Our Veterinarians

Dr Sally Smith

BVSc (Hons), MVSc

Sally is a ‘northerner’, graduating with honours from the University of Queensland in 1992. She chose Canberra to do her apprenticeship and spent 12 years in 2 large small animal hospitals there before travelling to the UK to work for a year. Sally has returned to settle on the Central Coast.

Her special interests are Ophthalmology and internal medicine. She has a Masters of Veterinary Studies from Murdoch University and owns a well behaved Staffy called Willow and two crazy British Shorthair cats called Minx and Angus. She enjoys camping and bike riding.

Dr Shana Doughney

BVSc
Shana graduated from Charles Sturt University in 2016 and moved to the Central Coast where she worked with mostly companion animals. She joined the Doyalson team in 2019.
 
Shana has a particular interest in surgery and recovery, pain management, emergency medicine and behaviour management. 
 
Outside of work she enjoys a variety of outdoor activities and sports. She can usually be found at the beach or near an AFL field, or spending time with her ball-obsessed Kelpie Finn. 

Dr Melissa Paragreen

BVSc

Dr Melissa is a true ‘Queenslander’ at heart, graduating from the James Cook University in 2013 with a Bachelor Degree in Veterinary Science, and then moving to NSW where she settled on the Central Coast. She joined the Doyalson Animal Hospital team in 2017. Melissa has a keen interest in canine and feline internal medicine and diagnostic ultrasound. Outside of work, Melissa is kept busy with her two beautiful young boys and a Cocker Spaniel cross named Zoe. In any spare time, she enjoys gardening and getting out in nature either at the beach or bush walking.

Dr Annika Prabakaran

BVSc MANZCVS (SAM)
Annika graduated from the University of Sydney in 2017 and started off her career in general practice in rural Scotland. Since returning to Australia she has worked in emergency practice and completed an internship in Internal Medicine, attaining ANZCVS membership in Small Animal Medicine in 2022. Annika joined the team at Doyalson Animal Hospital at the start of 2024. Her main areas of interest are (no surprise) emergency and internal medicine, and she particularly loves cats.
 
When not at work Annika enjoys practicing yoga, hiking and gardening, curling up with her cat Olive and a good book, and is studying a degree in psychology.

Dr Nikita Roberts

BVSc

Since graduating from Charles Sturt University in 2018, Nikita worked in small animal clinics in the Newcastle region, before joining the Doyalson Animal Hospital team early in 2024.

They have an interest in animal behaviour and welfare, finding joy in sharing ways to help your pets thrive, as well as a soft spot for providing veterinary care for the older dogs.

During their free time, Nikita loves to explore the beautiful local beaches and markets, and teaching their cheeky cat, Honey, fun tricks.

Meet our incredible nurses dedicated to the well-being of your pets
MEET THE NURSES