Team
Semaphore Veterinary Surgery
Semaphore Vet
Our Veterinarians.
Dr Alison Booth BSc BVMS (Hons)
Veterinarian
Alison graduated from Murdoch University, Western Australia in 1990 before working in small animal practices in Perth, the UK and Adelaide.
In 1999, she joined forces with former classmate Bruce Wells to form Semaphore Veterinary Surgery.
From humble beginnings, SVS has evolved into a busy nine-veterinarian practice.
Alison enjoys all aspects of small animal practice, particularly senior canine and feline medicine, soft tissue surgery and dermatology. Alison is married to Paul and has two daughters. Her family work hard as the staff for two spoilt felines. She loves to travel but will always call Adelaide home.
Dr Bruce Wells BSc BVMS (Hons)
Veterinarian
Bruce set up Semaphore Veterinary Surgery with Alison Booth in 1999. Both Bruce and Alison have recently constructed a purpose built practice at 113 Semaphore Road.
They are both very happy to have more room and comfort for patients, clients and staff.
He has an adorable Cavalier King Charles Spaniel called Harlow. She rules the house and is much loved by all who meet her.
Bruce enjoys all aspects of small animal practice, particularly the interaction between clients and their furry families.
His special interests are in dermatology and knee injuries.
Dr Terry Bannister BSc BVSc
Veterinarian
Terry qualified as a veterinarian in 2007 from Massey University (NZ). He began his career as a mixed animal veterinarian in the sunny Hawke's Bay of New Zealand, before immigrating to South Australia in 2010. He has been with Semaphore Veterinary Surgery since 2011 (aside from an 18 month COVID prolonged sabbatical to NZ in 2019). He has a keen interest in orthopaedic surgery, particularly knees and hips, and has extensive experience in performing the MMP procedure for canine cruciate rupture. His spare time is taken up with reading, watching movies and sport, and keeping his two young sons entertained (Bandit, eat your heart out!).
Dr Carly Condon BSc BVMS
Veterinarian
Carly graduated from Murdoch University, WA in 2010 and moved to Adelaide to start work in small animal practice. She enjoys all aspects of her work but is particularly interested in surgery and bird medicine.
She has her own fur and feather family of two dogs, a cat, and three chickens, as well as various temporary foster animals. When she is not on the beach with her dogs or renovating her house, she enjoys being out on the water on her kiteboard.
Dr Emily Brandon BSc BVMS
Veterinarian
Emily graduated from Murdoch University in 2012, and despite being from Adelaide originally, spent most of the next 4 years travelling and working all around Western Australia. Emily and her family now call Semaphore home and she has been a permanent member of our team since 2017.
Emily enjoys all aspects of small animal medicine, including the occasional emergency to keep her on her toes, and soft tissue surgery. Emily and her husband have two young kids, as well as a cheeky kelpie pup and two kitties.
When she's not working Emily loves to bundle up the kids (both human and canine!) and head off camping, or venture down to the beach and enjoy the sunshine and relaxed Semaphore vibe.
Dr Alana Potgieter BVSc
Veterinarian
Alana moved to Adelaide in 2007, after graduating from the University of Pretoria (Onderstepoort) in South Africa where she was born.
She enjoys travelling, photography, gardening, walking and (when someone lends her a horse), horse riding. She has a special interest in radiology and ultrasound, but enjoys working up tough medical cases. Pocket pets are also something of a passion as long as they have fur and good manners!
She is the mother of two cats, Klaus and Clementine, that were both orphaned and now live a very posh life. Together with husband Cornell, every other spare minute is spent renovating their old stone cottage and making their garden bigger.
Dr Daniel Colella BSc DVM
Veterinarian
Daniel graduated from the University of Adelaide in 2018 and has been working at Semaphore Veterinary Surgery since.
He enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine but has a strong passion in veterinary dentistry, ensuring our patients have a pain free and healthy mouth.
Daniel cares for two ginger cats, Ori and Shane, who enjoy gardening just as much as he does, but unfortunately they are less helpful with his many home improvement projects.
