Our Team
Our Directors
DR TRACEY HENDERSON - BSc BVMS MANZCVSc (Veterinary Behaviour)
Tracey is our senior veterinarian and graduated from Murdoch University in 2000. Tracey worked at Willunga Veterinary Services as a mixed practice veterinarian. In 2005, Tracey worked in the UK as a vet in both small and mixed practice for 9 months. Tracey then returned to work at Willunga Veterinary Services until she co-founded Australian Veterinary Behaviour Services (formerly known as Adelaide Veterinary Behaviour Services).
Tracey designed and started the puppy preschool classes (based on Kersti Seksel’s format) in 2001 at Willunga Veterinary Services. In 2004 Tracey completed a post graduate course in animal behaviour at Sydney University. Since 2004 Tracey has been offering behaviour consultations at Willunga Veterinary Services, seeing a wide range of cases during this time and until she co-founded and opened AVBS.
In 2008 Tracey became a member of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in Veterinary Behaviour by examination. Tracey is one of two South Australian based veterinarians to gain these qualifications. Tracey’s qualifications give her the advantage of being able to diagnose any underlying medical disorders that may be influencing a pet’s behaviour, and to prescribe anti-anxiety medication if necessary in conjunction with a behaviour modification program.
TRACY IRONS - Certificate IV Companion Animal Training
Tracy started working at the RSPCA Lonsdale shelter in 2002 for 6 years. Whilst working at the RSPCA Tracy was involved in behavioural assessments of adopted dogs, and had many hours of hands on training with the dogs. During her time at the RSPCA Tracy developed a strong passion to also help the dogs on the ‘other side’ and to try and prevent them from ending up at the shelter.
Tracy started at Willunga Veterinary Services in 2008 to work alongside Tracey Henderson with behavioural consultations. Since then she has also become a veterinary nurse at Willunga Veterinary Services, which Tracy will continue to do part time. Tracy is actively involved in updating and teaching puppy preschool at Willunga Veterinary Services and will also continue to do so.
In 2009 Tracy, together with Tracey Henderson, became accredited by the dog and cat management board to consult with all dogs that are put under a ‘Dangerous Dog Order’.
In 2010 Tracy received her Certificate 4 in Companion animal training and became a nationally accredited Delta Dog Behaviour Trainer. Tracy is a member of the Delta Professional Dog Trainers Association and a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers Australia. Tracy has attended numerous workshops and seminars to continue to update her knowledge and qualifications.
Tracy is the co-founder of Australian Veterinary Behaviour Services AVBS along with Dr Tracey Henderson.
Our Veterinarians
DR CHALETTE BROWN BSc DVM MANZCVS (Veterinary Behaviour)
Chalette Brown is originally from South Africa, but has lived in Australia for more than a decade. She graduated from the first ever class of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Adelaide (Roseworthy Campus) in 2013. Her keen interest in behaviour medicine started in veterinary school and has led her to completing further continuing education in the field, including becoming a member by examination of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in 2017. Chalette was awarded the Robert Holmes Award for the highest marks achieved in the veterinary behaviour membership examinations for 2017. Chalette has also served on the AVBIG (Australian Veterinary Behaviour Interest Group) committee and has also worked for Dr Kersti Seksel (a Registered Specialist in Veterinary Behaviour Medicine) at Sydney Animal Behaviour Services in 2016. Chalette serves as a guest lecturer at the University of Adelaide in Canine Behavioural Medicine. From time to time Chalette also presents at national veterinary conferences. Chalette lives in Adelaide with her husband, baby and several pets.
Chalette is currently working full time as a GP vet, but we hope to see her return to behaviour consulting in the near future.....
DR EMMA VERMEEREN BSc DVM
Emma grew up on Kangaroo Island where her parents are both veterinarians and as such, becoming a veterinarian was a natural career path. Emma has a menagerie of pets and has been involved in dog and horse training since she was young. She used to help run the local dog obedience club and in 2016 completed her Delta Certificate IV in Companion Animal Training.
Emma graduated the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at the University of Adelaide in 2013 and has since worked for her parents for 6 months at the Kangaroo Island Veterinary Clinic, and more recently at Bordertown Veterinary Clinic where she still practices part-time as a general practitioner. In 2017 Emma is undertaking the CVE Behavioural Medicine course.
Emma has two Miniature Schnazuers, Karma and Shelby. Both of which have special needs
DR LIZ BAILEY BVSc MRCVS
Liz is new to the AVBS team commencing in September 2017. Liz is originally from the UK, has an awesome accent and is a great fit to the AVBS team, having the same passion for behaviour and animal wellbeing.
