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 vet team - Dr Lizzie Davis BSc BVMS

I moved to Western Australia to study Veterinary Medicine and Surgery at Murdoch University in Perth. After graduation in 2006, I travelled and worked in several locations around Australia and the UK. I have fond memories of treating the Victorian wildlife bushfire victims in 2009, helping sea turtles from the Great Barrier Reef and holding a hedgehog for the first time. In 2015 I returned to my hometown of Adelaide and my parents were happy that they could finally utilize their ‘vet in the family’.

I was drawn to learn more about animal behaviour as I could see how behavioural issues were impacting dramatically on both the patient and their owners’ quality of life. I am currently studying to sit my membership examinations in animal behaviour in 2021.

I must confess that I am a proud owner of a silver miniature poodle called Charlie Boy Lamb Chop. On my days of I can be spotted cycling along the coast with Charles in the bike basket. In my spare time I enjoy singing, good wine, and food.

I look forward to meeting you and your furry family.

Our vet team - Dr Anna Potts BSc BVMS

I graduated from Murdoch University in 2011 and initially started in mixed animal practice, however for the last 7 years have been doing just small animal work, first at Brighton Vet Hospital, and now at Encounter Bay Vet clinic.

I have always loved training animals, including my sheep and goats, and have competed in obedience trials with my dogs. My passion in animal behaviour developed after getting my own anxious "special edition" Koolie. After seeing the challenges, we faced and understanding the frustrations but also joys that come with having an anxious dog, I realised I wanted to be able to help other animals and owners through such times.

Watching how far my own dog has come and seeing how much happier she is made me realise the potential to improve the mental welfare of other animals, alike.

At home, I am surrounded animals. I have 3 dogs, 2 cats, 2 cows, 14 sheep, 3 goats, a horse and 5 ducks, and my life is heavily dictated by a 3-legged sheep called Lobster

Our Administration Team

VICKI CASTLE - Receptionist

Vicki commenced at AVBS in January 2019. Vicki has always been an animal lover and loves greeting owners and their pets each week day.

Vicki has a special needs dog named Marley who is under the expert guidance of Dr Tracey and has been since 2017. She understands the anxiety and stresses that can sometimes come with a special needs pet as well the rewards and love they offer. Vicki's family also have a Staffy named Milo and a cat named Mozzie.

Vicki has had a varied career in nursing, working with people with special needs, and managerial roles within a large department. She is extremely happy to be working at AVBS. Vicki has volunteered at the RSPCA Lonsdale shelter with dog and cat adoptions and customer services roles. Vicki sees herself as being the voice for the voiceless and those in need.

ADAM JENKINSON - General Manager

Adam is an experienced senior leader who has a long standing and successful track record working in large commercial organisations at a senior management level.

Adam’s expertise in operations, strategic planning, key partner relationships and people development provides strong leadership and support to the AVBS team .

JENNY FRY - Behaviour coach

Jenny Fry-Certificate IV in Companion Animal Training (Delta Institute)

Jenny is nationally accredited behaviour trainer through the Delta Institute. She also works in the behaviour department at the RSPCA. In the 7 years she has working at the shelter this has given Jenny a wealth of knowledge and hands on experience. Jenny works closely with the Inspectorate team rehabilitating abused and neglected dogs. Their unique needs have developed Jenny’s interest in understanding the complexity of mental illness and anxiety in dogs.

With two anxious dogs of her own, Jenny understands the challenges and rewards involved in owning special needs dogs. Jenny has joined the team with AVBS in 2019 as a behaviour coach. Jenny loves to help pet owners understand their dogs.

Using positive reinforcement training, Jenny tailors training and management plans best suited to the individual needs modifying behaviour in a positive way.

Jenny continues to further her professional development by attending workshops and seminars to continue to update her knowledge and qualifications.

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.

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