Our Team
Our team of experienced and friendly vets and nurses are on hand to provide informative, honest and up to date advice and care for all stages of your pet’s life.
Dr. Peter Van Orsouw BVSc (Hons)
Principle Veterinarian + Fear Free Certified Professional
Peter has lived within the local community since 1985 after graduating from Melbourne University the same year. After working in Dandenong and on the Mornington Peninsula he decided to start up Belgrave South Veterinary Clinic opening the doors of a small timber building in November 1988.
From humble beginnings and the desire to be available for the local furry family pets, the clinic has grown to become what it is today.
Peter loves everything about being a Veterinarian from diagnosing and following up a complex case to all types of surgery. In 2017 he completed his Post Graduate Degree in Behaviour and enjoying a new interest in this field helping many different animals.
In his rare spare time Peter enjoys spending time with his wife Lorraine, their two boys, walking anywhere and everywhere - usually with his dogs in tow and pottering around his vineyard.
His love for “All Creatures great and small” has him stating that he loves his job and it gives him great pleasure to see families grow and come back with their own children and wouldn’t have it any other way.
Dr. Caitlin Mathieson
Veterinarian + Fear Free Certified Professional
Originally from Melbourne, Caitlin graduated from James Cook University in 2018 and has come back down south to work at Belgrave South. Her bunnies Cecilia and Puddles are spoilt rotten!
Caitlin has been made to feel very welcome with our wonderful friendly community and the broad range of animals that she has met and treated.
She enjoys welcoming clients into the clinic with her friendly smile and is passionate about the care and diagnosis of your pet’s condition.
Along with her love for all creatures great and small Caitlin also has a secret talent of baking with her speciality being Ginger Bread House! Caitlin also likes to spend her time with her horse Banjo.
Cathie
Veterinary Nurse + Fear Free Certified Professional
Cathie is a country girl growing up in Albury with a crazy passion for animals that began with rescuing a pregnant cat out of a drain at the age of five much to her mother’s dismay.
She began working in a Veterinary Clinic aged fifteen and brought home many more animals of all shapes and sizes. Cathie is a valued team member who has worked here since 1991. She feels blessed that she has the privilege of working in the community in which she lives. It is a pleasure of hers to be able to relate to our clients over the many years watching families and their pets grow and change.
Her interest in behaviour and training, along with her teaching skills, has led Cathie to be part of our Puppy Pre-School Programme which she helps run.
Married with five children and six granddaughters, she now only has one dog, one cat and one bird. In her spare time you will find Cathie pottering around in her garden or reading.
Sam
Veterinary Nurse + Fear Free Certified Professional
Sam is an experienced veterinary nurse who has been in the industry for 20 years. She is incredibly caring and welcoming.
Having started out volunteering at animal shelters, she loves all aspects of being a vet nurse, but has taken a special interest in imaging.
Having fostered many cats and kittens over the years, Sam has enjoyed having her house full of cats and has 3 of her own, but if she had her own way, she would have more!
Sam lives in the Hills with her family of 3 kids, husband, 2 dogs: Elanor and Charlotte and of course her 3 cats: Zora, Bree and Abbey. There is never a dull moment in her crazy household!
One day Sam hopes to own her own hobby farm with 2 donkeys.
Dr. Sasha Van Deventer
Veterinarian + Fear Free Certified Professional
Sasha graduated from Melbourne University in 2008 and spent the first 10 years of her practice in small animal practice in the suburbs of Melbourne. Having grown up in the hills and still being a hills local she's excited to now be practising in her local community.
Feline medicine is Sasha's passion and she's very excited about our feline friendly practice approach . She also enjoys diagnostic imaging and is well experienced with abdominal ultrasonography.
In her spare time she loves bushwalking in the beautiful Sherbrooke forest, spoiling her cats at home and enjoying our local Yarra Valley wines.
Dr. Keely McGovern
Veterinarian + Fear Free Certified Professional
Keely first joined the Belgrave South team as a weekend veterinary nurse whilst studying Veterinary Science at Melbourne University. She enjoyed our fabulous team so much, she stayed on as a vet once she became fully qualified in 2022. In her sparetime, Keely is a dedicated rider and adores her horse, Valley. Her two cats, Percy and Jackson are the loves of her life. Keely has a friendly and warm approach to all her patients and owners, making her a popular addition to the community.
Destiny
Head Veterinary Nurse + Fear Free Certified Professional
Destiny started here at the clinic in 2016 as a trainee nurse and completed her studies in 2017. From farm life in country Victoria she enjoys all aspects of the clinic and lending her skills to the many different animals that walk through the door.
Her passion is in the education of Rescue and Second Chance of animals of which many have spent part of their life in her tender loving care before going on to their forever homes.
Destiny’s interest is in surgery and the care of her patients whilst they are here to ensure that their visit is as comfortable as possible.
Clare
Veterinary Nurse + Fear Free Certified Professional
Clare completed her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing in 2020 here at BSVC. She returned from Europe in 2018 where she spent 7 years training and competing in dressage. Clare really enjoys the interaction with client’s pets and also has an interest in Wildlife. She has a Bachelor in Environmental Science and would like to extend her knowledge in Wildlife Veterinary Nursing. Clare is a professional dressage rider and trainer so in her spare time she is competing and training her horses. She also has a rescue dog from Spain called Bello, who has travelled through Europe with her and now calls Australia home! Clare loves living in the country and would like to have a house full of dogs!
