Joanne Hanssens

Veterinarian & Practice Owner

Jo started her career as a part-time veterinary nurse at Yamanto Veterinary Surgery whilst still in high school and during her university years (2000-2007). Once a graduated veterinarian she then worked full time in Goondiwindi (Dec 2007-  Jan 2011) and then worked as a locum for 13 months where she has gained much experience in various practices including Guyra, Tenterfield, Pittsworth, Dayboro, Kilcoy, Dalby, Mt Isa and Roma. Jo joined the Maranoa Veterinary Surgery in Feb 2012 and enjoys almost all aspects of veterinary science but mostly cattle work, mare breeding and soft tissue & gastro-intestinal surgery in small animals. Jo has many pets including dogs, cats, goats and cattle that she adores and are known to most people as her "fur-kids". Shelley, Vegas, and Mindee the clinic cats and sometimes her dogs Dixie and Betty will greet you at the practice. Jo became practice director in Dec 2012 and continues to enjoy the veterinary challenges of being a mixed practitioner.

Veterinary Certifications

- Australian Cattle Veterinarians Association NCPD tail tags to certify pregnancy testing- manual

- Australian Cattle Veterinarians NCPD tail tag accredited examiner

- Australian Cattle Veterinarians Association Veterinary Bull Breeding Soundness Evaluation (bull testing) Accredited Veterinarian. 

- Equine Dentistry

- Hendra Vaccination Accredited Veterinarian

- Stud Book Accredited Veterinarian

- NSW Ovine Brucellosis Accredited Veterinarian

Adam Mathison

Adam started at Maranoa Veterinary Surgery in January 2025. He is interested in learning about the veterinary profession. So far he has seen lots of different procedures and enjoys the day to day roles of working in a vet practice. He has proven to be a super fast learner, displaying excellence in customer service and daily veterinary assistance roles, and he is our go-to problem solver and "fix everything" team player.

Annabelle Thomson

Trainee Veterinary Nurse

Elsie Irwin

Animal Care Taker

Elsie started employment as junior animal attendant with us in December 2023, wanting to learn more about animal care and vet work. Elsie attends St Johns School and outside of school she enjoys motocross competitions and dance. Elsie has ambitions to become a large animal Veterinarian and loves learning new things, and we love teaching her.

Tristan Nel

Animal Care Taker

Tristan started with us in November 2024. He attends school at St Johns and completes afternoon shifts and Saturday morning shifts with us. Tristan enjoys learning new things, likes that each day is different, and, of course, working with the variety of animals our practice encounters which he is very competent at. Tristan is aspiring to be an occupational therapist. 

Kobi Kardosch

Animal Care Taker

Kobi is a Roma local and started with us in May 2025. She likes riding horses and has always had a passion for being a vet and dreams of working at Australia Zoo.  Kobi is looking forward to progressing within our business, hopefully securing a trainee Veterinary Nurse position in the near future. 

Vegas

Clinic Cat

Vegas was adopted from Maranoa Animal Rescue in July 2013 as a 5month old kitten and has been our original clinic kitty (aka supervisor) since. She likes napping, belly rubs, food and rolling on items that have come back from the field that smell like cows. She dislikes barking dogs and exercise. Vegas is frequently employee of the month.

Shelley

Clinic Cat

Shelley joined us in June 2014 as an approx 1 year old pregnant cat. She was found to be living on the railway tracks near Ergon Energy in Roma and her lovely rescuer, an Ergon worker named Nadine, bought her into us. Shelley had her kittens within a short period after arriving and they all found homes fairly promptly. Shelley on the other hand remained unwanted/ not adopted. She had however made friends with our existing clinic kitty, Vegas, (good move on her part) so after about 6months of trying to find her a home, we gave up and she got to stay. Shelley is a gentle and sweet, super smoocher and is always up for a pat or cuddle.

Mindee

Clinic Cat

Mindee came to us in July 2023 when she was about 6months of age. She was found roadside with a dislocated elbow, broken ribs and sternum and skin infections- It was assumed this was due to vehicular injury. Although we were able to fix her bones, she had sustained ongoing radial nerve damage to her front left leg, meaning she couldn't move it. After 6 weeks, the decision to remove the leg was made, and she has never looked back. She's playful, social, and rather mischievous. She definitely wins the hearts of many clients, and we refer to her as the "people's choice" award winner.