Dr Narelle Hooper BVSc (Hons), MANZCVS (Small Animal Surgery)

The daughter of a cattle veterinarian, Nev (Narelle) has early memories of “helping” with cow caesarians. This fuelled a perpetual curiosity for “wanting to know what’s happening on the inside” so she embarked upon her own career as a veterinarian, graduating from the University of Queensland in 1997 with a University Medal.

Nev spent a number of years working in mixed practice both in Australia and the UK before returning to Australia to focus on small animal practice. At the end of 2014 she joined the North Geelong Veterinary Clinic as a practice partner along with Chloe and Bryan.

Nev obtained Membership of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists by examination in Small Animal Surgery in 2005 and completed a further years study in small animal ultrasonography in 2014.

In recent years Nev has also completed short courses in ophthalmology, echocardiography, backyard chickens and obtained her CT license. Nev is happiest in the surgery operating or with the ultrasound probe in her hand but mostly she enjoys the varied nature of our profession and loves getting to the bottom of problems.

Nev spends her free time with her two daughters and their guinea pigs, Archie and Sammy. She would love to do a little more travel and hiking in the future.

Dr Lissa Ong BA (Hons), MS, DVM
Lissa joined North Geelong Veterinary Clinic in 2018 after completing her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at the University of Wisconsin in the United States. Prior to becoming a veterinarian, Lissa was a researcher and lecturer in astrophysics and planetary sciences, studying the physics of collisions between comets, asteroids, and the planets. After years of volunteering in animal shelters and animal welfare clinics, Lissa became a veterinarian to pursue her passion for caring for pets in the community.

Her professional interests include soft tissue surgery, internal medicine, dermatology, and wellness care. In her free time, Lissa enjoys traveling, scuba diving, riding horses, and spending time with her husband, daughter, and three-legged rescue cat Cosmo. Lissa has an international background and has lived around the world, including Brazil, the UK, Switzerland, and the US. She has enjoyed exploring Geelong and Australia, and looks forward to meeting you and your fur family!

 Dr Robyn Blackwell BVSc

Robyn was born and bred on a cattle stud farm near Colac. She grew up riding horses and helping care for many varied animals, both large and small. Robyn has always known she would become a vet.

She graduated from Melbourne University in 1994, and worked in mixed practice for 12 years before moving to Geelong to focus on companion pets.

Robyn has worked in a dedicated small animal emergency clinic for the last 8 years and also at the North Geelong veterinary clinic for the last 4 years. Her special interests include small animal medicine and surgery, reproduction and toxicology. She genuinely enjoys helping both animals and owners, especially through difficult times.

Robyn loves to spend her “down time” with her family and friends, enjoys horse riding, travelling and has just rediscovered the joys of scuba diving. Robyn has bred registered Burmese cats as well as horses and cattle. She currently shares her family home with a rambunctious German Shepherd, a pony and some smoochy rescue cats.

Dr Chloe McGillivray BVSc (Hons)

Chloe grew up on a dairy farm in Gunbower and has always had a passion for animals, in particular horses and horse racing. Chloe graduated from the University of Sydney in 2007 with honors. After graduation, she completed an equine internship and during this time worked in Hong Kong with the Equestrian teams at the 2008 Summer Olympics.

In 2009, Chloe moved with her husband Bryan to Austin, Texas where she transitioned from equines to companion animals. After nearly 5 years in the USA, Chloe and Bryan returned to Australia with their beloved dogs Dizzy and Dakota and their two, American-born cats, Kona and Freeway.

With Nev and Bryan as partners Chloe leapt into ownership of North Geelong at the end of 2014. Since then she has obtained a Graduate Certificate in Abdominal Ultrasound from the University of Melbourne and completed further studies in dermatology.

As a vet, Chloe’s passion is preventative medicine and she also enjoys surgery.

Outside of the clinic Chloe enjoys spending time with her daughter, competing in triathlons and going to the races.

Dr Bryan Benshoof BVSc, MPH, BSc (biochemistry)

Bryan has a very international background being born and raised in Madrid, Spain and having lived in London, Chicago, Washington D.C., Sydney and Texas.

Like most veterinarians Bryan knew that he wanted to be one from an early age. Bryan obtained a Bachelors degree in Biochemistry at the University of Texas in 1998 and worked in pharmaceutical research before continuing on to veterinary school at the University of Sydney. He graduated with his BVSc in 2008 while concurrently obtaining a Masters in Public Health. While in Veterinary School he also met practice partner Chloe McGillivray whom he married.

Bryan and Chloe moved to Austin, Texas to work in small animal clinics and after five years decided to move back to Australia permanently. Bryan, Chloe and Nev took over ownership of North Geelong Veterinary Clinic in December of 2014.

These days Bryan has taken a particular interest in dentistry. He is currently working towards his Memberships in Dentistry and looks forward to being able to offer his clients advanced dental procedures such as root canals and doggy braces! Bryan also enjoys seeing the exotics in the clinic.

Chloe and Bryan have a young daughter, two dogs, two cats, two horses, a sheep and some chickens to keep their house exciting. His free time is mostly spent pursuing triathlon dreams.

 Dr Julia Larsson BVetMed (Hons) MRCVS

Julia qualified from the Royal Veterinary College, London, in 2006. She spent her new graduate years at a mixed practice in Wales, after which she chose to focus on companion animals. Julia worked at a small animal referral hospital in Sweden as well as an online pharmacy in Scotland before moving to Australia in 2013. She joined the North Geelong Veterinary Clinic as a full time veterinarian within months of arrival, and has also been a regular casual employee of Geelong Animal Emergency for the past six years.

Her professional interests include emergency medicine and clinical pathology, and in 2016 she successfully completed the University of Sydney’s distance education course in emergency and critical care.

On her days off, Julia often heads down to the Porta Vermelha Studio in Bellbrae to dabble in some oil painting; she also enjoys running, horse riding and netball. She shares her home with a domestic short-haired cat aptly named Panic.