Dr. Frank de Groot - Senior Veterinarian

I was born in South Africa in 1966, went to school in Johannesburg and was accepted by the University of Pretoria (Onderstepoort) to study Veterinary Science in 1983. This is one of the leading veterinary faculties in the world, and is especially famous for the research done on tropical diseases in the last 100 years. The university places strong emphasis on the scientific basis of veterinary diagnosis and treatment. It also emphasis small animals, such as dogs and cats, and not only farm animals, unlike many other veterinary faculties.

I graduated in 1989 and initially work in the U.K., doing short-term work for several years including a year in a progressive animal hospital in London. I also worked in South Africa, including working in a busy hospital where a large amount of surgery was performed, including all the SPCA surgery for the busiest SPCA branch in South Africa. This has given me extensive experience in all types of surgery and the latest medical techniques.

In 1995 I came to Hong Kong, initially for 3 months, on route to New Zealand, where I have family. And I am still here seven years later. At the time I recognised a need for a higher standard of veterinary services than was available to most pets in Hong Kong. Many practices had only very basic drugs, were using unsafe out-of-date anaesthetic techniques, and often could not even adequately treat animals with serious diseases. At the time many vets were not aware that diseases such as Babesia (tick fever) and Heartworm even existed here. I was instrumental in improving the standard of the clinic I worked at, to a good level, including certain surgical procedures not available at the time. After five and a half years, I decided that I could do no more at this clinic without a major upgrading of equipment, and left to start the Causeway Bay Animal Hospital.

Outside of work, I play social rugby, and am a member of the Union Church of Hong Kong, where I try to attend every Sunday evening. Whenever time allows I try to travel and go scuba diving. I also try to go on a skiing holiday in Europe every year.

Dr.Garth Ryder - Veterinarian

1987 BVSc, Onderstepoort

1987-1989 State Veterinarian in the South African Defence Force, Mafikeng

1989-1992 State veterinarian and veterinary rural development officer employed by parastatal organization, ‘Agricor’, in Mafikeng. Practiced as a private veterinarian after hours.
During this time I became involved with game capture including lion, buffalo, crocodiles and antelope species. Experience gained in wildlife rehabilitation especially raptors.

1993 Worked for private veterinary practise in Timaru, New Zealand. Small animal practise, game capture, deer farming, dairy work.

1994-2000 Opened my own mixed practice in Mafikeng.
During this time I became interested in, and practiced, game capture, bovine embryo transfer as well as having a small animal and avian practice.

2000-present Employed in Hong Kong. I have been employed at the Causeway Bay Animal Hospital since 2004.

Interests and hobbies:
Scuba diving, fly-fishing, carpentry, renovating Victorian homes.

Dr. Joyce Cheung - Veterinarian

Kia Ora, greetings to you.

Here comes the introduction of myself. I was brought up in the beautiful country of New Zealand and obtained my bachelor degree of veterinary science there also. After working as a small animal practitioner for some time, God provided an opportunity for me to come to Hong Kong and look for a job.

Being a veterinarian is very satisfying for me because I have the privilege of looking after my patients and seeing them get better from their illnesses. But it also saddens me when my patients suffer or when they have come to the end of the road.

Apart from work, I attend church, bible studies, read the bible, hike on days when the weather is good and travel around Hong Kong and cities close by.

Sr. Jean Carmichael - Veterinary Nurse and Practice Manager

I was born and grew up in South Africa. I went to Onderstepoort, University of Pretoria after school to do a two-year full time diploma course in Veterinary Nursing. I qualified in 1986. I then went to work in the Laboratory Animal Unit of the University of the Witwatersrand. There I first worked with rats, mice, hamsters, guinea pigs, vervet monkeys, mole rats and bats. It was very interesting working with all these different animals. The next year I moved to the Dog Unit of this facility and helped develop an intensive care area for the dogs recovering from surgery. I also finished a three-year diploma course in Laboratory Animal Science, studying part-time.

Then I worked in London for a small animal clinic for about a year and after some traveling decided to return to South Africa. I found a great job in Johannesburg working with horses. After that I alternated between the UK and South Africa for the next three years, working in both small animal clinics and horse practices. During that time Frank and I got married. We then decided to travel further and headed for Hong Kong, on our way to New Zealand. We did a locum job at a clinic and decided to stay on in Hong Kong. We have been here since 1995 and opened the Causeway Bay Animal Hospital in 2001.

