About Us

Gold Coast Vet Surgery is proudly an independent, family owned and operated veterinary practice. Our vets and nurses are compassionate and committed to caring. We encourage further study and we regularly attend conferences and seminars so that we can continue to provide cutting edge medicine and surgery. We are a small and close knit team and all really enjoy what we do in keeping pets as comfortable and healthy as possible. At Gold Coast Vet Surgery we treat your pet as if it were our own, after all, your pets are our family. We have experience and expertise in all aspects of veterinary science. Additionally, Dr Kevin and Dr Fiona have special interests in the following areas :- Cats Lumps & Bumps (including Cancer) Senior Pet Care & especially Arthritis Skin and Ear Complaints Behavioural Problems Veterinary Staff Vets: Dr Kevin Cruickshank, BVSc, BSc (Hons) Kevin was born in Johannesburg and grew up in Port Shepstone, a small coastal town near Durban in South Africa. He trained as a vet at the University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort. In 1998 he graduated top of his class in Small Animal Medicine and also has an Honours degree in zoology. Since then Kevin has enjoyed helping animals around the world having worked in South Africa, the UK and Australia. When not treating patients he enjoys spending time with his wife Fiona and their two sons, as well as their two dogs, a cat and two guinea pigs! Kevin enjoys road running, bush walking and scuba diving. Kevin is very approachable and is passionate about owners being able to understand what is wrong with their pet and what their options are to solve the problem.    Dr Fiona Cruickshank, BVSc Fiona was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa. Fiona graduated from the University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, in 1998. She has a wealth of experience through her work in South Africa, the UK and Australia. She has a particular soft spot for Golden Retrievers and enjoyed training and showing them before her two beautiful sons came along! Whilst she loves dogs, Fiona also has a passion for cats and their medical problems, especially infectious diseases. Fiona enjoys spending time with her family especially enjoying nature and wildlife. She is a slave to a rescue cat, a rescue dog, two rescue guinea pigs and of course a Golden Retriever! Having experienced the joys of having many pets but also the devastation of losing them, Fiona is a very empathetic and compassionate vet, with a deep understanding of the special bond we have with our pets.   (Photo to come!)      Dr Charlotte Witty, BVSc (Photo to come!)       Dr Nicole Cox, BVSc   Nurses: Claire Fleming, VN – Practice Manager & Head Nurse Claire qualified as a veterinary nurse in theUK over 20 years ago and still thoroughly enjoys her job.She has many years of experience working as a nurse, practice manager and as a training coordinator.In 2007 Claire moved toQueensland with her husband Tim.They initially set up home out west inIpswich where Claire worked as a vet nurse training officer. The challenge of a more managerial role (and being closer to the beach!) brought Claire to Gold Coast Vet Surgery where she ensures the smooth running of the surgery. She is dedicated to patient care and her key focus is to ensure that all clients and their pets receive the best level of service at all times.Claire and her husband share their home with their two spoilt cats, Harry and Basil.   Nicole Thompson – Reception Manager   Nicole is the friendly voice that you’re most likely to speak to on reception. Nicole has 2 dogs & 3 cats and moved to Australia in June 2011. Prior to this she worked in a small animal practice in Auckland, NZ for 6yrs whilst also volunteering at Auckland Zoo. During this time Nicole was also part of numerous cat rescue organisations. Nicole has a particular interest in exotic animals such as birds & reptiles and she volunteered at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary’s Vet Clinic before joining our team. Meeting the clients & getting to know their furry friends is one of the highlights of her day! Nicole will go out of her way to organise your visit in the most convenient and stress free way possible and is your point of call for any special orders and repeat prescriptions. Outside of work Nicole enjoys spending time with her dogs, cats & reptiles.    Caitlan Chabot, Dip Vet Tech  – Veterinary Technician   Caitlan received her Veterinary Technician Diploma in 2007 from SenecaCollege in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. After moving to Australia in January 2011 to be with her partner, she joined our team as one of our dedicated vet nurses. Caity has strong skills at laboratory diagnostics and particularly enjoys surgical nursing. Her passion for animals developed into a career as she volunteered at a local wildlife rehabilitation centre near London, Ontario where she worked with native Canadian wildlife such as white tailed deer, raccoons, skunks, owls, squirrels and birds. With a keen interest in canine behaviour, Caity co-ordinates and runs our Puppy Preschool Classes. Caitlan, and her partner Brendan, share their home with Abigail, their 2 year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.       Chelsea Sayer, Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing - Vet Nurse Chelsea is a wonderful caring nurse who spends much of her day out the back in theatre looking after our surgery patients and those in hospital. More of her profile to come soon!                                          Lily Papas, Certificate II in Veterinary Nursing - Assistant Vet Nurse