Quality is about providing you and your pets with well-considered solutions to health problems and preventative medicine. It is about ensuring you and your pets enjoy a consistent, positive experience when dealing with our team at all times. Importantly, quality is also about providing you with first class service.
We are pet owners too, so we fully understand the loyalty, love and enjoyment that pets bring into our lives. That is why you can be sure that your special pet will always receive the best possible care and attention when you entrust them to us.
It is our policy to offer our clients treatment options, so they are able to have input into the most appropriate course of action for their pet. We provide information about the treatments that may be proposed, along with estimations for the associated costs, to allow our clients to make informed decisions about their pet’s treatment.
We do ask for payment at the time of service. We accept cash, most major credit cards, and have EFTPOS facilities available.
We opened our Eltham Central Veterinary Hospital in 2001, and since that first day we have been proud to be one of only 58 (current at time of publication in 2020) veterinary hospitals within Australia to receive and consistently maintain the prestigious title.
The ASAVA or Australian Small Animal Veterinary Association is an Australia-wide organisation that represents Veterinarians who are dedicated to excelling in small animal practice. The ASAVA Hospital Accreditation Scheme awards only those veterinary practices that achieve the highest levels of quality health care and practice management in innovative, state-of-the-art hospital facilities.
Our Veterinarians are highly motivated professionals and have a genuine concern for your pet’s welfare. It is our belief that continuity of service is important so, if you wish to see a particular Veterinarian, please feel free to ask our receptionist at the time you book your appointment.
Veterinarian
Partner
I have been in general veterinary practice for almost 20 years since graduating from the University of Melbourne in 1982. I spent the last eight years of primary and secondary school at Xavier College, Kew before I entered University for my veterinary science education. The past 15 years of my career has been spent with Dr Chris Barton at the Diamond Valley Veterinary Hospitals during which time I became a partner in the Practice in the early 1990’s.
Professionally, my general areas of interest lie in the fields of companion animal medicine and surgery. My special areas of…
I have been in general veterinary practice for almost 20 years since graduating from the University of Melbourne in 1982. I spent the last eight years of primary and secondary school at Xavier College, Kew before I entered University for my veterinary science education. The past 15 years of my career has been spent with Dr Chris Barton at the Diamond Valley Veterinary Hospitals during which time I became a partner in the Practice in the early 1990’s.
Professionally, my general areas of interest lie in the fields of companion animal medicine and surgery. My special areas of interest are in skin diseases (dermatology), eye diseases (ophthalmology) and behavioural medicine. I am currently a Senior Fellow and Academic Associate of the University of Melbourne Faculty of Veterinary Science.
I come from a large family of whom my father was a dedicated animal lover. My family grew up with a multitude of animals including dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, lizards, small parrots, cockatoos and even a tortoise that shared both the indoor and outdoor confinements of our home with myself and my six brothers and sister. Being renowned as one of Australia’s greatest criminal lawyers, Dad spent much of his private time dedicated to a very close relationship with all our pets at home. The time and enjoyment that he spent with our family pets provided him with a natural formula to relax and unwind from the stresses of his very public career. I am married to Linda who is a lawyer, and we both share a wonderful relationship with our beloved Miniature Poodle, Lou Lou.
My personal interests include a love of classical music and opera. I am a dedicated follower of Australian Rules Football being a passionate Collingwood supporter. Outside my intensive commitment to the Practice and my professional educational development, I enjoy dedicating some time to my other interest in digital photography and videography. My time of relaxation is spent walking with Linda, reading, listening to music and engaging in philosophical discourse.
Veterinarian
Partner
Sarah graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2001, and has worked in both regional Australia and the UK.
She started working at Diamond Valley Veterinary Hospitals in 2005 and in early 2015 became a Partner.
She loves working with all small animals but her particular passion is Feline Medicine.
Sarah is a bit of a crazy cat lady herself and together with her husband and son have a Burmese, Peaches, and a retired guide dog Thomas. Sarah loves her job, her clients and her team and considers herself very lucky to be part of the DVVH group.
Veterinarian
Partner
Deanna graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2002. She joined the Diamond Valley Team in 2005 and in 2015 became a Partner.
During this time Deanna has developed a particular interest in small animal surgery and ultrasonography. Deanna enjoys all aspects of working as a veterinarian with DVVH but especially the relationships she has with her clients and their pets.
At home, Deanna, her husband and their 2 children enjoy the company of their not so small menagerie which includes parrots, chickens and ducks, a playful Greyhound named Dolly, Green Tree frogs and now a Bearded Dragon named “Gobi”.
