About Us
Why Us
At Murray Veterinary Services we feel privileged to have a highly skilled and dedicated professional team. With ten equine veterinarians and over 30 support staff comprising of Registered Veterinary nurses, stable hands, administration and support staff we are able to meet all your equine veterinary and equine reproduction needs.
Our Equine Hospital Team Members
Veterinarians
Dr Ross Wallace
Bsc. BVMS (Hons) MANZCVS (eq surg)
Ross Graduated from Murdoch University in 2000 with first class Honours and then completed an internship at Agnes Banks Equine clinic in NSW. Ross has worked exclusively in equine practice in Australia and spent time working at Bourton vale Equine clinic in the UK. In 2006 returned to Australia and resumed work at Agnes Banks where he helped establish and supervise their scintigraphy (bone scanning) Unit.
In 2008 Ross gained his memberships to the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in equine surgery. After returning home to Western Australia Ross established Murray Veterinary Services in 2009.
Ross main interests are Equine reproduction and sport horse lameness and is an FEI accredited veterinarian but genuinely enjoys all aspects of equine veterinary medicine and surgery.
When not working or on call Ross can be found chasing his kids around the farm or on the tractor doing a bit of fencing or starting a new project and may one day attempt to resume his eventing career.
Dr Belinda Black
BSc BVMS DVSc DACVS
Diplomat of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS)
Specialist in Equine Surgery
Dr Belinda completed her veterinary degree at Murdoch University in 2003 and always had love of surgery. Thereafter, she worked in a practice with two ophthalmologists, however, the yearning to be involved with horses was ever present and so she returned to Murdoch to obtain an equine internship in medicine and surgery. Having decided to pursue her dream with surgery, and explore overseas, she moved to Canada to complete a large animal internship, followed by a residency in Large Animal Surgery while simultaneously completing a doctorate (DVSc) in Large Animal Surgery at The University of Guelph. Belinda also met her husband in Canada! Belinda became a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2013 and returned to Australia where she worked at Goulburn Valley Equine Hospital in Victoria. She has now returned to WA with a Canadian husband and two young boys.
Belinda is passionate about all aspects of equine surgery, particularly soft tissue surgery. She also enjoys the challenges of ophthalmologic surgery, abdominal surgery and wound reconstructions. Her research has fostered an interest in the equine foot and advanced imaging in relation to lameness.
Dr Leonardo Agostinelli
DVM
Dr. Leo, is a veterinarian with a strong background in equine reproduction and a current resident in theriogenology with the American College of Theriogenologists. He graduated as a veterinarian in Argentina, where he began his career working in studs and embryo transfer centers, both locally and in Qatar.
Leo later moved to Australia to join a major thoroughbred stud. He successfully passed the Australasian Veterinary Examination gaining licence in Australia in 2023. Alongside clinical work in New South Wales, he also worked from time to time as an official veterinarian for Racing NSW. Most recently, he completed a busy reproductive season in the UK, gaining additional hands-on experience in routine and advanced equine reproduction.
His main professional interests lie in reproductive surgery and biotechnologies. He also holds an FEI Permitted Treating Veterinarian license, supporting occasional involvement in sport horse medicine.
Outside of work, Leo enjoys outdoor activities, especially spending time at the beach and enjoying nature.
Dr Emma Gillman
Bsc.DVM
Dr Emma Gillman graduated from Murdoch University in 2020. She grew up on a thoroughbred stud in New Zealand and has competed across various disciplines including dressage, eventing and show horse in Western Australia. Being able to work with horses everyday has been Emma’s life long dream.
Emma has a keen interest in performance horse medicine and reproduction, and is excited to develop her skills across all aspect of equine practice. In her spare time you’ll find her exploring parts of WA, catching up with good friends or reading a good book.
Dr Hayley Lia
Bsc.DVM
Dr Hayley Lia graduated from Murdoch University in 2020 and was awarded the Adamson Prize in Equine Medicine and Surgery. She then completed a 6 month internship at the Goulburn Valley Equine Hospital in Victoria, rotating between anaesthesia, surgery, medicine and reproduction.
Hayley grew up in regional Victoria and competed in showjumping. She also assisted with the development of the Goulburn Valley Showjumping Club in the region.
In her spare time you will find Hayley exploring WA, having a snorkel at the beach and fostering many lovely greyhounds.
Hayley has a keen interest in equine anaesthesia, surgery and diagnostic imaging.
Dr Michaela Harcourt
BVetBio, BVSc, MVetClinStud, MVetSurg
Michaela is a qualified and highly experienced equine surgeon, board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. With a strong foundation in veterinary science, she earned her undergraduate degree from Charles Sturt University in 2016 and completed her postgraduate training in equine surgery at Murdoch University in 2021.
