Dear Valued Horse Owning Clients of EVDS & followers/colleagues,

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I want to share a positive update with our clients and community.

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As of 5th January 2026, the veterinary clinic stream of EVDS Pty Ltd has been purchased by Valley Equine Vet & Dentistry Pty Ltd, owned and operated by Dr Shanya Sommers and Carla Sommers.

The Facebook page for their business is the EVDS Vet Clinic page & it will soon have in brackets , “Valley Equine Vet & Dentistry” below the EVDS Vet Clinic - to help to avoid confusion in the transition .

Shanya and Carla are committed to continuing and building on the equine dental and veterinary services that have been provided here for the past 23 years, with a strong focus on professionalism, continuity of care, and long-term service to horses in our current service area.

With Dr Shanya having been in demand working as an equine vet on the Gold Coast for the past 3 years and then part time at Gold Coast & part time here at EVDS since late 2024, we are all very lucky that Dr Shanya & Carla have chosen our region. Especially given that Shanya (pronounced Shania) is in the top 4 most qualified & experienced equine dental vets between Newcastle & the Gold Coast - having completed both Level 1 & Level 2 EVDS Post-Graduate training courses in equine dentistry.

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EVDS Pty Ltd will continue to operate the equine dental instrument sales business and postgraduate training courses for Veterinarians, as we have done since 2002. This business will be visible on the EVDS South Grafton page.

Our ongoing EVDS team of Justin James, Chani Farrell, Lisa Johnston (mother of Lara - who may job share ) Matthew Walsh, Chris Spry, Carolyn & Myself will enjoy having “less plates spinning in the air” - despite missing the adrenalin filled days working with 1500+ horses each year!

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Carolyn & I will remain living onsite at EVDS and involved in a mentoring and support role as needed, and I will subcontract on complex cases as needed.

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For the next couple of months, Valley Equine Vet & Dentistry will be operating out of the EVDS facility, with familiar nurses and the same high standards of care you’ve come to expect. Award winning nurses Imogen Rose Porter & Holly Lockwood will now be employed by Valley Equine Vet & Dentistry.

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Thank you sincerely for the trust and support you’ve shown over many years. The future of equine veterinary care in our region is in very good hands.

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Warm regards,

Dr Oli