FOUNDER

Dr. Karyn Ann Levy has more than 40 years of veterinary experience in both welfare work and private practice. Over the years, she has worked with a wide variety of species, ranging from baboons to alpacas. She holds a postgraduate degree in Veterinary Medicine and Clinical Pathology and has a special interest in holistic and complementary therapies, including Homeopathy (studied through Oxford University) and Acupuncture. After many years of performing surgery and after-hours work, Dr. Levy now consults only part-time. She primarily focuses on mentoring and management at Noordhoek Vet, which she founded in 2003. She is well-known in the Noordhoek Valley and surrounding areas for her dedication and kindness, both to animals and people. Dr. Levy strongly believes in helping those in need whenever possible. Beyond her veterinary career, Karyn is a proud mother of three and also holds a postgraduate degree in African Studies and Literature. She has a deep passion for nature and the outdoors, enjoying hiking, swimming, stargazing, and traveling. Her interests extend to singing, reading, learning languages, writing, dancing, and performance art.Dr. Levy loves her work, her patients, her clients, and her staff—finding joy in nearly every aspect of life.

VETERINARIAN

Dr. Susi Petersen completed her BVSc degree at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna in 1993 and her master’s in 1994. She immigrated to South Africa the following year and took the South African Board Exam in 1996. Wanting to give something back to the veterinary profession, Susi worked for 10 years at the S.P.C.A. in Grassy Park. It was here that she discovered her passion for surgery and honed her skills. After that, she took up a post at Noordhoek Veterinary Clinic, where she has been a permanent fixture for 20 years. She is renowned for her expertise and proficiency in surgery, having saved many pets in the Valley. She is much loved for her lovely bedside manner, friendly and outgoing personality, as well as being known and respected for her dedication and professionalism. In her free time, Dr. Petersen enjoys outdoor activities such as horse riding, hiking, and swimming in the ocean, as well as spending time with her two amazing sons.

VETERINARIAN

Dr. Jean Russell is an Irish graduate who has been living and working in South Africa for 10 years. Back home, she worked as an equine vet. Since being in South Africa, Dr. Jean has worked in both equine and small animal practice. She took up a position at NHV Clinic three years ago and has been loving it ever since. She enjoys both medicine and surgery, especially using the clinic’s excellent ultrasound, X-ray, and laboratory facilities to achieve good outcomes for her patients. Dr. Russell loves to meet and chat with new kitten and puppy owners, discussing training and management to help them truly enjoy their new pets. She is also passionate about late-life care, enhancing the quality of life, and achieving good outcomes for older animals. Like all of us here, the most rewarding part of her job is watching a happy, comfortable animal going home to its family. Outside of work, Dr. Jean enjoys spending time on our beautiful beaches and mountains. She loves horse racing, rugby, and quality time with her three children—though she greatly dislikes homework!

VETERNIARIAN

Dr. Estian van As was born and raised on a farm in Grootfontein, Tierpoort, near Pretoria, where his parents still farm. Growing up on the farm meant that he was exposed to all kinds of animals, from goats to cattle to horses, etc. This, in turn, nurtured his deep-seated love for all creatures big and small. Fast forward a couple of years, and it would only be fitting that he embark on the journey of studying animal science, where he obtained an honors degree at the University of Pretoria. He then went on to complete his Veterinary degree, also through the University of Pretoria. Since then, he has worked predominantly in mixed animal practice. Dr van As worked as an intern as well as a surgery resident at the equine department of the University of Pretoria. The beach was calling his name, and it was at this time that Dr Estian decided to make the move down to the coast, more specifically, Noordhoek Veterinary Clinic. Nature and the ocean are where he finds solace. Other interests include rugby, which for several years was a big part of his life spent playing the game now replaced by his love for farming, exercising, and spending quality time with his friends and family.

HOSPITAL MANAGER / NURSE

Storme is a dedicated animal welfare professional with a deep passion for caring for animals. She spent seven years working in animal welfare, where she played a vital role in rescue and rehabilitation efforts. Driven by her love for the field, she pursued studies in Medical Office Management through Oxbridge Academy, equipping her with the skills to support both the medical and administrative aspects of veterinary care. For the past nine years, Storme has been an integral part of Noordhoek Veterinary Clinic, where her dedication and expertise have made a lasting impact. In November last year, she was promoted to Hospital Manager while continuing her role as a veterinary nurse. Her unwavering commitment to animal care and strong leadership make her a valued member of the veterinary community. Storme has 15 years of experience in the veterinary field, She is extremely hard-working and systematic in her daily tasks. In her spare time, she enjoys the outdoors such as hiking, the beach, camping, and the bush, Other passions include the gym, cooking, and interior design.

