The Team

Michelle Piccini BVSc

Michelle is the Director of The Mobile Vet Team and has more than 20 years of veterinary experience. After graduating from The University of Queensland in 1999 and joining a local veterinary practice, Michelle married Simon Piccini in August 2000. They traveled together to the United Kingdom in 2003 where Michelle worked at a busy mixed animal practice in Nottinghamshire. A few short years after their return to Tenterfield, the couple bought a property at Sunnyside and started their cattery ‘Just Cats’. Their children were born in 2008 and 2010. In 2016 in response to a growing need for more convenient and personalised veterinary care Michelle started The Mobile Veterinary Team. The practice now caters to the veterinary needs of clients from Texas to Tenterfield, Drake to Deepwater and many small communities in the wider region.

Over the years The Mobile Vet has been fortunate to attract many dedicated team members. It has been a great privilege to share the veterinary career of some extremely talented veterinarians, veterinary students, nurses and other support staff.

Dianne Johnston

Dianne is a Tenterfield local and her and husband Grant, own and run a beef cattle farm on the outskirts of Tenterfield where her three children grew up and enjoyed the benefits of a farming lifestyle. Her children, and now her five granddaughters all enjoy visiting and spending time on the farm.

Dianne has been with The Mobile Vet Team since July 2016. Her employment started not long after the inception of The Mobile Vet Team and involved travelling with Michelle and assisting her when required. She is now Practice Manager and she supports our vet, Michelle so that she is available to provide quality care for your animals. Dianne is the voice at the other end of the phone and looks forward to speaking with you to arrange a visit from our vet or to answer your enquiries. She is committed to building a relationship with you, our clients, which will allow us to ensure your pets have a long and happy life with you.

Shania Moore

Shania completed her Bachelor of Agriculture in 2019 majoring in Animal Production. Shania, a Tenterfield local and her husband live west of Tenterfield on Clifton Station. Shania joined The Mobile Vet Team in March 2018 as a Veterinariany Assistant before moving to Central West QLD in 2019 to gain experience in Ruminant Nutrition. Having a keen interest in horses and livestock production, she spent a lot of her childhood competing at Pony Club and Campdrafting events. These skills are still tapped into during mustering and livestock handling activities.

While spending time with Shania, it is easy to see her passion for working with animals both large and small. Having clients and patients as her primary focus and helping to truly fulfil their needs, Shania has once again become a valuable member our amazing Team in October 2020. Not one to back away from a challenge, Shania is embracing all that her position brings.

Bronte Sharpe

Bronte grew up on the family cattle property ‘Applebutt’, east of Tenterfield. She enjoys finding time to help her father on the property and has learnt valuable cattle handling techniques doing this. Bronte spent her childhood riding horses, having 12 years’ experience competing in pony club. In her spare time, she loves to connect with friends, go riding and enjoy all aspects of rural life. Bronte completed Year 12 in 2021 earning an Atar in addition to a Certificate II in Agriculture. Having a keen interest in agricultural and animal handling techniques has led Bronte to study further in these areas through TAFE having commenced a Certificate II in Animal Studies since starting with The Mobile Vet Team. Recently Bronte has added two dachshunds to her life. Darby and Dixie now provide entertainment and adventure to the Sharpe family. While not working with TMVT or furthering her education, Bronte can be found enjoying good food, friendship and fun.

Carla Gilhooley

Carla is originally from the North West of England where she completed her Bachelor of Science in Adult Nursing in 2008. In 2009, she relocated to the Gold Coast with her husband Rob, where she lived for 12 years working as a Registered Nurse at a busy Private hospital. Carla specialised in cardiac nursing, completing her post graduate certificate before attaining a number of promotions in quick succession. Carla held the management position of Hospital Coordinator before deciding on a tree change. Carla moved to the shire in November 2021 and, with her partner Rob, have built their dream home in the country. Carla has often wondered whether vet nursing should have been her chosen vocation, so to be able to fulfil this dream has further enriched the country experience. She has embraced the transition from health care to animal care and has completed her Certificate II in Animal Studies. Carla is adoring her new lifestyle change by happily spending more time with her 2 dogs, raising chickens, growing veggie’s and enjoying all that Tenterfield has to offer.

Patricia Hannan

Raised in and around the horse racing industry in Newcastle NSW, Trish has always had a keen interest in all things equestrian. She has had many exciting career opportunities based around her human nursing experience. Trish started nursing in the Australian Air Force then worked in a specialist cardiology centre in Newcastle and she has worked in numerous hospitals. Most recently Trish spent 6 years at the Emmaville Hospital. Trish joined the team as a casual in January and moved to permanent position in April 2023. Having already completed her Certificate II in Animal Studies in record time, Trish is now studying for a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. These qualifications will be in addition to a lifetime spent attaining knowledge in areas including Cert IV in WH&S, Train the Trainer, animal husbandry, farm management and equine skills. When not working with The Mobile Vet Team or studying Trish and her husband Richard enjoy watching their puppies Ella and Nina destroying various items like shoes and furniture! Five horses, chickens and some British White cattle complete their busy farm family.

Chloe Thomas

Chloe started with us as a junior cattery assistant 3 years ago. Chloe is in Year 10 at Tenterfield High School and enjoys physical education and agricultural science in particular.

A keen and highly accomplished horse woman, Chloe can often be found training and competing in Australian Stock Horse shows and campdrafts.

In 2021 Just Cats has become part of The Mobile Vet Team, and Chloe’s role is primarily caring for our special feline friends staying in the cattery and in 2022 she commenced a School Based Traineeship with The Mobile Vet Team.