Meet our Veterinary Team: Dedicated to Equine Excellence

Lucas Nolazco, DVM, Msc, Dipl ACVS-LA 

Specialist in Equine Surgery

Lucas Nolazco graduated with honours from the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he began his veterinary career with a strong foundation in animal health. After completing his initial training in Argentina, he moved to the United States to further specialise in equine surgery. Lucas undertook an equine surgery internship at the renowned Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Lexington, Kentucky, where he gained invaluable hands-on experience.

Following this, he completed a second internship at Washington State University. He continued his advanced training there, staying for an additional three years to complete a residency in Equine Surgery along with a Master of Science in Veterinary Science. His dedication and expertise led him to become a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) after successfully passing the rigorous ACVS board examinations.

Lucas has contributed to the field through published research on topics including minimally invasive surgery and exercise physiology in horses. His academic journey also included a role as a professor of Equine Surgery and Sports Medicine at Ross University School of Veterinary Science, where he mentored the next generation of veterinarians.

After his academic tenure, Lucas moved to Australia, where he worked at a busy private equine hospital in the Hunter Valley region of NSW. In February 2024, he joined the team at Willinga Park Vet Hospital as a Specialist Equine Surgeon.

Lucas enjoys all aspects of equine surgery and sports medicine, but what he values most is being part of the multi-disciplinary team at Willinga Park Vet Hospital, where collaboration and excellence in care are paramount.

Stephanie Givan, VMD, DACVIM (LAIM)

Equine Internal Medicine Specialist

Stephanie Givan is an esteemed Equine Internal Medicine Specialist at Willinga Park Vet Hospital. Born and raised in New York City, Stephanie discovered her passion for horses while trail riding in Upstate New York. She pursued her academic journey at the University of Pennsylvania, where she completed her bachelor’s degree in 2014, followed by her veterinary degree in 2018.

After earning her veterinary degree, Stephanie undertook a rotating internship at a private practice equine hospital in Washington State, further honing her skills in equine medicine. She then completed a residency in equine internal medicine at the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center, a high-volume referral hospital in Virginia, in 2022. That same year, she successfully passed the second of two ACVIM board examinations, earning her board certification in large animal internal medicine, and becoming a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM).

In 2023, Stephanie joined the Willinga Park Vet Hospital team, bringing her specialised knowledge in neonatology, cardiology, and neuromuscular disease to the practice. Her dedication to advancing the field of equine medicine is evident in her numerous presentations at continuing education seminars for referring veterinarians.

Outside of her professional life, Stephanie enjoys exploring the world with her husband, Joseph, and their dog. She is passionate about rock climbing, reading, and diving, making the most of her free time by embracing new adventures and experiences.

For any enquiries, Stephanie Givan can be reached via email at s.givan@willinga.com.au.

Eric Klaui DVM Cert EM (Stud Med)

Equine Reproduction and Stud Medicine  

Eric Klaui originates from The Netherlands and graduated from Utrecht University in the late nineties. After graduation he started his veterinary career in the UK and performed back to back north and southern hemisphere breeding seasons for the best part of 16 years.  During this period he dedicated most of this time to equine reproduction, stud medicine and stud related surgeries.  Besides working with large numbers of Thoroughbred and Standardbred mares, he also developed an interest in assisted reproductive technologies.  In 2004 Eric was awarded the RCVS certificate in Equine Stud Medicine.

In 2008, Eric started his own equine practice 'The Flying Dutchman Qld Pty Ltd'.  Together with his wife Traci, they built a busy and successful business, providing not only services to horses and their owners on the Darling Downs-Queensland but to mares, foals and stallions from all over Australia. 

In 2019, after producing embryos for consecutive seasons from several challenging brood mares owned by Terry Snow, Terry invited Eric and Traci to Willinga Park to combine their efforts to providing equine excellence, and also to discuss the prospects of starting an equine hospital to complement the spectacular Willinga Park equestrian facilities.  Together they built the state-of-the-art Willinga Park Vet Hospital which officially opened at the end of February 2024.