Veterinarian
Caitlin joined the Diamond Valley team in August 2018 as a familiar face, having nursed with us throughout her veterinary studies, and she is loving being back. She graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2009 and worked in mixed practice in the Yarra Valley before moving to the UK where she worked in a busy small animal clinic on the coast of Essex. Her passion lies in medicine, soft tissue surgery and ultrasonography. She also enjoys getting to know her patients and nurturing the human/animal bond. At home Caitlin and her husband Glenn have a feline fur child Mia and two human children Sophia and Ava. Outside of work her passions include parkrun, painting, hiking, AFL and jazz music.
Veterinarian
Originally from a farm background in country South Australia Carolyn moved to Melbourne to study and graduated in 1996. A number of years were then spent in mixed and small animal practice in South Australia, the Australian Capital Territory and the United Kingdom. Returning to Australia and Melbourne in 2005 Carolyn joined Diamond Valley Veterinary Hospitals in early 2006.
Carolyn is interested in all aspects of small animal medicine and surgery but is particularly fascinated by Companion Animal Behaviour and enjoys helping clients understand the weird and wonderful things that their furry family members get up to.
Outside of work Carolyn shares her life with her husband and 2 busy young boys as well as Roy the Border Collie cross (who has his own anxiety and storm phobia issues) and four extremely cute guinea pigs.
Veterinarian
Founding Partner
Chris Barton was a founding partner alongside Joseph of Diamond Valley Veterinary Hospitals. After many years dedicated to the practice and animal welfare organisations such as Bali Dogs and Save-A-Dog Scheme Chris retired from DVVH in early 2017.
Nurse
Practice Manager
Leisa has been with Diamond Valley Veterinary Hospitals since 1998 and during this time she has completed many various jobs including veterinary nursing and wildlife caring.
These days Leisa spends most of her time in the office, ensuring that all the bookkeeping and administration details are taken care of.
Home life is busy for Leisa with 3 boys to run around, any spare time is spent with her family and friends.
With such a long standing knowledge of the hospitals and clients, Leisa is still a popular local face about the place.
We would be lost without her many years of experience.
Nurse
Sam is a long standing team member of the DVVH team.
Initially having a career in the corporate hospitality industry, Sam realised her true passion was with animals and made the necessary steps to fulfill this dream.
Having grown up in Warrandyte, Sam has a good in-depth knowledge of the local area and its wildlife and enjoys being able to help our local native critters.
In her spare time Sam enjoys spending time in the garden at home with her family and fur children.
Nurse
I started grooming in 1973. Initially this involved approximately 3 years in training, learning the techniques for all breeds of dogs in order to become an all breed dog groomer.
Punctuating this time I have had a few breaks from grooming to raise a family and pursue other activities.
I have worked in various veterinary clinics for over 20 years, and I have worked for the Eltham Central, Montmorency and Box Hill Veterinary Hospitals since 1997.
I am a registered Feline Control Council (FCC) cat show judge and have judged all over Australia as well as internationally.
I have also breed and shown Minature Poodles and Persians for many years.
My love for animals has led to a rewarding career in grooming and veterinary nursing as well as enjoyable hobbies in breeding, showing and judging.
Nurse
Nicole joined the Team at Diamond Valley Veterinary Hospitals in July 2016 after moving to the Northern side of Melbourne from Bentleigh.
After finishing high school, her drive and passion to work with animals and the outdoors lead her to the country where she undertook a Bachelor of Agriculture. After a few years of farming and working on the land, her life long wish to become a vet brought her back to Melbourne. She found her calling when she started veterinary nursing in 2007 and has never looked back!
Nicole’s interests in animal behaviour lead her to be heavily involved in her local dog obedience club where she became an instructor and a keen participant in obedience and agility with her JRT.
Her deep love for animals means she is always surrounded with “fur babies”. With 3 dogs, a cat and birds, she is kept very busy and active at home – but wouldn’t have it any other way.
Nurse
Bree found her “home away from home” with us here in April 2016. She found her love for veterinary nursing in 2010 and continues to adore her career choice, surrounding herself with many a “foster-fail” including Dennis the Cockatiel and Franklin the Eastern long neck Turtle, among other much beloved furry four footers.
Outside of the nursing world Bree’s interest in animals lead her to pet grooming, which she fills her spare time with. Being around animals and helping them feel more comfortable is found to be greatly therapeutic for her.
Recently Bree discovered she had a keen interest in feline and canine behaviour, which lead her down the exciting path of instructing Puppy Pre-School. She can now be found wooing puppies at our Eltham Central location whilst running puppy classes.
Having grown up in the Diamond Valley area, Bree is always recognizing the locals by name or by face. Working close to home gives Bree great joy as she loves our community.
She is available to discuss any of your pets needs at both of our clinics and is always eager for a chat when on reception.