Our Vets
The veterinary surgeon of today has evolved to be a highly trained and competent physician of the 21st Century. Unlike some other medical fields the expectations of this industry places emphasis on training in many areas of expertise. Not only do competencies extend to both the medical and surgical field but also include; dentistry, ophthalmology, dermatology, anaesthesiology, immunology, radiology, cytology, parasitology, neurology, oncology, pathology and toxicology. We value the place of ongoing professional education and the role it plays in developing our veterinarians to provide optimum patient care and client service.
Veterinarians for the Clarence River Jockey Club
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Dr Alan Giles has been an accredited race club veterinarian for 32 years and has offered his services to the Clarence River Jockey Club throughout that time. Dr Emily Roberts now joins him sharing that commitment and has been officiating at the Race day events over the past 3 years.
Dr Alan Giles BVSc (Hons) IVAS
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Alan spent his early youth growing up on a property in Tasmania, surrounded by the usual menagerie of pets, horses & farm animals. Returning to Sydney in the latter years of highschool where he spent his holidays tagging along with a vet at Castle Hill. It was those experiences that crystallised his ideas of becoming a veterinarian, and saw Alan enter Sydney University in 1976 to complete his veterinary degree.
After commencing his career in mixed practice in the Hunter Valley of NSW, Alan moved to Grafton in 1982 with a passion for rural mixed practice and formed a partnership to purchase the South Grafton Veterinary Clinic from Dr Rene Fenech, which he operated from for the next 10 years. With the retirement of the original veterinarian in the Clarence Valley H.O (Jim) Cartwright in 1991, Alan bought the Grafton Veterinary Clinic in Bacon St and has worked hard to make it the clinic it is today.
Alan's passion drives him to constantly learn all the areas of mixed rural practice so he can provide a steady improvement in the quality of veterinary service for the local community. His special interest lies in equine sports medicine for Performance Horses and all the areas that it encompasses; including equine podiatry, nutrition, dentistry, acupuncture & chiropractic, lameness evaluation, endoscopy & diagnostic imaging. He has completed the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society course, and has completed post graduate courses in equine dentistry and chiropractic. As well as being an Accredited Race Day Officiating Veterinarian, he is an accreditied head veterinarian for AERA endurance rides, and has been vetting at these events for 30 years. In 1999 he established the Equine Breeding Unit as part of the Grafton Veterinary Clinic, so as to provide local broodmare owners access to chilled & frozen AI, and other reproductive services.
Alan's other interests include beef cattle farming, sustainable agriculture, planting rainforest trees, cycling, bushwalking & kayaking and breeding Thoroughbred racehorses. To this end he has recently taken out a trainers licence (much to the amusement of the local trainers).
After commencing his career in mixed practice in the Hunter Valley of NSW, Alan moved to Grafton in 1982 with a passion for rural mixed practice and formed a partnership to purchase the South Grafton Veterinary Clinic from Dr Rene Fenech, which he operated from for the next 10 years. With the retirement of the original veterinarian in the Clarence Valley H.O (Jim) Cartwright in 1991, Alan bought the Grafton Veterinary Clinic in Bacon St and has worked hard to make it the clinic it is today.
Alan's passion drives him to constantly learn all the areas of mixed rural practice so he can provide a steady improvement in the quality of veterinary service for the local community. His special interest lies in equine sports medicine for Performance Horses and all the areas that it encompasses; including equine podiatry, nutrition, dentistry, acupuncture & chiropractic, lameness evaluation, endoscopy & diagnostic imaging. He has completed the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society course, and has completed post graduate courses in equine dentistry and chiropractic. As well as being an Accredited Race Day Officiating Veterinarian, he is an accreditied head veterinarian for AERA endurance rides, and has been vetting at these events for 30 years. In 1999 he established the Equine Breeding Unit as part of the Grafton Veterinary Clinic, so as to provide local broodmare owners access to chilled & frozen AI, and other reproductive services.
Alan's other interests include beef cattle farming, sustainable agriculture, planting rainforest trees, cycling, bushwalking & kayaking and breeding Thoroughbred racehorses. To this end he has recently taken out a trainers licence (much to the amusement of the local trainers).
Dr Tessa E Birch BVBiol. BVSc.
Tessa's dream of being a vet began when she was a little girl and her father would read novels to her by James Herriot ( He is best known work is "All Creatures Great and Small" in 1972). She went on to graduate from Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga with a double degree in Veterinary Biology and Veterinary Science.
