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Dr. Andrea's vet-clinic feels like a hug

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The Nugget
August 01, 2025

★ Dr. Andrea’s vet clinic feels like a hug ★

Vet Nurse Amanda Vlassis and Dr. Andrea Khon

If a vet clinic can feel like a hug, Maldon Vet Clinic is it. 

Dr. Andrea Khong has created a Fear Free certified clinic where pets carrying extra emotional baggage into the consult room can actually relax. 

While some pets, like my dog Zosha, view vet visits as an excellent opportunity to socialise (apple, meet tree), they are terrifying for many animals. 

Whether it’s the memory of an old accident, a sudden illness, or in Amy’s case, yet another after-hours emergency after rescue pup Phoebe ate a Full Block of Tony’s Chocolonely, visiting the vet can be a lot.

But not at Maldon Vet Clinic; Andrea and her incredible vet nurses, including fellow Nugget Tegan, are trained in reading body language.

Andrea didn’t say if she reads human body language, too, but I get the sense that the compassionate care and understanding she provides works both for the pet and their pal.

“We have learnt to identify signs of fear and stress in animals and are able to conduct a really thorough physical examination that is not going to stress them out,” Andrea says.

Often people call the clinic ahead of an appointment and are honest about their anxieties, so from the moment they arrive, they are made to feel comfortable. The approach really works and has resonated with the community, as word has spread.

“They let their friends know and so we get clients coming from all over the place who have heard about our approach and are so grateful.

It's such a warm and positive environment,” Andrea says.

What makes this a great Nugget tale is that while Andrea has helped heal many wounds in the community, she has been fundamentally changed by all the interesting people that she has met through the clinic.

“I always was kind of shy, and I am pretty introverted, and I had this idea that I would always be this quiet scientist who did my own little thing in my own little world,” she says.

Originally from Perth, Andrea began her professional life as a scientist, before realising it wasn’t the right fit for her. She changed direction and became a vet. Andrea and her husband then decided they wanted to live regionally.

A work opportunity came up in Castlemaine, and as is often the case, they found their home.

“It’s just been an incredible journey being in Central Victoria, surrounded by so many inspiring people and events, you can’t help but become involved in something,” Andrea says.

Many of her clients are artists and so she started going to lots of galleries to see their work and then began taking workshops and classes.

Then last year, she was invited to contribute her own art to a group show at Five Flags Merchants cafe and that has led to a solo exhibition, which opened this week.

She is also a trombone player in the Maldon Brass Band and has a performance this weekend in the Goldfields Gothic Festival.

“I never once dreamed that I would actually live in a country town where I know a lot of people and a lot of people know me, and not only did I think that that would never happen, but it did and I actually really love it,” Andrea says.

“But what I have learnt is that if you allow yourself to be open to things, life can be just incredible.

“It’s just about being open to opportunity and saying yes when it presents.”

❀ Local preps star in shiny music video ❀

The smarty pants at Grand Trine Creative have made the most gorgeous video with the preps of Castlemaine North Primary School.

The production value is off the charts and the smiling faces will just make your day.

♡˖ EVENTS ˖♡

𖥔 TALK TO MOI PLOISE 𖥔

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