GAWS vet team
GAWS is extremely fortunate to have a community vet clinic on site. Our highly skilled vets and vet nursing team ensure that every animal’s welfare is the number one priority.
Dr Ruth Dover
Head Veterinarian (BVSc)
Dr Ruth joined the GAWS Community Vet in June 2013 and has over twenty years’ experience in private practice and animal shelter work including the RSPCA in Victoria.
Dr Ruth loves the variety of being a shelter vet, seeing all the different personalities of pets who get to stay temporarily at the GAWS “stray pets motel”. Her passions are Shelter Medicine, dog training, the human-animal bond and desexing. Witnessing first-hand, the enormity of the cat overpopulation problem, she’s happy to be part of the solution.
Dr Ruth shares her life with two human children, two horses, two dogs, two cats and two birds. In her spare time, she like to experiment with dying her hair bright colours.
Dr Simon Mims
Veterinarian (BVSc)
Dr Simon joined the GAWS Community Vet in 2021 and brings with him a wealth of knowledge to our clinic. With over 40 years of experience in private practice and animal shelter care developed throughout Australia and overseas.
Dr Simon is incredibly empathetic and passionate about complicated medical cases. He has a profound understanding of animal behaviour and is dedicated to providing personalised care that enhances the well-being of our furry friends.
Dr Simon has an eight-year-old Jack Russell named Tiny that he adores. In his spare time, you’ll catch him out the back surfing the local waves.
Dr Polly O’Brien
Veterinarian (BVSc)
Dr Polly joined the GAWS Community Vet in 2017 after expressing a strong interest in animal welfare and shelter medicine.
After studying in Melbourne and working at multiple vet practices throughout the years both in Australia and in the UK, Dr Polly brings a wealth of experience to our clinic.
Dr Polly is passionate about small animal health and dermatology. She has a Bichon cross Poodle named Bertie who loves to run at the beach. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her family.
Dr Jin Chen
Veterinarian (DVM)
Dr Jin joined the GAWS Community Vet in 2024. She grew up in Taiwan and completed a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Melbourne in 2023.
Dr Jin brings with her a deep love for small animals and a strong passion for Shelter Medicine and animal welfare. Dr Jin enjoys all aspects of veterinary work, with a particular interest in surgery and shelter care.
At home, Dr Jin finds joy in the simple pleasures of life, especially spending time with her beloved cats. She values the quiet moments and the companionship of her feline friends.
Dr. Yujin Song
Veterinarian (BScH, DVM)
Dr Yujin joined the GAWS Community Vet in 2024. She is a recent graduate from Melbourne University and finished her undergraduate studies in Canada.
With a lifelong interest for animal care, Dr Yujin has gained extensive experience across various settings, including animal shelters, medical laboratories and doggy salons.
Dr Yujin’s passion lies in ophthalmology and Shelter Medicine.
Outside of work, Dr Yujin enjoys pet sitting and immersing herself in thriller novels.
Felicity
Veterinary Nurse
Felicity joined the GAWS Vet Clinic team when the clinic first opened. Felicity has a strong interest in surgical procedures and is always bringing us the next interesting case.
Felicitys own house is practically an animal shelter with two dogs, two cats, one pig, three sheep and about twenty or so chickens and ducks. She has even brought her pigs into the clinic to desex! Felicity is always up for chat and ready to offer advice on all your animal needs! Felicity enjoys exercising and spending time at her farm.
Jess
Veterinary Nurse
Jess was a Gordon trainee nurse who was hired at GAWS after displaying a great deal of hard work and passion for animal welfare.
Jess’s key interest lies with the animals at the clinic and she loves treating different medical cases and expanding her knowledge. Jess is a very dedicated nurse who enjoys the sometimes long hours involved with nursing sick animal back to perfect health.
Jess is also busy outside of GAWS with her Bengal cat Django and her horse Bob. Jess recently adopted a puppy from GAWS named Louie, she performed a DNA test and found he is the following breeds - Golden Retriver, Labrador, Border Collie, Kelpie and Maltese!
Marnie
Veterinary Nurse
Marnie started volunteering with GAWS for several years before completing her Veterinary Nursing course and becoming an employee. Marnie is currently the supervisor of our Cattery Department and also works in our Community Vet Clinic.
Marnie has a keen interest in medicinal nursing and enjoys working in animal welfare. She is an expert in foster caring pregnant mother dogs and cats and enjoys raising puppies and kittens until they are ready for their forever homes. Numbers are unimportant, but Marnie has a few resident dogs and cats that help her foster animals through the process.
Book a vet
Hours of operation by appointment
Monday–Friday: 9am–4:00pm
Saturday–Sunday & public holidays: Closed
Like many organisations, our Community Vet Clinic is experiencing staff shortages. Emergency appointments will be prioritized along with animals in need of critical care.
If your scheduled appointment has been affected, a team member will be in touch to reschedule. If you have a regular check-up booked and have flexibility to reschedule, our team would be extremely appreciative. Thank you for your understanding.
Please call the clinic line on 03 5248 2091 and press 2 to make a booking.
