About Candice and the team

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About Candice and the team

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A little bit about

Candice

Dr Candice Lafranchi (formally Taylor), left Winchelsea back in 2003 to pursue her childhood dream of becoming a veterinarian. There was never a question in her mind this was the career path she wanted to take.

After completing her Bachelor of Science at Monash University followed by completion of Bachelor of Veterinary Science at the University of Melbourne (graduating in 2010), Candice has worked in numerous small animal clinics throughout Melbourne. In 2017, Candice then decided to try her hand at mixed practise and felt the variety of large animals suited and satisfied her more than being stuck in the clinic all day! After meeting and later wedding her beloved husband Aaron, Candice and Aaron established Cockatoo Creek Veterinary Clinic in their residing town of Cockatoo which is the sister branch to Winchelsea Veterinary Hospital to which she travels once a week. Candice and Aaron have a Great Dane x Staffy x Bulldog called Frankie and a Chow Chow x Spitz called Malaya whom they love very much! Candice is very excited to return to her roots and spend more time with her beloved parents and friends while she is in town! Candice has a passion for rabbit medicine as well as an interest in small ruminants. And of course, she very much loves all dogs and cats that come through the door! Candice enjoys treating all animals great and small and continues to remain up to date with the latest treatments and medical advice for your pets.

Our Team

Maddison (Cert 4 nurse)

Maddie has known since she was about 5 years of age that she wanted to be a part of the animal industry- starting from saving little fledglings, kittens and critters in her backyard, to studying straight out of highschool and qualifying in Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing in late 2020.

She has dipped her feet in a few local Geelong clinics since then, but now has found her passion lies in the mixed practice of Winchelsea Veterinary Hospital. She absolutely loves the challenges vet nursing brings, but loves a variety of roles such as reception, management duties and most importantly meeting all the beautiful fur-babies, young and old and their amazing parents.

Maddie has had a keen interest in cytology, radiology and surgery and is always studying to improve her knowledge in the wildlife, nursing and large animal industry. When she is not working, she cares for her rescues Blu (a pigeon), Pepper (Bull Arab x), Jack (Blue Tongue), Barry (Turtle) and many fish. Maddi also spends time with her family, friends and partner, as well as enjoying the outdoors, travelling, camping and painting.

She looks forward to meeting you all when you come into the hospital!

Kathy HR/ Admin and

Rod property maintenance

Kathy Taylor is our Admin / HR / WHS Manager. Kathy and her family moved into Winchelsea in 1985. Kathy graduated with a Bachelor of Business from Monash University specialising in strategic management and human resources management, as well she earned a Grad Dip in Occupational Hazard Management from University of Ballarat. She is currently studying Animal Studies at the Gordon TAFE. Her work career has been spent mainly in high risk manufacturing and the mining industry working in various States of Australia and in New Zealand. Since moving to Winchelsea Kathy has been, and still is, an active community member. Kathy’s family has owned and looked after many species of animals as pets and herd animals. Everything from merino sheep to dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, peacocks, chickens and ducks. Kathy loves seeing the different personalities of every dog she meets. Her ‘bestie’ is Asha, a Kelpie Cross who she took on as a rescue dog from Newcastle NSW. Kathy loves animals especially Australia’s native animals including ‘snakes’, and hopes to visit Antarctica to see the native birds, penguins, whales and seals in their natural habitat.

Rod is a very important part of the hospital maintenance and team. He looks after building as well as the hospital grounds and keeps the hospital looking the best it can be!

Jessica (Cert 4 nurse)

Jessica is a qualified Cert IV nurse graduating in 2022. Jess tried out a few different career paths along the way before realising that working with animals was her ultimate dream. She has always had a love for animals, growing up on her family farm surrounded mainly by horses, sheep and dogs and more recently her two beloved pet goats. Jess currently works as a nurse at two different veterinary clinics and loves the camaraderie and different opportunities to learn afforded from both.

Outside of work Jess enjoys spending time at home with her best pal Maltese x Poodle Dolcè, riding her Connemara pony Fletch, and trying to keep her favourite shetland pony Foxy and her two goats Julia and Kevin from causing too much trouble.

Justyna (Cert 4 Nurse)

Justyna is a qualified Veterinary Nurse with over 10 years experience. She originally grew up in Melbourne working in small practices. In 2013 she moved to Lara and got a job in a mixed animal practice. Justyna lives with her husband and two young children.

She also has 2 Border Collies, a cat with a neurological problem, a turtle and chicken. Outside of work Justyna enjoys spending time with her family and going on various walks exploring the Fauna and Flora with her kids and teaches them why its important to protect it.

Susie (Groomer)

Meet our new groomer Susie!!!

Originally from Atlanta Georgia USA graduating with BBA in Marketing and Further Studies International Marketing. Travelling and lining in London and Israel. Moved to Australia in the early 1990s working in Perth, Gold Coast and settling in Melbourne.

Career shifted from Pet Care Industry after working in Animal Welfare League QLD. Graduated the distinction Companion Animal Grooming Certificate Cranbourne in 2001 working in a variety of local dog grooming establishments in Melbourne.

Created Naturally Stylin’ Dog Grooming in Bayside which started as a mobile service and bloomed into a shop front for 23 years in Highett

Recently moved to Birregurra with companions Rocket (4 year old Cavalier) and Juji (17 year old Bengal X)

Love the grooming aspect of the pet industry working with owners and pets. Specialty is creating breed standard grooming styles to suit lifestyles of both the owner and pet. Looking forward to discussing pet grooming needs soon!