Michaela enjoys all areas of equine surgery with a particular interest in urgent and emergent procedures including wound reconstructions, abdominal surgeries and fracture repairs. She also is also passionate about sports horse lameness having conducted research in the field of equine nerve blocks. Michaela’s approach centres on tailoring treatment to the individual needs of each animal, always considering the specific circumstances and wishes of the owner. Passionate about advancing equine health, she is committed to delivering compassionate, evidence based care to enhance the well-being of every horse under her care.
When not at work, Michaela can be found at the beach with her kelpie Winx, exploring WA or hanging out with friends.
Dr Jada Hansen
Bsc.DVM
Dr Jada Hansen graduated from The University of Melbourne in 2025. She grew up in Wales watching ponies gallop in the fields next door to her house. She now has a cheeky Connemara mare who she competes eventing with. It has been her life long dream to be a vet and to work with horses everyday, so naturally following graduation she has gone straight to equine practice.
Jada joined the team at Murray Veterinary Services at the start of 2025 and has a passion for equine medicine, in particular neonatal and emergency
Outside of work, she loves reading, baking sourdough loaves or attempting to be braver when eventing.
Dr Lorin Ascoli
BvSc
Lorin was born and bred in the Northern Territory and grew up there until making the move to Townsville, North QLD where she acquired her bachelor degree in Veterinary Science from James Cook University in 2017.
Lorin has slowly moved further south, having spent the first 6 years of her career in sole equine practice in the Hunter Valley, NSW. Most recently, Lorin worked in a mixed practice clinic in rural NSW, gaining exposure to a variety of different species and cases. prior to moving to Western Australia.
Lorin has a keen interest in all aspects of equine veterinary care, but particularly medicine, ophthalmology, diagnostic imaging and general practice.
Outside work, Lorin spends her time chauffeuring her labrador, Abram, to various dog beaches and hiking locations, reading or gardening.
Veterinary Nurses
Jill Coulman
Purchasing and Nurse Manager RVN
Jill joined Murray Vets in 2014 and is now our head nurse/Hospital manager. Jill is a fully qualified veterinary nurse holding an advanced certificate in Veterinary Nursing and Diploma in Veterinary Nursing/Management and was awarded Veterinary Nurse of the year for Victoria/Tasmania. With our hospital continually growing Jill proficient organisation skills and ability to create calm in any situation ensures that all of our patients in hospital get the highest standard of nursing care possible. Jill has been involved with horses her whole life and has worked the majority of her career in mixed practice. Jill’s continued drive for further education for herself and amongst our nursing staff ensures that our nurses are up to date and current.
Kelly Keefe
Head Veterinary Nurse RVN
Kelly joined the Murray Veterinary Services team in August 2017 after moving to Australia from England and took on the role of head nurse in 2021. Before moving to Western Australia Kelly had been the senior veterinary nurse for nearly 10 years in a busy equine hospital in Kent.
Kelly has had extensive experience in the UK equine industry not only as an equine nurse but also through the training and racing of point to point horses, usually accompanied by her beautiful Labrador Murrey.
After starting at Murray Veterinary Services Kelly received formal recognition for her previous experience in equine nursing and gained her Certificate in Veterinary Nursing. Kelly has a passion for equine welfare and care and as our head nurse manages the day to day running of our hospitalised patients. Her special interest is foal neonatal medicine and Kelly personally ensures the care that each and every foal in our hospitals receives is of the very best standard.
When not at work caring for our horses and foals Kelly can be found riding somewhere or exploring and camping around WA with her husband Jordan.
Chloe-Anne Mitchell
Registered Nurse
Chloe always dreamt of working with animals and having a passion for horses, nursing at Murray vets is her dream job. Chloe has a special interest in equine surgery and as well as been one of our theater nurses Chloe is also the resident horse cuddler, making it her personal mission to find each horses favorite scratchy spot. You’ll usually hear her saying “this is the cutest horse I’ve ever seen in my entire life” to every patient. When not in theater or hugging all the inpatients Chloe like hiking with her dog, chasing cows around on her little mare and exploring the country with her pets in tow.
Administration and Support Staff
Philipa Wallace
Pip graduated with honours from Murdoch University in 2000 and proceeded to blaze a trail in mixed practice in the Gippsland region in Victoria. After too many cold nights calving cows Pip decided to turn to the busy life of small animal practice in the Sydney region. In this role Pip developed into thorough and dedicated small animal surgeon and created herself a large following in this practice. Pip along with husband Ross created Murray Vets in 2009 with Pip leading the role as practice manager.
When Pip is not busy running Murray vets an working as a small animal surgeon she can be found racing around after the three spirited Wallace children (a task more difficult than running an equine practice) Pip has a love for gardening, attending to her bee hives and winning as many cooking categories at the local agricultural shows as possible.