Dr Sarah Hill BVETMED MANZCVS
Veterinarian
Sarah graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in London in 1999. Following graduation she has worked as a small animal practitioner in Scotland, England, and now Australia. She moved to Australia with her husband and 2 boys in 2009 and now lives in beautiful Williamstown with her human family and her beloved furry family, her cat Maui, and 2 dogs Stanley and Archie.
Through the course of her career her lifelong love of all things feline has developed into a deep interest in cat medicine. To this end, she has committed many hours to studying the subject and in 2021 passed the Membership examinations in the Medicine of Cats, proudly becoming a Member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists.
In her spare time, Sarah loves to run around the beautiful Australian countryside, walk the dogs and enjoys a variety of creative persuits.
Dr Megan Bouchier BSc DVM
Veterinarian
Megan graduated from the University of Adelaide in 2015, and has loved working as a small animal vet every day since. She enjoys a good balance of medicine and soft tissue surgery, and is particularly passionate about animal behaviour and the management of behavioural problems.
Outside of the clinic Megan likes to keep herself busy painting, sketching, baking and reading as many books as she can get her hands on.
She is mum to one very spoiled cat Lilo, Atticus the crazy Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and sweet Kiara the Rough Collie.
Dr Julia Riches BSc DVM
Veterinarian
Julia graduated from The University of Adelaide in 2021 and joined the Semaphore Vet team in 2023.
She is passionate about the human animal bond (nothing makes her happier than talking about how much you love your pets, and them you) and has recently developed an interest in soft tissue surgery.
Julia loves spending time with her loved ones, a glass of red, reading, gardening, and staying fit & healthy. She is mum to a spoilt Pomeranian X, Holly, and a cheeky German Shepherd, Klaus.
Semaphore Vet
Our Support Staff.
Jessie Marshall
Administration Manager and Veterinary Nurse
Nursing Manager Jessie joined the practice in 2005, the same year she began her vet nursing course at TAFE. She graduated with a Certificate IV in 2008. She equally enjoys greeting clients at reception, doing admin in the office or working in surgery.
Outside office hours, Jessie enjoys Adelaide’s live music scene and pub life and shares her home with her dog Holly and two chatty Rainbow Lorikeets- Larry and Lenny.
Melissa Brodie
Veterinary Nurse Manager
Mel joined our team in November 2014. She has had over nine years of experience as a vet nurse. She is currently studying for her Certificate IV after delaying study to have a family. Melissa's interests include critical care and hand raising orphaned animals. In her spare time between raising children and working, Melissa show German Shepherds. She has four of her own as well as a Great Dane. She also shares her home with four felines; Narla, Simba Rambo and Turbo and an Eclectus parrot that she hand raised.
Makayla Ellul
Veterinary Nurse Team Leader
Makayla joined the Semaphore team in March 2020 after completing her studies at the end of 2019. She enjoys surgical nursing and taking care of patients.
In her free time, Makayla loves keeping fit and going to the beach. She also values spending time with her friends and family, and her little dog Bailey.
Louise Murphy
Veterinary Nurse
Louise joined the Semaphore team in July 2018 after enjoying her nursing placement with us. She loved the variety of the work at the clinic from helping clients out the front to the interesting surgery and helping animals to recover out in the treatment area. Louise is hoping to finish her studies at TAFE SA to achieve the qualification of Certificate IV in Vet Nursing by the end of 2018. Growing up with a Labrador called Sandy and a Golden Retriever called Tilly she has always had a huge love of animals. When Louise is not at the clinic she enjoys playing hockey, camping and spending time with friends and family.
Nicola Beaumont
Veterinary Nurse
Nicola joined Semaphore Vet Surgery in October 2021 after moving from Melbourne to Adelaide to study veterinary medicine at the University of Adelaide. She completed her Certificate IV in vet nursing in 2019. Nicola particularly enjoys furthering her surgical nursing skills.
