Our Team

Dr Barbara Fougere BSc BVMS (Hons), BHSc (Comp Med), MODT, MHSc (Herb Med), CVA (IVAS), CVBM, CVCP, CMAVA

Barbara started her studies in complementary medicine at university in 1986. Since then she has studied human and veterinary complementary medicine, and is certified in veterinary and human herbal medicine, veterinary acupuncture as well as veterinary chiropractic, veterinary Chinese herbal medicine and veterinary and human homeopathy. She has also explored energy medicine with Reiki and several other lesser known therapies such as prolotherapy, tui na and Chinese food therapy.

Barbara actively participates in industry related associations and committees. She was honored to have held the position of President for the Australian Veterinary Acupuncture Association (2003 - 2007), and the International Veterinary Botanical Medicine Association (2003 - 2006). She has also held the position of Policy Council Member for the Australian Veterinary Association when she was an advisor for Holistic, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (1996-2003).

Barbara is the current Australian representative for the House of Delegates (IVAS), and a member of Australian College of Nutrition and Environmental Nutrition, National Herbalist Association Of Australia (NHAA), and Australian Veterinary Association Chartered (CMAVA). Barbara is also a board member of the Veterinary Botanical Medicine Association.

Barbara has been the inaugural recipient of the AVA Community Service Award for her role in rehoming thousands of dogs and cats through the programs and websites she developed in Australia.

Barbara enjoys sharing her passion for holistic care within the international veterinary community. She has lectured in Australia, New Zealand, USA, Japan, Canada, India and Sri Lanka and is involved in teaching veterinary Western and Chinese herbal medicine, complementary medicine and holistic nutrition.

Barbara is the author of two books, Healthy Dogs, A Handbook of Natural Therapies (2003) and Natural Healing for Cats and Dogs (2005), she has also co-authored Veterinary Herbal Medicine with Dr S Wynn (2006) and was an contributing author of Integrating Complementary Medicine into Veterinary Practice (2008).

She has also featured on Television programs such as Harry's Practice, Totally Wild and Creature Features, as well as in Magazines such as New Idea, The Australian Woman's Weekly, and has been published in various Newspaper articles. You can also hear Barbara live on air at www.pettalkradio.com.au

Barbara shares her life with her partner Karl and their Burmese Tallulah and Sweet Pea, a lively worm farm, and more than 50 orchids.

Dr Karen Goldrick BVSc, CVA (IVAS)

Karen Graduated from the University Of Sydney in 1987, and has worked in small animal practice in Sydney and the UK with an interest in holistic veterinary medicine. She has also studied acupuncture through the International Veterinary Acupuncturure Society (IVAS). Karen has also studied Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine at the Sydney College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Western Herbal Medicine and animal rehabilitation.

She uses a combination of therapies for her patients including; nutritional guidance, acupuncture, Chinese and Western Herbs, Bach Flower Remedies, and Physical Therapies to aid mobility including chiropractic adjustment, myofacial release, trigger point therapy, therapeutic ultrasound and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for pain relief.

Karen writes regularly for Wellbeing Magazine, as well as a monthly column in the local Village Voice newspaper, the Chinese Medicine Times (an international magazine for Traditional Chinese Medicine) and is currently the editor of the Journal of Veterinary Botanical Medicine for the Veterinary Botanical Medicine Association (VBMA). She is a member of the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA), IVAS, VBMA and the Australian Veterinary Acupuncture Group (AVAG). She enjoys diagnostic challenges and employing natural medicines (and conventional medicines where needed) to treat all sorts of conditions. Her special interests include musculoskeletal conditions, cancer support, and chronic skin disease. She has a growing interest for pocket pets including rats, mice, rabbits and guinea pigs which surprisingly have been well researched in herbal medicine!

Dr Anthony Chu BVSc, CVA (IVAS), MBA

Anthony graduated as a veterinarian from the University of Sydney.

As well as being a small animal veterinary surgeon, Anthony is a veterinary acupuncturist and herbalist, he also provides a mobile vet service throughout Sydney. He is currently a member of the AVA (Australian Veterinary Association), AVAG (Australian Veterinary Acupuncture Group), CVE (Centre of Veterinary Education, University of Sydney) and also an associate member of the Post Graduate Foundation in Veterinary Science of the University of Sydney.

