- Dr. Frank de Groot
- Dr.Garth Ryder
- Dr. Beate Silli
- Dr. Joyce Cheung
- Sr. Jean Carmichael
- Joyce Mak
- Ardo Ho
- Heidi Wu
- Adriene Leung
- Cathy Li
- Toby Wong
- Elaine Chik
- Michelle Wong
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 Many practices had only very basic drugs, were using unsafe out-of-date anaesthetic techniques, and often could not even adequately treat animals with serious diseases.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. Beate Silli - Veterinarian
I come from northern Norway where I grew up on a farm with dogs, cats, cattle, sheep and a horse. I studied veterinary medicine at the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science in Oslo and I graduated in 2000. I have been working at mixed practices in Norway for six years before coming to Hong Kong and Causeway Bay Animal Hospital in summer 2007.
I enjoy working in a busy and challenging practice and it is inspiring to work with dedicated people - both vets and nurses here at CBAH make a great effort to help animals and provide them the best treatment and care.
Besides my passion for animals I love all kinds of outdoor activities like hiking, mountain biking and skiing and I enjoy the nice hiking trails that Hong Kong can offer.
Dr. Beate is certified to perform acupuncture on animals.
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.
Joyce Mak - Senior Veterinary Assistant
I have been working as a Veterinary assistant since 1996. I have loved animals ever since I was a child, and have kept a variety of dogs, cats, birds ,fish,shrimp and crayfish. At present I have four cats and three tanks of shrimp and crayfish. One of the cats is a new calico persian. The others are a male ginger domestic longhaired cat, a female white-and-tabby spot British Shorthair and a male seal point ragdoll. They are part of my family and my children and husband also adore them.
When I was a teenager, I spent a few years in Taiwan keeping dogs and learning to be a dog trainer. I had a Doberman called 'Bobby' during my stay there, who won several obedience competitions. I then spent six years in Canada, where I used to visit breeders of birds, chinchillas, cats and dogs and tried to learn from them more about these animals and their various problems. I returned to Hong Kong and decided to keep cats instead of dogs, because I find the flats in Hong Kong to be too small for dogs and I also do not have enough time to spend with a dog. I find great satisfaction in my present occupation because I can really help and care for the well-being of sick animals and solve problems for pet owners. This hospital is just like a second home to me. Joyce is studying for a certificate in Animal Studies II through ANRC – an Australian certification course.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.
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.
Toby Wong - Veterinary Assistant
Hello, everybody! I am Toby Wong
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.
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.
