Dr Louise Lehmann

Practice Owner/Manager

Dr Helen Lehmann hails from Scotland and came to Australia in 1997. Dr Louise has been vetting her whole life and she and her husband Jason (hot fireman) purchased the Clare Valley Veterinary Services Clinic back in April 2007 (April 1st to be precise - no fools). Never one to shy away from a challenge, Dr Louise took on the business with a 1 year old (Rebecca) in tow and pregnant with Number 2 child (Sam), and Archibald (Archie) came along 3 years later. Dr Louise and Jason have created a highly skilled passionate team of Veterinarians, Nurses and Staff. Constantly striving to provide expert care for our patients and clients. Don't let that lilting Scottish accent fool you, Dr Louise can wrangle a cow (or coo if you are Scottish), soothe a stroppy mare and calm the most nervous of pets.

Jason Lehmann

Practice Owner

Jason assists Louise in managing the business whilst juggling his career in the South Australian Fire Department. He's yet to feature in any calendars. Jason is in the background doing the work to keep the business running smoothly. Jason is a terrifically organised person with a penchant for order and tidiness (he has an affinity with his labeller), this trait comes from his time in the Navy being a Submariner (Hello Sailor).

Johanna Mitchell

Veterinarian

We have recently welcomed back Dr Jo to the Clinic, and we are thrilled to have her here again.

Dr Jo obtained her Veterinarian Degree from the University of Adelaide in 2016, she joined us back in 2017. Dr Jo is a veterinarian who thinks outside the square in the trickiest of cases. Her determination and tenacity is second to none, even though she is in our clinic every alternate Tuesday, she doesn't let that stop her from contemplating these cases in the wee hours of the morning on her days away from the clinic.

Dr Gill Rogers

Veterinarian

Dr Sophie Browne

Veterinarian

Dr Nicole Blackwell

Veterinarian

Dr Rosemary Willcocks

Veterinarian

Dr Rosemary did her final year placement with us in 2023. We loved working with her so much that Dr Louise offered her a job straight after completing her placement. After exams and a little break, Rosemary joined us in January 2024. She has recently completed her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from University of Adelaide. 

Rosemary has fitted into our team seamlessly, with her kind and gentle presence and incredible thoroughness. Hailing from the hustle and bustle of Adelaide, Rosemary had settled into Clare, ready to embrace the countryside. She has been joined by her beautiful puss cat Jupiter, though we hear he can be a bit of a cheeky boy, taking up most of her free time! Rosemary loves all animals, but has a soft spot for rabbits and things that meow. With a love for connecting with people, Rosemary is super excited to meet all of our lovely clients to discuss all things pets, and strive to keep your beloved animals happy and healthy.

Dr Ashleigh Hill

Veterinarian

Dr Ashleigh has recently completed the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Adelaide University, and has joined us in February 2024. Like Dr Rosemary, Dr Ashleigh had done her final year placement with us, and we definitely wanted her back! There seems to be a running theme here!

Dr Ashleigh grew up in the green Adelaide Hills and is now residing in Armargh. It's only green because of the vines. With studying finished, Ashleigh is excited to get on with her new role at the Clinic and get back into her sporty side, particularly in netball - choosing a team to join is her next task! If Dr Louise has anything to say about this, Dr Ashleigh will be playing for South Clare Sports Club (CVVS is a major sponsor).

Like all of our staff, Dr Ashleigh has a love for all animals, but has a keen interest in large animals and is excited to get stuck in and meet our wonderful clients.

Erin Watkin-Blaser

Veterinary Nurse

Shemia Daniel

Veterinary Nurse

Shemia started with us in 2019, coming from the Roseworthy Equine Clinic, and we are super pleased that we have this dynamic veterinary nurse on our team. Her wonderful gentle nature with animals and people is certainly a joy to behold. Kind and sweet and incredibly clever, you almost expect to see blue birds and forest animals following her around. Shemia is a whizz with practical advice for your pets and can explain the most difficult of cases with ease that you can fully understand.