Dr Emily Soh BVSc

Emily graduated recently as a veterinarian from the University of Sydney. She completed her final month as an intern here at All Natural Vet Care, and has joined the team as a veterinary surgeon with special interest in alternative veterinary medicine and holistic care such as acupuncture, traditional Chinese and western herbal medicine, Reiki, homeopathy and pranic healing.

Emily's approach involves integrating both natural and conventional veterinary medicine to provide the best treatment for her patients. She is very passionate about healing and providing the best care and quality of life for all animals. She believes that our pets are communicating with us everyday, and through quiet observation we can better understand their physical and emotional needs. Emily is currently completing a course with the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS) and will soon be an accredited veterinary acupuncturist. She is a member of the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) and IVAS.

Dr Joanne Righetti Animal Behaviourist B.Sc.(Hons), Ph.D., Dipl.Couns.

Dr Jo consults, educates, writes, motivates and informs a wide range of pet owners and professionals as well as commercial companies, non-profit organisations, government and the media on the human-animal relationship and in

Joanne is a consultant to the Animal Welfare League NSW, Delta Society Australia, co-hosts the Pet Talk Radio show and is "agony aunt" for www.dog-e-data.com.au and Dog's Life Magazine.

She has published booklets which include Barking Problems Solved and Cat Toileting Problems Solved and answers pet owners' questions weekly on Radio 2UE. Joanne is also chairperson of Delta Society Australia. She lives at home with many pets and children.

Dr Christine Hawke

Christine is a veterinary dentist who is holistic in her approach and works along side our veterinarian team. She handles our more advanced and specialised dental cases like crowns and root canals!

Maria Badolato

Maria is our Animal Care Attendant and Dispensary assistant.
She has a great love of animals and is currently enrolled in animal studies certificate II at TAFE NSW.

Maria thoroughly enjoys looking after and giving lots of cuddles to all of our boarders in our “home away from home” cattery.

Simone Li

Simone is our Saturday and uni holiday veterinary receptionist. She is a 3rd year student currently studying a Bachelor of Animal and Veterinary Bioscience at the University of Sydney. A menagerie of animals cohabits with her at home including two moodles, an adopted cat with a bad case of princess syndrome and a lovely Berkshire rattie. 

Six years of studying food technology during high school has lead to a developing interest in companion animal nutrition, especially in the raw food diet, which her cat, Tiana, has been on since she was adopted into the family.

Simone also revisits her Chinese/Singaporean roots by learning more and more about Chinese herbs and their roles in animal and human health. She has a soft spot for schnauzers and loves investigating different dog breeds and watching animal documentaries in her procrastination time.

She does occasional volunteer work at the Cat Protection Society and also enjoys on-farm professional experience.

Renae Jackson

Renae is our part-time veterinary assistant, she has worked with animals for the past 3 years, and has a degree in Environmental Science. She is currently in her second year of Veterinary Science at the University of Sydney, and she has 2 cats, Leo and Pip.

Melanie Ward

Melanie started at the clinic in August 2009. She has worked in the animal industry for over 10 years.
In 1999 she completed certificate 2 in animal and laboratory techniques at TAFE.
She worked for over 6 years in an animal shelter and has been a foster mum to many of the animals in need prior to them being adopted. She has assisted in the running of puppy classes for over two years.
Last year Melanie did a course in canine massage. She lives with a 6year old mini poodle named Cleo and a 3 year old grey tabby cat named China. Melanie believes that the animals in our lives are more than just pets, they are a part of the family

Carissa Brown

Carissa is currently completing the Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing.
She has had experience in all areas of the hospital.
Carissa assists the veterinarians with many surgical procedures including catheter placements, anaesthetic induction and monitoring, administering medications, blood taking and analysis and aiding in the recovery of hospital patients.
She has 2 dogs, Gunner and Leon. Ziggy, her Ragdoll kitten is a recent (and already very spoilt) addition to her family.