Dr Tim Bowden BVSc (Hons) MVSc BAgSc (Hons) BSc
Dr Tim grew up in the East Malvern area and from a young age always had a fondness and affinity for animals. After finishing a Science and Agricultural science degree at university, Tim was again drawn to the veterinary field through the work placements that he had completed. After completing the Veterinary Science degree at the University of Melbourne, Tim moved to Warragul in East Gippsland where he worked for 4 years as a mixed practice vet attending to dairy cows, horses and a variety of other farm beasts as well as companion animals back at the clinic.
It was small animals that drew him back to Melbourne, where he worked in a busy small animal clinic whilst completing a Masters of Veterinary Science. As head veterinarian at Southern Animal Health, Tim developed his philosophies on a healthier approach to vet care. After 6 years Tim decided that he wanted to move back to East Malvern to be closer to his family. Tim also believed that the local pet owners deserved better veterinary service so he set up Progressive VET Care on Chadstone Road. Now Tim, with the help of his team of Vets and Nurses at Progressive VET Care provides trusted advice, surgical and medical consultations as well as emergency care to local pet owners.
Dr. Melyssa Cotton BSc BVMS
Melyssa graduated from Murdoch University in Perth in 2012. After completing an internship in Small Animal Medicine and Oncology in the west, she made the move over to Melbourne to broaden her horizons.
Since then, Melyssa has worked in various small animal general practices in Melbourne and enjoys the variety of cases she sees. Her main veterinary interests include giving clients top-notch service as well as medicine and anaesthesia.
When not at work, Melyssa lives with her partner and charismatic Schnauzer, Franki. She also enjoys cooking, sewing, walking and reading on her days off.
Dr Elita Frazer BSc DVM
Elita completed her veterinary studies at the University of Melbourne, graduating with Distinction. Since then, she worked at busy small clinic's in Berwick and NarreWarren - Before moving to Progressive VET Care in 2020.
Elita's main interest is surgery and she performs a wde rang of soft tissue and orthopaedic procedures. She especially enjoys orthopaedics and brachycephalic airway (BOAS) surgeries.
She is also interested in behaviour, and is Fear Free certified to ensure a low stress veterinary visit for your pet.
Dr Colette Hester
Originally from Ireland, Colette received her Honours bachelor degree from University College Dublin in 2015.
She moved to Melbourne in 2018 to gain new experiences abroad and see what life is like down under!
She locumed in various small animal clinics in and around the city before taking on a
permanent position at PVC in August 2020. Colette's main interests are performing surgeries and working
up interesting medical cases. In her free time she enjoys socialising with friends, keeping active and travelling.
Dr. Katrina Lange
Katrina grew up on a farm in the Riverina and wanted to become a vet from age 5. She studied at Sydney
University and qualified in 1990. After a brief stint in a mixed practice she settled on small animal
practice which she has thoroughly enjoyed ever since.
Dr. Katrina has also spent 6 months working in Tokyo at a Uni Vet School in 1993 before moving to Melbourne in 1997. She passed her small animal medicine membership exams in 1996 and did some extra training in Oncology in 2003. She loves all aspects of veterinary medicine and has a special interest in oncology and chemotherapy in small animals.
Katrina has a slightly naughty Dacshund, an ageing but very sweet Cavoodle, an aloof black cat and 2 Burmese cats,
one of which has only 3 legs. Katrina is passionate about patient care and client communication and believes
that being a vet is a privilege. She is thrilled to have a new opportunity to work at Progressive vet care
and looks forward to meeting clients and their pets
Jacqueline Burridge - Senior Veterinary Nurse
Jackie has been nursing for 10 years now and is very passionate about it. Her beautiful boxer Flippa is her inspiration as she has been through so much in her short life, but with all the help of wonderful vets and vet nurses, she has battled through.
She is slowly creating her own farm in a suburban house with her four chickens, a very naughty black cat called Narla and a playful little dog Aurora
Alicia Graham - Veterinary Nurse
Alicia began her nursing career here at Progressive Vet Care, she has always had a passion for the welfare of animals ranging from our furry domestic cats and dogs to the wild life such as wallabys, kangaroos and more.
Alicia enjoys assisting with all surgeries and giving all our patients extra cuddles and comfort. At home Alicia has a german shepherd and her three cuddle cats.
Hannah Williams - Veterinary Nurse
Hannah has been passionate about animals all her life and shares her house with her partner, her FOUR cats Rose, Loki, Quincey and Clemitine, her puppy Thor, as well as various foster-cats and kittens from Cheltenham Cat Rescue.
Hannah loves assisting with surgeries and taking care of our furry patients before and after their procedures.
Megan Giles – Veterinary Nurse
Started nursing in 2011, Megan has her Diploma in Veterinary Nursing which she gained in the UK before coming to Australia in 2019 when she joined our team here at Progressive VET Care.
Megan has recently adopted a kitten named Pouncer who was rescued through the clinic's rescue program as a tiny ball of fluff.
In her spare time Megan enjoys all things outdoors including horse riding, hiking and camping.
Lucille Gardner O'Brien
Started Nursing in February 2020 here at Progressive VET care, Lucille is Currently studying her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing.
At home she has a loveable Shih-tzu called Pepper, In her free time between working and study Lucille
catching up with friends and exercising.
Harshini Samarasingha
Always wanting to end up in animal rehabilitation and conservation as a child, Harshini decided to do a Bachelors of Science majoring in animal and Cell biology as she finished high school. Not quite finding it as the right way to chase her passion she decided to try out nursing. It wasn't long before she fell in love with the job and made her way into our Progressive Vet Care family where she has been since January 2021.
At home she has three little rescue cats, Blade, Oats and Jupiter and plans to get plenty more (as well as maybe a bigger place to house everyone). Outside of work Harshini dabbles in circus training, cooking and trying to keep her many plants alive.
Ellen Taylor
Ellen is currently studying her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. She has always had a passion for animals and has grown up with all sorts of pets whether they have fur, feathers or scales.
She lives with her Rottweiler Thia who was the catalyst in pursuing a career in this field. Thia suffers from a liver condition which requires long term healthcare management.
Ellen loves caring for animals before and after surgeries and is a sucker for large breed dogs. She also enjoys caring for any wildlife that we have the privilege of treating.
Silvana Conillo - Mobile Ultrasonographer
Silvana is an overseas trained and Australian recognised veterinarian
with more than 20 years of experience.
Qualified in diagnostic ultrasound in the human field in 1999.
Further extensive ultrasound education in Europe, Asia and America.
Certified IVUSS ( International Veterinary Ultrasound Society)
Kim Ball - Puppy School Teacher
Kim grew up in the Chadstone area and has always been surrounded by animals, including: dogs, cats, birds and rabbits. Her mother was the Secretary of the Victorian Obedience Dog Club in Box Hill and was the owner and part trainer of the first Australian Kelpie to obtain the title of Obedience Champion, which included tracking.
Kim soon followed in her mother's footsteps taking classes at the age of 15, and then going on to train her own Australian Kelpies to obedience titles including Obedience Champion and endurance. Kim has trained her present Kelpies in Substance Detection, Obedience Training, Trick Dog and Dances with Dogs – Canine Freestyle.
Kim has over 24 years of experience in running Baby Puppy Classes. She is a life member of the Victorian Obedience Dog Club.With more than 40 years of experience in dog training, Kim also has a Bachelor of Education majoring in music, and is a flute teacher with the Ministry of Education. She is also a Dogs Victoria Licensed Instructor and holds a Certificate III in Dog Behaviour and Training.