Meet the Team
At Rye Veterinary Clinic
Meet the Team
About Our Clinic
The Rye Vet Clinic is a family run business able to offer a high level of care for your pets along with personal service. You can be assured that you will be given all treatment options and that you will be supported in helping make the right decision for you and your pet.
We understand that your pet is a vital part of your family and we are hear to listen to your concerns and to guide you towards the optimal wellness health plan for your pet.
We are an experienced team of veterinary surgeons, nurses and trainee nurses. We all have special interests and areas of expertise within the clinic. By working together we aim to keep your pet as healthy, comfortable and happy as possible.
Dr Jaan Ackland
BVSc
Since graduating from the University of Melbourne in 1996, Jaan has had over 22 years experience in small animal general practice. Jaan is the proprietor and full time veterinarian at Rye Vet Clinic. Jaan has a special interest in soft tissue surgery, including lump removals, trauma repair, eye and ear surgery and abdominal surgery including gastrointestinal surgery and reproductive tract surgery such as desexings and caesarians.
Read more...
Jaan aims to provide a personal, common-sense and practical approach when giving advice to his clients and aspires to help owners to make the right decision for their family pet.
Jaan’s other interests include being outdoors in nature and the garden, bush walking, reading and, most importantly, spending time with his family. He is a member of Australian Geographic Society.
Jaan lives with his wife, 3 very active sons, 1 deaf rabbit, 5 chooks and 3 dogs which comprises of a 10 year old “too slow” ex-racing Greyhound, a 4 year old (former) hermaphrodite Pug and a 2 year old epileptic rescued Kelpie cross Heeler.
Dr Rachael Ackland
BVSc. MACVSc. Dip Vet Clin Stud.
Rachael graduated from the University of Melbourne in 1996. Since then Rachael has worked either full or part time in small animal practice, including several years at some of the emergency centres around Melbourne. A few years after graduating, Rachael completed further study by undertaking an internship in Small Animal Medicine at the University of Sydney, followed by sitting extra examinations in order to become a Member of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists.
Read more...
Rachael is interested in medicine cases and enjoys seeing pets recover from pancreatitis, diabetes and gastrointestinal issues with treatment. Rachael also continues to have a passion for emergency medicine. Rachael is also interested in small animal medicine such as pancreatitis cases, diabetes and gastrointestinal issues.
Rachael works part time at Rye Vet Clinic and also does the “book work” and administration tasks involved with running a business.
Rachael’s other interests include gardening, pilates, walking with the dogs, the environment, healthy living, fermenting food and having outdoor family time and holidays to new places.
Rachel Nevinson
Head Senior Veterinary Nurse
Rachel has been a veterinary nurse for over 20 years and is fully qualified. Most of her career has been here at Rye Vet Clinic. Rachel is a highly valued member of staff and helps make the Rye Vet Clinic run smoothly. She organises a lot of the “out the back” administration and runs the highly successful puppy school.
Read more...
Rachel is an extremely skilled veterinary nurse particularly in the areas of surgery, communicating with clients and preventative health care. Rachel can answer any questions that our clients may have, or if on the rare occasion she can’t, will go to great lengths to find the answer for them.
Rachel loves running the puppy school and forming strong bonds with these pups and their owners.
Rachel has five pets – Foxy the Pomeranian, Roy the Kelpie, Sooty the Domestic Long Hair cat, Ninja the Domestic Short Hair and Alex the Chinchilla.
Outside of veterinary nursing Rachel enjoys exploring Victoria’s National Parks and glamping with her teenagers Keely and Matthew.
Once her family has flown the nest, Rachel hopes to volunteer with Vets Without Borders as a veterinary nurse.
Charlotte Whyte
Trainee Veterinary Nurse
Charlotte has been a member of our nursing team since late 2024. She is an enthusiastic and kind hearted person who has been caring for our wildlife as a volunteer carer for many years.
Read more...
Mishell Boswell
Trainee Veterinary Nurse
Mishell joined our team in 2025. Mishell has qualifications in zoo keeping, and also works at Maru Wildlife Park in Grantville. These skills are invaluable to us in helping the many and varied wildlife that we have brought to us at the clinic needing our care.
Read more...
Her caring and compassionate nature is a testament to her love of animals, especially reptiles.
Mishell will be undertaking her Certificate IV in Vet Nursing in 2026.
Mel
Trainee Veterinary Nurse
Mel is a valued member of our team joining us in late 2025. She primarily is your first port of call manning the front desk and the phones. Mel is also the first to pitch in and help the vets with our patients.
Read more...
Mel has much experience working with animals and is dog mum to two adorable but mischievous border collies, Zelda and Link.
“And what an amazing vet nurse Rachel is, we had two pets put down due to illness within three months, it was devastating, Rachel and Dr Jaan played a major role those days in our healing process. They showed us so much support , empathy, caring, never rushed us and all in all made such a sad occasion comforting. Thank you to Rachel , Dr Jaan and all the staff at Rye Vet Clinic we will always be grateful for your kindness xx”
Carolyn M.
Facebook Recommendation
“They responded to my dog’s emergency quickly and with empathy. They kept me up to date with how she was (physically and emotionally) during her 2 overnight stays and explained her condition in simple AND complex terms, which was ace. I couldn’t be happier.”
Sue W.
5-Star Google Review
“I love the care shown to both the patient and the humans. My, very sick dog was hospitalised last week and the ongoing communication was amazing. I’m an extremely grateful dog Mum.”
Andy L.
Facebook Recommendation
Opening Hours
Mon - Fri: 8:30am - 6pm
Sat: 8:30am - 12pm
Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays
After-Hours Emergencies:
Contact Us
We welcome all pets in the Rye area, including suburbs such as Blairgowrie, Sorrento, Portsea, Capel Sound, Rosebud, and Tootgarook.