MAINTENANCE MANAGER / NURSE

Hudson Lucky Chirwa was born in Malawi and grew up among large and small animals, as well as his beloved chickens. After completing Matric in Malawi, Hudson completed Level I of electrical training. He came to Cape Town in 2007, where his exceptional connection with animals became apparent. Hudson joined Noordhoek Vet in 2009 and, having completed Animal Handling Certificates and Caregiving diplomas, is an invaluable part of the Noordhoek Vet Team. He is well known in Noordhoek for his excellent nursing skills and his kind and loving care. In addition to general nursing, Hudson is also our hospital maintenance manager, overseeing repairs and equipment servicing in our clinic. Hudson is a Christian who is active in his Church. He is married and blessed with three children. His hobbies include singing, writing songs and swimming. In his own words ‚Hudson says, " I feel I am at the right place to work with animals because I feel so good when I am helping them.

HEAD VETERINARY RECEPTIONIST

Debbie has a background as a Personal Assistant but also spent five years working as a Veterinary Receptionist at a small-holding Veterinary Practice in Walkerville, South of Johannesburg. After relocating to Cape Town, Debbie began house and pet sitting before joining Noordhoek Veterinary Clinic in 2020.

VETERINARY RECEPTIONIST

Tanya has now been in the Veterinary Industry for 11 years. Since she was a little girl, she has always had a passion for animals. After leaving school, she was unsure what to do, but then found her place in the frontline, working as a receptionist in a veterinary practice, where she could be involved in helping animals. She loves her work and has never looked back. She has 3 cats and 2 dogs, all of which are rescues from veterinary practices.

VETERINARY RECEPTIONIST

Debbie comes from a Food Production background. After selling her 15-year-old confectionery business, she and her family moved to the Eastern Cape for 2 years. During this time, Debbie did voluntary work for the State Vet and completely fell in love with the veterinary world. She has always adored animals and has a huge admiration for vets and vet nurses. She was thrilled to take on a part-time receptionist role at Noordhoek Vet, a job which also allows her the flexibility to tow her busy children around. In her free time, Debbie loves vegetable and flower gardening, creating beautiful things and spending quality time with her family.

VETERINARY RECEPTIONIST

Leone is a Chemistry Graduate who drifted into animal welfare from the very different world of exploration geology. She spent 10 years working in the challenging field of animal welfare. She has recently joined the team at Noordhoek Veterinary Clinic. In her spare time, she plays squash, sails the ocean and enjoys the outdoors.

KENNEL ASSISTANT

Lyton, 42, is a devoted husband and father of three. As the brother of Hudson, he values family deeply. In his spare time, he enjoys being around animals and immersing himself in books. His love for reading fuels his curiosity, while his connection to animals reflects his kind and gentle nature. Whether spending time with his family, a good book, or the animals he cherishes, Lyton finds joy in the simple yet meaningful moments of life. As with Hudson and Jimmy, Lyton is hands-on when it comes to the church and has also completed his Khula hospital assistants course.

KENNEL ASSISTANT

 Jimmy, a devoted husband and father of four from Malawi, has always deeply loved animals. Growing up surrounded by nature, his passion for animal care only grew stronger over the years. Whether tending to pets at home or assisting with local animal welfare efforts, Jimmy is dedicated to ensuring the well-being of all creatures. His compassionate nature and commitment to his family make him a beloved figure in both his community and the animal world.  Jimmy is hugely involved in his local church and has recently completed his Khula hospital assistant course. Jimmy is hard-working and is rarely seen without a smile on his face.

FINANCE & ADMIN ADMINISTRATOR

Linda has assisted with the bookkeeping and financial management of Noordhoek Vet for many years. Since our Practice Manager retired, Linda has been sharing general practice management with Karyn, providing experienced guidance and valuable help.
Linda has lived in Noordhoek for many years. She loves animals of all shapes and sizes and enjoys being part of the Noordhoek Veterinary Clinic Team.