Eric's work involves all aspects of equine reproduction and stud medicine e.g. examination of mares, artificial insemination (AI), embryo transfer (ET), stallion and semen evaluation including semen freezing, laparoscopy, foaling and foal related problems, oocyte pick up (OPU) and intra cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

Eric is a current member of the Australian Veterinary Association, Equine Veterinary Association, Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, British Equine Veterinary Association and Racing NSW.

Emma Stephens - Senior Veterinary Nurse

Emma Stephens is a highly experienced and dedicated Senior Veterinary Nurse with a strong foundation in equine science and veterinary care. She holds a Bachelor of Equine Science from Charles Sturt University, earned in 2012, along with a Certificate III in Equine Nursing (2013) and a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing (2014) from TAFE NSW. These qualifications highlight her commitment to providing top-quality care and expertise in the veterinary field.

With a rich background spanning over a decade, Emma has gained extensive experience in both the thoroughbred and equine veterinary industries. She has worked at several prominent Thoroughbred studs throughout the Hunter Valley since 2008, focusing on foaling, mare care, and yearling preparation and sales. Her most recent role in this sector was as a veterinary nurse at Coolmore Australia from 2019 to 2020.

From 2021 to 2023, Emma served as a surgical and reproduction nurse at Agnes Banks Equine, where she further honed her skills in specialized veterinary care. Before this, she spent 4.5 years working with EquibreedOz, an equine reproduction and ambulatory veterinary clinic. During this time, she also managed her own small-scale foaling unit and equine rehabilitation centre, showcasing her leadership and commitment to delivering exceptional care.

Emma’s special interests within veterinary nursing include neonatal ICU care and reproduction, areas in which she has developed significant expertise over her career.

Outside of her professional life, Emma is passionate about CrossFit and enjoys hiking with friends. She is also deeply committed to rhino conservation, having travelled to Africa three times to participate in various conservation and veterinary projects. Additionally, she has contributed to an equine veterinary training program in India, sharing her knowledge and experience to benefit others in the field.

Emma’s extensive experience, combined with her passion for animal care and conservation, make her a valuable member of the Willinga Park Vet Hospital.

Ashley Aldrich - Veterinary Nurse

Ashley Aldrich is a highly skilled and compassionate veterinary nurse with a strong background in animal care and medicine. She earned her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing from TAFE in 2022, showcasing her dedication to professional growth and excellence in the field.

With over four years of hands-on experience, Ashley has demonstrated her versatility across various roles. Prior to joining Willinga Park, Ashely spent two years at Milton Village Vets, where she expanded her knowledge of veterinary care. There, she provided comprehensive nursing support, assisted with various medical procedures, and ensured quality care for a range of animal patients.

At Willinga Park, Ashley has made significant contributions as an animal attendant, offering exceptional care to the recipient herd. She also played a key role supporting the Dressage horse team under Jayden Brown, who recently competed in the recent Paris Olympics with Willinga Park Quincy B.

For the past 1.5 years, Ashley has been a vital member of the Willinga Park Vet Hospital team. Her responsibilities span critical areas such as surgical nursing, intensive care unit (ICU) care and medical care. Her commitment to these areas highlights her passion for delivering high-quality veterinary services and ensuring the well-being of the animals in her care.

Outside of work, Ashley enjoys engaging in polocrosse and cattle work with her horses, as well as spending time at the beach with friends.

Sarah Cookson - Reproductive Technology Assistant

Sarah Cookson brings over 25 years of experience in equine care, specialising in equine reproduction and reproductive technology. She holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree from the University of New England, which she completed in 2009. Sarah’s career has spanned various roles, including Stud and Breeding Manager at Mount St John Equestrian in the UK, where she honed her expertise in producing world-class foals.

Growing up with horses has been a way of life for Sarah. Her family has owned Heritage Stock Horses for five generations, and she began Campdrafting at the age of seven. Sarah has also been actively involved in her family’s cattle, sheep, and cropping business in Dirranbandi, South-West Queensland, while continuing to compete in Campdrafting. Some of her notable achievements include winning the Ladies at Paradise Lagoons riding Wings and the inaugural Willinga at Juandah Plains Ladies Campdraft riding Paradise. Both mares were bred and trained by her father, Peter Cookson, showcasing the result of years of dedication to breeding successful mare lines.

