Sophie

Veterinary Nurse

Sophie is a dedicated vet nurse with a passion for providing quality care, backed by extensive medical experience. She has dedicated two years to animal ophthalmology, three years to emergency nursing, and over a year in a general practice setting. Her approach to work is characterized by diligence, responsibility, and a genuine love for animals, ensuring each patient receives optimal care. Sophie is a keen learner and actively engages in annual training and academic pursuits to stay abreast of the latest medical technologies and nursing practices.

The Team

Veterinarian

Dr Robin Stanley BVSc Hons MANZCVS (Surgery) FANZCVS (Ophthalmology)

Robin is an honours graduate of the University of Melbourne in 1984. He is a Member (small animal surgery 1988) and Fellow (ophthalmology 1990) of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists. He was a clinical consultant & visiting senior lecturer at the school of Veterinary Science, University of Melbourne for many years and is a tutor for the Centre for Veterinary Education, University of Sydney. Robin has lectured throughout Australia, and also in New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Sweden, England, South Africa and the United States.

Robin's pets include: Blue an Australian Shepherd and two rescue cats - Cleo and Harry
Veterinarian

Dr Matt Sanders BVSc Hons MANZCVS (Surgery) FANZCVS (Ophthalmology) Specialist in Veterinary Ophthalmology

Matt graduated with honours from the University of Melbourne in 2003. Since graduation he dedicated himself to general practice both in Australia and in the United Kingdom. He completed the Distance Education Course in Ophthalmology from the University of Sydney in 2006 and has maintained a keen special interest in ophthalmology ever since. Whilst working in London he regularly visited several of England’s leading veterinary eye clinics. Matt joined the team at Animal Eye Care in 2016 as part of a residency training position to become an eye specialist. He became a member of the ANZCVS in Small Animal Surgery by examination in 2017.

Matt achieved his specialist qualifications in 2021.

Matt has an Irish Setter named Connie, and 2 cats - Mog and Slinky Malinki.
Veterinarian

Dr Helen Mather BVSc MANZCVS (Small Animal Medicine) GPCert(Ophthal) Resident in Veterinary Ophthalmology

Helen is a kiwi vet who graduated from Massey University, New Zealand at the end of 2011. Following graduation she enjoyed several years working in rural mixed practice in New Zealand. Helen completed a Masters level paper in veterinary ophthalmology prior to commencing a small animal rotating internship at Massey University.

Helen completed an Ophthalmology internship at Eye Veterinary Clinic in Hertfordshire England and began study towards a Postgraduate Certificate in Veterinary Ophthalmology.She became a member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in 2023 (Small Animal Medicine)

Outside of ophthalmology, Helen enjoys music, art, growing her own vegetables, and adventuring in the great outdoors. She's excited to explore more of Australia with her partner and their pointer-vizsla cross, Argo.
VETERINARIAN

Dr Joyce Hung BVSc (Hons) MANZCVS (Small Animal Surgery) graduated with honours from The University of Queensland.

Following graduation she was a rotating intern at a specialist hospital in Queensland.

During this time she completed a study on corneal ulcers in dogs that was published in an international journal and is one of the top cited articles in Wiley International.

Joyce completed the Distance Education Course in Ophthalmology from The University of Sydney taught by Dr Robin Stanley and this cemented her passion for veterinary ophthalmology.

We are thrilled that Joyce has now joined Animal Eye Care to train as a specialist.

In her spare time Joyce enjoys swimming and stand-up paddle boarding.
VETERINARIAN

Dr Jonathan Chin, BSc. BVMS MANZCVS, Resident in Veterinary Ophthalmology

Jonathan completed his veterinary studies in Perth. He has since worked as a general practitioner and emergency veterinarian in Western Australia, California and Hong Kong before commencing an internship in veterinary Ophthalmology whilst in Hong Kong. He has successfully completed Membership of the Australian & New Zealand College of Veterinary Science (radiology) and also the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmology William Magrane Basic Science Course in Veterinary Ophthalmology.

