People
DR. ROBIN ZELESCO
VETERINARY SURGEON
BVSc (Hons)
I have dreamed of being a Vet since the age of 6 and was fortunate enough to fulfill this life-long ambition when I graduated from the University of Melbourne in 1985. Though I studied many animal species throughout my Uni years, I always knew that I would eventually work in a small animal practice as I loved dogs and cats. I never cared if they were young or old, large or small, really aggressive or friendly. If they were sick, I just wanted to help them.
I commenced at the Preston Veterinary Clinic and Hospital in 1986 and became the Principal Vet in 1990.
I enjoy all aspects of my profession including consulting, medical case ‘work-ups’ as a team and all types of surgery. Surgery is a very important part of a Vet’s daily work as we are entrusted with client’s loved pets and we take this responsibility very seriously. State of the art equipment now at our disposal allows my colleagues and I to provide a greater range of surgical procedures. I have a particular interest in knee reconstructions, soft tissue surgery (especially gastrointestinal surgery and cancer removal) and all forms of endoscopy.
Providing emergency advice and support ‘after hours’ is also very satisfying. Over the many years that I have offered this service, I have found that clients genuinely appreciate being able to speak to the Vet who, in most cases, knows them and their pet personally.
Like young children, pets are totally dependent on us and in return I feel they give us unconditional love. The “Human-Pet bond” that is often talked about is exactly that—LOVE. It’s all that matters!
Veterinary Surgeons
I’m fortunate to be assisted by three experienced and dedicated Vets. They are all highly skilled and enjoy working together as a team to help the pets in their care. Building up relationships with clients and their pets over years, forms an important bond and provides continuation of care.
DR RUTH CUMMING
BVSc
Ruth hails from Warrnambool Victoria and grew up with a strong passion for all types of animals. She had chickens,rabbits, guinea pigs, lambs, calves dogs and even a miniature pony as a child! Being a Veterinary Surgeon was therefore a logical profession for Ruth to choose and she graduated as a Vet from Melbourne Uni in 2009.
After graduation Ruth then worked in Ballarat then in a few different Small Animal clinics around Metropolitan Melbourne. She also worked as a teacher at Victoria University teaching Vet Nursing and Animal Technology subjects.
Ruth started working at the Preston Vet Clinic in 2014 and she has developed special interests in Surgery, Opthalmology , Pathology and Cytology. Ruth has an encyclopaedic knowledge of Veterinary Science so we often have stimulating discussions about the latest treatment protocols with her. She is an excellent Surgeon and has a very gentle, caring manner.
DR EILISH O’SHEA
BVSc
Eilish grew up in Werribee, Victoria, and from an early age showed a passion for taking in and caring for pets – especially kittens. Little did she know that many years later, she would be graduating from the University of Melbourne Veterinary School also located in Werribee. She graduated with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science in 2009 in the same class as her friend, Dr Ruth Cumming, who also works at Preston Vet Clinic.
Eilish commenced her veterinary career in a mixed practice (seeing both companion animals and livestock). She has also worked in small animal practices in Galway, Ireland as well as London. She enjoys all aspects of general practice, especially feline medicine. Eilish has a vast amount of experience both in surgery and consulting so that most conditions are well within her expertise.
When not at work, Eilish enjoys going to concerts and music festivals and hanging out with her cat Teddy. Clients warm to Eilish’s Irish charm and friendly, empathetic nature. The clinic is very fortunate to have her on our Veterinary team.
DR SNEHA BASU
BVSc DVM
Sneha graduated as a Veterinarian from the University of Melbourne in 2022 and joined the Preston Vet clinic in 2024. Originally from the UAE, her enthusiasm and affection for animals began from childhood, culminating in an interest in veterinary medicine during her school years and eventually leading her to achieve her goal at university.
Now working in her dream career, she loves using her skills to provide the best patient and client care for pets and their parents respectively, and thrives on routine surgical procedures. Sneha loves kitten and puppy health and helping educate first-time owners to do their best by their fur babies. She also enjoys the occasional rabbit consult, striving to make these sessions as stress free as possible for both the bunnies and their human parents.
During her spare time, Sneha enjoys reading, catching up with her friends, cooking, and exploring Melbourne’s best exhibitions.
Sneha is a welcome addition to our Veterinary team and has shown herself to be hardworking and dedicated.
Nursing Staff
We have numerous Nurses on the staff including Melinda and Claudia who first worked for the clinic in the early 1990’s. We are also fortunate to have both Mana, a Japanese trained Veterinarian, and Mia, a first year Veterinary student, working for us as Vet Nurses. From our Head Vet Nurse, Wendy, who has been with us since 2004, to our newest Vet Nurse, Ruby, who commenced with us in 2024, they all share the common trait of a genuine love of animals. Whilst their formal qualifications are important, no Nurse is employed at the Preston Veterinary Clinic solely on this basis. All our Nurses and support staff are extremely empathetic and have a natural rapport with animals. I am always pleased when I observe them quietly cuddling the boarding cats or giving the surgical patients a gentle pat and loving attention to help them through their recovery.
