Chris Pretorius

Veterinarian

Dr Chris grew up on a working farm in rural South Africa, he studied Veterinary Science and qualified in 1989 from the University of Pretoria. He worked for the Department of Agriculture for 4 years before opening his own clinic, and later a second clinic, treating all creatures great and small.

He moved over to Australia in 2005 with his wife and three children. First living and working in Balarat Victoria, before moving to Townsville in 2006. Initially he worked at Kelso Veterinary clinic, however soon after he bought a share in Hammett Street Vet Surgery where he was partner and part owner for 9 years.

It was here that he grew his name and client base among the Townsville community, who have supported him opening his own clinic here at Kings Road Veterinary Surgery in Feburary 2016.

Chris has an interest in all procedure's but has a real passion for all orthopaedic surgeries, especially cruciate and hip surgeries. He is very down to earth, practical vet, who truly cares about his patients and their family.

Chris is a very outdoor's man, with hobby's in camping, 4wd'ing and horse riding. He has 2 dogs; a tiny Chihuahua named Peanut and a Terrier cross name Ellie and 2 Arabian horse's; Power and Tiekie.

Sammy Brown

Veterinarian

My name is Sammy and I am a new graduate veterinarian from JCU Townsville. I grew up in a small coastal northern NSW town and I have been in Townsville for the past 6 years. Throughout my studies I found enjoyment in working with small animals, interests in both surgery and medicine but I do also have a passion for working with cattle.

My passion ever since I can remember was playing with animals and wanting to care for them. I am so genuinely happy that I can finally provide professional help and care not only to my own dog, Nala an English Staffy, but to all creatures great and small.

Aside from caring for animals my other interests include crossfit, keeping fit and healthy, going out for coffee, and anything to do with the ocean and exploring what our wonderful world has to offer.

Kaliana Curtis

Head Nurse

I grew up on a property near Canberra where my passion for animal's began. I completed my Cert II in Animal Studies through the RSPCA ACT, then moved to Sydney and completed a Cert III in Captive Animal Management at Taronga Zoo.

I started my Veterinary Nursing career in 2013 as a trainee at Inner South Veterinary Centre in Canberra, studing through TAFE NSW and graduated in 2014.

In May 2015 I moved with my fiance, Ben, to Townsville for his Military career. I started working here at JCU Emergency Vet Hospital, and did some horse training work on the side. It was during this time that I met Chris and began working with him when he opened Kings Road Vet Surgery in Feburary 2016.

My biggest passion in life are my pets and horse riding, I love to go camping, hiking and anything outdoors. I have been competeing in Endurance Horse Riding for 4 years and love Arabian Horses. I have a Kelpie named Radar, a Townsville Special named Hannah, a Bearded Dragon named Steve and three Arabian horse's, Carousel, Joy and Viva.

Salome Pretorius

Financial Administrator

Maria Parker

Veterinary Nurse

Emma Redman

Veterinary Nurse

April Taylor

Trainee Nurse

I grew up in suburbia in Canberra and was an animal lover right from the start. My obsession from a young age was horses, much to my parents dismay! I studied a Cert lll in Horse Industry Practice at Goulburn TAFE in 2013 which only made me want to learn more about a wider range of animals.

Originally in Canberra I worked as a Strapper/ Stablehand with Thoroughbred racehorses and also spent time in riding schools teaching children to ride and looking after other people's horses.

I moved to Townsville in February 2015 for a bit of change and the warmer weather, where I ended up working for the RSPCA QLD for two years as an Animal Attendant. I then decided to finally start studying Vet Nursing like I always wanted to and was lucky enough to work with Chris and everyone at King's Road first as a placement student and then as a Trainee Vet Nurse. 

The most important thing to me is my animals, I love being outdoors and exploring and they make that all the more fun. I have two Thoroughbred horses, Teddy and Missy, a dog called JD and three cats named Sambucca, Absinthe and Tabatha. When I have time I enjoy competing and training for Endurance riding, taking JD for walks and going to the beach.

Julia Risch

Trainee Nurse

Julia grew up in the small village of Güsen just west of Berlin in Germany. She grew up around many different animals on her Grandfather’s hobby farm and because of this, she has had a passion for animals from a very young age.

After finishing school Julia began a Psychology degree in Germany, during this period she took a study abroad semester at James Cook University, Townsville. During this time Julia met her partner and decided to stay in Australia. After moving to Townsville Julia decided to pursue her love of animals through a career in veterinary nursing.

Julia is currently studying a Certificate III in Animal Studies/Veterinary Nursing and will be starting her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing in the near future.

Since moving to Australia Julia and her partner have adopted two rescue dogs, Leo, a Great Dane X and Finn, a Golden Retriever X, as well as several budgies named Little Blue, Indie, Kiwi and Snow. In her spare time, Julia enjoys taking her dogs down to the beach for a big run and swim. Julia also actively supports a local animal rescue group as a volunteer and volunteers for events such as microchipping days for pets.