Our Team

Dr Ali opened Capital Veterinary Hospital in November 2018, fulfilling a lifelong dream of having his own veterinary hospital in Canberra. He spent many months designing a practice that reflected his personal philosophy of veterinary care and has filled it with the latest high tech equipment.

Dr Ali graduated in 2001 as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and holds a Diploma Degree in Veterinary Medicine in Pharmaceutical Sciences. He also ran his own mixed animal practice for 9 years before migrating to Australia in 2011.

Dr Ali worked in two veterinary hospitals in Perth for five years and two veterinary hospitals in Canberra. He moved to Canberra for a temporary job as part of his journey to see the whole country. Loving the cold weather and green nature, Dr Ali decided to stay in Canberra for good.

Dr Ali is very caring and committed to his work. He is always available to help animals in need, opening the practice on weekends and public holidays as well as after-hours emergency work.

He is passionate about internal medicine, surgery, and ultrasonography; however his expertise is not limited to small animals. His knowledge and experience in veterinary medicine extends to farm animals, equine, pocket pets, birds and exotic animals.

Dr Ali doesn’t have much spare time now he has his own practice ensuring the smooth running of day to day operations. Of course he has hobbies; he loves travelling, camping and mountain climbing.

Damien grew up in sunny Byron Bay. He knew from an early age that he was destined to be a veterinarian; his childhood property housed a menagerie of pets, wildlife, and livestock. Damien graduated with honours from the Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree at the University of Sydney in 2004.

Damien has decades of experience helping all creatures, great and small. After selling his popular practice in Downer, Damien thought retirement might suit him. However, he wasn’t able to slow down, instead contributing with charitable work in Australia and overseas and exploring new approaches to veterinary practice. Damien finds immense fulfillment in day-to-day clinical work with pets and plans to continue helping Canberra families as long as practical.

Damien has an extensive surgical skillset, with recent updates in fracture repairs, emergency surgery, airway surgery, and spinal surgery. He is thrilled to see Dr. Ali’s ambition and will help develop the hospital into a premier teaching and surgical practice.

Tom grew up on a farm near a small town in rural NSW. From a young age he was around animals and naturally pursued a veterinary degree at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga. After graduating in 2016, he began a short stint in general practice but quickly shifted to emergency services where he has spent the majority of his career since.

Tom has joined Capital Vet after becoming a new dad to a gorgeous little boy named Leif. The emergency lifestyle makes being a parent difficult, so he has rejoined the daywalkers and is very excited to bring his skills to our team. Tom has many skills in internal medicine, critical care, emergency and soft tissue surgery and plans on developing his skills in ultrasound under the guidance of our Dr Ali.

In his free time Tom enjoys fitness, bike riding, board and video games and disappearing into a fantasy novel as often as he can.

Dr Heidi graduated from Massey University in 2013 and has since worked in Hong Kong, New Zealand, Malaysia and Fiji, gaining broad experience in small animal practice. She has a special interest in soft tissue surgery, acupuncture and diagnostic ultrasound, and is passionate about providing exceptional, compassionate care to every pet she treats.

Outside of work, Dr Heidi loves exploring new walking trails with her rescue dog, Dog Mama. She enjoys hiking and aerial yoga, and brings the same energy and care to her patients as she does to her life outside the clinic.

Maddy joined Capital Veterinary Hospital in June 2023, bringing with her nearly a decade of experience as a qualified Veterinary Nurse. With a strong background not only in animal care but also from her time in the Australian Public Service, Maddy offers a unique combination of clinical skill and organisational expertise that strengthens our team.

Maddy’s passion for animal welfare extends beyond work, she and her partner Chris share their home with Norman the Boxer, two cats Marley (a Ragdoll) and Doug (a foster fail who never left). Life is never dull, especially with the recent addition of their son, Beckham, who keeps them on their toes and brings even more joy and energy to their household.

Daisy joined the Capital Veterinary Hospital team in March 2022. She completed her Certificate III in Animal Studies in 2021 and went on to qualify as a Veterinary Nurse after earning her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing in 2023.

Known for her bubbly personality and strong work ethic, Daisy is a valued member of our team and always brings warmth and positivity to the clinic. Her passion for animal care shines through in everything she does, and clients quickly feel at ease in her presence.

At home, Daisy is a pet mum to Snowy, a Chihuahua cross, and Bean, a Cavoodle. She dreams of expanding her furry (and feathered!) family one day with a Maine Coon—after falling in love with the breed during a trip to Japan—an African Grey Parrot, and a German Shepherd.

Antonella is a dedicated veterinary nurse from Argentina, currently working while pursuing the recognition of her veterinary degree in Australia. She has over 15 years of experience in animal care, having worked in clinics across Argentina, the UK, Italy, and Qatar, she brings a strong international background to the team. She has a strong interest in surgery, especially soft tissue procedures.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her black pug, Cosco, and staying connected to her family. Her guiding motto is: “Whatever you do, do it with all your heart”.

Lorena joined the Capital Veterinary hospital team in May 2024 and brings with her many years of experience in the veterinary industry. Prior to coming to Australia Lorena was a Veterinarian in Colombia treating horses and small animals. In 2018 Lorena moved to Australia and has since been working as a Veterinary Nurse.

