Meet our vets
Dr Gary Stapleton
Practice Owner, Veterinarian (BVSc)
Woofpurnay Veterinary Hospital is owned and operated by Dr Gary Stapleton, who has a loyal client following and has been treating small and large animals throughout Victoria for over 50 years.
Whilst Gary has owned a number of veterinary clinics during this time, he custom built Woofpurnay, which opened in 2008. Designed with his patients in mind, this unique hospital has a viewing area for budding vets and nurses to see surgical operations, a swimming pool for dogs and also offers after hours on call emergency support.
Outside of work Gary is very active and enjoys boating, running, playing volleyball and swimming.
If I was an animal I would be……an outdoor cat on acreage. They are free to climb, roam and explore wherever they want to go.
Dr Ellené Rossouw
Veterinarian (BVSc)
Ellené has been working for Woofpurnay since June 2023. She has worked as a GP for the last 32 years, spending the years between 2003 and 2019 working in a large group of practices in Adelaide that also provided emergency care 24/7.
Ellené loves working with all the kind people at Woofpurnay and the practical setup of the hospital. She also enjoys spending time with each patient and their dedicated owners.
Ellené has special interests in medicine and diagnostic imaging, in particular ultrasound.
Outside of work Ellené enjoys going to the gym as it helps her relax. She also enjoys camping with her husband and their dog, and she loves being in nature. Ellené’s dog is a Havanese and her name is Parsley.
If I was an animal I would be……a dolphin. They spend all their time in the vast, beautiful blue ocean frolicking to their hearts content.
Dr Ayesha Fernando
Veterinarian (BVSc)
Dr Ayesha Fernando graduated as a veterinarian in 2000 from Sri Lanka. Since then she spent most of her career in small animal practices including animal welfare centres. She also has significant hands on experience in large animal medicine.
She worked in small animal practices and vet emergency centres in the South Eastern suburbs of Victoria immediately after completing her National Veterinary Examination in Australia. Ayesha is a member of the Australian Veterinary Association. She has a keen interest in surgery and looks forward to undertaking further studies in this area.
Outside of work Ayesha enjoys cooking and loves to be involved in cultural and religious activities in her leisure time. Ayesha has a gorgeous Jack Russell Terrier and his name is Danny.
If I was an animal I would be……a pet dog in a family who will look after me well and give me care and love.
Dr Rod Salter
Veterinarian (BVSc, MANZCVS)
Dr Rod Salter has been working occasionally for Woofpurnay for several years until becoming almost full time in September 2022. Rod enjoys working with the staff and other vets at Woofpurnay, including Gary, who he studied Veterinary Science with and they even graduated together. Rod has a particular interest in anything and all things relating to dentistry.
Rod had a pet greyhound called Hunter for 11 years who he sadly lost recently. He has 20+ goldfish and looks after his friends dog Moto (a Whippet) whenever possible.
Outside of work Rod enjoys family life, Netflix and watching sport - go Saints!
If I was an animal I would be……a greyhound. Courtesy of our beloved Hunter and greyhounds in general.
Meet our nurses
Melinda
Veterinary Nurse
(Certificate II Equine Industry, Certificate III Equine Industry, Certificate II Animal Studies, Certificate IV Veterinary Nursing)
Melinda has been a veterinary nurse for over twelve years working at various different clinics including emergency and referral hospitals. She has worked at Woofpurnay Veterinary Hospital for over nine years and after years of surgical nursing has found her passion training and managing other veterinary nurses.
Outside of work, Melinda loves nothing more than spending time with her five year old daughter. Her Miniature Dachshund named Penelope and her domestic medium haired cat named Kendrick are such a huge part of her family that make her smile everyday.
If I was an animal I would be……an elephant. They are strong and they are great leaders.
Kellie
Clinic Assistant
Kellie has been working for Woofpurnay in various key roles since 2008, following 21 years in the retail industry and part-time in a nursing home kitchen for 10 years. She enjoys relaxing in her spare time and has a love of gems and fine jewellery.
Kellie enjoys walking her new puppy, Finn a rough coat Jack Russell. She grew up with Sausage Dogs and previously owned a British Bulldog, whilst also breeding Pugs and French Bulldogs. Animals are Kellie’s greatest joy, she feels privileged to own and work with them every day.
If I was an animal I would be……a peacock. They are beautifully coloured and proud.
Tommy
Veterinary Nurse
(Certificate II in Animal Studies, currently enrolled in Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing)
Tommy has been working at Woofpurnay since June 2021 and enjoys working with the team of vets and nurses. He likes the variety at Woofpurnay with something new coming into the clinic every day.
