Our Team
Vets
Dr Hannah Mitchell
Owner and Veterinarian
Dr. Hannah Mitchell is a Partner at Coogee Vet Hospital. Originally from Perth, Hannah graduated from Murdoch University before relocating to Sydney to practice at a busy small animal hospital in the inner city. She is passionate about providing an empathetic and holistic veterinary experience, believing that the best medical outcomes are achieved by treating the animal as a whole and collaborating closely with their family.
With a strong clinical interest in surgery and behavioral medicine, Hannah completed the University of Sydney’s postgraduate surgery course and has mentored alongside specialist surgeons and behavioural veterinarians. She is passionate about continuing education, staying current with the latest evidence-based treatments and surgical techniques to ensure the highest standard of care.
Hannah has completed her fear-free certification in animal handling. She is known for her calm, gentle handling, ensuring even the most anxious patients feel safe.
Outside of the clinic, Hannah lives in the Eastern Suburbs with her fiancé and her mischievous dog, Betty. She makes the most of the Sydney coastline, spending her spare moments running, ocean swimming, or attempting to surf (terribly) at the local beaches.
Dr Gwilym Hunt
Owner and Veterinarian
Dr Gwilym Hunt has over 30 years of experience in small animal veterinary practice. As well as working in multiple practices around Australia and in the UK, he has owned and been a partner in three practices across Sydney . The main location at which he worked was Annandale Animal Hospital which he owned and operated for 25 years. Gwilym is now a veterinarian and practice owner at Coogee Vet Hospital.
Gwilym's main area of interest is surgery and in 2011 he passed the exams to attain membership to the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists (surgery). His passion continues to be surgery and he brings expertise and in experience in managing complex surgical cases including orthopeadics (eg.TPLO, MPL and fracture repair) and soft tissue (eg, perineal urethrostomy, perineal hernia repair and abdominal surgery).
Gwilym has a friendly and welcoming demeanour which puts clients at ease and his experience and detailed approach ensure the best outcome for your pet.
Outside of work Gwilym enjoys swimming and watersports, including kiteboarding and scuba diving . He lives in Sydney with his wife, three children, a hyperexcitable dog named Rufus and an affectionate cat named Nushi.
Dr Peter MacKenzie-Wood
Owner and Veterinarian
Dr Peter MacKenzie-Wood BVSc is a Partner at Coogee Vet Hospital and an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Sydney, bringing more than three decades of clinical experience to the care of family pets.
He established Willoughby Veterinary Hospital, which he owned and operated for 28 years before joining the Coogee Animal Hospital team as a senior clinician and surgeon.
Peter enjoys all aspects of veterinary practice but has a particular passion for orthopaedic surgery. He regularly performs advanced knee procedures, including TPLO, MPL and TTA surgeries, and offers a comprehensive surgical skill set that helps reduce the need for referral to specialist centres for many patients. His calm, methodical approach and strong focus on communication mean that pet owners are guided clearly through diagnosis, treatment options and postoperative care.
Outside of work, Peter is a keen ocean swimmer and cyclist, making the most of Sydney’s coastline and outdoor lifestyle. He shares his home with an elderly but still spirited dog, who keeps him closely connected to the realities of life with a much‑loved family pet. This combination of professional experience, surgical expertise and genuine empathy underpins Peter’s commitment to providing the highest standard of care to every animal he sees.
Nurses & Support Staff
Tayla Bussey
Practice Manager
As our practice manager, Tayla brings over 12 years of experience and a deep passion for gold-standard veterinary care to our team. Since beginning her career as a veterinary nurse in 2014 at Sydney University Veterinary Hospital, she has worked in busy general practice as well as gained more than seven years experience working in specialist surgery and emergency & critical care departments across leading referral centres in Sydney.
Her professional interests include complex anaesthesia cases — particularly cardiac patients, diabetics and geriatric patients — as well as advanced wound management. Tayla is dedicated to guiding and supporting the team while creating a clinic environment where pets receive genuinely compassionate, gold-standard care.
Recognised for her energetic personality and welcoming nature, Tayla enjoys connecting with people and building lasting relationships with clients and their pets. Outside of work, she loves hiking, exploring creative spaces and art, and supporting the live music industry. At home, she shares life with her fiancé Brandon, her rescue dachshund Slinky, and her rescue cat Hugo, and often has a foster pet alongside her little family of four. Tayla is excited to help establish Coogee Vet Hospital as a trusted part of the local community and looks forward to welcoming their pets to the hospital.
Georgia
Veterinary Nurse and Puppy School Trainer
Georgia has 5 years of experience as a veterinary nurse. She has a keen interest in surgery and is dedicated to maintaining a high standard of patient care. She takes pride in delivering thorough, attentive nursing care while building strong relationships with owners and supporting them in making informed decisions about their pets’ health.
She also runs puppy preschool, where she enjoys helping puppies develop into confident, well-adjusted dogs and supporting owners in creating a positive foundation for pet ownership. She has undertaken further training to ensure she can bring the most up to date information for new pet owners.
Outside of the clinic, she loves spending time with her snuggly cat, Tommy, going to the gym and enjoying the beach.
Jenna
Veterinary Nurse
Jenna is a dedicated veterinary nurse with 10 years of nursing experience and a keen interest in surgery. Having worked at Sydney University in their specialist surgery team, she is a wealth of knowledge on patient care in complex surgical cases. She is passionate about providing compassionate, high-quality care to her patients and loves being part of a team that helps animals live their happiest and healthiest lives.
When she’s not at the clinic, Jenna loves spending time with her two rescue fur babies, Jinny and Olive. She has a deep love for the ocean and is happiest underwater scuba diving and exploring the world beneath the surface.
Ana
Receptionist and Veterinary Nurse
Ana has always had a strong interest in the veterinary industry having started as an animal attendant in her teens to continuing her passion and progressing to veterinary nursing. She has been nursing for over a decade having completed her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing in 2014.
She is looking forward to connecting with the community and supporting pet owners with their journey of showering their fur babies in the love they deserve.
She is a local girl who loves to spend time with her partner, daughter and two cats, Drogo and Vash, as well as hiking, reading, baking with her daughter and embracing her nerdy side with anime, manga and gaming.
Sophie
Veterinary Nurse
Sophie is a Registered Veterinary Nurse from the UK who made the move 6 months ago. She has always wanted to work in the veterinary industry from a young age and has a keen interest in inpatient care, surgery, and loves to make the vets a positive experience for animals. She is looking forward to getting to know clients and pets in the area. Known for her cracking sense of humour, she is always a pleasure to be around.
Outside of work Sophie loves spending time by the ocean, running and travelling.
Bella
Receptionist and Veterinary Nurse Trainee
Bella is originally from the UK and is currently studying her cert IV in veterinary nursing. She is excited about learning all aspects of veterinary nursing but is specifically interested in surgery.
Sadly, before moving to Australia she lost her babies but has previously owned a mini zoo including 16 rabbits, 8 dogs, 2 cats and 1 horse. Once settled, she is excited to start fostering.
Outside of work you’ll find her at the beach, going for walks or reading her kindle.
Yasmin
Receptionist
Yasmin is one of our receptionists, she has been working in the vet industry for 4 years. With a warm smile and bubbly attitude, Yas is always eager to chat about almost anything! Yas has always grown up surrounded by animals and has fond memories coming into the vet and being her dads 'surgical assistant'. Outside of the animal hospital, Yas works as a Registered Nurse as well as a Pilates instructor.