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Our Veterinarians
Dr Deborah Monks
Practice Founder/Principle, Registered Avian Specialist
BVSc (Hons), CertZooMed (RCVS), ECZM Diplomate (Avian Medicine), FANZCVS (Avian Medicine & Surgery)
Professional Journey
After graduating from the University of Queensland in 1995, Deborah began her career in avian and exotic animal medicine. She worked across general, emergency, avian, and small animal practices, achieving membership of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in Avian Health in 1999. She then moved to the United Kingdom to complete an avian residency, finishing in 2005. She was the first Australian to complete a formal avian residency. During this time, she obtained her Certificate of Zoological Medicine (CertZooMed) covering zoo animals, birds, exotic pets, and wildlife.
In 2006, Deborah passed examinations for both the European College of Zoological Medicine (then European College of Avian Medicine), and the Australian New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists, thus giving her the dual specialist qualifications of Diplomate status (DipECZM Avian) and Fellow of the Australian New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists. Soon after, she opened Brisbane Bird and Exotics Veterinary Service.
In 2010, she offered the nation’s first formal, Australian-based avian residency, and the candidate passed her examinations to become an Avian Specialist in 2016. In 2014, She was awarded the College Prize by the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists.
Publications
Dr Monks has co-authored the following textbooks:
Reptile Medicine and Surgery in Clinical Practice. Ed Doneley RT, Monks D, Johnson R & Carmel B (2018). Wiley Blackwell.
BSAVA Manual of Avian Practice (2018). Eds Chitty J & Monks D. British Small Animal Veterinary Association.
BSAVA Manual of Guinea Pig Medicine. Eds Chitty J, Monks D, Doneley RT, Meredith A (due to be published late 2025)
She is the primary author of the following publications:
Monks D, Carlisle MS, Carrigan M, Rose K, Spratt D, Gallagher A and Prociv P (2005). Angiostrongylus cantonensis as a Cause of Cerebrospinal Disease in a Yellow-Tailed Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus funereus) and two Tawny Frogmouths (Podargus strigoides). Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery. 19(4); 289-293.
Monks D, Fisher M & Forbes N (2006). Ixodes frontalis and Avian Tick-Related Syndrome in the United Kingdom. Journal of Small Animal Practice. In Print. Monks D, Zsivanovits P, Cooper JE & Forbes N. Successful Treatment of Tracheal Xanthogranulomatosis in a Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) with Tracheal Resection and Anastomosis. Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery. In Print.
And a subsequent author of the following publications:
Zsivanovits P, Monks DJ & Forbes NA (2006). Valgus deformity of metacarpal bones (‘angel wing’) in a Northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis). Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery (10); 21-26.
Raidal SR, Shearer PL, Butler R & Monks D (2006). Airsac cystadenocarcinomas in cockatoos. Australian Veterinary Journal 84 (6); 213-216.
Zsivanovits P, Monks D, Forbes NA, Ursu K, Raue R & Benkő M (2006). Presumptive identification of a novel adenovirus in a Harris hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus), a Bengal eagle owl (Bubo bengalensis), and a Verreaux’s eagle owl (Bubo lacteus). Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery 20(2);105-112.
Cowan M, Monks D & Raidal SR (2011). Osteosarcoma in a woma python (Aspidites ramsayi). Australian Veterinary Journal Volume 89, Issue 12, pages 520–523
Cowan ML, Yang PJ, Monks DJ, Raidal SR (2011). Suspected osteoma in an eclectus parrot (Eclectus roratus roratus). J Avian Med Surg. 25(4):281-5.
Cowan M L, GB Martin, DJ Monks, SD Johnstone, RJT Doneley, MA Blackberry (2014). Inhibition of the reproductive system by deslorelin in male and female pigeons (Columba livia). J Avian Med Surg. 28(2):102-8.
Verwey JK, Peters A, Monks DJ, Raidal SR (2018). Spillover of avian haemosporidian parasites (Haemosporidia: Plasmodium) and death of captive psittacine species. Australian Veterinary Journal 96(3):93-97
Rossi, G., Liu, K.F., Kershaw, H., Riddell, D., Hyndman, T.H., Monks, D. and Musk, G.C., 2023. Biological Variation in Biochemistry Analytes in Laboratory Guinea Pigs (Cavia porcellus). Veterinary sciences, 10(10), p.621.
Wong AM, Lum HY, Musk GC, Hyndman TH, Waldmann AD, Monks DJ, Bowden RS, Mosing M. Electrical impedance tomography in anaesthetised chickens (Gallus domesticus). Front Vet Sci. 2024 Mar 13;11:1202931. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1202931. PMID: 38545561; PMCID: PMC10965772.