Tommy enjoys hanging out with his close friends. He has three domestic short haired cats that he hand raised and treats them like they are his children. Their names are Mortimer, Mallow and Maquis.
If I was an animal I would be……a Norwegian forest cat. Because of my Norwegian heritage, their crepuscular behaviour, they are majestic, hairy and like me they prefer cold climates and a carnivorous diet.
Ivy
Veterinary Nurse
(Certificate II in Equine Studies, Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing)
Ivy started working part-time for Woofpurnay in August 2022. She also works part-time as a Head Nurse at an equine clinic. Ivy loves the connection created with clients and their animals and the interaction with them.
Outside of work Ivy enjoys going on adventures and exploring nature with her dog. She loves camping and relaxing. Ivy is also involved in cattle showing at local and royal shows. Ivy has two dogs; Trixie a Bull Mastiff X Staghound and Cooper a Husky. She also has two horses; Mozart and Pearl, which compete regularly.
If I was an animal I would be……a foal. Most of the day they sleep and eat with the occasional rush of being wild and cheeky.
Alyse
Veterinary Nurse
(currently enrolled in Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing)
Alyse has previously worked as an equine nurse for the last few years and just recently started working at Woofpurnay. She loves the surgery and hospital side of small animal nursing and how the team at Woofpurnay are so supportive and willing to teach.
Outside of work Alyse enjoys horse riding, reading books, camping and anything outdoors. She also enjoys spending time with her family dog Brodie, a Maltese X Shitzu who is the light of her life.
If I was an animal I would be……a lizard. I am usually cold and need some heating up in the sun!
Olivia
Veterinary Nurse
(Certificate II in Animal Studies, Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing)
Olivia started working for Woofpurnay in 2023 after completing her nursing qualifications. One of her favourite parts of working at Woofpurnay is her interactions with all the different patients. Olivia finds it highly satisfying seeing patients respond to treatment and recover from their illness or injury. She enjoys being part of a team who show compassion and care for the wellbeing of animals.
In addition to her work at Woofpurnay, Olivia also volunteers on a weekly basis at the RSPCA. She is currently working in the cattery but has had experience in admissions and wildlife.
Outside of work Olivia enjoys staying active, in particular running. She also enjoys baking, listening to music and spending time at her farm in the Macedon Ranges. She has a beautiful six year old Labradoodle called Pippa.
If I was an animal I would be……a koala. They seem to have the right approach to life. They are calm, relaxed and have a peaceful existence living in the treetops.
Kat
Veterinary Nurse
(Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing)
Kat works full time at South Eastern Equine Hospital and regularly helps out at Woofpurnay. She has previously worked at Elite Equine and as a Sales Manager for multiple car dealerships.
Outside of work Kat likes riding her horses and competing. She also enjoys walking her dog and taking her son into the outdoors and going on adventures. Kat owns a dog; Koda (German Shepherd), two cats; Salem and Wolvie (domestic short haired) and two horses; Riley and Ollie (thoroughbreds).
If I was an animal I would be……a hippo. They are strong and fierce, whilst being elegant, fast and super dangerous.
Chloe
(Currently studying Agriculture)
Chloe has been working for Woofpurnay for 7 months. After working as a barista for 5 years, Chloe wanted to focus on her passion of working with animals. Chloe has joined the Woofpurnay team, while pursuing her long term goal of one day becoming a vet.
Chloe enjoys being outdoors, camping and spending time with family and friends. She has an Aussie Shepherd called Harper.
If I was an animal I would be……an elephant. They are kind and spend lots of time having fun with family.
Tayla
Veterinary Nurse
(Certificate II in Animal Studies, Certificate III in Animal Studies and Companion Animal Services, Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing)
Tayla has worked in various clinics throughout her studies. She previously worked at a horse trail riding centre for eight years where she rode and lead riding tours through Bunyip State Park. She is currently a volunteer keeper at Maru Koala and Animal Park, a wildlife park in Grantville. Tayla enjoys working at Woofpurnay and the variety that her role brings. She has a particular interest in hospital and treatment areas as well as pathology. Tayla calls herself a clinic all-rounder as she likes to move around and work in different areas.
Outside of work, Tayla enjoys spending time with her friends and family. She loves going on adventures and travelling when she has the chance. Tayla has an 11 year old domestic shorthair cat, called Sage, who is deaf and the first ever fur baby of her own. She also has a 7 year old Border Collie named Indi who is very cheeky, and does the cutest little noises welcoming he home (she compares it to the character Chewbacca off of Star Wars and the noises he makes)!
If I was an animal I would be……a grey wolf. They form strong bonds and everyone has the protection of the pack as a whole. They protect each other and work together.