Meet Our Dairy Vets
Our dairy vet team are always pleased to meet you, whether it’s on the farm or online. VetEnt’s dairy veterinarians would like to take this opportunity to introduce themselves. Find out which cow veterinarian works in which of our 16 branches, how long they have practised as a dairy vet and how they ended up at VetEnt!
Becks SmithVeterinarian
Becks joined the Central Vets team in late 2009 as a new graduate veterinarian. Having spent her childhood in the North Island, Papua New Guinea and Dunedin she is quick to embrace new communities. This has definitely been the case in Ranfurly where she has taken all opportunities to partake in rural life. In her spare time Becks enjoys a wide range of sporting activities (especially skiing), socializing with friends, Young Farmers Club and training any working pups that come her way!! Becks lives with her partner Jason and has Colin the cat and Mint the Dog keeping her busy when not at work or sporting.
Qualifications: BVSc
Belinda HamlinVeterinarian
I grew up in Dunedin and feel like I always wanted to be a vet. I started volunteering at my local vet clinic when I was 13 and have never looked back. I graduated from Massey University in 2002 and since then my career has taken me around the world and provided many amazing experiences, the highlight being 2 years in Samoa working with an animal welfare organisation. I have been living in Christchurch since the start of 2018 with my husband and two teenagers and I am loving being part of the companion animal team at Lincoln. Outside of worktime I enjoy Ultimate Frisbee, yoga, skiing and walking our hyperactive Wirehaired Pointer.
David DoddVeterinarian
Dave is our senior vet and apart from an initial 18 months in Hokitika has spent all his working life in Ranfurly. Dave lives with Kate on a 150 acre lifestyle block that occupies his time. Being the sole vet for most for most of this time, spare time has been precious, but he is obsessive about quail hunting with his G.W.P’s. When quail are not allowed, ducks, geese and trout are the targets.
Qualifications: BVSc
Emma CuttanceVeterinarian and Head of VetEnt Research
Qualifications: BVSc, MVS (epi)
Ian HodgeTechnical Services Manager
I began working at Riverside Veterinary Services (now Vetent Riverside) in 1999 as a mixed animal practitioner. The following ten years saw an emphasis on dairy cattle practice with the growth of the dairy herd in Mid Canterbury. I helped to form the PureMilk Mastitis Consultancy for which I now work full time. I have a special interest in veterinary education, knowledge and skill transfer to other vets in the practice. I am a member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists following examination in dairy cattle medicine in 2003, an In Calf advisor, a Countdown Downunder advisor and an Accredited Vet under the Fonterra Demerit Relief Scheme. I am married to Helen, and we have two teenage children who ensure our weekends are always full! Any spare time I have is spent fishing, building something or practicing to play my old faithful Guitar.
Qualifications: BVSc