Tessa grew up in the region and wanted to be closer to family so when the opportunity arose to join the team here at The Grafton Veterinary Clinic, Tessa jumped at it. Tessa knew of Alan Giles and his reputation and knew that she would be able to learn alot from working with him.
Tessa loves horses and cattle of course, being a country girl, but is also enjoying the mix of animals we see here. Whilst Tessa is still finding her feet here at the Clinic, she has quickly become part of the team and is looking forward to meeting all our wonderful clients.
When Tessa is not at work she enjoys riding horses, running with her dogs, camping and portrait art (and not just of the human kind).
Tessa's dream of being a vet began when she was a little girl and her father would read novels to her by James Herriot ( He is best known work is "All Creatures Great and Small" in 1972). She went on to graduate from Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga with a double degree in Veterinary Biology and Veterinary Science.
Tessa grew up in the region and wanted to be closer to family so when the opportunity arose to join the team here at The Grafton Veterinary Clinic, Tessa jumped at it. Tessa knew of Alan Giles and his reputation and knew that she would be able to learn alot from working with him.
Tessa loves horses and cattle of course, being a country girl, but is also enjoying the mix of animals we see here. Whilst Tessa is still finding her feet here at the Clinic, she has quickly become part of the team and is looking forward to meeting all our wonderful clients.
When Tessa is not at work she enjoys riding horses, running with her dogs, camping and portrait art (and not just of the human kind).
Dr Joseph Cook BVSc.
Although hailing from Victoria and originally studying a Bachelor of Science, Joe transferred his studies to a Bachelor Of Veterinary Science at James Cook University in Townsville, North Queensland, graduating in 2011. After graduating, Joe returned to working in Victoria where he has treated a variety of small and large animals.
Joe’s knowledge is extensive and the “scientist “ in Joe loves a challenge. So, when Joe is not in the Clinic discovering new cures and diseases, he can be found either under the bonnet of a car, or with his wife and baby exploring what the Clarence Valley has to offer as they both enjoy a healthy outdoors lifestyle. We are very happy Joe has decided to join us, and his calm manner and knowledge are sure to benefit everyone.
Although hailing from Victoria and originally studying a Bachelor of Science, Joe transferred his studies to a Bachelor Of Veterinary Science at James Cook University in Townsville, North Queensland, graduating in 2011. After graduating, Joe returned to working in Victoria where he has treated a variety of small and large animals.
Joe’s knowledge is extensive and the “scientist “ in Joe loves a challenge. So, when Joe is not in the Clinic discovering new cures and diseases, he can be found either under the bonnet of a car, or with his wife and baby exploring what the Clarence Valley has to offer as they both enjoy a healthy outdoors lifestyle. We are very happy Joe has decided to join us, and his calm manner and knowledge are sure to benefit everyone.
Dr Christian Bowden-Betts BVSc (Hons)
Growing up on a family farm at Halfway Creek surrounded by cats, dogs, cattle and horses, Christian knew by the age of 5 that his passion in life was animals. Christian graduated in 2017 from the University of Queensland in Brisbane and after doing some of his Practicals here at the Grafton Veterinary Clinic, he knew he would like to work here and be back in his hometown.
Christian has a special interest in all things equine, be it a pet pony or a racehorse; however, he still enjoys working with the multitude of other species we treat here at the Clinic.
In his spare time, Christian enjoys both playing and watching sports, particularly league, touch and golf; and spending time with friends, family and pets.
Being a new graduate isn't easy, but with Christian's love for animals and affable personality, we are sure he'll be a vet for many more years to come.
Growing up on a family farm at Halfway Creek surrounded by cats, dogs, cattle and horses, Christian knew by the age of 5 that his passion in life was animals. Christian graduated in 2017 from the University of Queensland in Brisbane and after doing some of his Practicals here at the Grafton Veterinary Clinic, he knew he would like to work here and be back in his hometown.
Christian has a special interest in all things equine, be it a pet pony or a racehorse; however, he still enjoys working with the multitude of other species we treat here at the Clinic.
In his spare time, Christian enjoys both playing and watching sports, particularly league, touch and golf; and spending time with friends, family and pets.
Being a new graduate isn't easy, but with Christian's love for animals and affable personality, we are sure he'll be a vet for many more years to come.
