Amanda

Head Nurse

Certificate IV Veterinary Nursing

Bachelor Applied Science (Wildlife)

Amanda has always been captivated by wild and exotic creatures. From a young age she was curious about wildlife which lead her to study a Bachelor of Applied Science majoring in Wildlife Science. While studying her bachelor’s degree, she volunteered for the RSPCA as a Wildlife Ward Assistant fuelling her love for Veterinary Nursing. Amanda then studied her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing, whilst working as a wildlife vet nurse. She jumped at the opportunity to work for BBEVS in 2020. She is a member of the Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia and the AVNAT registration Scheme.

Amanda and her partner are kept very busy with their little army including, Esky the blue tongue skink, Ray the crimson rosella, Bonnie the green cheek conure, Stout the Kelpie X Staffy and Dora the Husky X Weimaraner. Away from work, Amanda enjoys hiking and exploring new places.

Alana

Certificate IV Veterinary Nursing

Diploma in Veterinary Nursing of Zoological Species

Alana has been involved in the veterinary industry since finishing high school in 2004. She worked as a trainee veterinary nurse in small animal GP clinics in Australia from 2004 to 2007 and locumed in the United Kingdom in 2009, before returning to Australia in 2010 and completing her Certificate IV to become a qualified Veterinary Nurse in 2011.

Alana joined Brisbane Bird and Exotics Veterinary Service in January 2013 because she wanted a challenge, and she thoroughly enjoys the wide variety of species and interesting cases that come with working in an avian and exotics only clinic. In 2019 and 2020 Alana undertook four Advanced Programmes in Veterinary Nursing of Zoo/Exotic Species (Avian, Reptiles and Amphibians, Small Mammals and Zoo Animals) through Girling and Fraser Ltd Training and Consultancy in the United Kingdom, and on successful completion of these four programmes she was awarded a Diploma in Veterinary Nursing of Zoological Species in March 2020.

Continued professional development is very important to Alana. She is a member of the Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia, joined the voluntary Australian Veterinary Nurse and Technician registration scheme when it began in 2019, is Veterinary Radiation Use Licence Holder, an Accredited Mental Health First Aid Officer and a Fear Free Certified Professional (Veterinary – Avian). Alana also values sharing her knowledge and skills, and has delivered client seminars at BBEVS as well as educating peers by running an Avian and Exotics Nursing Care Seminar in 2019 and presenting at the Nurses Stream of the Unusual Pets and Avian Vets/Association of Avian Veterinarians Australasian Committee Combined Conference in 2016. She also takes pride in training and mentoring junior staff members at BBEVS.

In her spare time Alana enjoys reading (she has a personal library of almost 1000 books at last count… although that was several years ago), crafting, board games (especially Wingspan!), road trips around Australia and travelling to new overseas destinations. Alana and her husband are owned by a Rainbow Lorikeet named Charlie (who Alana has had since 2005), a Green Cheek Conure named Squeaky, a Centralian Carpet Python named Adoni, two ‘foster’ dogs (Indy the Greyhound x Mastiff and Cherry the Greyhound) and a ‘foster’ cat named Mush-Mush… three ‘foster’ animals that arrived for short-term care and never left! Alana is pictured here with her parents’ male King Parrot, Akala.

Meri

Certificate IV Veterinary Nursing

Meri worked for 5 years in a dog and cat hospital before joining Brisbane Bird and Exotics Veterinary Service. She has always loved the smaller furred and feathered critters and jumped at the opportunity to join our team and expand her knowledge of the exotic species. Meri is passionate about environmental enrichment for our exotic animals and does most of the ordering for the clinic.

She is always very excited about new toys and products for birds and guinea pigs! In her spare time Meri likes road trips, scouring the markets for vintage treasures, decorating her new house and catching up with friends and family. Meri lives with her boyfriend Jamie, her blind cat Cricket, three-legged cat Molly, a little mouse family and a cheeky sulphur crested cockatoo Alan.

Jess O

Trainee Nurse

After completed the first year in a Bachelor of Veterinary Technology, Jess joined our incredible squad in 2022 as part of our clinical care team.

Since the age of 7, Jess knew that animal care was her calling. Her love for all animals is evident in her day-to-day work, but her particular passion for reptiles is highlighted in her excitement to learn as much as she can about them. Jess’s bucket list items involve hatching a clutch of reptile eggs and seeing a King Cobra in the wild.

Jess has called this job ‘A dream come true’. When we asked her what to put in her staff biography, her response was ‘I learn more here every day than I did at school, and I love every minute of it!’.

Heidi

Trainee Nurse

We love Heidi and we know you and your pets will too! Heidi is incredibly caring and compassionate. Her journey in animal care started 7yrs ago as a volunteer for RSPCA and Redlands Animal Shelter. During her time at both facilities, Heidi learnt all aspects of animal care, alongside caring for people’s needs too. Heidi grew up around all sorts of animals and was a foster carer for kittens. Heidi is a mum and enjoys spending her free time alongside her husband and daughter, enjoying the great outdoors.

Heidi has completed her Animals Studies certification and is currently undertaking her Veterinary Nursing qualification. When asked about her time at our clinic, Heidi said “I love working at Brisbane Bird and Exotics Veterinary Services. Such an amazing team to learn from. Our patients are so unique.”