Dr Shannon West
Veterinary Surgeon, Director

Dr Shannon completed his Bachelor of Science (Vet Biol) and Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery at Murdoch University in 2004. After working in Perth initially, Shannon worked as a locum, both in his home town of Adelaide and thereafter at a range of vet clinics across Canberra. In 2010-11, Shannon traveled through SE Asia and the Middle East before alternating between working in the UK and exploring Europe in a reasonably questionable campervan. On his return to Canberra, Dr Shannon worked as the Clinical Director at the Animal Referral Hospital Canberra before taking the plunge and buying Belconnen Animal Hospital in August 2015. 

Dr Shannon's main area of interest is surgery, and he takes responsibility for the major orthopedic and soft tissue surgeries at Belconnen Animal Hospital. He also has a keen interest in the care and medicine of rescue Greyhounds, and management of arthritis and age related joint issues. 

Outside of work, Shannon makes time to go bike riding with Halifax (the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever), relax on the couch with Jojo (our clinic cat); play social soccer and ultimate frisbee with friends; or frequent one of the local pub trivia nights. 

Dr Kabir Dulichan 
​Veterinary Surgeon

Dr Kabir (or Kabs as he's known) completed his Bachelor of Veterinary Science at the University of Sydney in 2017. Having grown up in Sydney, Kabs has always loved animals and even went to high school with a fully functioning farm on it!
Wanting a change in scenery, Kabs was thrilled to be moving to Canberra to start working as a veterinarian at Belconnen Animal Hospital. Kabs has a keen interest in medicine and surgery and is passionate about community education regarding animal health and welfare.

Kabs has a Shih-tzu cross Maltese named Jadoo (who is very cheeky and loves his cuddles). In his spare time Kabs likes to explore Canberra by hiking and bush walking. He also enjoys ink drawing and painting with watercolours.

Dr John​ Bonnici 
​​Veterinary Surgeon​

Dr John Bonnici was born and raised in Melbourne. He completed his Bachelor of Science majoring in Pathology and Bachelor of Animals Science and Management (Hons) at the University of Melbourne. He went on working in medical research at WEHI, focusing on treatments in Breast Cancer and Obesity, and managed Gymnasiums before pursuing a life long dream to be a Veterinarian.

Upon completion of his Veterinary Degree at the University of Queensland in 2021, Dr John thrived on complex cases, doing emergencies, and managing a large hospital caseload in a big Brisbane based clinic. This sparked Dr John special interest in Internal Medicine where he completed further studies within the field.

In 2025, Dr John made the move to beautiful Canberra and joined the team, offering a calm and safe space where clinician, client and patient work as one to improve quality of life, and strengthen the connection with your furry companion.

In his spare time he is in nature, playing on circus apparatus' and exploring a new cafe. You can find him in the consult room, hospital ward and surgical theatre attending to the needs of patients with joy

Dr Lara Zasiadczyk​​
​Veterinary Surgeon
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Dr Lilian ​Wong​
​Veterinary Surgeon

Lana
Practice Manager

​We were lucky to have Lana join our team in August 2018, after having worked for the Animal Referral Hospital specialist centre for many years. Hers will be the cheery smile you will generally see when you first enter the clinic. 

Lana is currently spending her time outside of work renovating her newly purchased house, or relaxing with a wine or gin after a long day renovating said house! Lana has a son, Joel, a whippet named Ziggy, 2 Belgian Malinoises, Zara and Theodore, and a terror of a cat, Hector, who all keep her very busy.   ​

Tamara
Veterinary Nurse

Tamara is a familiar face at Belconnen Animal Hospital having worked in the clinic since 2004. She completed her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing in 2003. Since BAH's change in ownership, Tamara's knowledge of practice procedures, passwords and (most importantly!) our valued clients and patients has been an indispensable asset to the new BAH team. She's our self-acclaimed 'cat lady', and is also a pro at multitasking after her many years flying solo as the nurse/receptionist/kennel hand for the clinic. 

Tamara loves the beach and is very family orientated. At home she has two cats (Bruce and Mischief), and an increasingly boisterous duck named Poopy. Tamara describes a perfect day at work as one where she gets out on time! 

Dylan​​
​Veterinary Nurse

Robyn​​
​Veterinary Nurse

Tahlia​​
​Veterinary Nurse

Tahlia joined the team in 2023, bringing a whole lot of humour, guidance and warmth to the clinic. Tahlia completed her Cert IV in Vet Nursing in 2023 and has been an absolute machine since joining us. She is our welcoming and bubbly receptionist when we need, but also an attentive nurse who has aided in training some of our newest team members.

Tahlia grew up on a farm just outside of Canberra, here she found her love for animals. Though Tahlia is typically seen being a joker among friends and colleagues, she is actually a massive softy with one of the kindest souls; she is always up for a quick chat, a joke, a prank, but most importantly, some fun!

She spends her free time visiting her family's new farm in Gundagai, playing rugby and basketball, and spending quality time with her two dogs. Tipsy is her first fur baby, an almost 5 year old Staffy X, who adores everyone and everything until you try to cut her nails. And Bluey, a 1 year old Cattle Dog, who is the most lovable ball of energy and he just happens to be deaf.

Tammy​​
​Veterinary Nurse

Steph​​
​Receptionist

David​​
​Receptionist

Ashton ​​
​Animal Assistant

Tashi​​
​Animal Assistant

Jojo and Halifax
Managing Co-Directors of Client Relations

Jojo begun his career as a clinic cat at the Animal Emergency Centre Canberra where he graced the reception desk with his presence for over seven years. As an avid blood donor, Jojo was responsible for saving many lives during this period of his younger adult life. When the Animal Referral Hospital introduced a range of new specialist equipment at the Fyshwick clinic, it was decided that having a cat sleeping wherever he pleased was no longer appropriate and so Jojo came home with Dr Shannon to live with him in his Queanbeyan apartment. Since then he has thoroughly enjoyed his move to Belconnen Animal Hospital where he now enjoys a 'work from home' lifestyle - sleeping upstairs on the couch until there's a dog to tease or fur-parent to comfort in the waiting room. 

Halifax came to Belconnen Animal Hospital as an 8 week old puppy in April 2016. Her main role in the clinic has been boosting morale, meeting new puppies for play dates and taking part in various fundraising events! Outside of work, Halifax has a busy social life, having completed gold level obedience at Belconnen Dog Obedience Club, and is now learning dog frisbee and agility.  Hali also loves to swim, go for bike rides, chase the garden hose, and bark at both real and non-existent intruders... 

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