I still love to travel and try at every opportunity to visit different spots in Asia – mostly to do scuba diving. I also try to get back to Europe every year to see friends and do some snow skiing. I was a keen rugby player, but had to retire due to injury, and am a member of the Hong Kong Football Club. I am a member of the Union Church of Hong Kong and try to get to church every Sunday evening. We have three cats and no children. Our cats are called Fat Boy, Ploppie and Dao. Frank found Dao on the pavement in Hong Kong when she was about a week old and I hand-reared her, so she is quite special. Ploppie and Fat Boy were also strays that needed a home.

Ardo Ho - Senior Veterinary Assistant

I was born in Hong Kong in 1979. I finished HKCEE in 1996, and did a secretarial course at the Technical Institute for a year. After that I went to England to study English. I returned to Hong Kong in 1998, and as I like being creative, I started work in a hair salon as a junior stylist. I worked there for a year and a half and learnt many technical skills such as blow drying, perming, tinting, highlighting and cutting. I still find these skills useful as even though I do not work in a salon anymore, I can still do my friends' hair sometimes.

I started working in an animal clinic in 1999. I enjoy this job very much as it has increased my medical knowledge, allowed me to care for animals and I find my colleagues and bosses very friendly. In the future I would like to upgrade my skills as a Veterinary assistant.

When I was young, I was very scared of dogs and cats because I had never had a chance to keep a pet and I did not know much about them. One day I saw a Pomeranian walking along the street without an owner, and he followed me home. We named him 'Ball Ball' and from then on I started learning how to care for dogs. I found that dogs are intelligent and obedient, but you do have to spend lots of time with them to communicate with them and teach them what they can and cannot do. 'Ball Ball' passed away in 2001 when he was 15 years old and my family was very upset. I then got a new dog called 'Nicholas'. He is a Golden Retriever and is very energetic and clever. I got him when he was 3 months old and I needed to get up an hour earlier every morning to clean up the house. He would mess up everything, urinate in the house, tear the wallpaper, chew shoes, newspapers and clothes, and steal food. After his third vaccination I started taking him out 3 to 4 times a day. I take him to places where he can meet more dog friends as I recognise this is good for his psychological development.

I enjoy dancing, singing, shopping, fashion and outdoor spots. I love being out in the sun and have a tan right through summer as I am always on the beach on my days off. I love large dogs as I can go swimming and hiking with them.

Ardo is studying for a certificate in Animal Studies II through ANRC – an Australian certification course.

Heidi Wu, Veterinary Assistant

I have been working at Causeway Bay Animal Hospital sine 2001.I love animal very much and I have a cool cat at home, her name is Promise and she was only 6 weeks old when I first got her. She was very naughty when she was young and climbed out of the window, which almost gave me a heart attack.

I like working at Causeway Bay Animal Hospital, as I love to take care of the animals in the hospital. Most of the sick animals need a lot of love, care and attention, I enjoy providing this for them. Sometimes they even mistaken me for their owner. I feel very good when I see them get better and go home.

Heidi has a certificate in Animal Studies II through ANRC – an Australian certification course.

Adriene Leung - Veterinary Assistant

I am an energetic and outgoing girl. I love pets very much, and especially cats. I would like to have my own pet, but unfortunately my family members are allergic to animals. In spite of this I once had two birds for a while and then a squirrel. I have also looked after my friend's cats. Their names are 'Piggy', 'Nam Nam' and 'Mau Mau'. I really enjoyed caring for them and after they returned to their owner, I still visit them. Now I've got a naughty cat 'Pazu', he was only 2 months old when I first got her. He enjoys watching birds out of the window so much.

Now that I work in the hospital I meet lots of different animals. I get to spend a lot of time with the pets that come into the hospital and this makes the work very enjoyable. I have also learnt a lot more about how to take care of a pet. Although I enjoy being with the animals so much, it is hard to see the lovely pets sick.

