MEET THE

HEARTLAND VETS

DR TRACEY THORNTON

Tracey graduated from Murdoch University vet school many moons ago. In 2006, after working for several years in mixed practice, she returned to the University where she completed two years of further training in anaesthesia and critical care before obtaining her Membership qualifications in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Emergency Medicine.

Tracey is passionate about providing excellent veterinary care for all creatures, both large and small. In 2008 she opened Heartlands Veterinary Hospital York and since then the practice has steadily grown, moving into a new purpose-built hospital in the centre of York in 2021.

Much to her husband’s horror Tracey has a veritable menagerie at home which is made up of cats, dogs, horses, donkeys and the odd stray animal that needs looking after!

DR MZURI DAVIES

Mzuri grew up on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria spending her spare time riding and convincing her mum to let her nurse all sorts of animals on their property!

Her move to Perth was only meant to be temporary but she fell in love with the lifestyle and the people and decided to study vet science at Murdoch University.

Mzuri has a special interest in wildlife medicine but loves anything with hooves!

Outside of work she spends time with her two dogs (Scout and Bernard) and goes on an outdoor adventure (especially the beach) whenever she can!

DR NATALIE ULLRICH

Dr Natalie has called York home for most of her life, attending York District High School as a primary school student.

In the years since graduating as a veterinarian from Murdoch University in 2009 she has worked in various mixed and small animal practices in Western Australia.

Outside of work she is kept busy looking after her three children and enjoys gardening and riding her horse.

DR PAIGE LUDBEY

Paige grew up in Tasmania, before moving to WA’s beautiful Kimberley region to fulfil her dream of being a jillaroo. After falling in love with the lifestyle and the cattle, she was inspired to study at Murdoch University, so she could begin to help all creatures great and small. Paige’s main interests are cattle and horse medicine but she enjoys the variety that being a mixed animal practitioner offers.

In her spare time, Paige enjoys trips to the beach and riding out on her horse Baz with the company of her ever-faithful border collies, Jill and newest recruit Scruff.

Dr Olivia Fruzynski

DR OLIVIA FRUZYNSKI

Olivia is originally from Perth, having spent several years in both Canada and the UK.

She fell in love with treating both big and small animals whilst studying at Murdoch University and was inspired to move to the country to help both people and their animals.

Olivia loves all creatures but especially cows!

DR KIRSTI ADDISON

Kirsti was born in South Africa, in a small town called Nelspruit, very close to Kruger National Park. Kirsti studied Veterinary Science at the University of Pretoria where she initially thought her passion lay with treating small animals (dogs and cats) but, after graduating and working for the government for a year, she has discovered a love for treating production animals.

Kirsti spends her down time in the dance studio and also hiking with her dog, Kaya. She has wanted to move to Australia since the age of 4 and is grateful she has now had the opportunity to fulfil this dream, along with having the opportunity to work rurally and see a huge variety of animals on a daily basis.

Dr Olivia Fruzynski

DR ANINCA JORDAAN

Aninca hails from South Africa where after completing her Compulsory Community Service year for the South African government in the beautiful Kalahari region of the Northern Cape, she pursued her dream of working abroad and moved to Australia. She worked at a small animal practice In the Northern Territory before her love for mixed practice prevailed and she moved to York to join the Heartlands team.

She especially loves working with cattle and sheep but Is happy to treat any creature that crosses her path.

On her days off she loves spending time with her family in Mundaring, enjoys a good South African “braai” (BBQ) and being in the outdoors. Between snorkelling, camping and kayaking Aninca also loves trail running with her rescue Greyhound, Ivy.