Meet the Team

Our team is made up of a range of qualified staff to provide the very best care to your pet including Veterinarians, Nurses, Animal Attendants and Reception

Our nursing team has cumulatively over 100 years experience working in the veterinary industry. All our nursing and reception staff are either certified level 4 or above or under taking training to gain certification.

Our Team is dedicated to continuing eduction and regularly attend conference and seminars to keep their skills current.

Click on a name below to read more about that team member.

Dr John Katakasi

BVSc (Hons) CVA CVCHM

I am the owner and founder of the clinic which my partner Karen and I started in May 2001.

I started the clinic at a time when I had been offered a partnership in a large multi practice group but I felt like there were not equal partnerships and could see that it would not be the right fit for me.

I lived at Lewiston on 5 acres as I had an interest in breeding greyhounds and at the time Two Wells was the local town servicing the animal husbandry area and there was no vet. I saw an opportunity and with a limited budget set up the clinic in the main street.

I became a Veterinarian as I was always involved with horses. I used to ride in gymkhanas, one day events, picnic races and competed ever since I could remember at the Royal show. I went to Vet School with little intention of becoming a vet. I was only really interested in training race horses.

I graduated from high school in 1989 from St Peters College. I was accepted into medicine at both Flinders and Adelaide University but deferred for a year to ride BMX bikes professionally and as a result of my interest in horses went to Sydney University to study vet science.

My special interests are sports medicine, which involves physical examination, diagnosis of injury, treatment of injury and preventative medicine. Preventative medicine involves having a broad understanding of physical conditioning, exercise physiology, a wide variety of treatment modalities such as acupuncture, physiotherapy, chiropractic, and modern techniques and methods that are continuing to become available such as stem cells, shockwave and laser therapy.

As a result of my involvement in sports medicine animals I have developed an interest in reproduction, orthopaedic surgery and Traditional Chinese Medicine to have a wider understanding of how to better prevent and resolve problems.

I have many pets, but my favourite is the house cat Minnie. She is always looking for a smooch no matter what type of day I have had and how I am feeling.

I am interested in developing myself to be the best I am capable of being. I am interested in investing, developing goals and plans and then achieving them. I would like to see the Adelaide Plains Vet Surgery become the “Northern Referral Clinic “ in Adelaide and we are developing a team and facility that is well on the way to achieving this.

Dr Emily Klopp

I joined the team at Adelaide Plains Veterinary Surgery on a permanent basis in January 2017.

Prior to this I had worked at the surgery many times as a locum Veterinarian. I enjoyed the case load, staff, challenges and progressive environment so much that I decided to stay full time!

I was born and bred on a cropping and cattle/sheep farm on the York Peninsula. Growing up I was fortunate enough to be heavily involved in horses and competed at a state level. I always enjoyed helping out on the farm, especially with the sheep or cattle. I still return home to the YP frequently for farm and family time.

After completing year 12 at Maitland Area School, I completed a year of animal science at the University of Adelaide where is discovered I was more interested in the veterinary aspects and thus went on to attend Murdoch University in Perth WA, completing my Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery in 2010 with honours.

I started my Veterinary carer in mixed country practice eventually moving onto locuming extensively all over Australia. I enjoy traveling and have had the opportunity to volunteer with spey/neuter campaigns in Tonga and Thailand. A large part of my volunteering has been in a Phuket animal shelter teaching surgery skills to vet students.

I have a special interest in dermatology, geriatric patient health care and surgery.

You will often see my dog Maddy, an 11 year old Border Collie Cross on reception or supervising around the practice. She takes her role of treat taste tester very seriously.

Dr Emma Crabbe

Growing up on the Victorian coastline south of Geelong, I was surrounded by both beautiful beaches and the seemingly never-ending string of animals I smuggled into the family; from dogs and cats to horses, chickens, ducks, rabbits, guinea pigs and ferrets… my love of animals was evident from a young age.

Following high school I completed my Bachelor or Biomedical Science, allowing me to work in Victoria and Western Australia within the pathology healthcare sector. However, my passion lay elsewhere. I graduated from The University of Melbourne at the end of 2017 with a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. I am excited to have made the move to South Australia and to be a part of the APVS team as a veterinarian. I enjoy meeting clients and providing healthcare advice, as well as medical and surgical care to their pets. Being able to support the bond between people and their pets is motivational and rewarding.

Outside of APVS I can be found spending time with, riding and competing my horse. I also enjoy being in the great outdoors; from the beach to camping and hiking. I love a good adrenaline rush, but sadly my love of rollercoasters and thrill rides is not always understood and appreciated by my family and friends!

Dr Znoi Nejadkay

Biography coming soon!

Our nursing and reception team

Reception Team

We have a dedicated team of reception and admin staff to ensure we make your visit to us as stress free as possible. From the moment they answer the phone to help you with your enquiry or schedule your next visit to us, our goal is to make you and your pet as comfortable as possible. We will treat your pet like our own, with plenty of cuddles and treats!

Nursing Team

Our team of caring, knowledgeable and skilled nurses has over 100 years of experience between them.

With a range of special interests across the group including rehabilitation, orthopaedics, feline medicine, reproduction, anaesthetics, puppy pre-school, geriatric care and more, there is a wealth of capability and compassion for every animal that is placed in our care.

We place a high emphasis on both personal and professional development, with many of our staff undertaking regular continuing education to further their skills of knowledge in the industry.

Our nursing team understand that often a visit to the vet can be stressful for both pet and owner, to help with this many of the team have completed fear free training to ensure we make coming to see us a positive experience. We make sure we include as many pats, patience and positivity as possible!