She has authored the following book chapters:
Monks D (2005). Gastrointestinal Disease. In Harcourt Brown N and Chitty JC (eds) Manual of Psittacine Birds 2ndEdition. BSAVA Publications. P180-190.
Monks D & Forbes NA (2007). Raptor Haematology. In Bird D & Bildstein K (eds). Raptor Management Techniques Manual. Raptor Research Foundation. Croix Valley. Hastings. P278-285.
Monks D (In print). Musculoskeletal Problems. In Manual of Backyard Poultry BSAVA Publications. De Matos R & Monks D (2016) Diseases of the Endocrine System – Protein Hormones. In: Speer, B. (Ed). Current Therapy in Avian Medicine and Surgery. 1st Edition. Elsevier. Inc. U.S.A.p385-400
Cowan M & Monks D (2016). Keel Injuries. In Avian Medicine 3rd Edition. Samour J (ed). Elsevier, London. P252-253
Cowan M, Zsivanovits P & Monks D (2016). Wing Tip Injuries. In Avian Medicine 3rd Edition. Samour J (ed). Elsevier, London. P253-255
Monks D & Cowan M (2016). Wounds. In Avian Medicine 3rd Edition. Samour J (ed). Elsevier, London. P255-259
De Matos R & Monks D (2016) Diseases of the Endocrine System Protein Hormones In Current Medicine in Avian Medicine and Surgery, ed B Speer. Elsevier p 385-400
Speer BL, Olsen GP, Doneley RTJ, Monks D, Verstappen F, Yarto-Jaramillo E, Elliiott D, Weston M, Rivero J and McDonald A (2016) Common Conditions of Commonly Held Companion Birds in Multiple Parts of the World Hormones In Current Medicine in Avian Medicine and Surgery, ed B Speer. Elsevier p 777
In addition, she regularly presents at conferences, seminars and webinars.
Contribution to the Profession
• European College of Zoological Medicine
• Scientific Committee - 2017 to 2023
• Outreach Committee – 2019 to present
• Examination Committee - 2006 to 2016 • Association of Avian Veterinarians – European Committee
• Conference Scientific Committee - 2011
• Association of Avian Veterinarians – Australasian Committee
• Secretary/Treasurer – October 2006 - October 2007
• President – October 2007- October 2010
• Senior Vice President – October 2010-2013
• Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists
• Examiner (Avian Membership) – 2008 and 2010
• Examiner (Avian Membership Supplementary) - 2009
• Examiner (UEP Membership) – 2011, 2013 and 2015
• Observer – 2018 and 2019
• Examiner (Avian Fellowship) – 2020, 2021, 2025
• Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists – Avian Chapter
• Chapter Education Committee Member – 2006-2011
• President – 2012-2016
• Subject Standards Committee Chair 2018 to 2024
• Veterinary Information Network Consultant – 2012 to present
• Small Mammal and Exotics folder
• Avian folder
• Australian Veterinary Association – Unusual Pets and Avian Vets Special Interest Group.
• Committee Member 2014-2020
• Policy Council 2014-2020
• President 2021-2024
Pets at Home
The Pet Horde includes:
• Petey, a male Moustache Parrot that was rehomed in 2009.
• Wasp and Beetle, female Hahn’s macaws (one stray, one rehome)
• Diesel, a 21 year old Black Headed Python
Outside of Work You’ll Find Me...
When away from the clinic, I enjoy training for masters’ rowing events, candle making, forest walking, reading and going to the theatre.
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Dr. Kimberley Tozer
BVSc (Hons), MANZCVS (Medicine and Surgery of Unusual Pets)
Kimberley has been at BBEVS since she graduated from the University of Queensland’s Bachelor of Veterinary Science with honours in 2015. Since graduating, Kimberley has furthered her study and qualifications in the avian and exotics field. She holds her Membership of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in two chapters: Medicine and Surgery of Unusual Pets; and Avian Medicine and Surgery. Kimberley now works on mentoring and examining for these chapters to help increase the training of Veterinarians who see these special critters.
Kimberley loves seeing the huge variety of creatures at BBEVS, but she has a particular interest in guinea pig medicine. She’s currently working on a contribution to a textbook, and regularly presents at conferences.
Outside of work, Kimberley enjoys gardening, watercolour painting, Irish dancing, and spending time with her extended family which includes a variety of furred, scaled and feathered friends!
