Fiona Hollinshead BVSc (Hons), PhD, Diplomate ACT.Registered Specialist in Small Animal Reproduction
Fiona Hollinshead graduated from the University of Sydney, Australia in 1996 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours). After 2 years in small animal referral practice in Sydney she undertook a PhD. Fiona's PhD thesis was entitled, "Production of offspring of a pre-determined sex using in vitro and in vivo fertilisation". During her PhD Fiona was involved in the development of sexing and freezing of sperm from a number of different species including sheep, cattle, horses and some exotic zoo animals. She has extensive experience in the freezing and chilled preparation of ejaculated and epididymal semen from rams, bulls, stallions, boars and dogs.
At the completion of her PhD in 2003, Fiona worked as an anaesthetic registrar and tutor at the University of Sydney's Teaching Hospital for 6 months prior to starting a clinical residency in large and small animal Theriogenology at Cornell University, New York, USA. Fiona became a Diplomate of the American College of Theriogenologists at the end of her residency program in 2006 and is also a Registered Specialist in Small Animal Veterinary Reproduction in Australasia in 2007.
Recently, Fiona became an Adjunct Senior Lecturer at the University of Sydney, Faculty of Veterinary Science. Fiona goes back to Sydney on a regular basis and gives lectures and clinical demonstrations and tutorials to the veterinary students at the University of Sydney.
Fiona has published a number of peer-reviewed scientific papers and has presented her research amd clinical papers both in New Zealand and internationally. Fiona was runner-up in the Junior Scientist Competition at the International Embryo Transfer conference in 2003 for her work on sexing frozen thawed spermatoza, re-freezing, in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and embryo transfer (ET). This work was later patented by XY Inc.
During Fiona's time as a resident at Cornell University she had the opportunity to work on a canine artificial reproductive technology project funded by the Morris Animal Foundation at the Baker Institute for Animal Health, New York. During this time she developed embryo recovery, freezing and transfer protocols in the bitch. Fiona was also awarded a "Resident's Research Grant" by the company Nestle Purina. This grant funded her research project entitled "Determination of calcium and parathyroid hormone levels during parturition in the bitch". This project involved working closely with The Guide Dog Society; "Guiding Eyes", based in NY, USA. This work was recently published in the reproduction journal, "Theriogenology" (which can be found on our website under "Publications". Dr Stuart Badger from Hastings and Fiona recently carried out a retrospective study on the reproductive efficiency in NZ greyhounds. Dr Badger presented the data from this research project in 2009 and they plan on having the results from this work published at the end of the year (2010).
Fiona is a reproductive consultant for the NZ Guide Dogs, NZ Police Dogs, MAF Detector Dogs and the NSW Police Dogs, Australia. It is a great privilege to work with the working dog organisations breeding programs. Fiona regularly returns to Sydney, Australia to collect and freeze semen from NSW Police Dogs as well as providing reproductive consultation and involvement. She has also been involved in the development of some exciting research projects with the Australian and New Zealand Police Dog organisations.
Fiona along with Dr Dave Hanlon and the GlenBred team have also been very fortunate to be involved with the breeding program of the Thai Fishing Cats at Hamilton Zoo. We have been able to offer our specialist reproductive knowlege and technologies to help preserve these endangered and very valuable genetics.
Nigel graduated from Massey University, New Zealand and has been practicing for over 20 years. His first employment was in Kaitaia where he developed an interest in small animal medicine and surgery.
Nigel since then worked extensively overseas especially in developing countries.
He supervised the transportation of yearling cattle into Java, Indonesia and he was the Resident Veterinary Surgeon in a dairy development project in Jamacia, W.I. During this time he lectured at the Jamaican College of Agriculture.
This work in less developed countries has continued with Nigel contributing to the development of animal welfare programs in Bali, Indonesia and he was a key member of a Rabies Control Program in dogs on the ravaged east coast of Sri Lanka following the Boxing Day 2004 Tsunami.
After joining Matamata Veterinary Services (MVS) as an associate in 1988, Nigel became a Director in 1991. He has developed what was a part-time small animal position into a team of four veterinarians. Nigel's clinical workload focuses primarily on small animal medicine.
In 2004, Nigel headed the MVS team who took over the running of Glenbred from Dr Wilson. Nigel has developed considerable skill and experience in the technique of endoscopic transcervical insemination.
Nigel's primary focus is on excellence in the clinical care of small animal patients and has recently become an accredited PennHIP radiographer. However he also provides weekend and after hours support to GlenBred as well as managing GlenBred when Fiona is away.
Victoria Weston BSc, MSc (Hons)
Victoria completed a Masters degree in 2005 which focused on the freezing of ejaculated and epididymal (post castration) equine and canine semen. Victoria has been our semen laboratory manager at MVS since 2005. She has the sometimes very stressful but very important job of maintaining all our long term liquid nitrogen storage tanks as well as overseeing all of our frozen semen exports and imports both nationally and internationally. Victoria works closely with MAF to ensure all paperwork is completed correctly which facilitates a smooth importation and exportation of your semen. Victoria's years of experience with international semen exportation and importation is invaluable and ensures the safe arrival of your semen into New Zealand.
Kristie Gulbransen graduated from Waikato University with a Bachelor of Social Science in 1997 and a Veterinary Nursing Certificate from Waikato Polytechnic in 2002. In 2007 she was the winner of the Merial Ancare Outstanding Vet Nurse in Customer Relations award.
Kristie provides administration support to Fiona. She is your first point of call for all enquiries and you will get to know her well during the management of your bitch for insemination.
Lynne Gillies graduated from Waikato Polytechnic in 2007 with a Veterinary Nursing Certificate (including the Shoof Award for Outstanding Achievement in her year), she also gained her Veterinary Nursing Diploma in 2009.
Lynne is the very proud owner of two leonbergers (large fluffy, friendly dogs). She is a familiar figure on the dog show circuit and is well known to many breeders.
Her special interest in dog breeding means she is ideally suited to provide support to GlenBred's Reproduction Services and manages semen imports and exports. Lynne assists Fiona with artificial inseminations and semen collections.