Vetriage

After hours phone service for non-urgent advice or emergency vet visits

Arrange an emergency vet visit or receive non-urgent advice from qualified vet nurses

Our Vetriage program enables you to get the care your pet needs any time. Simply call your local Fur Life Vet clinic if there is something you are unsure about and speak to one of our friendly vet nurses to determine what action needs to be taken.

Meet The Team

Vetriage Stories

The Vetriage team are:

Experienced, qualified vet nurses
Able to provide non-urgent advice any time
In direct communication with vets
Able to brief on-call vet prior to visit to enable treatment to begin immediately upon arrival

Our Vetriage Team

Kelly Topham

Team Leader

My career started in small animal GP clinic in 1999 made me whole heartedly realise that this was the career for me. Since this time, I have worked in varied roles from Trainee Veterinary Nurse, Lead Surgical Nurse, Locum Co-Ordinator, Pet Pep Presenter, Puppy Preschool Trainer, New Grad Vet Induction Co-Ordinator, Practice Manager Trainer and Practice Manager.
I have worked in many different clinic environments from general practice through to emergency, critical care, and specialty veterinary medicine. I love everything about the veterinary field, the hustle and bustle of clinic life is my happy place.
My main areas of interest are emergency and critical care, high risk anaesthesia, dentistry, building and supporting happy Veterinary teams and client education.

Alicia Franklin

Warrnambool, VIC

15+ Years of Experience

Alicia has begun her vet nursing career in New Zealand at 17 years old, before moving back to Australia in 2004 and working at Warrnambool Vet Clinic ever since. Alicia has a broad range of experience, both in clinic and on farm, as well as having a Cert IV in Dog Behaviour and Training.

Chloe Law

From as early as I can remember, I knew I wanted to work in the veterinary industry. My passion for animals goes unwavered, and so does my desire to constantly learn everything and better my skills.

I finished school and started my first job in the industry at Samford Veterinary Hospital as a large animal vet nurse. I adored every aspect of this phase of my career, and it is still one of my favourite areas to work in today.

I completed my Bachelor of Veterinary Technology at the University of Queensland in 2018. From there, I went into general practice, where I was fortunate to be given amazing opportunities to put everything I had learned into practice. Most recently, I have worked in the emergency and critical care department. I absolutely love the thrill of the unknown and being able to be a part of something so important for that animal, often at some of the worst times of their lives. This will always be an area of passion for me.

Dana Taskos

Bendigo, VIC

23+ Years of Experience

I am the clinic coordinator at Fur Life Vet Epsom. Super excited to take on this new role. I have 23 years in clinic experience. Mostly in the small animal field. I have an interest in behaviour. Having grown up with many dogs instead of siblings, dogs are my absolute passion.

Emily Baxter

Sunshine Coast, QLD

10+ Years of Experience

Emily begun her vet nursing career just over 10 years ago and says it’s one of the best decisions she has ever made. Based on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Emily has worked with both Equines and small animals in mixed practice clinics. Along with her Vet Nursing qualification, Emily also has an Associate Diploma in Animal Husbandry, as well as a Cert III in Telecommunications.

Erin Parkinson

Koroit, VIC

5+ Years of Experience

Erin’s passion for animals has taken her across the globe, having volunteered in countries such as Thailand and Laos. A qualified vet nurse, Erin has also completed a Cert III in Companion Animal Services and is currently undertaking studies in Specialist Nursing of Small Mammals as well as Canine Behaviour and Training. A testament to her dedication to helping animals, Erin also volunteers at her local wildlife rescue shelter.

Holly Firth

I completed my Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing back in 2014 and have worked as a veterinary nurse in general practice, shelter, emergency as well as wildlife rehabilitation.
I pride myself highly in ensuring I give the best possible experience to both clients, their pets and all veterinary staff.

Holly Jones

I was lucky enough to begin my nursing journey doing everything from yearling prep through to foal watch. During this time I completed my Certificate III in performance horse care and equine nursing. I then moved to Brisbane where I gained a cert III in animal studies, then began working in clincs before completing my Cert IV in vet nursing in 2015. Since then I have worked in small animal general practice as a full-time and locum vet nurse.

Melanie Werner

Shepparton, VIC

15+ Years of Experience

My animal health career begun with my love for horses, with 20 years of employment within the equine industry before retraining as a Vet Nurse over 5 years ago. Since then, I has worked in a busy mixed-practice clinic on the outskirts of Melbourne.

Rose Sherlock

Sunshine Coast Hinterland, QLD

30+ Years of Experience

I live in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, and I have nursed for nearly 30 years in various roles and my passions are emergency/ critical care and training nurses. I enjoy horse riding, gardening, camping, and sharing good food, a glass of wine and laughs with family and friends.

Shauna James

Sunshine Coast, QLD

10+ Years of Experience

Shauna started in the animal industry as an Animal Technician before training as a Vet Nurse with the RSPCA 10 years ago. Where possible, Shauna would volunteer at the Taronga Wildlife Hospital as well as being a WIRES carer. Shauna has since had experience in mixed practice clinics, and is now a Critical Care and Emergency Nurse on the Sunshine Coast in QLD.

Sue Thompson

Up until 2002, I worked with my ex-husband on our dairy farm, becoming quite successful with our Holstein Stud side of the business. Over the years we had and still are fairly successful with showing cattle and we have also bred some bulls that went to the AI companies.
In 2002, I was given the opportunity to become an IVF Embryologist, specialising in cattle reproduction. This is a job that I love!
In 2009, I joined Warrnambool Veterinary Clinic and trained with AIRC in Certificate 4 of Veterinary Nursing.
I not only worked in the nursing department, but also reception, accounts and most recently inventory management as well as on the LA desk, keeping track of LA jobs and vets.
My qualifications include Diploma of Hospitality, Advanced Diploma in Dairy Farming and Cert 4 in Veterinary Nursing.

Tiana Morden

Kyabram, VIC

4+ Years of Experience

Tiana has had a range of experience as a locum Vet Nurse since 2017, travelling between mixed practice clinics across Victoria where needed. Her true passion is in the equine field, particularly with breeding and artificial insemination. Aside from her Cert IV in Vet Nursing, Tiana has also completed a Cert II in Equine Studies, as well as a Bachelor of Veterinary Technology at Charles Sturt University.

Trish Wallace

Quirindi, NSW

15+ Years of Experience

I have been at Quirindi Vet Clinic for around 15 years. I have worked in various roles within the clinic including vet nurse, administration, and Clinic Coordinator prior to Maternity leave in 2020. Currently navigating the wonderful world of having a toddler causing me to learn so many life skills in the process.

Vetriage Stories

Vetriage Case Study: Pirate (Rat Bait Poisoning)

Dogs, Pets, Triage Talk

Pirate's Terrible TaleCheeky 9 year old Jack Russel, Pirate, was caught in the act late one evening chewing on a block of rat bait. Pirate's owner quickly called their local Fur Life Vet and spoke to one of our Vetriage Vet Nurses to arrange an emergency vet...

Vetriage Case Study: Devon

Common Problems, Dogs, Triage Talk

Meet Devon Devilish Devon the Dashaund felt like a naughty snack at tea time and decided to have some chocolate. At 10:15pm his owners called the Fur Life Vet clinic where our Vetriage nurse Erin consulted the chocolate toxicity calculator which indicated "potential...

Vetriage Case Study: Sasha

Triage Talk

Meet SashaBeautiful Sasha was playing outside late one afternoon when things went terribly wrong. Luckily, her owner acted quickly and called her local Fur Life Vet clinic. Vetriage nurse Shauna answered and was able to arrange an emergency vet visit promptly.While...