Having re-acquainted himself with veterinary medicine he went fulltime again and loved it. Now he’s working 4 days a week.
Other than being greyer than the last time we saw him (and recently became a Grandad), Lindsay hasn’t changed a bit and we are thrilled to have him back.
Adrian Clark – Veterinarian
This good looking fellow with a frightening resemblance to James Franklin of The Black Caps is Adrian.
I’ll let him introduce himself:
“Hi there. I’ve been at Eltham since finishing at Massey 2006.
I am from Palmerston North (surely “Pukekura Park” has got to beat “The Square” for the new version of Monopoly), but I have extended family on dairy farms around Taranaki which I have spent a lot of holiday time on while growing up.
My interests cover all aspects of veterinary science. Outside of work I enjoy cycling, running, fishing, all water sports, tramping, hunting and small bore target shooting. I look forward to meeting you all as time goes on.“
Michaela Abbott – Veterinarian
Hi! I’m Michaela
A few of you might recognise me as being a local girl or from meeting me during my time as a student. For those of you who don’t I’m very local …
I grew up on a dairy farm in Matapu and spent a lot of timeseeing practice/pestering the vets to take me with them to calls.
I am interested in both large and small animal work and look forward to getting out and meeting you either on farm or in the clinic. In my spare time I enjoy swimming, cycling, pilates, netball,following various sports, baking (keeps everyone sweet at work when I stuff up!) and catching up with friends and family.
Holly Hofmans – Veterinarian
Hello
I’m Holly and I’m returning to clinical practice after 3 years of focusing on raising 2 wonderful wee boys and a few hundred calves. I’m originally from the Bay of Islands but started working in Taranaki as a new grad in 2011 and haven’t left yet! My husband Tony and I contract milk 450 cows and in my spare time I enjoy social netball and fishing. Looking forward to meeting you all this year and getting back into being a mixed animal vet.
Ryan Carr – Veterinarian
Hi all.
I’m Ryan. I’ve been working in the Manawatu since graduating from vet school, though I’m originally from Northland. I’ve been hearing for years that the grass is greener in the Taranaki and I’m finally on my way up to find out.
I can’t wait to get up there, meet new clients, check out new farms and new country and get out to all the beaches and walks the place has to offer.
Here’s a picture of me and the girls at a party recently, dressed up as a family taco. The baby in the oven is also a girl, so wish me luck for the teenage years!
See you all soon
Hannah Martin – Veterinarian
Hi, I’m Hannah, one of the new grads who have just joined Eltham’s amazing team of vets.
I come from the kiwifruit capital of the work a.k.a. Te Puke but grew up on an idyllic dairy farm right next to the beach.
I like to get a taste of anything outdoors, whether it be surfing, diving, climbing a mountain or just a good roadie to see the sights, hence the ‘Naki felt like a good move for me!
I enjoy both small and large animal medicine, with a soft spot for lifestyle animals. I can’t wait to get stuck into working up a good ‘smallies’ case or tackling a difficult calving.
Jack Matthews – Veterinarian
A few of you may recognise my face either through my similarities to two of the current slightly older vets, or from meeting me on farm as a student. I have just moved back home to the Naki after spending 6 years away at vet school in Palmerston North.
It will be great to see familiar faces, meet those who I have never met and get out and about in the community.
I am excited to get back to my favourite spots up the mountain, on my bike at the bike park, and at the lakes and beaches that I spent so much time at while growing up.
Jack