Our Team

Dr Sallyanne Olsen

BVSc (Hons) BSV

Growing up on a sheep and cattle property in north west Queensland, Sallyanne was always surrounded by animals and after completing a Science degree and working as a scientist in Brisbane for 3 years, she took a year off to explore Europe before graduating as a Veterinarian from the University of Queensland in 1998. She returned to the west as a new graduate in Charleville for 2 years before spreading her wings to large equine practices in Scone in the Hunter Valley and Newmarket in England. In 2004, she returned home to Queensland and together with her husband Richard, purchased Peter Lawton’s practice and together they established Capricorn Vet Surgery. Sallyanne has a keen interest in small animal medicine and a passion for equine reproduction and equine neonatally. She divides her time between Capricorn Vet Surgery, helping run a commercial and stud cattle property, her beautiful family and a multitude of animals.

Dr Richard Olsen

BVSc

Richard grew up on his parent’s Brahman Cattle stud near Wandoan, QLD and graduated from the University of Queensland in 1994 as a Veterinarian. Before coming to settle in Rockhampton, Richard worked in various small animal, mixed practice and specialist equine and cattle practices extending from Tasmania to Darwin. After having had the opportunities to work with numerous other Veterinarians, gaining a wealth of knowledge and experience, Richard was drawn back to Queensland, family ties and the great state. With a wealth of experience Richard has a practical approach to Veterinary medicine, with an interest in the cattle industry and an innate ability to handle horses, as well as an interest in orthopaedic surgery. Richard divides his time between Capricorn Vet Surgery, his beautiful family and running a commercial, stud cattle and cropping operation.

Dr Hilary

Carla Harris

Vet Nurse

Carla is our longest running member of the Capvets team with over 27 years of hands on experience when it comes to the Veterinary Industry, working as a Vet Nurse since 91’ – Capricorn Vet Surgery would not be the same without her. Carla has extensive experience in both small and large animals thanks to her years as a country girl gaining hands on experience with her own cattle, horses & working dogs. If you have any questions on just about any farm animal or small animal behaviour, Carla is your guru. Carla spends her time outside of work with her two smart and charming boys, her loving husband and her trusty working dog Blade.

Teoni McLean

Vet Nurse

Teoni has been a valued member of the Capvet Team since November 2018 and is currently completing her certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. Growing up on properties in Western Queensland fuelled Teoni’s love for animals, making Rockhampton the perfect place for her to share her knowledge and passion. Teoni has been in Rockhampton for 8 years where she has been able to continue riding her beloved horse Jewels whilst providing exceptional care to all animals. Teoni has a passion for animals great and small.

Her main interests are cats and horses, but she always has a soft spot for dogs, goats and anything paediatric. Teoni shows love and devotion to anything that walks through our doors. We are sure if it was possible, she would take everything home! Teoni’s family consists of two quarter horses and a hand-raised kitten “Pedro” who was lovingly hand raised by Teoni when he came into the clinic at only a few days old. When we are able to kick Teoni out of the clinic, she devotes her spare time to studying, riding horses and spending endless time with her beloved Pedro.

Riley

Vet Nurse

Riley joined the Capricorn Vet Team in 2016 after graduating from the University of Queensland as a Veterinarian Technician. Riley has developed a strong knowledge in small animal medicine and is one of our wonderful senior nurses. In her spare time Riley enjoys training her Kelpie “Rooster” to work cattle.

Renee

Vet Nurse

Renee is our newest vet nurse currently completing a certificate 4 in veterinary nursing. She has come to the industry with a passion for treating and caring for sick animals. Renee particularly enjoys birds, horses, and alpacas. Renee was previously working at Cedar Galleries Alpaca farm attending to the husbandry of Alpacas such as feeding and training and on special occasion assists with births, Renee also took great pleasure in being a farmhand at one of Bribie Islands wonderful saddle clubs. Renee now owns two beautiful parrots named Oscar and Ava and a sweet Bull Arab named Thor, keeping her on her toes.

Paris

Vet Nurse

Paris has recently joined our team on a school-based traineeship for Vet Nursing as a stepping stone into the industry, where she endeavours to be a Veterinarian. Paris loves animals of all sizes but particularly enjoys horses and dogs. Paris in her spare time enjoys practicing her roping g and rodeo skills with her beautiful horse Hisaan.

Rochelle

Practice Manager

Rochelle is our wonderful Practice Manager who keeps all clinic running’s in order. Rochelle can often be found assisting in reception greeting all your wonderful pets when she isn’t working hard on all the important behind-the-scenes tasks. Rochelle has always been an avid animal lover and worked closely with local rescue agencies; fostering, rehabilitating, and rehoming stray and neglected animals.

She joined our team in her DREAM role as Practice Manager in early 2019 where she has helped take the clinic and team from strength to strength. And as you would expect from her fostering days Rochelle has a zoo that is greatly loved by her two daughters Paris and Ciara; from their newest addition Swanie the cattle dog to Daisy, Pricilla (her first clinic take home), Yoda, Biscuit, Billy and her stock horse the cheeky Hisaan.

Samala

Receptionist

Samala moved back from the fast life of Perth in 2017, where she was working as a vet nurse, settling into the coastal town of Yeppoon to enjoy some time with her family.

Missing the reward of working in the fast-paced client interactive animal industry she joined the team in 2019, where she has since re-started her studies in veterinary nursing. Samala is our bubbly receptionist and will be the first person to greet you and your pet as you walk through the door.

Samala has a keen interest in canine nutrition and cat/dog behaviour and also runs a puppy class for the clinic.

Harry Olsen

Clinic Cat

In 2014 Harry was rescued as a tiny kitten and became a special member of the Capvets Family. Harry is a special kind of cat, a cat that will mathematically work out the exact place to sit that will cause the most inconvenience to you and your pet. You will find him strutting into the waiting room risking his life every day just for a pat or to torment the patients in cages. Forever begging for treats and greeting clients at the reception desk, Harry will give you a visit to remember.