Our Team
Dr Christina
Dr Christina Zhu is a bilingual veterinarian who has over 15 years of experience as a small animal veterinarian with a special interest in surgery and behaviour. She brings with her a wealth of expertise in all aspects of general practice.
After spending some time in a busy small animal clinic in Western Sydney, she returned to the University of Sydney Veterinary Teaching Hospital to undertake a rotating internship and subsequently completed a Diploma. She then successfully became a Member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (Surgery Chapter) in 2012 before pursuing further training in small animal surgery via a residency program. She then completed a Masters in Clinical Studies that involved patients who underwent cranial cruciate ligament surgery.
Through managing the RSPCA Veterinary Hospital in Sydney for many years, Christina developed an interest and appreciation of veterinary behaviour and understands the importance of behaviour on overall animal health and how sentinel it is to their welfare. At Croydon Park Veterinary Hospital we work to optimise animal welfare through addressing the physical and mental wellbeing of the patients.
She is a mum to a geriatric Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Sherlock, two cheeky tiny humans and enjoys travelling, jazz and gastronomical experiences. She hopes to visit the Galapagos Islands one day with her family.
Dr Yvonne
Yvonne wanted to be a vet when she got her first dog, Mocca, in high school. She believes it is a privilege to have animals as companions and wants to help both pet parents and their pets form a strong, unforgettable bond. She currently has three rescue cats – Luna the cheeky one, Jelly the naughty one, and Bean the hungry one. Occasionally, she fosters abandoned kittens from work.
On her days off, Yvonne loves playing team sports such as volleyball, badminton, etc. She also loves cuddling with the cats while reading a good book or playing video games. What drives Yvonne is the urge to continue learning to improve and discover, both as a veterinarian and in life.
Ashley
Emily
Our senior nurse Emily has been in the industry for almost 15 years in large hospitals around Sydney. She has previously taken on the roles as Head Nurse and Practice Manager.
Emily has always had a passion for all animals and is especially interested in the mental wellbeing of our beloved pets. Her love of cats has influenced her continued education. She has completed the “ Stress Free Pets “ course and has worked at ISFM gold standard cat accredited clinics.
Emily has 2 ginger cats that are a mother-and-son rescue. They can usually be found relaxing in the sun on her balcony chairs. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, travelling, going to the beach or enjoying a horror movie or ghost-hunting tour.
Paula
Animals have always ignited a special passion in Paula since childhood, inspiring her to help those in need. With nearly 5 years in the animal industry, she cherishes learning, exploring new places, and creating cherished moments with loved ones. Paula’s life revolves around three rescued cats—Odin (5), Loki, and Hela (almost 2).
In the future, Paula sees herself becoming a dedicated feline veterinarian in Australia, caring for both small and large feline species.
Beyond her career, she aims to be a compassionate, enlightened individual, finding joy and fulfilment in her own personal development.
Elise
Elise has spent 20 years in various roles in the animal industry, from farms to zoos to veterinary nursing. Her passion for animals led her to pursue a veterinary career after witnessing the crucial role nurses play in saving lives at an emergency animal hospital. In addition to working at Croydon Park, Elise juggles a casual position at an emergency hospital, study, and care for her horses.
In her rare free moments, Elise enjoys camping and bushwalking with her dog. At home, she is surrounded by a diverse family of 19 pets, including dogs, parrots, horses, snakes, and cats. Ultimately, Elise aspires to specialise in emergency and critical care, or internal medicine nursing.
Matt
Passionate about pursuing a career as a veterinary nurse, Matt has a deep love for animals and finds fulfilment in contributing to their health and well-being. Relatively new to the veterinary industry, Matt is marking his first year as a veterinary nurse and second year overall.
Outside of work, Matt immerses himself in music, movies, and spending quality time with friends and family. His heart belongs to cats, and at home, he has Jim, his pampered feline who has a knack for finding the most unique spots to relax in.
Looking ahead, Matt envisions himself growing into a highly confident and knowledgeable vet nurse.