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Dr. Emma Sciacca (McMillan)
BVSc (Hons), MANZCVS (Avian Health, Medicine and Surgery of Unusual Pets)
Emma joined the team as a veterinarian in 2014 after working with us as a veterinary nurse for 4 years during her veterinary training. Obtaining her first pet snake when she was just 11 years old, Emma has always wanted to be a reptile veterinarian. Emma graduated from the University of Queensland’s Bachelor of Veterinary Science in 2014 with honours and as class valedictorian. During her studies she completed externships at Auckland Zoo, Melbourne Zoo and Adelaide Zoo.
Emma has a very keen interest in reptiles but also loves all of the feathered and furred animals we see. At home she has a 24-year-old galah called Toby, a cinnamon green cheek conure, Rica and many chickens – all of which are regular blood donors for the clinic! She also has a Darwin Carpet Python called Eve, a Ridge tailed monitor called Patch and (she had to have some furred creatures!) two dogs – Lola and Tia. Over the years she has had snakes, various lizards, frogs, guinea pigs and mice. Emma achieved her Avian Memberships with the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in 2018, and her Unusual Pet Medicine and Surgery Memberships in 2019. Outside of work Emma spends most of her time with her kids and husband caring for their menagerie!
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Dr Rebecca Taylor
Senior Exotics Veterinarian
BSc (Vet Biol) BVMS MANZCVS (Avian Health)
Professional Journey
Rebecca knew she was going to be a vet from the age of four, spending holidays helping on her family’s farm, and using spare time to role-play being a vet, reading books on aviculture and bird identification and listening to Don Spencer’s “Feathers, Fur or Fins” cassette on repeat.
Her love of animals only grew when she was given her first pet, Aussie the talking budgie at age 9, and since that time Rebecca has kept numerous parrots, and even bred a few species of native frogs.
Rebecca joined the veterinary industry in 2006, working as a Veterinary Nurse in small animal practice in Brisbane, and in 2008, she moved to Perth, Western Australia, where she completed her Bachelor of Science (BSc) and Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (BVMS) at Murdoch University.
After returning to Queensland in 2013, Rebecca worked as a Veterinarian in a mixed animal practice in a rural town, where she gained experience in many companion and hobby farm animals from dogs and cats, to goats, sheep, alpacas, pigs, horses and cows. Rebecca trained at Brisbane Bird and Exotics Veterinary Service through a 12 month internship programme in 2014, and there her love for strange and unusual pets grew and grew. Since then, Rebecca spent 4 years working with birds, exotics, dogs and cats in Brighton Queensland, before her return to BBEVS in 2019.
Rebecca studied to attain Memberships from the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Science in the Avian Health chapter for caged and aviary birds in 2018. Rebecca now works part time at the clinic as she is currently hand raising humans - namely her 2 year old son Vincent.
Professional Accreditations
• Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Biology at Murdoch University
• Bachelor of Veterinary and Surgery at Mudroch University, Perch
• MANZCVS (Caged and Aviary Bird Health) with the Australian & New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists
• Mental Health First Aid Accredited
• Fear Free Accredited Practitioner
Outside of Work You’ll Find Me...
Rebecca loves practicing yoga, mindfulness, and going to pilates. On her days off she enjoys looking after her many indoor plants, gardening in the vege patch, swimming in local creeks, scuba diving, antiquing and travelling. She spends her spare time with her friends and family, and her favourite companions – Mick the human, Taco, the 3 year old Jack Russell x Staffy, and they all share their nest with Rosebud the naughty 15 year old galah.
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Dr. Teena Goh
BVSc (Hons)
Professional Journey
Dr Teena Goh graduated from the University of Queensland in 2022 with First Class Honours, a reflection of her dedication and academic excellence throughout her veterinary studies. Following graduation, she embarked on her professional journey in an exotics-only practice in Melbourne, where she honed her skills treating a diverse range of species and developed a deep appreciation for the unique needs of exotic pets.
In 2023, Teena traded Melbourne’s chilly weather for sunny Queensland and joined the BBEVS team, where she continues to expand her expertise in exotic animal medicine. While she enjoys working with all kinds of unusual and wonderful creatures, she admits to having a particular soft spot for guinea pigs.
Pets at Home
At home, Dr Teena is lovingly outnumbered by her small but lively menagerie, two guinea pigs, Boots and Pickett, and her spirited Jack Russells, Gemma and Bean.
Outside of Work You’ll Find Me...
Spending lots of time loving on her quad of animals, going to the beach, stand-up paddleboarding, horse riding, and going on food adventures with her friends.
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