Our Team
Our founders, Dr. Kaori Takeoka and Dr. Ana Carolina Springford, have over 20 years experience combined, working in small animal general practice and emergency hospitals throughout Adelaide. Whilst working many years as senior vets in emergency, critical care and general practice, they have seen many patients that would have benefited from palliative care. That is why they came together to build Horizon Palliative Vets to be able to provide the comfort and care every pet deserves without the stress of travelling to the clinic. Our team will sit together and we will listen to your concerns without the rush of everyday practice. This will allow us to tailor the best plan that specifically benefits you and your pet.
Our vets have both completed the training for Best Practice Euthanasia by the CAETA (Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy). Dr Ana and Dr Kaori have completed the international Certification in Animal Hospice and Palliative Care through the International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care (IAAHPC). They are proud to be the first and only veterinarians in South Australia to hold this qualification.
Riley - Veterinary Nurse & Care Coordinator
Riley holds a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing, a Bachelor of Science in Animal Behaviour (Honours), and a Diploma in Leadership & Management. She has experience in senior nursing and reception coordination roles in general practice, with a strong interest in senior pet care, end-of-life care and client support.
She is Fear-Free certified and has completed additional training in Mental Health First Aid, Pet Loss and Grief Counselling, and Pet Bereavement Companioning. Riley is passionate about providing compassionate and respectful care to both pets and their people during one of life's most difficult times.
She feels very honoured to be part of a team that helps families navigate the end-of-life journey with empathy, understanding, and dignity. At home, Riley shares her life with her husband and two much-loved rescue cats and feels a deep connection to the human-animal bond, which she describes as “magical”.
Dr Michael – Veterinarian
Dr Michael was born and raised in Adelaide, and graduated with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Adelaide in 2020. After graduating, he developed a strong interest in palliative medicine, and joined the Horizon Palliative Vets team in 2025.
Michael is a Certified Peaceful Euthanasia Veterinarian through the CAETA (Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy) and has seen firsthand the difference that a peaceful and pain-free end of life can make for both pets and their owners.
Outside of his work with Horizon Palliative Vets, Michael also spends time working in general practice. He spends his spare time wrangling his two poorly behaved cats, Bernie and Levi, playing basketball, and playing Dungeons and Dragons with his partner, Dan.
Dr Leila – Veterinarian
Dr Leila grew up locally and graduated with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Adelaide. She has worked in small animal practice and rural mixed practice in Adelaide and New Zealand.
Leila has recently completed further study in Canine Rehabilitation and has a passion for helping arthritic animals lead their most comfortable and active life possible.
Leila is a Certified Peaceful Euthanasia Veterinarian through the CAETA (Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy) and understands the importance of our pets in our families. She strives to provide a service that ensures that all animals feel loved and dignified throughout their lives. She feels very privileged to be able to support and guide families in ensuring their pets have a peaceful farewell.
Dr Charlotte – Veterinarian
Dr Charlotte graduated from Charles Sturt University with a Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Hons). She has worked in small animal practice, mixed practice, and emergency and referral hospitals across the UK and Australia.
Her passion for animal welfare led her to Adelaide, where she has completed a PhD in chronic pain in animals at the University of Adelaide.
Charlotte is a Certified Peaceful Euthanasia Veterinarian through the CAETA (Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy). She is deeply committed to the human-animal bond and believes every pet deserves a peaceful and dignified farewell. She strives to support families through one of life’s most difficult moments, offering compassion, guidance, and respect for both pets and their people.
Dr Mel – Veterinarian
Dr. Melissa graduated with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Adelaide’s inaugural veterinary cohort. Before veterinary medicine, she completed a degree in Health Science and worked in research supporting the health of women and babies, developing a strong foundation in thoughtful, family-centred care that continues to guide her practice.
After almost a decade in small animal clinics across Adelaide, Mel felt drawn to the gentler, more personal nature of palliative and end-of-life care. Mel is a Certified Peaceful Euthanasia Veterinarian through the CAETA (Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy). She feels privileged to support families during this time and is committed to providing calm, unhurried in-home consultations and peaceful euthanasia, helping pets remain comfortable in familiar surroundings with the people who love them most.
With a special interest in feline medicine and low-stress handling, Mel deeply values the human–animal bond. At home, life with her partner, toddler, and three beloved cats continually reminds her of how profoundly pets shape our families.