WENDY
Our Head Nurse, Wendy, has decades of nursing experience and joined the Preston Vet team over 20 years ago. She trains and supervises our trainee nurses, is the witty person behind our Facebook posts and assists with the day to day running of the practice. She especially enjoys assisting clients in the care of their fur kids through education. Wendy is a qualified Animal behaviourist and trainer and brings this special skill set to the team in minimising patient stress in the clinic, in home training and running our fabulous puppy classes on Sunday mornings.
MANA
Bachelor Veterinary Medicine, Japan
Mana attained her Japanese Veterinary Licence from Kitasato University, Aomori Japan in 2022. She comes from Osaka and is currently working for us as a Vet Nurse She provides invaluable support to the entire team, using her technical skills to care for the hospital patients and assist all Vets with surgery and diagnostics.
Mana takes great pride in her work and has quickly endeared herself to all with her kind, sweet and helpful nature.
MELINDA
Level IV Vet Nurse
Melinda is a fully qualified and experienced Vet Nurse and often the welcoming face at Reception. A problem solver and a quiet achiever, Mel gets along well with everyone. She has a natural rapport with animals and brings calmness and diplomacy to any situation.
Melinda excels in customer service and in triaging patient care. She is a great support to the team and someone whom can be relied upon to go the extra mile to help.
CLAUDIA
Level IV Vet Nurse
Claudia is the warm, friendly person welcoming you to the clinic and whose smile you can hear in her voice on the phone. She is a fully qualified Vet Nurse and with her years of experience, can confidently triage patient care. Clients can be assured of Claudia’s commitment to customer service. She has a highly empathetic nature and does her utmost for all.
Claudia loves all animals and has two beautiful cats of her own whom she adores and dotes on.
MIA
1st Year Veterinary student
Mia is a 1st Year Veterinary student at Melbourne University and has worked for us as a Vet Nurse for many years. She is able to combine her theory and practical knowledge to assist with hospital patients and help Vets with diagnostics and surgery. She is a valuable member of the team.
NINA
Level IV Vet Nurse
Nina is a fully qualified Vet Nurse who joined the Preston Vet clinic in October, 2024. With her easy-going, caring nature, she has quickly assimilated into our team. She enjoys all aspects of nursing and is greatly relied upon by all the Vets.
ALANNAH
MARIA
RUBY
GEORGIA
ROSANNA
JULIE
LAURA
AUDREY
Administrative Staff
RAELENE ZELESCO
Raelene has been our Practice Manager since 1998. She looks after staff matters and administration and generally keeps things “ticking over”. She has been very involved in the development and look of the new Clinic as well as the co-ordination of this Website. With Raelene looking after the practice management side of things I am able to devote myself 100% to the medical side of the Practice which is great.
IN MEMORY OF “SURG” THE SURGERY CAT
Our beautiful clinic cat, Surg, sadly passed away in 2009. He was 19 years and 8 months
old. As it says on his plaque (under his favourite fig tree at the back of the carpark ) –
“he was loved dearly for nearly 20 years”. Surg was a special little boy with a mischievous
nature and he is missed by staff and clients alike.
Acknowledgements and Thanks
First of all, thank you for taking the time to view our website and learn about the services we offer.
The Preston Veterinary Clinic and Hospital was established in 1952 by Dr Douglas Brown who graduated from the very first class of the University of Queensland, Faculty of Veterinary Science. This Clinic was one of the first established in the Northern Suburbs of Melbourne. Dr Brown went into partnership with Dr Raymond James whose early career in the United Kingdom was in the “James Herriot“ era, and together they were instrumental in growing the Practice over the next 40 years. I was privileged to have worked under these two fine mentors who were indeed pioneers in their field.
I would like to thank all the Veterinary Staff, past and present, who have worked at the Preston Clinic during the time that I’ve been here. The Veterinarians and Nursing Staff have always brought fresh ideas and new skills to the Practice but their most important attribute, by far, is genuine concern and compassion they display towards the pets in their care. This has never gone unnoticed by me.
The Practice has had numerous “facelifts” over the years and I’m very grateful and indebted to the people of the Northern Suburbs for their continued support (especially during construction phases!) and feel humbled by their loyalty. The new hospital incorporates some design features and equipment suggested over many years by hospital staff, visiting Specialist Veterinarians and clients and their contributions are appreciated.
Finally, and most importantly, I would like to thank all the wonderful pets that I have been privileged to treat and care for over the years.