In her spare time she loves to keep active by playing basketball, rock climbing and wakeboarding. She's also kept busy by the many foster kittens that she is usually caring for.
Sophie Edwards
Veterinary Nurse & Puppy Pre-School Instructor
Sophie completed her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing in 2018 and joined the team in 2022. She loves hospital nursing and working with cats, as well as her puppy preschool classes. In her spare time, her menagerie of animals keeps her very busy, including Cooper the cocker spaniel and her four rescue cats, Scarlett, Mika, Peach and Ollie.
Nicole Herbener
Veterinary Nurse
Nicole graduated from Gilles Plains TAFE in Veterinary Nursing in 2013. Worked at a general practice and emergency hospital in the emergency department for 8 years before joining Semaphore Veterinary Surgery in 2022.
She enjoys the surgery and the hospital component of veterinary nursing and also has an interest in cat behaviour and making sure their experiences in the clinic are as stress free as possible.
At home, Nicole has a Corgi x Jack Russell called Kol, who helps at GAP (Greyhounds As Pets) for their green collar assessments. She also has two cats called Alfie and Dory.
Tulsi Patel
Veterinary Nurse
Tulsi joined Semaphore Vet in October 2022, having enjoyed her vet nursing placements here. After completing a BVSc & AH from India in 2010, Tulsi did her Honours in pathobiology from the University of Adelaide in 2014. Tulsi loves working with animals and caring for them. She enjoys surgical nursing.
Outside the clinic, Tulsi loves to travel and explore new places, walking, exercising and cooking. Tulsi enjoys her family time with husband Bhaskar and two lovely daughters Heli and Shree.
Kaylie Pleic
Veterinary Technician
Kaylie graduated from the University of Adelaide with a degree in Veterinary Technology in 2022. She thoroughly enjoyed her placement at Semaphore Veterinary Surgery during her studies and has now joined the team as a veterinary nurse. Kaylie is a lover of animals of all kinds, both large and small.
In her spare time, Kaylie loves being outdoors, especially at the beach. She also enjoys travelling, spending time with family, friends and her chihuahua Taco.
Andrea Phelps
Veterinary Nurse
Andrea joined the Semaphore team after completing a placement in 2023. She graduated with a Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing at TAFE SA in December 2023.
She enjoys nursing patients during their veterinary visits and although she loves all animals, she has a soft spot for Jack Russells.
In her spare time, Andrea enjoys spending quality time with her family, reading and going to the gym
Anna Avonlea
Veterinary Nurse
Anna joined the Semaphore Vet team in 2023 after moving back to Australia after living in the Swiss Alps for 15 years. She loves hospital nursing working specifically with cats - she likes a feisty feline challenge!
At home she has six foster-fail cats that keep her very busy.
Abbey McCluskey
Receptionist and Puppy Preschool Coordinator
After starting as a receptionist at an emergency clinic in 2021, Abbey joined the Semaphore team in March 2023.
Abbey has a passion for client & patient care, as well as coordinating the clinic social media and puppy preschool classes for the instructors.
In her spare time, Abbey enjoys spending time with family, friends and her cat Kobie.
Kylie Nguyen
Hospital Maintenance
Kylie joined our team in April 2023 and is charge of keeping our workspaces spotlessly clean.
She has a gorgeous little Chihuahua x Pomeranian, Ruby. In her spare time, Kylie likes to experience new things and spend time with her three sons and husband.
Nikki Schamschurin
Veterinary Nurse & Puppy Preschool Instructor
Nikki graduated from Gilles Plains TAFE in Veterinary Nursing in 2015 and joined the Semaphore Vet team in June, 2023.
She has a strong passion for dental procedures and exotic animal care, whilst also being a lover of all things small and senior.
Nikki is a dog mum to Arnie (Chihuahua x), Gus (Shar Pei), Juniper (Maltese Shih Tzu) and Teddy (Toy Poodle). When Nikki isn’t in the clinic, you’ll often find her out with friends or seeing family.