Dr Russel Basset

BvSc Pret MRCVS - Hospital Director & Veterinarian

Currently on extended leave.

Russel Graduated from the University of Pretoria in South Africa in 1996. He spent five years working alongside several specialist veterinarians in a large first opinion and referral practice outside London.

In 2001 the UK weather finally got the better of him and he and his partner left to pursue their dream of travelling and rock climbing in the United States. They spent 6 months living the dream in their trusty van, exploring and climbing mountains before eloping and tying the knot in Las Vegas.

in 2001 the allure of the sunny Australian skies could no longer be ignored, and Russel immigrated and settled in the Blue Mountains in NSW. Here he spent the next 15 years growing a one-vet practice into a successful, well-regarded four- vet hospital.

In 2015, merely taking his holidays in beautiful Tasmania was no longer enough, and Russel and his wife moved to Kettering, South of Hobart. Russel Joined the Tasmanian Veterinary Hospitals team in October of 2001 and has been working as the director of our Kingston practice since 2016.

After 23 years as a vet, Russel still loves the challenge and variety of what he does and feels privileged to work in a field that allows him to make a difference to the lives of both his patients and his clients. He has special interests in oncology and feline medicine and is a firm believer in low-stress handling of all of his patients.

When he is not at work you will find him surfing, exploring mountains or tending to the multitude of paddock pets on his hobby farm.

Dr Isabel Brazier

B.A. B.V.Sc (Hons) - Hospital Director

Dr Izzy studied veterinary science at the University of Sydney. Initially she worked in NSW in both the Blue Mountains and Western Sydney. Dr Russel and Dr Izzy worked together for 6 years in the Blue Mountains.

Dr Izzy joined the Tasmanian Veterinary Hospital team in April 2017. She was planning to stay for the year and return to NSW, however she enjoyed working with the team and living in Tasmania too much to return to NSW!

Dr Izzy has always had a close bond with animals and loves helping other people enjoy this bond as well. “As a vet, every day is different and exciting, and it is wonderful to be able to work with a team so passionate about animal care.”

When Dr Izzy is not working, she loves bushwalking, camping, road trips and visiting family and friends. When relaxing at home, she loves cuddling up on the couch with her cat Lulu and reading.

Dr Annabelle Trimble

Veterinarian

Annabelle spent her childhood living between Florida and the Gold Coast. She has always had a fascination with animals and wildlife, with her earliest memories being surrounded by hungry calves, chooks and cats on her grandparent’s farm.

Annabelle moved to Townsville to study a Bachelor of Veterinary Science at James Cook University. She graduated in 2021 and joined us at TVH February 2023.

Annabelle’s favourite part of her job is split between cuddling puppies, and challenging herself to learn new skills in surgery. She loves being surrounded by a passionate, dedicated, like-minded team.

In Annabelle’s spare time, she loves trail running and mountain bike riding with friends.

Annabelle has a dog named Ivy, a cheeky Staffie X German shorthaired pointed who loves people, going on runs, cuddling on the couch and treats!

Louise Honey

Practice Manager

Louise started at TAH in 2002 as a junior nurse. She has since achieved her Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing and completed her Veterinary Nurse Technician course in 2014.

Louise enjoys a challenge and has had the privilege of assisting with many complex and interesting surgical cases. She also has a keen interest in geriatric patient care.

In her ‘spare time’, Louise enjoys time with her husband, 3 daughters, George the 15yo cat, Po the bouncy 1yo Blue Heeler X, Mish and Little Mish the sheep, 5 chooks and several birds. She also dedicates time each month as a volunteer veterinary nurse to assist the homeless to care for their pets.

Sheridon Oates

Client Services

Sheridon joined the TAH team back in October 2017 and has since commenced studying her Certificate II in Animal Studies. She hopes to complete business certificates after she has finished her Certificate II.

Sheridon, being the extrovert, enjoys all sports (mainly basketball), enormous cups of tea & coffee and summer drives although, she will not say no to a day at home binge watching The Golden Girls. Her spare time is spent with her Fiance, Black Labrador Philly and Jenday Conure parrot Dutchy.

