Gawler South has a Team of 4 Full Time Veterinarians all dedicated to providing excellence in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery. They all share a passion for their work – they really enjoy the challenges of Veterinary practice and thrive on the stimulation and interaction which occurs in a multi-veterinarian workplace.

Dr Chris Arnold B.V.Sc. (Hons)

Chris graduated from Queensland University in 1976 with First Class Honours and started his career as an Equine Veterinarian in Adelaide. He enjoyed this for a few years, however, he gradually became more involved with Small Animals (he established the Salisbury Highway Veterinary Clinic) and particularly greyhounds. In the early eighties, he and wife Shelley built a much smaller version of the current Gawler South Hospital and he has been there ever since.

He is married to Shelley and they have 2 children, Richard and Elizabeth. The Arnolds have a rural property in Cockatoo Valley where they breed Suffolk Sheep, have a few Sussex chooks and Gregory, the Goose. Chris has 2 horses, Solly and Waldo and the animal family includes a German Shorthaired Pointer, Marko and 3 very demanding and appallingly spoilt Burmese Cats – Lilly, Lewis and Leila.

In his spare time, Chris loves working on his property, particularly in his impressive orchard & vegie garden. In recent years, he has developed an interest in trail riding and has been on some wonderful short and long trips both in South Australia and interstate. He also enjoys fishing, reading, family activities and he and Shelley share a passion for travel – anywhere.

Chris is one of those rare Veterinarians who, after nearly 30 years in practice, still maintains a great love for his work and really enjoys working with the animals and their owners!! He has a special interest in orthopaedics and. greyhound medicine & surgery.

Dr Shelley Arnold B.V.Sc (Hons)

Shelley graduated from Queensland University in 1976 (after marrying Chris in final year) and started in Small Animal practice when arriving in Adelaide. She helped Chris set up the current business in the early eighties before leaving the profession for a few years when the children came along. She really enjoyed the motherhood experience and was very happy to ‘be around for the children’ in those important early years. More recently, she rejoined the Gawler South workforce in a full time capacity and has enjoyed every minute of it.

In her spare time, Shelley is a very keen Dressage rider – she has trained 3 horses to FEI level and currently has a Grand Prix horse, Gainsborough (Saxie) and Medium level horse, GB Renoir (Larry) in work. She also enjoys dog judging (licensed to judge Groups 1 to 5), horse judging, family activities (particularly watching the Walford Rowers), working around the property and travel.

Her special Veterinary Interests include Feline Medicine and Geriatric & Preventative Medicine. Shelley has the unofficial title of Practice Manager and really enjoys all aspects of Veterinary Business Management.

Dr Rebeckah Woodcock B.Sc. B.V.M.S. (Hons) - (Beck)

Beck was born in Adelaide and attended The Pembroke School where she very successfully completed an International Baccalaureate Diploma. She studied Veterinary Science at Murdoch University and graduated with Honours at the end of 2003. She came to us as a very motivated and enthusiastic new graduate in early 2004 and since then has developed into a very skilled Veterinary Surgeon with natural compassion towards the animals and their owners, wonderful PR skills and a natural exuberance that we all adore.

Beck is engaged to Glenn, an accountant, who works in a prominent accounting firm in Adelaide. They live with their 2 amazing galahs Murray & Gizmo and look forward to getting a dog one day (GSP’S or Vizla’s are at the top of the list at the moment). In her spare time, Beck enjoys gardening, rock climbing and anything outdoors and already she and Glenn have caught the travel bug (very contagious disease at GSSAH!!)

Beck’s Special Veterinary Interests include:
Radiology, General Medicine and interesting Surgical Cases.

What Beck likes best about working at GSSAH:
‘The PEOPLE - YAY!!!'

The best advice that Beck would give a pet owner:
‘Don’t let them get fat”

Dr Ashleigh Long B.V.Sc. - (Ash)

Ashleigh grew up in rural Victoria, attended Ballarat Grammar School and graduated from Melbourne Veterinary School at the end of 2005. Before graduated she travelled to South Africa where she spent time treating and caring for various species of wild animals - an amazing experience. She also spent time at the University of Pennsylvania where she studied Emergency Care and General Medicine.

Ash has both a twin (Casey) and an older sister and lives in Adelaide with Casey, Tex (a beautiful silver tabby kitten) and Oscar (a very cheeky long hair Jack Russel Terrier. In her spare time, she enjoys cross-country running, tennis, skiing and socialising.

Ash’s Special Veterinary Interests include:
Emergency Medicine and Feline Medicine and Surgery

What Ash likes best about working at GSSAH:
She like the staff, the relaxing work environment and the well equipped facilities.

Best advice Cat would give to a pet owner:
‘Keep and eye on their weight, it can creep up on you'
‘Choose your pet carefully - they should be for life'

To meet our nurses, click here