Meet the team at Vet in the Valley

BVSc/BVBio/MANZCVS (Equine Dentistry)

Dr. Libby Cooper is a predominantly an Equine Veterinarian, however she has experience in other species. She graduated from Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga in 2012, and then completed an equine Internship at Agnes Banks Equine Clinic in NSW. She stayed there completing an extra breeding season, and working as an ambulatory vet, prior to coming back to Tasmania in 2015. Dr. Libby has obtained her memberships in equine dentistry, making her the only one in Tasmania with this qualification! She lives on her family beef cattle and sheep property in Plenty, with her husband Dwayne and two children, Darcy and Archie, dog’s Poppie and Teddy, and a naughty shetland called Lollypop.

DVM

Liam graduated from James Cook University in Townsville in 2017, moving home to Tasmania soon after. He has spent the last 4 years working at Scottsdale Veterinary Clinic in the north-east of Tasmania, as a mixed practice veterinarian. In this time, he has undertaken continuing education courses in equine dentistry, small animal behaviour, and small animal ultrasonography, while also servicing the dairy and beef cattle clients of the region with pregnancy testing, bull testing, calving call-outs and herd health consults.

While enjoying the variety of work with all animals that mixed practice brings, Liam has a special interest in canine behaviour, puppy school (which he is looking to bring to the Derwent Valley region), and cattle medicine and herd health.

Liam and his partner Georgia, have recently purchased their first house in the Derwent Valley and are thoroughly enjoying having their own cows at their back door!

B.V.Bio/DVM

Fenella graduated from the University of Adelaide as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2015. She has then worked in solely equine practice, starting with an internship with specialist equine veterinarians at Agnes Banks Equine Clinic in Sydney. Fenella has spent the last few years at Horsemed SA, in South Australia. Fenella's clinical interest include reproduction, dentistry and equine medicine. Outside of work Fenella enjoys spending time breeding performance horses and ponies and competing in dressage and eventing.

DVM

Jess graduated from Murdoch University in 2024 and came to join the team in 2025. Jess loves exploring Tasmania and can be found bushwalking in her down time.

BSC, BVMS GCertSAECC

Deb graduated from Murdock University in Western Australia in 1994, and worked as a small animal veterinarian in outback WA, Townsville, Perth and Darwin. She moved to Tasmania in 2016 to work at the emergency clinic (now AES) and has completed further studies in emergency medicine and critical care.

Deb and her husband Darren own a small hobby farm with sheep, alpacas and many chickens, ducks and quail.

Her veterinary interests include emergency medicine, soft tissue surgery and pain management.

Outside of work Deb enjoys exploring Tasmania with her husband and two dogs, Tacker and Dolly and looking after all her farm animals.

Practice Manager

Naomi is our practice manager. She is incredibly bubbly and keeps us on the straight and narrow! She makes the bookings, organises our week and ensures our Utes are stocked! Outside of Vet in the Valley, Naomi is an avid horse rider and competes offical dressage on her horse Phantom and Cricket. She also shares her home with her goat - Lucy, her dog, Mr. Krinkle, and a range of feathered friends, and last but not least her lovely husband Tim.

Veterinary Nurse

Carla has been working in the veterinary industry since 2014 at just 17 years old! She then went on to complete her Certificate II in Animal Studies in 2016 which then led to starting and completing her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing in 2019.

Having grown up in a family with a long history in standardbred harness racing, of course she caught her own love for horses always being around them

Carla & her partner Brice share their home with their foster fail kitty Heidi, beautiful dog Maisey & their retired standardbred Gipsy. 

She loves every aspect of being a mixed animal nurse with Vet in the Valley, is a passionate animal lover & particularly enjoys working with the larger animals

Veterinary Nurse

Ahli has been working as a veterinary nurse for the past six years, after completing her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. She is now undertaking a Bachelor of Equine Science and Business Management at Charles Sturt University. Ahli and her partner Jordan live at their property in Lachlan with their animals Buddy and Chester, both Border Collies; Maize, their kitten; and four horses, Whiskey, Willow, Charlie and Hunter. Ahli has always loved animals and has been riding horses since she was four years old and after years of showjumping and eventing, Ahli now competes in barrel racing on her two young quarter horses.

Veterinary Nurse

Desma began her vet nursing career in 2003 and gained her Cert IV qualification shortly after. She continued to develop her nursing skills and added in behavioural training.

In 2015, a life change was in order and Desma packed up her husband, cats, dogs and horse. It was a big move from WA to the Derwent Valley, but the decision has never been regretted. The move enabled to bump her equine numbers and add chickens into the mix!

She’s loving working in a mixed practice with such a great team, and is looking forward to helping you with your animals!

BVBio/BVSc, MANZCVS, DVStud, ACVSMR

Visiting Consultant Specialist

Dr. Hale is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (Equine), which she achieved in 2024. She is founding owner and director of the Equine Athlete Clinic based in Melbourne Victoria. Josie’s main interests are the use of biological therapies in the treatment of osteoarthritis and poor performance in sport horse.

We are lucky to have Dr. Hale consult with us every quarter in Tasmania.