Dr. Joanne Simon
Veterinarian + Fear Free Certified Professional
Born and bred in Far North Queensland, Joanne graduated from The University of Queensland in 2010. Her first job as a new graduate was in a mixed practice in Mackay, Queensland treating a wide range of animals.
Joanne moved down to Belgrave to be with her now husband and appreciates the wonderful hills community that has welcomed her. She has a keen interest in all aspects of Veterinary Medicine but has a special interest in soft tissue surgery and Acupuncture, where she has further studied.
Outside of the vet world Joanne is mother to two beautiful boys and enjoys time spent with family, camping, being outdoors and all things crafty, especially with renovating the home.
Lorraine Van Orsouw
KPA CTP-DELTA Cert Level IV Canine Behavioural Trainer + Fear Free Certified Professional
Originally from the UK, Lorraine helped Peter start up the Practice in 1988 and loves living and working in the hills. She can’t think of any animal that she doesn’t like, they all have a place in our world.
This has led her to be interested animal behaviour, how they learn and the human animal bond. Lorraine has been running Puppy Pre-School at the Clinic since 2001 and conducts private dog training as well as volunteering at Sherbrooke Dog Obedience Club. She also teaches training and behaviour at Box Hill Institute.
Lorraine and Peter have two boys and many animals that share their home. She loves riding her horses and hiking the countryside along with catching up with friends.
Naomi
Practice Manager + Fear Free Certified Professional
Naomi has recently joined the team as Practice Manager. She is a qualified veterinary nurse and has worked in the veterinary industry for over 11 years. Prior to working at Belgrave South she has worked as a surgical nurse in both GP and Specialist clinics. She has a passion for patient care and client education.
When she’s not working her interests include looking after her menagerie of pets which include 2 dogs Buddy and Hazel, 2 cats Alfie and Clara, 2 guinea pigs Theo and Jojo and turtle Napoleon. She also loves running, hiking, yoga and travelling with her husband in their very old Jaco caravan.
Olivia
Veterinary Nurse + Fear Free Certified Professional
Olivia is a local girl having grown up in the Hills and started here as a Trainee Nurse in 2016, graduating from Box Hill Institute in 2018 with a Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing.
Olivia has a strong interest in Feline Medicine and continuing education in the field. She also loves working and rehabilitating wildlife and working closely with wildlife carers in the local area.
When she’s not working she spends her time with her family, her daughter Ellie & her menagerie of pets which include 2 dogs Winnie & Monty, 2 cats Maurice & Phineas, 4 chooks, Beryl, Barbara, Beetroot & Beegee and 1 duck Mirkle.
Danni
Veterinary Nurse + Fear Free Certified Professional
We welcomed Danni to the Belgrave South team in early 2021 during the crazy pandemic times. Danni’s passion and love of caring for animals started from a young age, bringing home strays when out walking with her sister. At the age of 16 she was offered a veterinary nursing traineeship at a busy reproduction veterinary clinic in the outer suburbs, while still studying at secondary school. She completed her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nurse at Box Hill Institute in 2012.
Her strong passion for helping stray animals then lead her to move into shelter nursing until 2021. During this time Danni has fostered many cats & kittens, two of which joined her family permanently - handsome tabby boys Cookie & Biscuit who mistake themselves for dogs most of the time.
In her spare time Danni enjoys supporting her kids with cheering on the side-lines of a netball/basketball court or footy ground. She also loves a weekend getaway to experience new places.
Tahlia
Veterinary Nurse Student
Tahlia is a local who first came to our clinic as a work experience student. Her passion for animals and community spirit was quickly noticed and she was offered a placement nursing position in our team.
Tahlia is a outdoors and camping fanatic, as long as one of her dogs can come along! She has become a valued member of our team and we love seeing her grow in confidence as her career develops.
Rachel
Animal Attendant
Rachel started working at BSVC in 2021 as an Animal Attendant. Rachel has completed Certificates I and II in Animal Studies and Certificate III in Companion Animal Services. Rachel has previously volunteered at an Animal Shelter and received a volunteer appreciation badge in recognition of her history of support for the organization.
Rachel lives in the hills and has been using BSVC over the years for her many different pets (Rabbits, guinea pigs and dogs).
Rio- R.I.P November 2023
Resident Cockatoo
Rio has been a valued member of Belgrave South Veterinary Clinic for many years. He came to our clinic in 2004 after being found by our local wildlife carer, Carol. He was found at a park swearing and squawking at people! Carol noted that he was obviously someone’s pet and after trying to find his original owner he came to live here in Belgrave South. He unfortunately cannot be released back in to the wild as he cannot fly and is too domesticated.
Rio loves music and dancing. Some of his favourite tunes are Twinkle Twinkle and I’m Gonna Be (500 miles song). He can also speak and loves to have a chat but we apologise these words can sometimes be rude!
Rio will often come into the clinic to help out in reception and play with Dr Daniel. He loves cardboard boxes and always has a supply of seed, fresh fruit and water.
Dr Daniel Harris
Resident Cat and Troublemaker
Daniel came to the clinic as a stray a number of years ago and has well and truly settled in as the World’s Best Clinic Cat. We believe Daniel was born for this job and loves greeting all patients and owners at the door. He loves Puppy School evenings and playing with them!