Dr Cate Sutton
Veterinarian
Dr Cate is a caring and experienced veterinarian with a strong passion for animal care and support for clients. After graduating with honours from the University of Sydney in 1994, Cate moved to Northern Victoria to work in a mixed dairy practice, where she largely remained for the next twenty three years, developing her skills in both small and large animal medicine and surgery. She spent a brief stint in the United Kingdom 3 years in, gaining further experience and exposure to varying techniques and medicines, before returning to her previous position as a partner in the Victorian practice in which she had begun her career.
Throughout those years, Cate has completed further studies in the areas of small animal medicine, surgery and ultrasonography and completed her Masters degree in small animal practice from Murdoch university in 2011. She has a keen interest in travel and volunteered in Nepal in 2015 following the devastating ANZAC day earthquake, being one of only three experienced cattle veterinarians in the country to provide veterinary support to the sacred animals which represent the backbone of Nepalese society.
In July 2016 Cate and her family made the decision to move north to escape the cold winters of Victoria. After six months of working in a local clinic, Cate recognised she had something different to offer. Taking advantage of her broad experiences, her commitment to professionalism and the latest techniques she decided to set up a practice with an emphasis on stress minimisation to the patient. That practice has grown to be the Beachside Veterinary Hospital we know today.
Cate projects a bright and cheery manner and will always strive for the best outcome for both owner and pet.
Alex Hartwell
Practice manager
Growing up on a farm was the start of my love for animals and my passion to help them when possible. I started off in the veterinary industry as a Kennel hand at the age of 16 in Geelong and progressed through to veterinary nursing and then Head Nurse. I owned and managed my own animal health and grooming business for 9 years before making the move to Cairns in 2013. I continued in the veterinary industry as a vet nurse in Cairns for 5 years before joining Cate and the incredible team at Beachside Vets where I now have progressed to the Practice Manager position. Despite this position, you will often find me nursing or helping out in reception. I feel very fortunate to be a part of the team in our incredible newly built hospital.
Brooke Munro
Consult Nurse
Brooke moved up from Victoria in 2021 after deciding she needed a tropical lifestyle change. She is studying her certificate III in animal care with the intention of going on to her Cert IV in Veterinary nursing. She is currently working as our consult nurse , assisting the vets in their consults, writing our notes, and imparting her wealth of knowledge to our clients. Many of you will have had the pleasure of meeting Brooke in clinic, with her obliging nature and love of the patients. She loves a good laugh and enjoys working in a supportive environment surrounded by animals
Tiffany Hungerford
Receptionist
Growing up around pets and rescuing and caring for the local native wildlife, Tiffany has always had a keen interest in working with animals. While still at school, she began working in one of the local wildlife parks – this only helped to grow her passion. Tiffany continued to work at the local wildlife parks for several years. After the arrival of her son, she decided to expand her knowledge and completed her Certificate III in Animal Studies. Tiffany has since worked as a veterinary nurse for exotic and native species.
Tiffany still has an interest in learning and working with all creatures great and small! She lives in Cairns with her son, their dogs Xena and Zeus, an aviary of birds, their cast of hermit crabs and an assortment of native wildlife.
Krystle Villarruz
Receptionist
Krystle is a New York City native who has called Far North Queensland home for 8 years. Before moving down under, Krystle has worked in customer service, doggy-daycares, and pet-minding businesses, as well as volunteered at multiple wildlife habitats and rescues. Krystle has always had a big interest in working with animals and plans to begin her Certificate III in Animal studies. In her free time, Krystle enjoys travelling, camping, and going on adventures with her husband Josh and puppy, Indiana Jones.
