Animal Dermatology Brisbane

Dr Mike Shipstone

Registered Specialist in Veterinary Dermatology.

BVSc (Hons), MANZCVS (Canine Medicine), FANZCVS, DipACVD.

Mike graduated from The University of Queensland in 1984 and has worked in a number of different private practice and industry positions. In 1995 he started a residency in Melbourne, with additional periods of study at the University of California, Davis and Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge. He is principle and director of Dermatology for Animals and Adjunct Professor at the University of Queensland where he teaches the Dermatology course to undergraduates.

Mike is a Fellow of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists (Veterinary Dermatology) and a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology. Mike has published in Australia and overseas and has presented in Australia, South East Asia, New Zealand and North America.

In his spare time Mike loves to cycle and go camping as often as possible. He has a beautiful and VERY well-fed Ragdoll named Reggie at home that he adopted a few years ago.

Dr Brian Shen

Dermatology Resident

BVSc (Hons)

Brian graduated from the University of Queensland in 2019 where he first met the Dermatology team during his final year rotation and developed his interest in Dermatology. After graduation, he worked in general practice for a while before commencing an internship with Dermatology for Animals in 2020.

Outside of work, Brian loves playing basketball, going to the beach, and various outdoor activities. He also enjoys spending time with Sesame, a rescue kitty that he recently adopted.

Dr John H C Hutt

Registered Specialist – Veterinary Dermatology

BVSc (Hons) BA (Hons) MA (CW) CertVD MANZCVS DipACVD.

John graduated from the University of Queensland in 1988. He worked in general practice in Brisbane for 18 months before travelling to the UK in 1990, where he worked in small animal practice for the next 11 years. He was a clinical assistant in dermatology at the Animal Health Trust from 1998 to 2001. In 2001 John set up North Kent Referrals, a multi-disciplinary referral practice in the south of England, and he owned and ran the practice until its sale in 2012.

John is a registered specialist in Veterinary Dermatology. He holds the RCVS Certificate in Veterinary Dermatology, is a member of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists (MANZCVS) by examination in small animal medicine, and is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology. John is a past President of the British Veterinary Dermatology Study Group. He is Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Queensland, where he provides the dermatology referral service.

Following his return to Brisbane in 2013, John joined the team at Dermatology for Animals. His clinical interests include the management of allergic skin disease in dogs, immune mediated skin disorders, and all aspects of feline and equine dermatology. John has regularly presented on the subject of veterinary dermatology to veterinary surgeons and nurses in Europe, Asia and Australia.

Outside of work, John’s major interest is in English Literature and Creative Writing. He completed a Bachelor of Arts at the Open University in 2006, followed by an Honours year in Creative Writing in 2009. He completed a Master of Arts in Creative Writing in 2018.

Dr Letitia Grant

Dermatology Resident

BVSc (Hons)

Letitia graduated with Class 1 Honours from the University of Queensland in 2008. She began work in mixed-animal practice in Dubbo for two years and then transitioned to a year of small-animal emergency work in Brisbane before moving to the UK to work as a small animal veterinarian. In 2014 she returned to Australia and became a practice owner in North Queensland. For the next 8 years, Letitia worked with her business to pursue a high level of small animal general practice.

Veterinary dermatology has always been a strong interest for Letitia, which ultimately led to her taking a position as a resident with Dermatology for Animals in 2022. The process of working through frustrating and often complex dermatology complaints to improve the quality of her patients’ lives gives Letitia a great deal of satisfaction and fulfilment.

Outside of work, Letitia enjoys time with her husband and kids and enjoys crafting, cooking, sport, and the outdoors. In amongst her busy schedule, she likes nothing more than a cuddle with her dog Beyonce and cat, Dizzee Rascal.

Dr Jeylan Aslan

Registered Specialist in Veterinary Dermatology

Jey graduated from the University of Queensland in 2013 with first class honours and as top of the class. Following graduation she completed a one year rotating internship at Veterinary Specialist Services. She then spent 2 years in a small animal general practice in Brisbane, before joining Dermatology for Animals in 2016. Jey is a registered specialist in Veterinary Dermatology. She is a Member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists by examination in small animal medicine and is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology. She is President of the Dermatology Chapter of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists and sits on the administrative committee of the World Association of Veterinary Dermatology. She is also the founder and host of a dermatology journal club attended by dermatologists across Australia and New Zealand to discuss recent publications and advances in the art and science of dermatology!