Sarah’s passion for bloodlines and breeding extended to dressage and warmbloods during her time in the UK, where she worked for 5 ½ years producing exceptional foals that have been sold globally. This period also sparked her interest in Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART), particularly OPU/ICSI (Oocyte pick-up/Intracytoplasmic sperm injection).

Since joining Willinga Park in early 2021, Sarah initially focused on breeding both Campdraft performance horses and dressage horses, utilising exciting stallions and embryo transfer. In 2023, she transitioned to a more specialised role in reproductive technologies, contributing to the advancement of ART and ICSI at Willinga Park Vet Hospital.

Sarah’s professional passions include advancing the use of ART in Australia to provide access to previously inaccessible stallions and offering opportunities to breed from sub-fertile mares. Outside of her professional life, she continues to pursue her love for Campdrafting, with the aspiration of seeing horses produced through ET and ICSI compete at the highest levels in Australia.

For any enquiries, Sarah can be reached via email at S.Cookson@willinga.com.au.

Hanna Timmer - Office Manager

Hanna has been an integral part of the Willinga Park team for the past seven years, where her expertise in administration and property management has been invaluable. Her ability to manage multiple responsibilities and ensure smooth operations has made her a key member of the team.

As the Office Manager at Willinga Park Vet Hospital, Hanna oversees the day-to-day administrative functions, ensuring that the hospital runs efficiently. Her strong organisational skills and attention to detail have been essential in maintaining the high standards of care and service at Willinga Park Vet Hospital.

Originally from the Netherlands, Hanna moved to Australia in 2011, bringing with her a Bachelor’s degree in Sport and Health Management from Hanze University of Applied Sciences in Groningen.

Hanna enjoys the outdoor lifestyle with her family—her partner Sandy, their son Billy, and their Kelpie, Ruby. Outside of her professional life, she is passionate about trail riding and loves spending time at the beach, listening to live music, enjoying good food, hiking, and making the most of the outdoors with her family.

For any enquiries, Hanna can be reached via email at h.timmer@willinga.com.au or by phone at 02 44 05 5660.

 

Mackenzie Prior - Animal Attendant 

Mackenzie has been a dedicated member of the Willinga Park team since 2019. Starting with a traineeship through school, Mackenzie quickly proved her passion and skill, leading her to a full-time position. Her commitment to the equine industry is evident in her educational pursuits, having completed a Certificate III in Agriculture and currently studying for a Certificate III in Horse Breeding.

Mackenzie’s love for campdrafting, a sport deeply rooted in Australian heritage, complements her professional work at Willinga Park. Her favourite aspect of working at Willinga Park is the breeding programme. She finds immense joy in watching foals develop from embryos, being born, and growing up, all while playing a hands-on role in their care and training. Witnessing these foals grow and eventually succeed is what drives her passion every day.

Mackenzie plays an important role in the breeding process at the Willinga Park Vet Hospital. Her hands-on experience and growing knowledge in this area contribute to the smooth running of the breeding programme, ensuring that foals receive attentive care from the start.

Jess Woods - Animal Attendant 

Jess Woods joined the Willinga Park team in 2022, starting off casually before transitioning to a full-time role. Her passion for horses is evident in her dedication to her studies, as she’s currently working towards a Certificate III in Animal Care. Growing up in Mollymook, Jess developed a strong interest in showjumping and eventing, which she continues to pursue alongside her work at Willinga Park.

Jess’s favourite part of working at Willinga Park is the reproduction side during the breeding season. She finds it incredibly rewarding to be involved in the entire process, from the moment an embryo is flushed and placed into a recipient mare, to witnessing the birth of the foal. Being a part of this process and seeing the foals thrive is what makes her work truly fulfilling.

At the vet hospital, Jess brings a fresh perspective and enthusiasm, particularly in the breeding and reproductive care of horses. Her keen attention to detail and eagerness to learn make her a valuable asset to the team, especially during the busy breeding season. Jess’s contribution ensures that every step of the breeding process is handled with care and precision, ultimately supporting the hospital's mission to provide top-quality care for all the horses at Willinga Park.