EQUINE VETERINARIANS

Den graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2010 and moved to Alexandra, in northern Victoria.  She loved her first couple of years here, working as a mixed practitioner and gaining a wide range of experience. Keen to pursue her equine interest, she worked in an ambulatory equine-only practice west of Melbourne before locuming overseas. On her return to Australia, she settled in South Gippsland to work as GVG's primary equine vet in 2016.

Den particularly enjoys medicine and reproduction and in 2017, she passed her membership exams in equine medicine through the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (ANZCVS). This was a great opportunity to network with other equine vets, refresh her knowledge on all things medicine and provide GVG clients with a more thorough local service.

Den is now a working mother, with three girls keeping her on her toes at home!  She consults across both our equine team and most of our companion animal clinics, so she is well known to many of our clients.

Michael O’Brien is an equine veterinarian and one of the key members of the GVG Equine team.  Mike originally joined us in 2011 having worked at a busy equine practice in South East Queensland for the previous stud season.  He was a valued team member of Tarwin Veterinary Group for the next two years, rejoining the now Gippsland Veterinary Group in May 2021. 

In 2014, he completed an internship at Randwick Equine Centre in Sydney.  He then worked as an associate in equine practice at Illawarra Equine Centre and later, at the Liphook Equine Hospital in the UK.  Mike enjoys all aspects of equine veterinary practice and helps deliver important services to our growing number of clients in this area.  In 2024, he gained his certificate in advanced veterinary practice from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in the UK, following the successful completion of six modules and examination in the field of equine lameness diagnosis and therapeutics. 

Mike joined the board of directors in early 2025 and is enjoying the challenge of practice management along with his clinical duties.  Mike and his wife Claire, also a GVG vet, are raising their family in South Gippsland and love being part of the local community.

Originally from Kyabram in Northern Victoria, Amy grew up on a beef cattle property before pursuing vet science at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga. Whilst studying, Amy worked as an equine vet nurse, gaining experience in racehorses both locally and internationally. Amy has been with GVG since 2023 and enjoys working with clients and their horses, with a particular interest in foal medicine.

Outside of work, Amy enjoys exploring the great outdoors and is looking forward to returning to cutting and cow horse events with her quarter horses.

Jess joined GVG in February 2022 to add her skills to our growing and busy equine team. Jess completed her DVM at Melbourne University in 2020 after studying her Bachelor's Degree in Sydney. In 2021 she completed a 12-month internship at Agnes Banks Equine Centre in NSW.

In equine veterinary science, Jess has a keen interest in medicine, poor performance, diagnostic imaging and wound management. In early 2025, she commenced studies for a post-graduate certificate in equine emergency and critical care through the University of Liverpool.  In her spare time Jess enjoys competitive team sorting and cooking (the latter skill always welcome at GVG).