Meet the Team

Dr Vanessa Escott DVM

Principal Veterinarian

Dr Vanessa has dreamt of being a vet for as far back as she can remember! After she realized this dream in 1999 she developed a new dream – to own her own veterinary practice – a dream which became a reality with the opening of Happy Paws in October 2017!

She loves all aspects of general practice, so much so that even after 20 years in small animal practice she still loves talking about fleas! Her special interests include dentistry, soft tissue surgery and fostering the human-animal bond.

She lives in heaven (on the Gold Coast!) with her three non-furry children (Sebastian, Oscar and Darcy) and her furry children (Chicken and Noodle, the cats).

In her free time (ha, what’s that?!) she enjoys reading, watching The Block, pub lunches, and family time. She is looking forward to welcoming you and your fur babies to Happy Paws and getting to know you!

Dr Jessica Norman BVSc(Hons)

Veterinarian

Dr Jessica has dreamed of being a vet since the age of four. It was in 2014 when this dream became a reality, graduating with an honours degree in Veterinary Science from the University of Queensland. Since then, Dr Jessica has gone on to hone her skills in small animal vet care on the Gold Coast, before joining the team here at Happy Paws Veterinary Clinic.

The New-Zealand-born vet shares her home with an absolutely spoilt rotten mini house panther called Toothless, Homer Stimson the Stimpson Python and her newest addition, a ‘foster fail’ from Cat Rescue Gold Coast, Flash!

When Dr Jessica is not caring for fur babies, she is out at the gym, participating in Pilates classes, or is out on a long run. She enjoys all aspects of small animal medicine and surgery, and can’t wait to get to know you and your loved pets.

Ayana Jenkins

Practice Manager

Ayana was born in Japan and grew up on the Gold Coast. She joined the Happy Paws team in 2020 in the role of practice manager. As a qualified nurse, she will also be taking care of your furry loved ones when she is not in the office.

Ayana and her husband share their household with a mixed bunch of animals; Beanie the Greyhound, Moose the Snowshoe cross, Lily the Children’s Python, Allen the Carpet Python and Trevor the Indian Ringneck.

Outside of work she enjoys going to the gym in the morning, playing Touch Football and taking Beanine to the dog beach. She also loves her downtime on the couch watching her favourite TV shows.

Nick O’Donnell

Head Receptionist 

Nick has lived on the Gold Coast his whole life and his love of animals first motivated him to seek a career in the veterinary industry.

He is usually found at the reception desk at Happy Paws, being the first one to cuddle your fur babies when they walk through the door.

In his spare time, Nick enjoys reading, gardening and watching trashy reality TV with his French Bulldog ‘Herbert’.

Jessica Edwards

Head Nurse  

Jess has been a Veterinary Nurse on the Gold Coast for 14 years and worked in a few local family owned clinics. Because we already have “Dr. Jess”, you might hear us refer to Nurse Jess as “Eddy” to save confusion!

She particularly enjoys looking after your babies while in surgery and has a special interest in all things dental to keep those teeth pearly white for fresh, furry kisses! Eddy also gives Ayana a hand in the office managing the admin side of things.

She is kept busy by her Mini Bulldog “Olive” and three human children (Noah, Rose & Coen). When not at work she likes to be out bike riding with her family, exploring new camping spots or enjoying a relaxing BBQ.

Adam Pickett

Veterinary Nurse

Adam has been on the Gold Coast for most of his life. He initially got into the animal industry to get insight into how it works, then decided to study nursing as he liked the idea of providing patient care. He is very invested in making your fur babies experience as positive as possible and to provide them with the comfort, care and support that they deserve. When he isn’t spending his time caring for patients, he is barefoot in the sand with a fishing rod in hand.

Emily O’Connell

Veterinary Nurse

Blurb

Kim Boath

Veterinary Nurse

Kim has been on the Gold Coast for around 3.5 years, previously living on the North Side of Brisbane. Kim has worked at family owned small and large animal practices since 1997. She has had a passion to care for animals from a young age, bringing home every stray that crossed her path and working at the RSPCA on weekends. 

When Kim isn’t caring for your furbabies you can find her singing on stage over the weekends or working out at the gym. Kim is also kept busy with her Jack Russel “Ellie”, 3 human children and 3.5 grandchildren.