Liz graduated from the University of Liverpool in the UK with a Degree in Veterinary Science in 2013. Liz moved to Australia after graduation to commence work in regional mixed practice in Victoria for 3.5years before deciding to concentrate solely on small animals in 2017 which enabled her to focus on behaviour consultations more. In September 2017 Liz moved to SA to join the AVBS team, and is planning to immerse herself in animal behaviour through both the clinic and the CVE Veterinary Behaviour course, and plans on sitting her Membership exams in 2019. Liz is owned by her two ‘special needs’ dogs.
DR TEGAN HADLEY BSc (Hons) DVM
Tegan was born and grew up in Darwin, N.T. She moved to Adelaide in 2007 to commence studying Animal Science at the University of Adelaide. She graduated from this degree with first class honours in 2010, completing a research project that focused on animal behavior, demonstrating her early interest in this area. Tegan subsequently entered the veterinary program, going on to graduate with the Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2015. Since graduating, she has worked as a general practitioner within the Adelaide Northern Vet Group. Tegan has commenced post graduate studies in animal behavior and seeks to sit her membership exams in the years to come. Tegan currently has one fur baby, a cat named “Albert” and will be growing her fur family in the future.
Tegan is currently working full time as a GP vet, but we hope to see her return to behaviour consulting in the near future.....
Our Administration, Education & Training Team
DEB BUCKERFIELD
Finance and Vet Support
Deb has been part of the AVBS team since the early days and previously worked with Tracey and Tracy in general practice. Deb worked both part time for AVBS and also in general practice before commencing solely at AVBS in 2016. Deb manages the AVBS finances and provides administration support to our veterinarians. Deb has a special needs dog, an elderly silky terrier/poodle cross named Willis. Deb loves travelling and is a passionate Port Power supporter!
RENEE SPINKS
Practice Manager and Education
Renee joined the AVBS team in November 2016 and coordinates the education component of the business, scheduling, planning and marketing our comprehensive range of workshops, seminars and webinars. With a passion for animals, Renee has found her dream job. Previously Renee worked at Flinders University for 7 years in an Executive Assistant role within a research and industry training facility. Renee has two dogs, Billie (Red Heeler x Staffy) and Bandit (Kelpie) and a bearded dragon named Lizzie.
MIKAELA BANDIERA
Reception
Mikaela is our friendly receptionist, she has completed a double degree in the Bachelor of Science (Animal Behaviour) and a Bachelor of Environmental Science. She has completed her Certificate II in Animal studies and previously worked in a dog day care centre. She has worked on various conservation led research projects with wallabies, wombats, seals and penguins. She has however, decided to follow her passion in learning more about dog behaviour and positive training methods, and ihas begin her Certificate IV in Companion Animal Services through the Delta Society. She currently has a 14 year old Jack Russell Terrier, and a pet turtle and cockatiel!
ANA COSTA
Education Coordinator & Rehabilitation Trainer
Ana is the Rehabilitation Trainer here at AVBS. She has her own little special needs fur-baby at home; a JR x Foxie with generalised anxiety and noise sensitivity – so she understands how much of a challenge it is to live with these special animals. She is here to help any way she can, from helping you understand and follow your treatment plan through to lending an ear on those extra stressful days. Ana has a deep passion for working with animals with mental illness, she prides herself on constantly learning and helping make the lives of these animals – and their families – as happy and stress-free as possible.
Ana is currently completing her Delta Cert IV in Companion Animal Behaviour through the Delta Institute and is a proud member of the Pet Professional Guild.
SOPHIE ROSEVEAR - Cert IV (Companion Animal Training)
Trainer
Sophie is a nationally accredited trainer at AVBS. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience and a bubbly personality.
Sophie holds a Cert IV (Companion Animal Training) and runs dog training classes. Sophie is available for one on one training sessions through AVBS as well as Walk & Train sessions.
Our Specialist
DR KERSTI SEKSEL BVSc (Hons) MRCVS, MA (Hons) FANZCVS DACVB, DECAWBM
Our wonderful friend and colleague Dr Kersti Seksel visits our clinic every few months to conduct specialist consultations. Kersti travels from her practice in Sydney to work with our team on a regular basis and offers both initial and re-visit consultations. To see when Kersti is next at AVBS or to book a consult with Kersti please contact our clinic.
Kersti Seksel graduated in Veterinary Science from the University of Sydney, then from Macquarie University with a BA in Behavioural Sciences majoring in psychology. She has a MA(Hons) degree and is a registered veterinary specialist in Animal Behaviour, a Fellow of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in Animal Behaviour, a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviourists, and a Diplomate of the European College of Animal Welfare and Behavioural Medicine.