Kalinda Hansen

After finishing my Certificate II in Animal Studies I joined the team at Greencross Vets as a veterinary nurse. While I’m new to the industry, I am very passionate about doing the best to care for your pets while they are with us until they go home safely.

I have always wanted to work in the veterinary industry after being brought up in rural areas. I have been raised having my own chickens, ducks, cows, birds, sheep, a pig, cats and my absolute favourite animal – dogs!
My dogs have always been my passion, my comfort and my best friends. I have a soft spot for large dog breeds as well as dogs that require special care such as those who suffer from anxiety.

I have two children at home as well as three of my own dogs that keep me busy on my days off.

Moving forward I hope to complete a Certificate IV qualification in veterinary nursing.

Penelope Massimissa

Veterinary Nurse

I started working for Greencross Vets in 2019 as a veterinary nurse. From a young age I would always bring stray, sick, and injured animals home to look after, and becoming a veterinary nurse was a life-long passion. I have a beautiful dog, chickens, cockatiels and fish that keep be busy when I am not looking after other beloved animals. The most rewarding part of my day is returning animals home, healthy and happy after successful treatment and care. I look forward to meeting you and your precious fur babies.

Niki Wallace

Practice Manager

Many years ago, I knew I had a love for animals after growing up on a farm and having too many pets to count. After moving to Australia from NZ many years ago I was employed as a veterinary nurse in Cairns. I left the industry, became a Mum and pursued other diverse career opportunities before returning to the veterinary industry recently. I now have a grown-up daughter and an adorable grandson. I have two rescue dogs, Peppa (the princess) and puppy Magik (the naughty one!). My cat Mango also came from a rescue group and she rules the castle! I feel privileged to be able to return to the veterinary industry in the place I love, combining my skills and love of animals.

Emily Wanklyn

Veterinary Nurse

Emily is one of the veterinary nurses in our team here at Greencross Vets Redlynch. She was born and raised in Cairns, graduated high school in 2013 and worked as an administration officer for a local construction company for four years before applying for an internship with Greencross Vets.

Emily completed her internship with Greencross Vets in 2018 and was awarded with a Certificate II in Animal Studies. Emily then went on to win the Greencross Vets Scholarship Award for a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing and is currently working her way to becoming a qualified veterinary nurse.

Emily owns a dog named Lucy who she adopted from YAPS in 2013, and a Jungle Jaguar Carpet Python named Hunter in 2017. In her leisure time she enjoys kayaking, fishing, gardening and a cheeky wine in the afternoons.

Dr Beth Reinders

Veterinarian

Dr Beth Reinders’ life has always revolved around making friends with and taking care of as many animals as possible. She achieved her dream of becoming a veterinarian when she graduated from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Science, a Bachelor of Veterinary Biology and a Bachelor of Veterinary Science.

She headed North from her hometown of Brisbane to a mixed practice in Tully, but after two years she started her career with Greencross Vets in Townsville. After nearly 15 happy years she popped up to Cairns for some “temporary” locum work and fell in love with the city and surrounds, as well as the team at the clinics. Within months she came to join the Cairns team permanently in November 2019.

Dr Beth is well known as a crazy cat lady and has a special interest in feline geriatric medicine and emergency medicine and surgery, having moonlighted as a Sunday emergency vet and student mentor at the JCU vet school in Townsville. Even on difficult days she is passionate about her work and could never imagine doing anything else.

She has had two trips to Port Moresby to do volunteer work for the RSPCA, the first of which was generously funded by Greencross Vets. On the second trip she packed up some supplies and travelled alone to set up a clinic in an abandoned school in Kimbe, the capital of the West New Britain Provence. Even reading this she gets a shiver to think of how brave (or stupid!) she was, as many parts of the country are not the safest places in the world.

For the first time ever, Beth has become pet-less, and is in a pet free apartment. As soon as she is settled she plans to buy a fish, or maybe a yabbie. It’s a big decision. Watch this space…

Janina Pitman

Groomer

Janina is our professional clinic groomer and have been working with Greencross Vets for 23 years. She has one dog Arlo the blue staffy.

Janina is from Cairns and a very skilled groomer with a passion for helping pets look their best! She is experienced in grooming dogs of all sizes and breeds, to learn more about our grooming services please contact the clinic.