Your vet care team

Dr Brigida Cornetta

BSc. DVM
Fear Free Certified (Level 2)

Brigida graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2016 and has been working in small animal general practice ever since. Brigida is passionate about providing the highest standards of care to each and every pet she sees and will always take the time to explain her observations, treatment plans and recommendations. She enjoys working with her patients to build their trust and create a positive association with vet visits through gentle handling and a force free approach. Brigida’s areas of interest outside of behaviour include nutrition, internal medicine and dermatology.

Brigida’s fur family:

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Dr Thulasi (Thulz) Sarvananthar

BVSc BVMS MANZCVS (Veterinary Behaviour)
Fear Free Certified

Thulz graduated from Murdoch University in Perth and moved to Melbourne to work as a small animal veterinarian. She quickly developed a special interest in pet behaviour and began working in the behaviour team at a leading animal welfare shelter. Her desire to support fearful animals and learn more about animal behaviour led her to attain her memberships from the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (ANZVCS) in the area of behavioural medicine. Thulz considers it part of her job to recognise and address signs of fear, anxiety and stress (FAS) in her patients and enjoys working with pet parents to find practical solutions for a harmonious outcome for all. She is also passionate about senior/geriatric care and recognises it as an important life stage to ensure her patients are living their best quality of life.

Thulz’s fur family:
Scooby, a cheeky 9 year old Staffy who was only “supposed to be fostered for 2 weeks”

Kate

Cert IV Veterinary Nurse
Fear Free Certified (Level 2)

Kate has loved animals for as long as she can remember. Growing up in Gippsland she was always surrounded by animals big and small and she always knew she wanted to work with animals when she got older. Following secondary college Kate pursued her passion for animals and continued on to study and complete a bachelor of science majoring in Zoology and Genetics where she was most interested in animal ecology and evolution. In 2016 Kate started her dream job as a veterinary nurse and went on to complete her Certificate IV in Vet Nursing. Since becoming a vet nurse Kate has developed a special interest in behaviour and fear free handling and strives to make every patient’s visit to the vet as positive and stress free as possible.

Kate’s fur family:

Eva

Cert IV Veterinary Nurse
Fear Free Certified (Elite)

Eva began her veterinary nursing career in 2012, attaining a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing in 2015 while working in a small animal veterinary clinic in Brunswick. Eva went on to work as the head nurse and practice manager of another clinic where she implemented Fear Free practices and worked towards getting the clinic and staff, Cat Friendly accredited. Eva’s passion for animal welfare and behaviour led her to undertake further studies in low stress handling and co-operative care while also launching animal rescue charity, Project Underdog Rescue.

Eva’s fur family:
George, the 7 years young American Staffy

Eva’s Continuing Education:
Dr Sophia Yin’s Low Stress Handling Certification (2019)
ISFM Cat Friendly Professional (2019)
Karen Pryor’s Better Veterinary Visits Certification (2020)
Taronga’s Veterinary Professional Training in Wildlife Treatment and Care (2023)

Tom

Cert IV Companion Animal Services (Delta)
Fear Free Certified Trainer
Separation Anxiety Pro Trainer

Tom’s love and passion for dog behaviour started in 2009 whilst travelling South-East Asia. With so many street dogs in dire conditions, he couldn’t just stand back and watch the suffering so the travels turned into a volunteering mission. He became fascinated with how the animals interacted with each other and humans.

Fast forward 12 years and Tom has successfully gained his Certificate IV in Companion Animals Services with the Delta Institute, joining a small cohort of revered Delta qualified trainers around Australia. Tom strongly advocates for a force-free, Fear-Free and science-based approach to dog training

“Most people are relieved when they hear they don’t need to punish or hurt their dog and training can be done in a humane, positive way.”

Tom’s fur family:
Rosie, the staffy x rottweiler who makes a habit of staring at guests until they move from her spot on the couch; and Penny, the staffy x that brings joyful chaos to the house from the moment she wakes Tom up by gently biting him on the thigh.