Jey's special interests in dermatology lie in feline dermatology and dermatologic applications of carbon dioxide laser surgery. She has two very naughty Ragdoll cats, Bijou and Chopin, and outside of work enjoys reading and being outside (with lots of sunscreen on!).  

Dr Tina Hsiao

Dermatology Intern

BVSc (Hons)

Tina grew up in Brisbane and graduated from the University of Queensland with honours in 2021. After a brief stint in general practice, Tina was itching to pursue further training and commenced an internship with the Dermatology for Animals team in September 2022. She works hard to provide a good life for her fur babies Olivia (a sassy Burmilla) and Peppa (a cheeky Pug X).

Outside of work, Tina enjoys reading, going to the beach and checking out the latest foodie hotspots.

Dr Johann Boone

Dermatology Registrar.

BVMS, MANZCVS, MVetMed.

Jo graduated from Murdoch University in 2004. After graduating, she worked in general practice in the Northern Territory and then as a locum in South Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, England and Wales. She moved to England and completed a residency in Dermatology and Master of Veterinary Medicine at the Royal Veterinary College in 2020. She has also achieved a membership with the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in the Parasitology Chapter. Jo moved to Queensland to work with Dermatology for Animals in 2021 .

Outside of work, Jo loves reading science fiction novels and has been known to attend the occasional Comic-Con convention. She has an old cat called Peter and has recently adopted a Bull Arab called Bonnie.

Melissa

Head Veterinary Nurse (RVT)

BAppSc (Veterinary Technology)

Melissa started veterinary nursing in 2013 in general practice around Brisbane. In 2016, she graduated from The University of Queensland after studying a Bachelor of Applied Science, majoring in Veterinary Technology. Mel joined the team here at Dermatology for Animals in April, 2016. She has a yellow Labrador retriever named Cairo. In her spare time, she enjoys pilates, reading, camping, being outdoors and taking Cairo to all kinds of dog-friendly places and events.

Kelly

Veterinary Nurse Administrator (RVN, TAE, AP VNZES)

Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing

Kelly started working as a veterinary nurse in 2010, in a referral hospital in Brisbane. Over the years, she has gained experience - in Australia and internationally – in general and exotic practice and on specialty rotation. She holds further certification in the nursing of exotic species and training and assessment. Since 2018, Kelly has been an active training consultant with Australia’s longest practicing RTO for veterinary nurses.

She joined the team at Dermatology for Animals in June 2022, providing support for our patients, their pet parents and our skilled clinical team. Kelly’s voice is one you might hear when we call to check in your pet or if you’re enquiring about how our team can help. She enjoys building and strengthening client relationships because as a fellow pet parent, she understands the importance of this connection.

In her spare time, you will find Kelly reading, keeping her veggie garden happy, bushwalking, or working on her family’s latest project; a campervan conversion. She shares her home (and heart!) with two Hong Kong expat cats; August and Stevie.

Abbie

Vaccine Technician

BBiomedSc

Abbie graduated from a Bachelor of Biomedical Science at the University of Queensland in 2020. She has always had an interest in the medical field and has a strong love for all animals.
She joined the dermatology team in February 2020 and has thrived in her exciting role as vaccine technician making all the vaccines for your beloved pets. She has been passionate about learning about the dermatology specialty and has picked up extra knowledge to help her answer any questions that come her way.

Abbie has a young kitten named Tilly (aka Sprinkles) and a puppy Cavoodle called Cody. In her spare time she enjoys baking (which the rest of the team take much delight in), being outdoors, spending time with friends and family, and hopes to travel the world in the (near!) future.

Natalie

Veterinary Nurse

Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing

Originally from Sydney, Natalie first started her veterinary nursing career over ten years ago. After moving to Brisbane she joined the Dermatology for Animals team in August 2018. She loves caring for patients (and their owners!) and enjoys adventuring, watching movies and reading in the sun on her days off. She shares her home with three individual, wonderful rescue cats and a clever, friendly cattle dog - they certainly keep life interesting!

Sam

Veterinary Nurse

Samantha always knew that vet nursing would be the best mix of working in the medical field and getting to work with animals. After finishing school in country NSW Sam moved to country QLD in early 2015 to start her veterinary nursing career, and went on to complete her Cert IV. Sam enjoys educating owners and watching their pets thrive physically and mentally, she joined joined the team at Dermatology For Animals in February 2020 as the next part of this journey.

Outside of work she loves to travel, go camping and to catch up with friends. Sam has two fur babies (Panda and Rosa-Dogs)  and a scaley baby (Earl the spotted python).