However, with the professional knowledge of our doctors, they can recover very soon. It is a very satisfying part of my work to see animals that have been very sick, getting better and going home healthy and happy. It is also very nice to see the happy the faces of their owner when they take their healthy pet home. This satisfaction makes up for the unhappiness I feel at seeing sick pets. I also enjoy working with my colleagues. They are very helpful and always doing their very best to take care of the sick pets.

Adriene has a certificate in Animal Studies II through ANRC – an Australian certification course.

Cathy Li - Receptionist

Hi, My name is Cathy Li. We have always had pets at our home but I never imagined working at a veterinary hospital and consider myself to be very lucky to have this experience. My work involves interacting with many different small animals and this has allowed me to broaden the scope of my animal related knowledge. This includes animal health and nutrition. I am very grateful to have been allowed this rare opportunity.

Cathy is studying to be a Veterinary Receptionist through ANRC – an Australian certification course.

Toby Wong - Veterinary Assistant

Hello, everybody! I am Toby Wong

I join Causeway Bay Animal Hospital in 2008 and have a series of on the job training and practice in two different posts including receptionist and the taking care of hospital patients. Under careful guidance, I learn how to look after sick patients. I also feel deeply that all sick patients while staying in hospital for therapy need a lot of loving care. Seeing a patient recovering from her illness, going home to her owner after treatment and loving care from our vets and me is a lot of satisfaction to me. During this whole process I learn how to understand the patients which I never expect myself capable of doing it before. All these bring great joy to me and are not describable by word. That is why I decide to work in hospital area. Now I know more in taking care and treasuring my 16 years old Shih Tzu Ah B. He used to be a stray dog but has been living with me since I was in Primary One. Working in this animal hospital is an honour and a new adventure in my life.

Elaine Chik - Receptionist

"Most of my friends were surprised when they found out what job I finally settled with after graduation, working in the veterinary field. Not the job had any problems, but because it had nothing to do with what I studied in school and because of my attitude towards animals.

I was not always an animal-lover. I was almost bitten by a big dog when I was 10. Ever since then, I have had a cold relationship with animals until 2 years ago. A Pomeranian met my mom on the street. Mom decided to take her home and before we knew it, she had become part of the family. 'Be Be' soften my relationship with cats and dogs. She also opened my eyes to the animal world, further confirming my belief that each creature should be respected and cared for. More important, adapting to 'Be Be' lead me into the veterinary field. She was so weak when we first got her, I was angry with the old owner, Now we have 2 more adopted cats, they are twin sisters and it's a simply joy to see the 3 of them playing together everyday. Working in Causeway Bay Animal Hospital is both enjoyable and challenging. I'm able to have more interaction with clients and understand more of their concerns. Co-workers are fun to be with and always more then willing to give a helping hand. I look forward to learning and experiencing more from here. "

Michelle Wong - Veterinary Assistant

Hi everyone. I started as a veterinary assistant in 2007 and joined the team at Causeway Bay Animal Hospital about three months ago. I live in Sai Kung with my dad, sister, brother and three dogs, Happy, Money and Woolly-Bear. Happy is a German Shepherd cross, money is a Labrador and Woolly-bear is a cross-breed. She is the youngest and only turned one in August.

When we were young, I remember I always asked dad if we could have a dog in the family, but mum and grandma always said no. When I turned eighteen, dad sent me to England to go to university. Mum and dad opened a Thai restaurant in China and spent three years living there. My dad saw some puppies being killed by the local people, because it is very common for Chinese people to eat dog meat. One day my dad saw a man carrying a puppy so he asked the man where he was taking the puppy, and the man said he was going to kill the puppy to eat it. So my dad gave him some money and rescued the puppy from being eaten. That was the first dog my dad had and has had a few more since then. Unfortunately they did not lice long because there was not any veterinary clinics in the area. My mum and dad watched them die one by one. Dad had Happy since he was two months old and he is about 5 years old now. He is a very smart dog and loves all the food. Money is nine years old and he suffers from bad hips. He also loves food, but I am trying to make him lose a bit of weight so he feels less painful. Woolly-bear is my dog. I have had her since she was two months old. I always spoil her because she is my first dog. Maybe that is why she chews the sofa when no-one is at home. I love working in the Causeway Bay Animal Hospital. The staff and vets are very good and helpful. Hopefully I will be a very good veterinary assistant