Dr Bernice grew up in the beautiful Overberg and Boland, and as a child would forever be carrying home every strange creature she could find!  Not surprisingly she ended up becoming a vet, after first receiving a Research and Genetics degree at the University of Stellenbosch. She completed her veterinary degree at the University of Melbourne, Australia, before heading to sunny Sydney for a few years. There she completed an Internship in Surgery at the Animal Referral Hospital, and worked in general small animal and exotic practice before returning home to the Cape. She has been working exclusively with exotic pets, birds and wildlife since 2014. Her home is filled with two bunnies, a furry dog named Teddy, an assortment of recovering wild animals and one very understanding husband.

Dr. Ilse Jenkinson was born and bred in Pretoria. She qualified as a veterinarian in 2015 at Onderstepoort after which she completed a community service year in 2016 as a state vet. From there she did a year with Global Challenges expeditions traveling around the world doing missionary work, spreading the good news of Jesus and serving the people in each country in whatever need they had. She returned to start in a small animal practise for 1 year before starting at CEAH. She has a special interest in wildlife and birds, enjoying any adventure/outdoors activities, doing art projects and spending time with family and friends.

Dr. Esther Meusel from a young age, she enjoyed taking care of all types of furry, feathered, scaly, slimey and 8-legged creatures. She studied at the veterinary university in Vienna, Austria, specializing in conservation medicine and small animal medicine. In January 2014, she graduated after writing a thesis on South African abalone. In 2015, she wrote the SAVC board exams which qualified her to work in South Africa. Following this she did a research-based post-graduate degree (MSc) at Onderstepoort on the Southern white rhino. After her studies she worked for a 24-hour practice for 5 years where she gained invaluable experience in emergency medicine.

Sr. Andrea Swart from a young age Andrea had a big heart for all creatures. She grew up in Somerset West and always preferred the company of a wide variety of animals. In 2010, Andrea moved to Pretoria to realise her childhood dream of becoming a veterinary nurse. After qualifying with the class of 2011 at Onderstepoort, Andrea worked alongside specialist Dr. Michael Gray as a surgical-theatre nurse for almost 8 years, gaining considerable experience in the field of domestic animals. At the end of 2019, Andrea decided to further her career in exotics and joined the team at CEAH. Andrea is married and owned by 2 dogs and 2 cats.

Natisha Van Zyl from a very young age Natisha demonstrated her love for animals by always bringing home injured birds to rehabilitate and taking in stray dogs, cats, chickens and basically anything with two or four legs! After qualifying at Waterfront Theatre college she pursued a career in the performing arts, radio and as a dance teacher. In 2018 she returned to her first love and enrolled at UNISA to study animal health. In her final year now she is very excited to be surrounded by her beloved animals and to be practically equipped to play a part in their wellbeing.
“Until one has loved an animal a part of one’s soul remains unawakened”
Anatole France.

Ms Auberi Courchay immigrated to South Africa with her parents approximately 20 years ago from France. Her love for animals began when she lived as a child in a small French country village where her neighbours were cows and horses. She has since acquired a degree in the field of zoology (2010) and worked on numerous research projects with different types of animals. Recently she graduated with a Masters in animal sciences from Stellenbosch University where her interest in animal health was sparked. Taking a break from research and academics she decided to join CEAH to gain some hands on experience with all her favourite animals and plans to further her education in animal nutrition and animal therapy techniques in the near future.