Lorena has a special interest in internal medicine and surgery. Outside of work she loves spending time with her friends and most importantly her much loved cat Dante.

Sandara joined the Capital Veterinary Hospital team in February 2024. She completed her Certificate III in Animal Studies in December 2023 and has since graduated with a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing.

Kind, compassionate, and dedicated, Sandara has a natural affinity with animals and brings a gentle, reassuring presence to every patient she cares for. Her strong commitment to animal welfare shines through in all she does, making her a valued member of our team.

At home, Sandara dotes on her beloved 7-year-old English Cocker Spaniel, Archie.

Korey has graduated with a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing, following a lifelong passion for animal care. From a young age, Korey always knew he would pursue a career dedicated to helping animals.

Korey has a special interest in fish and enjoys maintaining aquariums. Known for his energetic and positive approach, Korey brings a vibrant presence to the team and is always ready to lend a hand.

Korey is excited to continue developing his skills and looks forward to a rewarding career in veterinary nursing.

Growing up in a family of veterinarians in Nepal, Sushmita’s passion for animals was sparked from a very young age. She qualified as a veterinarian in Nepal in 2020 and went on to complete a Master’s degree in Biotechnology, along with specialised training in animal surgery and health practice. Soft tissue surgery remains a particular passion of hers.

Now proudly based in Australia, Sushmita is a dedicated member of our nursing team, where she combines her strong veterinary foundation with hands-on nursing care. Her background in surgery and biotechnology allows her to bring a thoughtful, detail-oriented approach to patient care, particularly when supporting surgical procedures and recovery.

When she’s not caring for her patients, you’ll find Sushmita catching the latest films or planning her next travel adventure.

Emilie is a dedicated vet nurse who first joined Capital Veterinary Hospital for placement in 2024 and now works regularly as part of our nursing team. She holds a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing and is currently studying a Bachelor of Veterinary Technology. 

Emilie’s role focuses on managing patients in hospital and clearly communicating their progress to clients, with a particular interest in surgery and a thorough, detail-oriented approach to care. She loves helping both people and their pets, and finds seeing patients improve and clients smile especially rewarding.

Outside of work, Emilie enjoys spending time with her Cavoodle, Coco, and relaxing with fictional media, books, karate, and arts and crafts.

Amanda is our Head of Client Relations and has been working in veterinary practice for 17 years. With a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing and a Diploma of Animal Technology, she brings deep experience and a calm, organised presence to our busy hospital.

Describing her role as “air traffic control,” Amanda coordinates our scheduler, communicates with clients, and supports the team so we can provide gold standard care to every patient. She has a special interest in Fear Free Veterinary Care and in supporting clients and their pets through palliative and end-of-life care.

Amanda loves witnessing and supporting the unique bonds between clients and their pets. Her goal is for every client to feel comfortable, heard, and confident entrusting their pet’s care to us.
In 2014, Amanda received a grant to travel and work at an elephant sanctuary vet clinic in Thailand, an experience that further deepened her commitment to animal welfare.

At home, Amanda shares life with Pretzel, her 6-year-old greyhound. Outside of work, she enjoys cross stitching, gardening, scuba diving, and spending time outdoors. 

Grace became a valued member of the Capital Vet team in July 2024, bringing with her a unique background from the Department of Defence. Driven by a desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of animals and their owners, Grace is dedicated to ensuring every patient and client feels comfortable, supported, and well cared for.

With a deep passion for reptiles and wildlife, Grace has a special interest in creatures such as crocodiles, snakes, turtles, and lizards , Although she happily admits that spiders are not her favourite! She holds certifications in Reptile Zoology and Zoo Husbandry, and is currently furthering her expertise through studies in Reptile Conservation.

Outside of work, Grace enjoys spending time with her fiancée Trent, their two cats Frankie and Millie, and their much-loved Eastern Snake-necked Turtle, Nesbit.

Cathy joined the Capital Vet team at the end of 2025 and is one of the friendly faces welcoming you at the front desk. With years of office experience, she brings organisation, efficiency and a calm, supportive presence to both our clients and the team.

Cathy takes pride in giving 100% every day, making sure everyone she supports has a smooth and positive experience.

With their sons now grown, she and her husband Adam love spending time with their adored Staffy, Joey, who keeps them on their toes and fills their home with joy.

Yasmine is a dedicated member of our team who joins us after school to work as a kennel hand. She works hard behind the scenes to keep everything clean, organised, and running smoothly, and is always ready to assist our nurses, she’s a real superstar.

Currently studying her Certificate II in Animal Care, Yasmine is passionate about building a future in the veterinary industry. She hopes to go on to complete a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing, with her ultimate goal of earning a Bachelor of Veterinary Science through Charles Sturt University.

Jess joined the Capital Veterinary Hospital team in July 2026 and is thrilled to be pursuing her dream career in veterinary nursing.

After completing her Certificate III in Animal Studies in October 2024, Jess is now studying her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. She has always had a passion for animals and can’t imagine a more rewarding career than caring for pets and supporting their owners through every stage of their lives.

At home, Jess has two much-loved cats. Max is a 10-year-old Silver Tabby, and Sam is a 9-year-old white and ginger cat who keep her well entertained.

When she’s not at work or studying, Jess enjoys spending quality time with her friends and family.