After graduation Tanis, her partner turned fiancé, and their newly adopted kelpie cross named Gypsy, made the move to the Murwillumbah area. They made an amazing decision and have really enjoyed living in the area.

In her free time Tanis can be found exploring the great outdoors: hiking, camping, learning to surf and climb, playing soccer or enjoying the beach.

On return to Australia, I continued to work in long-term locum positions in small animal practices around Brisbane.
After an extended break from Veterinary practice to raise our family of four children and manage our family farm at Uki, I returned to the Veterinary world to work as an assistant with a cattle repro vet and then began work at MVC.
When not at work I am usually at the farm hanging out with our much-loved horses and Speckle Park and Droughtmaster stud cattle.

After qualifying in 2016 I spent my time working as a welfare veterinarian performing mass sterilisation campaigns all over the Western Cape, South Africa. In 2020 an opportunity came up which brought me, my husband, and our dog Sophie, over to Central Coast NSW, where I worked at a large specialist hospital as full time emergency vet and studied further in Emergency and Critical Care. Three years later my husband and I decided to swap the colder winters of Central Coast NSW for the warmer Queensland climate and while house hunting, found the Northern Rivers. It was here we discovered Murwillumbah and its beautiful natural scenery, and I met Dr Joan and the Murwillumbah Vet Clinic family, who has since then made me feel right at home.

I am passionate about Animal Welfare and desexing campaigns and strongly encourage adopting above shopping to give those pets seeking homes a chance at a loving family. In private practice I advocate a strong client-vet relationship to enable us achieving the best outcome for each person and their pet.

On my off days I spend my time in or under the ocean with surfing or free diving. My ideal day would be spent with an early morning run after which going to the beach and setting up the Coolcabana with my husband, our two dogs Sophie and Twakkie and then spending the afternoon gardening whilst my big black cat Houdini follows me around trying to catch crickets.

I love all animals large and small, no matter the species (except frogs – they scare me)! From a very young age I have always had a passion for animals and have always naturally gravitated towards them. I am a homegrown local girl, born in Murwillumbah and live in Nunderi just 10 minutes out of town.  I have previously owned three mice, a budgie named Bubby, three cockatiels, a rabbit named Lily and a variety of guppies, goldfish and two catfish over the period of my childhood. When I was growing up, despite being surrounded by veterinary related games on my Nintendo and always playing with animal toys over others, it wasn’t until Year 10 work experience where my spark reignited and I came to realise veterinary medicine is a career I could pursue. From then on, I became the outlier in my school which was heavily business and STEM based and became one of the first students to venture into the veterinary field. From year 10 onwards I made it a dream of mine to pursue veterinary medicine and chase after my passion and love for the profession. 

Having only done horse riding lessons when I was younger (for a period of about 8 months), I didn’t grow up with much large animal experience. However, it was through my time in veterinary school that I found a huge love for large animals, particularly cattle. I thoroughly enjoy the diversity mixed animal practice brings to the profession and couldn’t imagine myself anywhere else! In my spare time you will catch me reading a book, drawing, meeting up with friends or going on mini adventures. 

I’ll be one of the new faces in the clinic! I will strive to create an environment that is warm and welcoming for all owners and their pets, ensuring that animals and their concerns are taken care of to the best standard of care. If you don’t see me, you sure will hear my laugh down the hallway, it’s very hard to miss! The community in Murwillumbah is one to cherish, and to now be able to call it my home again feels incredible. I can’t wait to meet all our amazing clientele and their beautiful pets big and small! 

I started working at MVC with the previous owners while my children were at school, at first doing afternoon work then as they got older I moved to full time work both in the office and nursing. Since Steph and Joan (and then Joan as solo owner) took over I have watched the place grow and change in great strides. I am happy to admit I was a bit nervous about what those changes might be after working with the same people for so long!

I am now the head surgical nurse at the clinic. I do admissions, pre meds for surgery, assist the vets during surgery and ensure the recovery of your pet after. I also do the ordering for the clinic so if there is something we don’t carry come in and talk to me. As the clinic has grown, keeping on top of inventory is difficult and I am having to learn new computing skills – just goes to show you CAN teach old dogs new tricks!

I still love working with the animals here and the rest of the staff are like extended family to me now after so many years together. It’s lovely to work somewhere where just about every face that comes in the door is someone you know. This is one of the delights of living in such a great Australian country town.

You may see me in consult, hear me on the phone or meet me at a home visit, helping our incredible vets care for your pets.

My passion has always been all things feathered and I like to be known as the bird nerd! I have many varieties of birds which include Finches, Canaries, Doves, Quails, Guinea Fowl and of course Chooks, which keeps me very busy! I also have a dog and cat and a large collection of Tropical Fish, which some people may not know about me! Looking forward to meeting you at Reception!