“Every hour is as diverse as every day. This is the reason I love working here. There are so many variables that the day can bring which keeps all of us on our toes, so working with an incredible team that is dedicated to helping animals and their owners makes all the difference.”

Heidi Sowter

Nurse

Animals have been a passion of Heidi’s from a young age so it was inevitable she pursued a career in the  veterinary industry.

Heidi started working at TVH in 2021 and has loved every second of it! She enjoys working at TVH due to the supportive team environment and having the opportunity to learn and grow her knowledge from new experiences daily.  She has studied her Cert II in animal studies and is very keen to begin her Cert IV soon!

Her favourite part is about coming to work is being able to treat and care for our hospital patients like she would for her my own furbaby!

At home Heidi has two dogs and a cat. Tilly the Tibetan Spaniel X (pictured), Lewie the miniature dachshund and a DSH cat named Rocco. In her spare time she loves to explore beautiful Tasmania, spend time in the kitchen cooking for her family and spending quality time with her friends and partner.

Olivia Bignold

Nurse

Olivia joined the Tasmanian Veterinary Hospitals team August 2020 as a trainee nurse and has since completed her certificate II and progressed to junior veterinary nurse.

From a very young age Olivia adored animals and had always known that helping them was something she wanted to peruse. Olivia feels extremely lucky to have been given the opportunity to turn this love into a career in the veterinary industry.

Olivia is thankful leaving work every day knowing she has added to her knowledge base, from nutrition, to cytology or orthopaedic surgeries – no two days are the same. It’s an incredible feeling to be able to make a difference in not only the patient’s life, but our clients’ too!

At home Olivia has her two black and white Border Collie’s Maggie and Zahli, and a ginger cat named Jimmy.

Kassia Michajlow

Nurse

Kassia has been at Tasmanian Veterinary Hospitals for nearly 3 years, and is currently studying her Cert IV in veterinary nursing. She started in customer services at our Kingston practice, and quickly found her passion for vet nursing, moving to our Bellerive clinic to pursue her dream career. Caring for our patients and loving them as if they were her own, is Kassia’s number one attribute. Her interests lie in animal behavior and rehabilitation. She has two beloved miniature dachshunds, Douglas and Daphne, who are her world.

Keeley Rolph

Cert IV - Nurse

Keeley joined Tasmanian Veterinary Hospitals back in 2011, starting out as a Nurse Assistant. Keeley has since completed her Certificate 4 in Veterinary Nursing and is now one of our Senior Nurses. After being based at the Bellerive clinic full time, Keeley has recently made the decision to work between our Bellerive and Kingston clinics. She also has the responsibility of the Theatre Nurse role within our Bellerive clinic which she has been undertaking for approximately 4 years.

Keeley has always had an interest in animal welfare. She loves what she does because every day is different, exciting and challenging and she wouldn’t want it any other way. She loves the fact that Veterinary Nursing is always going to be a forever learning career. Keeley is particularly interested and enjoys patient care, anesthesia and surgery. She loves being in a career where she can help animals and their humans and sharing with owners the wonderful human, animal bond. She also enjoys training and assisting nurses who are new to the veterinary industry. Keeley enjoys working between both Bellerive and Kingston clinics, being involved in greats teams in both practices.

In her spare time Keeley enjoys live music, travel and spending time with her friends and family.

Imogen Howell

Nurse

Growing up I was very lucky to be surrounded by animals and animal lovers which drove my passion to work towards a career in animal care. 

Before working at TVH, I had a long history of customer service, and I am currently studying my Certificate 2 in Animal Studies to then progress to my Certificate 4 in Veterinary Nursing. 

I love coming to work every day and not knowing what is going to come through the door, learning new skills, expanding my knowledge of companion animals, and experiencing the incredible bond between pets and their owners. 

I am surrounded by an amazing team who are extremely passionate, supportive and dedicated to not only our clients and their pets, but also to each other.