Gajen

Senior Veterinarian and Director

Gajen’s journey into Veterinary Medicine was not only love and compassion for animals as he grew up in a farming village with all sorts of animals, but it was also because of his curiosity and love of science and figuring things out based on scientific evidence. 

Upon completion of Bachelor of Veterinary in 2007, he went straight into do a postgraduate research degree at Massey University in New Zealand and achieved a doctoral degree (PhD) in Veterinary Science in 2012. His enthusiasm to treat sick animals was foremost and alive throughout the course of his research career and when the opportunity presented itself, he moved to Canberra at the end of 2012 and commenced work at the Canberra Emergency Centre in Fyshwick ACT. Since then, he relished the opportunity to take on emergency and critical care and continued to work at Animal Emergency Centres in Melbourne and River Country Animal Emergency Centre in Wodonga.

Over the last 9 years he has also worked at RSPCA NSW, RSPCA VIC, private and Corporate Veterinary clinics in Eastern Melbourne.  He is an enthusiastic learner and currently he has got a scholarship to do an advanced post-graduate degree in small animal practice at Liverpool University in the UK.

In September 2021 he purchased and is the co-owner of Emerald Vet Clinic where he aims to bring continuous improvement and innovation in evidence-based medicine and surgeries to ensure our clients and their pets always receive the best possible care. 

Dr Gajen, his wife and son share their home with David the cat, he adopted while working at RSPCA Burwood and Bingo the labradoodle.  When he is not working, he loves to travel, hike particularly in the Mt Dandenong ranges walking tracks, cook and spend time with his family and pets.  

Malika

Senior Veterinarian and Director

Malika completed her Veterinary Degree in 2005 and was an afforded an excellent opportunity to work as a Senior Veterinary Surgeon with the World Society for the Protection of Animals UK (WSPA) who undertook a pioneering five and half year scientific, humane and holistic dog population and rabies management project from 2007 to 2012. Working for a committed Animal Welfare organization such as WSPA whose vision is “A World where animal rights matter and animal cruelty must end”, made her passion for animal welfare even more robust and worthwhile.

Malika joined the RSPCA VIC in 2013 and continued her journey in the animal welfare sector for eight years. She found herself drawn to animals in need and was overjoyed when she could rescue an injured bird or search for a lost pet and return it to its heartbroken family.

After all these years, she believes that she is still learning and improving her ability to help animals. As a current Practice Owner/Director of Emerald Vet Clinic, she believes that she can assemble a team that feel the same way she does about our patients and our clients. “The absolute best part of my profession is that it allows me to make a difference; whether it is preventative care to keep animals healthy or help a new life enter the world, I get to make a difference every day. That’s why I love what I do.”

In addition to her Veterinary Degree, Malika has also completed Certificate courses in “Frontline Leadership Development,” “Organizational Development,” and “Project Management” at MDF. She is currently studying Surgery-Distance Education at the University of Sydney to pursue membership in Small Animal Surgeries.

“I am grateful to have achieved my lifelong dream and honored by the trust placed in me, not only by my patients but also by the people that love them. I treasure the long-term relationships that I have developed with my clients so far. I will work hard to carry on our reputation as we work together with this caring and kind Emerald Community to ensure that the pets they love receive the best care possible and are always treated with gentleness, compassion, and respect.”

Outside of work, Dr Malika is a busy mum to mischievous 8 and 7-year-old sons; fortunately she has all the support from her hubby, Anand who just happens to be the Business Manager of the clinic.