Phone: (02) 4832 1977 

Veterinary Nurses and Support Team Members

Meet our caring, enthusiastic and dedicated nursing and administrative staff.

Karen Reeves

Practice Manager

Karen ReevesKaren is the founding staff member of Crookwell Veterinary Hospital. Joining previous owners Jennie and Robert Churchill as all-round vet nurse / receptionist / administrator straight from high school in 1982, Karen has notched up over 30 years with CVH. 

She rapidly learnt to stay upright during surgery, monitor anaesthetics, provide vet nursing care for sick and injured animals, answer the phone, do the accounts and single-handedly make sure the small but growing practice was never less than brilliantly organised.

As Practice Manager, Karen is responsible for managing and overseeing all practice administration and non-veterinary staff. Her enormous contribution to the development of our veterinary practice in Crookwell over so many years is valued and respected by the practice partners, our staff and our clients.

 

Jess van Groningen

Receptionist and Administration Manager

Jess’s diverse experience and skills complement the CVH team perfectly. After a 12 year career as an Early Childhood Teacher in Australia and Indonesia, Jess turned to animals, first as an equine nurse while studying for a Bachelor of Equine Science and in 2013, she completed a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing.

Jess maintains a part time career as an educator. Working for the NSW Responsible Pet Education Program since 2011, Jess takes her two German Shorthaired Pointers Mojo and Ned into preschools, childcare centres and primary schools teaching children about being safe around dogs and how to be responsible pet owners.

Outside work, Jess has successfully competed in dog field and retrieving trials with Ned, and is currently breaking in and training her three year old Warmblood gelding Remi for dressage.

Tara Lambert


Veterinary Nurse

Tara started at CVH in 2020 while studying for certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing, which she is currently in the process of completing. Tara grew up in Goulburn and has a keen interest in horses.

She loves all sports and unfortunately is a mad raiders supporter, rarely missing a home game. Tara plays league tag for the Crookwell She devils and is becoming a intergral part of the CVH mixed doubles summer tennis team. She also enjoys camping and rock climbing. 

Tara has 2 dopted a kittens through the CVH adoption program, Ollie and GG, they are both besotted with each other and spend most of their day either wrestling or curled up in a ball together. Tara has also recently taken on a 6year old German Shepherd called Reney. 

Tara is still waiting for the Raiders to win a premiership!

Ellie Searl

Veterinary Trainee Nurse

Ellie is the newest member of the CVH team. Ellie will be a familiar face to many in Crookwell, having grown up on a farm on the outskirts of town.

After graduating from Crookwell high school in 2020, where she was School Captain, Ellie has set her sights on a career in veterinary nursing and is currently completing her certificate III. When Ellie is not working at CVH she can be found making a mean coffee at Zest café or on the hockey fields playing in the local competition.

She is a quiet achiever and an integral part of the team. She has a compassion and love for all the furry animals that come into the clinic. Ellie has a Border Collie named Evie.

Lily Panne

Veterinary Nurse

Lily started working at CVH while still at School, after finishing school she went on to compelete her certificate III in animal studies on her way to becoming a qualified Veterinary Nurse. 

Not surprisingly, Lily loves animals and has a rather large menagerie at home – 2 dogs, 3 cats and 4 horses. Of these, Bob the cat has only half his lungs after having to have the rest removed by the vets at CVH due ot severe lung abscess. Not just content with a cat with only half her lungs she recently took on Pepper the Kelpie who only has 3 legs. Pepper had to have one of her legs removed after suffering a complex fracture which was unable to be fixed with out ongoing significant joint issues. Pepper is a bundle of energy and loves to dig, even with one front leg. 

Lara Karjalainen

Veterinary Trainee Nurse

Lara started at CVH in Janurary 2022. She has completed her Certificate III in Animal Studies and is currently in the process of completing her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. 

Lara grew up in Goulburn and while not working at CVH she is part of the team that looks after 40 Thoroubred racing horses at Lynton just outside of Goulburn. 

Lara is a keen horse rider and has two horses Ripper and Badge. She also enjoys motor bike riding and camping. 

As well as her two horses Lara has a beloved kelpie Barney. ​