Our History
The Dunsborough Veterinary Hospital was opened in September 1990 by husband and wife team Peter Rosher and Katherine Sargent. The practice began as a traditional mixed practice with our patients ranging from cattle and sheep, horses, dogs, cats, wildlife and even a piggery. Due to the great reduction in farming enterprise in the Dunsborough area, the practice became a companion animal practice in 2004 when Peter commenced Cattle Veterinary Services in Busselton. At the same time Shamus Henry became a partner, shortly followed by Merri James a few years later.
The original premises were on Gifford Road where the Cape Naturaliste Medical Centre presently sits. The hospital then relocated to Caves Road (at what then become Bannamah Wildife Park-next to Bailey Brewing Co) until 1993 when we shifted to our present location, the purpose built hospital in Clark Street Dunsborough. Our facility undergoes regular routine inspection by the Veterinary Practioners Board of WA ensuring it meets the standards expected of a modern veterinary hospital.
We have been very fortunate to have a stable nursing and reception staff ensuring great continuity for our clients. Although we pride ourselves on our knowledge, skills and equipment we are most proud that our practice has a warm, friendly country feel about it, where we tend to know all our clients and patients well. This allows for a less formal visit making it a far more pleasurable experience for our clients, patients and us. Often our waiting room seems to be the meeting place for the population of Dunsborough.
The Dunsborough Veterinary Hospital is fortunate to be in a town populated by people who love nothing more than to go for a walk on the beach with their dog, or curl up next to the fire with their cat, or go for a gallop through the bush with their horse. The practice performs a large amount of wildlife work where we attempt to treat and rehabilitate injured wildlife until they can be sent to a carer (often one of the staff themselves). Many of our clients are actively involved in caring for injured wildlife until they can be released back in to the wild.
As a practice we have always been involved in the community, visiting schools and having classes visit the practice, hosting school work experience students and providing traineeships in veterinary nursing. The practice also hosts veterinary students in their final clinical years as part of the Murdoch University Extramural Clinical Experience Program.
All the staff feel privileged to be able to practice in such a beautiful town with such fantastic clients. We consider ourselves so very lucky!
Veterinarians
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Dr Kathy Sargent BSc BVMS
I was one of the founding partners of Dunsborough Veterinary Hospital along with my husband Peter Rosher.
I was born and raised in Dunsborough where Empire Retreat presently lies and attended Murdoch University Veterinary School graduating as a veterinarian in 1985. I also met Peter at Murdoch as he was teaching students and practicing at Murdoch during my last two years as a student. Following graduation, I worked at the Busselton Veterinary Hospital for 2 years before marrying Peter in 1987 and heading to California for 2 years.
Whilst in the US I worked for a drug company for six months before completing research and clinical work at the University of California Veterinary School (Davis) until leaving the US at the end of 1989.
On returning to Australia, I worked as a locum before opening the Dunsborough Veterinary Hospital in September 1990. I have 3 children with my husband Peter – Corey, Anais and Declan. Our household is a menagerie of animals with 2 dogs "Coco" and "Bundty", 3 hand raised kangaroos with their offspring and ring tailed possums that have also been hand raised and released. In addition I still breed and race Standardbred racehorses with my brothers and mother.
I love cooking, walking with my dogs (often accompanied by one of two of my kangaroos), helping handle and work the horses and having family and friends over for a catch up. I consider myself very lucky that after 30 years I still love what I do.
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Dr Merri James BSc BVMS
After qualifying as a veterinarian from Murdoch University in 1994 and spending a couple of years in mixed animal proactive in rural Victoria, I moved to Dunsborough to start work at Dunsborough Veterinary Hospital in 1997 and have never left!
Married to Steve and with 3 sons: Luke, Mathew and Joel, we share our home in Quindalup with our Rhodesian Ridgeback Ruby and pug Jemima.
I love all that this region has to offer, particularly wining and dining, spending time at the beach with the dogs and the strong sense of community that I am lucky to share in, particularly with friends made through the schools and sporting clubs and the many clients I am proud to call friends. I feel grateful every day to come to work in such a happy, friendly clinic with such professional and caring colleagues and such wonderful clients.
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Dr Shamus Henry BSc(Hons) BVSc(Hons)
I grew up in Perth and on completing an honours degree in Biochemistry (UWA), I packed up and moved to Queensland where I completed my veterinary qualification at the University of Queensland. Following a working summer in Dunsborough I moved to the US in 2002 and completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Kansas State University before returning to Dunsborough to finally settle down after many years of education. I love all aspects of being a veterinarian and have broad special interests including small animal medicine and oncology and equine reproduction.
I live in Dunsborough with my wife Kendall and our two sons and along with dogs Blaise and Harvey, Ted (galah), Shella (fish) and numerous chickens we enjoy all aspects of a rural life but only a short stroll from the beach. When I'm not working I love to enjoy the outdoors especially when they involve the game of cricket which I love to play and watch. Despite never being selected, I continue to train hard and make myself available for the Australian test cricket team.
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Dr Leah BSc BVMS
I was born and raised in Busselton and on graduating in 2003 I began working mixed practice in Donnybrook before moving back home in 2005 when I started at the Dunsborough Veterinary Hospital.
I love all aspects of small animal and equine practice and have a special interest in acupuncture on small animals and horses. I live in Vasse with my husband Jeremy and 4 children Will, Indi, Rosa and Josh along with our menagerie of animals.
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Dr Di
I graduated from Melbourne University in 2004. After meeting my husband, Matt, who was raised in Dunsborough, we moved back to the South West in 2008 and have raised our own family here. As well as our human offspring, we live with our three cavoodles, Bobby, Lacey and Sooty who keep us entertained with their antics, snuggles and gorgeous fluffy offspring.
I have completed post graduate courses in small animal surgery, small animal medicine and have a special interest in dog reproduction. When not at work you can find me hiking with the dogs, tending to the edible garden, taking the kids to trampolining/circus training/hockey/basketball, playing cards, playing pickleball or indulging in wine and cheese with friends.
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Dr Kathryn
Originally from Canada, I attended vet school in Queensland. My partner and I fell in love with Australia and decided to stay.
Upon graduating, I completed a rotating internship. I then worked in referral emergency and critical care and completed my ECC memberships. I have a special interest in transfusion medicine, toxicities and envenomations.
My partner and I moved to Dunsborough with our "teacup" Great Dane, River, for all the wonderful outdoor activities. We love hiking and climbing, while River prefers relaxing on the couch.
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Dr Tyla
I was born in Zimbabwe and it was there I developed a love of wildlife and the natural world. My family moved to WA when I was young and I have spent most of my life living in Perth. My passion for animals and their wellbeing lead me to study veterinary medicine at Murdoch University.
In January 2024 I made the move to the south west and it very quickly felt like home. I’m grateful to be working in such a dynamic practice with supportive colleagues and a friendly community.
Nursing & Support Staff