Our Veterinarians

Dr Sally holding a brown dog.

Dr Sally Smith

BVSc (Hons), MVSc

Sally is a ‘northerner’, graduating with honours from the University of Queensland in 1992. She chose Canberra to do her apprenticeship and spent 12 years in 2 large small animal hospitals there before travelling to the UK to work for a year. Sally has returned to settle on the Central Coast.

Her interests are in Ophthalmology and internal medicine. She has a Masters of Veterinary Studies from Murdoch University and owns a well behaved Staffy called Willow and two crazy British Shorthair cats called Minx and Angus. She enjoys camping and bike riding.

Dr Melissa

Dr Melissa Paragreen

BVSc

Dr Melissa is a true ‘Queenslander’ at heart, graduating from the James Cook University in 2013 with a Bachelor Degree in Veterinary Science, and then moving to NSW where she settled on the Central Coast. She joined the Doyalson Animal Hospital team in 2017. Melissa has a keen interest in canine and feline internal medicine and diagnostic ultrasound. Outside of work, Melissa is kept busy with her two beautiful young boys and a Cocker Spaniel cross named Zoe. In any spare time, she enjoys gardening and getting out in nature either at the beach or bush walking.

Vet holding black and white cat outdoors

Dr Annika Prabakaran

BVSc MANZCVS (SAM)
Annika graduated from the University of Sydney in 2017 and started off her career in general practice in rural Scotland. Since returning to Australia she has worked in emergency practice and completed an internship in Internal Medicine, attaining ANZCVS membership in Small Animal Medicine in 2022. Annika joined the team at Doyalson Animal Hospital at the start of 2024. Her main areas of interest are (no surprise) emergency and internal medicine, and she particularly loves cats.
 
When not at work Annika enjoys practicing yoga, hiking and gardening, curling up with her cat Olive and a good book, and is studying a degree in psychology.
Vet in blue scrubs sitting with cat outdoors

Dr Nikita Roberts

BVSc

Since graduating from Charles Sturt University in 2018, Nikita has worked in small animal clinics in the Newcastle region before joining the Doyalson Animal Hospital team early in 2024.

They have an interest in animal behaviour and welfare, finding joy in sharing ways to help your pets thrive, as well as a soft spot for providing veterinary care for older dogs.

During their free time, Nikita loves to explore the beautiful local beaches and markets and teach their cheeky cat, Honey, fun tricks.

Vet nurse sitting outdoors holding a grey dog

Dr Lee Dwyer

BVSc

After graduating form the University of Sydney, Dr Lee has been working as a small animal vet on the Central Coast for more than 20 years. On her days off, Lee enjoys exercising, reading, eating chocolate and walking with her husband and dog to the beach. At the moment she has only 2 furkids- a staffy named Mandy, and a domestic short hair, Kenny.

Veterinarian kneeling on grass with a golden retriever.

Dr James Salmond

BVSc (V11483)

Dr James came as a locum and loved working here so much he decided to stay. Dr James brings many years of experience across all aspects of veterinary care. Dr James will also be offering TPLO surgeries (Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy, a procedure to address cranial cruciate ligament injuries, similar to an ACL tear in humans) with us on Wednesday & Thursdays. In his spare time Dr James enjoys pilates, long walks on the beach with his wife and watching (and quoting) Summer Heights High.

Dr Melanie with dog

Dr Melanie Prunster

BVSc
Dr. Melanie graduated from Charles Sturt University in 2016. After starting her career in rural general practice, she moved to the Central Coast and has worked at a number of practices here, and throughout the Lake Macquarie and Maitland regions.
 
Dr. Melanie has further education in small animal behaviour, geriatric and palliative care and ultrasonography.
 
In her spare time, you’ll often find her hanging out with her wife and two sons, or with her nose buried in a book! She has two dogs, Poppy the whippet, Alana the Australian Shepherd and a cat, Boogie. 
Dr Hannah

Dr Hannah Cohen-Peacock

DVM
Hannah graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2025 and has chosen to start her career as a veterinarian at Doyalson Animal Hospital. She has been part of the veterinary industry since 2018, working as a veterinary nurse and animal attendant. Hannah is passionate about providing compassionate care to pets and their people, and has a special interest in emergency medicine and wildlife conservation. When she isn’t at the clinic, Hannah enjoys hiking, wildlife photography and kickboxing
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