We would like to introduce to you our wonderful team of caring vets and nurses, working together with you to provide the best care for your furry loved ones. We understand that special bond you have with your fur-baby and ensure all pets in our care are treated as if they were our own!
Our Vets
Dr. Jacqueline Bell
Dr. Jacqueline (Jackie) Bell (DVM) is the owner and senior vet at Cronulla Veterinary Clinic. She graduated from Utrecht University (in the Netherlands) in 1994 and came to Australia soon after. She started working at Cronulla Veterinary Clinic in 1998 and immediately fell in love with the practice, with its friendly family atmosphere and lovely clients, and took over the practice in April 2012.
Jackie’s dream of becoming a vet started thanks to James Herriott, and from childhood she has always had a menagerie of pets, including a diabetic cat, guinea pigs and rabbits, dogs and birds. She is currently mum to Lexi and Ivy, 2 cheeky rescue greyhounds (after sadly losing her elderly greyhound Mischa in 2020).
She is committed to Continuing Education to provide the best and most up to date health care. She has developed a special interest in Internal Medicine, Behaviour Medicine and over the years has completed various Post Graduate Courses in internal medicine, radiography, dentistry, ophthalmology, dermatology and behaviour, to name a few. In her free time, she enjoys reading, walking Lexi and Ivy, and spending time with husband Ramon and son Jordan.
Dr. Leah Skelsey
Dr. Leah Skelsey graduated from Sydney University in 2009 with first class honours.
Growing up in The Shire, Leah’s beloved pets were always lovingly cared for by John, Trish and Jackie at Cronulla Vet Clinic. Leah was honoured to be able to join Jackie in 2015.
Since graduation, Leah developed a passion for teeth and oral health, and has completed her additional studies in human dentistry in 2020. In 2018, Leah obtained Membership to the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists by examination in Small Animal Dentistry and Oral Surgery. She is currently working as a Veterinary Dentist with Dr Christine Hawke at Sydney Pet Dentistry, and also comes in a couple of days per week as part of the Cronulla Vet Clinic team to help our local pets with their dental health care.
When she’s not working or studying, Leah is involved with Pets In The Park, a charity providing care for the pets of people experiencing homelessness across Australia. Leah draws inspiration daily from her beautiful greyhound Sarah and handsome moggy Hansa.
Dr Joy Cook
Dr Joy has been with our clinic since 2017, and is a much loved member of our team. She cares deeply for both our furry patients and their pet parents, and her care and empathy and her vast knowledge make her one of the best vets around! Some of her special interests include pet behaviour and dental health care. When she is not at work, she dedicates her time to her family and to staying fit.
Dr. Jordan Dunham
Dr Jordan is a graduate from the University of Sydney. She is originally from Florida, USA but arrived in Sydney for veterinary school and now plans to stay long term.
Before starting veterinary school, she obtained an undergraduate degree in Environmental Science and worked as a veterinary nurse in Florida and New York City.
Growing up with a love of animals, it wasn’t long before she found the awe and excitement of James Harriot stories. She was gifted a cassette tape of his favorite dog stories for her birthday one year and listened to it every night before bed. It was the combinations of his stories and watching the vets take care of her own childhood animals that solidified her dream of becoming a veterinarian herself one day. Now she is so excited to be able to help and care for your pets as well!
Jordan lives with her husband and their dog, Abby, a German Shepherd. In her spare time, she enjoys going to the beach, exploring new bushwalks, and playing volleyball.
Kayla
Trainee Vet Nurse: Kayla started at CVC as a year 10 high school student, doing work experience. She loved the job of vet nursing very much and decided to make it her calling. We are now very fortunate to have her as our trainee vet nurse. When she is not working, Kayla enjoys spending time with her dog Tyson.
Jess
Weekend Vet Nurse: Jess is one of our 2 newest weekend vet nurses. You can meet her on Saturdays and some weekdays, and she also runs our renowned Puppy Preschool on a Sunday. Jess has a very energetic bubbly personality, and is much loved by our clients and team alike. Jess is studying to become a veterinarian, but until then, we are very lucky to have her.
Cohle
Weekend Vet Nurse: Chloe is our other newest weekend vet nurse. Chloe is also studying with the aim to be a veterinarian one day. She has always been around animals, both pets and farm animals, and has a passion for them. You can meet lovely Chloe on Saturdays, and some weekdays.
Nurses
Dannielle
Dannielle started Nursing in 1993 and has been with us since August 2014. Dannielle is our dedicated Senior Nurse who loves working with animals. Her favourite area of nursing is surgery and caring for injured wildlife and she also has a special interest in animal breeding. Not only does Dan make sure everything is running smoothly in the clinic, but she looks after our whole team as well. She is a very conscientious member of our team, caring and hard-working, with a great passion for the welfare of all animals. Another Shire local, Dannielle enjoys spending time with her 2 children when not at work.
Georgia
Georgia is one of our senior nurses, and has been with us since November 2019. Georgia is a fully qualified vet Nurse, who brings a lot of happy positive energy to our team with her sunny personality and her willingness to help out wherever she can. She loves all aspects of vet nursing, and is much loved by our patients and clients alike.
A local Shire girl, when Georgia is not working, she loves hanging out with her family and her 2 boxer dogs Lexi and Koa!
Ashley
Ashley was our Saturday nurse and puppy preschool educator up to early 2024. Ashley is a local Shire Girl, who is passionate about all animals, big and small.
Ashley first started helping us out at our Cronulla Vet Clinic as a year 10 student on work experience, and loved it so much that she volunteered at our clinic for the next 2 years. In December 2019 she took over from Julie, who graduated to be a vet. She has hit the ground running and has been an important part of the team for over 4 years.
We are very happy to announce that Ashley was admitted to James Cook University as a Veterinary Science student in early 2024, we were sad to see her go but super excited that she gets to follow her dream!! Well done, Ashley:)
Elle
Elle is our Sunday nurse. She is a Veterinary Student, currently studying Veterinary Medicine at the University of Sydney. Elle has been a Shire resident for all of her life. She is interested in all aspects of Veterinary Science and Animal Behaviour, and she has a strong desire to optimise pet health through communication with and support of our clients. She is interested in improving pet welfare and our relationship with them. Whenever she is able to, after her Sunday shift she helps Ashley with Puppy Preschool.
Cats are her passion, and in her free time she enjoys spending time with her cats at home. She will make a great caring Vet one day, but until then, we have the pleasure and privilege of having her as part of our close knit team.
Pidge
Pidge is our clinic pigeon. She came to us in October 2016 as a baby pigeon with a sore foot. After nursing her back to health she decided to stay with us (maybe her luxurious accommodation and readily available breakfast, lunch and dinner has something to do with that?). She is very cheeky and expressive, and lifts the spirits of everyone she meets! She has her own very popular Instagram account: pidgeatcronullavet
Reception
Jo
Jo is our friendly meet and greet customer care receptionist 2 days a week.
She is also a long-standing client of Cronulla Veterinary Clinic, and, as a passionate dog lover, she jumped at the chance to join our growing team in March 2023 when our new premises opened.
When not working, Jo enjoys time with her family and long walks with her 2 beautiful Border Collies.
Deb
Deb is our other lovely customer care receptionist, who also works at CVC 2 days a week.
Deb has been a client of Cronulla Veterinary Clinic for many years, and is a local Shire girl. She joined our CVC family upon our opening of our new purpose build hospital. Deb is a lady of many talents, with her warm caring personality, we are very blessed to have her as part of our team