He has a cat starting the importation process to Australia from Hong Kong.

In his free time, Jonathan hopes to explore Victoria and take up fly fishing.
VETERINARIAN

Dr Ben Huang, BSc (Hons), DVM, MANZCVS (ECC)

Ben graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2019. He started his career in general practice then transitioned to emergency and critical care (ECC) team at Veterinary Referral Hospital in 2021.. He achieved Memberships of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in Emergency and Critical care in 2023. His special field of interests are in small animal ophthalmology and medicine.

Outside of work, Ben spends most of his free time exercising and obsessively keeping his three pooches, Coco the Toy Poodle, Nana the Shih Tzu cross, and Max the German Sheppard out of trouble.

When time allows, he also likes to take a break from the hustle and bustle of Melbourne city, and explore what the rest of Victoria has to offer with his friends.
HEAD Veterinary Nurse

Nicole has been a veterinary nurse for over 10 years working in small animal and mixed animal practices. She is originally from a small down in New Zealand but moved here 6 years ago with her daughter.

When asked what she enjoyed most about working at Animal Eye Care she said “I enjoy all the new skills I am learning and the knowledge I am gaining form this unique aspect of veterinary medicine. Watching patients regain their vision is certainly a highlight.”
DEPUTY HEAD Veterinary Nurse

Danijela joined the Animal Eye Care team in 2016. She started working as a veterinary nurse during high school work experience and is still loving working as part of a veterinary team more than 15 years on. Prior to joining the team she worked as practice manager in a small animal clinic where she developed a special interest in surgical nursing and dentistry. Currently, Danijela has taken a keen interest into cataracts. Danijela says restoring vision is such a great feeling, it can make a huge difference in quality of life for a patient.

Danijela also has a strong love for the German Shepherd breed and has even competed in numerous shows with her boys Rocky and Dino. These days though Danijela finds herself running after her daughter rather than in the ring.
Veterinary Nurse

Sophie is a dedicated vet nurse with a passion for providing quality care, backed by extensive medical experience. She has dedicated two years to animal ophthalmology, three years to emergency nursing, and over a year in a general practice setting. Her approach to work is characterized by diligence, responsibility, and a genuine love for animals, ensuring each patient receives optimal care. Sophie is a keen learner and actively engages in annual training and academic pursuits to stay abreast of the latest medical technologies and nursing practices.
Veterinary Nurse

Mari began working with us here at Animal Eye Care since January 2016. She has been working in clinics for 7 years and completed her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing in 2015.

She grew up with a large number of different animals with her dad being a vet and developed a passion for animal care at a young age. She has special interests in ophthalmology, feline behaviour and avian medicine. Mari is also a freelance Artist, Designer and Animator in her spare time.

She has two wonderful cats at home, one Burmese named Sid Licious and one pure white Domestic Short Hair named Snee Whee who was born deaf but that doesn’t slow her down!

She particularly enjoys surgery here at Animal Eye Care and how happy patients are when they can see their owners after surgery.
Veterinary Nurse

Michelle has been Veterinary Nursing for over 10 years in General Practice, Emergency Critical Care and also running her own puppy pre-school. Michelle completed her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing in 2010. Before coming to work part-time at Animal Eye Care she took 12 months off to become a mum and look after her son, James.

Michelle shares her cosy home with her husband, son and newest edition to the family Grace her daughter. She also has a very cheeky Galah named Ruby and two loving dogs (Indy the Cavalier and Tiny the Chihuahua). Along with an interest in Animal Ophthalmology, she also has a special interest in Bird medicine and behaviour. What Michelle enjoys most about working at Animal Eye Care is the dynamic team she works alongside and the ongoing knowledge she is gaining from learning more about animal ophthalmology which she has never really got the chance to when in general practice.

Michelle is a great carer of all creatures great and small including the non-hairy ones - she is our Mental Health First Aider!