Tonya Bates

Veterinary Nurse

Tonya began nursing in 2012 for a General Practice in Canberra, where she completed her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. After graduating she gained experience in Emergency Hospital, doing extra shifts and increasing my exposure to all types of veterinary emergencies.
In 2017, she moved to Townsville, commencing work as an Internal Medicine Nurse for a referral hospital, focusing on all the internal diseases that affect our furry friends. Tonya loved this role and it has helped her discover a passion for all things medicine.
Tonya came to Greencross in 2020 and continues to love bringing all her experience to animal health care and connect with every little friend that comes through door.

Mishayla Whyte

Avian/Exotics Veterinary Nurse

Mishayla graduated with a Bachelor of Veterinary Technology in 2022 from the University of Queensland. After discovering her passion for wildlife in university, she decided to pursue a career in wildlife and exotic medicine, relocating from Brisbane to Townsville in early 2023 to further her studies and work as an Avian and Exotic Vet Nurse.

Mishayla is extremely passionate about marine and zoo animal medicine and has been very fortunate to gain work experience with veterinary teams from SeaWorld, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, and the UQVets Avian and Exotics Team.

Outside of the clinic, she can be found enjoying drawing and exploring the natural wonders that Townsville has to offer.

Dr Vinicius (Vini) Winter

Veterinary Director

Vinicius (Vini) has been a veterinarian for over a decade and brings with him international experience having worked and studied in Brazil, Canada, United States of America and New Zealand. He graduated from University of Vicosa, Brazil in 2006 with a Masters of Veterinary Pathology and then went on to move to Canada in 2015 to pursue a PhD. While in Canada he was received accreditation to work as a veterinarian surgeon, allowing him to provide animal health care across the world. Vini has a professional interest in surgery, specifically orthopedic surgery and ophthalmology.
When he is not in the clinic saving lives, he listens to music, plays the drums and also has a keen interest in astronomy and physics.

Vini’s family is made of his wife who is also a veterinarian, and two sons one of which is also studying to be a veterinarian. It goes without saying, this family are dedicated to caring for animals! They also are pet parents to two dogs, Einstein and Newton and three cats Mingau, Francisca and Gabi

Dr Ingrid Huisman

Veterinarian – Avian/Exotics

Dr. Ingrid Huisman is a veterinarian with a passion for bird, unusual pet and wildlife medicine and surgery. She believes that all animals regardless of size or species should be treated with care and compassion they deserve.

Dr Ingrid obtained her veterinary degree from Murdoch University in 2009. Since then, she continued to develop specialized skills in the area of avian medicine and surgery. In 2014 she became eligible and successfully completed examinations to attain a membership into the Australian/New Zealand college of Veterinary Scientists in Avian Medicine and surgery.

Her passion for bird and exotic medicine developed while employed in the avian/exotic service at the University of Guelph, Canada. There she was responsible for teaching final year veterinary students’ bird and exotic veterinary skills and managed the Wild Bird Clinic. The service also was responsible for the veterinary care of the non-releasable wild owls at the Ontario owl foundation. This foundation was the first of its kind to successfully breed injured owls in captivity and release their offspring back into the wild.

Thus, during her career Dr Ingrid has had the opportunity to work and learn with avian/exotic animal veterinary specialists both here in Australia and North America. She now has many years of experience providing veterinary medicine and surgery for various bird species; (parrots, song birds, chicken, guinea fowl, owls, raptors and eagles) and exotic (rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, rodents and reptiles) patients in emergency and general practice. Her past employment also allowed her to gain valuable experience treating various Australian wildlife species (wombats, kangaroos, bilbies, sea turtles, koalas, echidnas and more).

Dr Ingrid has recently returned to Townsville from a two-year absence while working in the Albury/Wodonga area. She previously lectured veterinary students and developed the avian/exotic and wildlife service at James Cook University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Dr Huisman looks forward to joining the team at Greencross Hyde Park as their avian/exotic veterinarian.

When not busy treating patients, Ingrid enjoys spending time with her partner Aaron exploring the outdoors, hiking, fishing and golfing.

Dr Priscila Curso Almeida

Veterinarian

Since Priscila was a child she has knew she would grow to become a veterinarian, she wasn’t sure how though, as she lived in a small city Brazil with no Vet College nearby. As a teenager she was selected to attend a high school program designated for gifted students, at fourteen she packed her bags and moved to another city as I knew this program would open the doors to vet school. In 2006 she graduated from an acclaimed vet colleges in Brazil. Since then she has developed her skills working with dogs and cats with emphasis in small animal dermatology, has worked in her own practice, completed a masters in small animal nutrition and completed her North American Veterinary Licensing Examination.
All of these skills and experiences have led her to Greencross Vets Hyde Park and she is proud to be in a team of people who share the same mindset of quality pet care she also has. Above all, Priscila’s passion is to provide outstanding and personalized care for every single patient.

She is a pet parent to two dogs (Einstein & Newton, both are mixed breeds and also rescues) and three cats (Mingau, Francisca & Gabi, all domestic short hairs and all rescues as well!

Sophie Benyon

Veterinary Nurse

Born and raised in Townsville, Sophie began her career with Greencross Vets Hyde Park in 2019 as a Veterinary Nurse. Like many of her colleagues Sophie has always wanted to work with animals and brings her passion and knowledge of animal care to each patient she encounters. She looks to further her education in veterinary nursing to deliver quality care for animals.

Sophie says, “It’s so rewarding being able to see animals recover from illnesses and injuries”. She has an interest in working with exotic animals and wildlife, and her favourite animals are elephants and koi fish.

When she is not in clinic, Sophie enjoys travelling, spending time with friends, family (including her pets) and listening to her favourite music, heavy metal.