Caitlin Parsons

Veterinary Nurse

We need to thank Caitlin's school teacher who encouraged her to look into a career with animals in particular the veterinary field. Caitlin came to us in 2018 and immediately commenced her Vet nursing studies whilst working full time. Her quiet determination has made her one of the top notch vet nurse she is today, and she is highly regarded amongst the team. She initially wanted to become a Vet, however she enjoys the vet nursing side of experiencing lots of different things each day, she has a particular interest in orthopaedics,ex/lap surgeries and working with large animals and isn't afraid of guts and gore.

Brigid Connelly

Veterinary Nurse

The delightful Brigid came to work at CVVS in 2021, with her beautiful golden locks, crystal blue eyes and dewy porcelain skin you can certainly see her Irish roots. Brigid is currently training to become a Vet Nurse and she also heads up our Kitten Adoption Program, her careful thorough nature ensures that these delightful creatures go to the right forever homes. She also is our resident Social Media Coordinator and she does a magnificent job at this too.

Brigid was initially looking to go into Registered Nursing when she saw the Vet Nursing options, and thank goodness she chose Vet nursing. Her favourite part of her learning is being the consult nurse for the day supporting the Veterinarians.

Rachel Slusser

Veterinary Nurse

Rachel came to us in 2021 for Year 12 work experience, we loved having Rachel on the team so much that we asked her to come back when she'd completed her schooling. Bright and breezy this statuesque brunette is one of the most efficient, caring Vet Nurse in Training. No job is too hard or too big, she always works with the biggest smile on her face. Rachel is also studying for her Vet Nurse certificate, she and Brigid are study mates in the quest for their qualifications.

Linda Broad

Veterinary Nurse

Annie Day

Veterinary Nurse

Annie Day has returned to the Clinic after spending a year in the Northern Territory with her young daughter. We are thrilled to have her back in the Clinic, with her infectious, bright, happy attitude. Annie is a go getter and not afraid of hard work. Her list of previous jobs is long but distinguished and has been animal focussed. Annie has an impressive contact list of people in the Rescue and Re homing world, and she is our resident go to person when we are faced with these challenges. 

Mia Jaeschke

Trainee Veterinary Nurse

Mia is currently completing Year 12 and is studying to become a Veterinary Nurse. Mia came to us initially as a work experience student, and we were so impressed with her enthusiasm and drive that we offered her an apprenticeship. As she grew up on a farm with her family, she is certainly used to having animals around and not much fazes her. Case in point, on her first day of work experience, she watched and assisted with a postmortem of a ewe! 

We are so thrilled to be a part of her journey to becoming a Vet nurse and look forward to watching her grow.

Sarah Fuller

Receptionist

Having spent the majority of her working life in the wine industry working in marketing and events, Sarah jumped at the opportunity to join the CVVS team as a receptionist. Turning 50 years of age does that to you. Sarah still generously supports the wine industry and shares her home with a variety of pets and human animals!

She brings her fantastic personality, questionable jokes and her best singing voice to work each and every day.

Sophie Portis

Receptionist

Sophie came to us in late December 2023 after our dear Liz retired. Sophie's previous experience as a medical receptionist made her transition smooth sailing (surprisingly, there's not much difference in the lingo between humans and animals).

Sophie has a love for all animals, great and small, and is super excited to meet our array of clients and their owners, and cuddle as many pups as she can. Although her adorable pup Ottie (pictured) may have a few things to say about Mum being a traitor and will give her the sniff test when Sophie returns home after work. 

This vivacious personality has a very witty sense of humour, she and Sarah have a great routine going at the front desk. 

Tiff

Clinic Cat

Tiffany (Tiff) is our resident Clinic puss. She was surrendered to the Clinic through no fault of her own or her owner. Tortoiseshell cats are sometimes credited with having a strong-willed and hot-tempered personality, the "divas of the cat world" if you will. 

Tiff certainly likes having things done her way, and she does have a quick temper, but when she feels like it, she is a very smoochy puss.  She really is the antithesis of what a Clinic Cat should be. She dislikes other animals and can do a mean hiss if they get in her way, and she has a bit of a weight issue, much to the frustration of the staff. 

We wouldn't have it any other way. Her weekdays are spent snoring behind the computers and will casually stroll across the keyboards at inappropriate times and put her tail in your face when you are on the phone. She occasionally spends her weekends at one of the staff members' home, where she is free to roam around the garden, sleep in sunny spots, or curled up by the fire in winter. She'll still give a hiss if you disrupt her beauty sleep.