Meet the team

We're animal people

Hermanus Animal Hospital (HAH) is owned by Drs Michelle Lawrance and Greg Simpson, ably supported by a team of professionals. The hospital consists of two practices: the main practice and animal hospital in central Hermanus, and a smaller practice in Onrus at The Trading Post shopping centre.

Hermanus Animal Hospital is closely associated with our two sister practices, Grabouw Animal Clinic and Villiersdorp Animal Clinic.

These are under the same ownership, allowing us to expand our options available to clients, enlarge our area of service and provide continuity of treatment should you travel with your pet to these towns and surrounds for the weekend.

Each practice has a vet shop where clients can buy veterinary-quality pet food, toys and treats, bedding, grooming accessories and so on.

Meet the team… Click or tap on a photo.

Michelle & Ben

Dr Michelle Lawrance, Owner, Veterinary Surgeon, Animal Person

After more than 20 years in this profession,  I can still say that I love getting up to go to work. Growing up in a very medical family, I have developed a special interest in surgery. I really enjoy the journeys I get to walk with owners and their pets. Being accepted into the local community and investing time in people make me happy. When not at work I'm usually up a mountain with my dogs, cycling, planning my next adventure or enjoying precious time with family/friends.

Greg & Columbia

Dr Greg Simpson, Owner, Veterinary Surgeon, Animal Person

I qualified from Onderstepoort and ventured to the UK to gain experience as a small and mixed animal practitioner in a variety of clinical settings. There I attended a talk about development work in Kyrgyzstan, which lead me to conduct an in-country study on their veterinary services. I got pulled back to the UK to assist with controlling the foot and mouth outbreak. My interest in development led to a Master’s in Public Health in Developing Countries and later HIV testing infrastructure research. Too much time behind computers took me back to clinical veterinary science and assisting opening the Grabouw Animal Clinic in 2005. After a few years building the clinic, I completed a Master’s in Wildlife Management and went to do research on human and wildlife conflict in the Limpopo National Park. An encounter with a lecturer from the University of Pretoria led me to start a training clinic for their veterinary students in a village called Hluvukani - an amazing experience as a veterinarian in a setting with diverse infectious diseases, and teaching students to function with limited resources. Working as a lecturer, I completed a PhD in infectious diseases and gained wildlife experience. Yet, my yearning for the Cape led me back to develop a Wildlife Forensic Academy and to grow the Grabouw, Villiersdorp and later Hermanus and Onrus Animal Clinics with Dr Michelle Lawrance. I am passionate about conservation, education and building veterinary clinics that are of value to our society and animals.

Dirk, Floki & Gite

Dirk Greyling, Veterinary Surgeon, Animal Person

After his military service, Dr Dirk obtained a master’s degree cum laude in veterinary technology. He founded a veterinary lab in 2002. Qualified as a veterinary surgeon from Onderstepoort in 2008. and BVSc (Hons) in 2016 with special interest in small animal surgery and ophthalmology. He is happiest in theatre! Dirk has feathers in his blood; breeding birds ever since he got his first feathered friend (a canary) in primary school. Passionate about the conservation of endangered species like Psittacus erithacus (African grey). He is the loyal and loving Homo sapiens of Floki & Gite, the epitome of Rhodesian ridgebacks. Claas, the cat, rules the flock and is backed up by a rogue band of Hereford cows.

Armand & Luna

Armand Algera, Veterinary Surgeon, Animal Person

Dr Armand qualified as a veterinarian at Onderstepoort in 2021, after obtaining a BSc (Agric) degree in Animal Science in 2015. Completed community service in Idutywa, Transkei. Joined HAH in April 2023, spending most of his time at the main hospital, with regular rotations between the Onrus practice and Grabouw Animal Clinic. Special interest in feline and aquatic medicine but happy to treat any animal, whether an injured boomslang or a pregnant guinea pig. Lives in Hermanus with his lovely wife, a blind cat, a tripod cat, a cuddly tabby, a few feral babies and two strong-willed dachshund boys. Enjoys family time and exercising, shore angling, and the outdoors.

Marina & Zara

Marina Lansberg, Admin Clerk, Animal Person

Ek werk al 20 jaar by Hermanus Dierehospitaal. Ek is destyds aangestel as ontvangsdame, maar werk al vir baie jare as admin klerk, betrokke met bestellings uitstuur en ontvang. Ek doen ook rekonsiliasie van die daaglikse inkomstes; verder help ek oral waar nodig. Ek geniet my werk baie, want ek is lief vir diere en werk graag met syfers.

Kele & Pikkie

Kele Nare, Vet Assistant, Animal Person

Kelebone graduated from the Midlands State University in Zimbabwe, laying the foundation of her successful career. She worked as an Animal Health Technician for the Department of Veterinary Services in Zimbabwe, from 2005 to 2015. She joined Grabouw Animal Clinic as Veterinary Assistant in July 2017, later transferring to Hermanus Animal Hospital. Kelebone is studying towards a Diploma in Veterinary Nursing with Reed College, UK. She goes above and beyond in caring for the patients. She loves Yorkies very much and enjoys nature walks, going to church and movies.

Madelein, Cricket, Flash, Belli, Ash & Riley

Madelein Smit, Receptionist, Animal Person

Madelein has been part of the HAH team for 5+ years. She loves every aspect of her work as receptionist, but her favourite part is seeing the loving bond between our clients and their pets. She has a pack of miniature long-haired dachshunds, her “children”. Madelein is pursuing a Canine Behaviour & Training Diploma. She facilitates weekly puppy socialisation and training classes. She regularly shows her pack in KUSA conformation shows and serves on two show club committees.

Sunette & Teddy

Sunette de Villiers, Practice manager, Animal Person

Vir die 20 jaar wat ek deel is van die wonderlike HAH span, geniet ek my werk se omgewing met die mense en hul troeteldiere baie. As admin klerk hanteer ek hoofsaaklik die finansiële sy van die praktyk.Verder geniet ek die buitelewe en om te reis.

Mechelle & Chilli

Mechelle Kotze, Student Vet Tech, Animal Person

Mechelle is studying through UNISA to become a Veterinary Technician. She is passionate about every patient. Assists the vets by administering medication as instructed, prepping animals for surgery and caring for them. “What I love most about my job is seeing an animal getting their joy and character back after a successful treatment.” She has a particular fondness for dogs. Finds fulfilment in connecting with animals and learning about species. Enjoys hiking, snorkelling & travelling.

Cathrine & Barti

Cathrine Moyo, Cleaner, Animal Person

Cathrine has been with the Hermanus Animal Hospital team since 2017. She prides herself on keeping every room in the hospital spotless and has been known to chase doctors out of their consulting rooms when it is time to clean. She adores Jakob, the practice’s African grey parrot, and is responsible for most of his musical repertoire. Favourite pastimes include listening to the radio and spending time with her children.

Antoinette & Max

Antoinette Smit, Receptionist, Animal Person

Antoinette found her way to HAH in 2019. “I heard Dr Sandy [Waddingham] call it ‘the most special place’”. Antoinette  believes in providing great service with a family touch. She enjoys meeting the furry friends and listening to the stories every client brings to the hospital. She loves walking with her crossbreed boy, Max. She is drawn to learning about cultures. A keen observer of ancient philosophy. Her other passions: music, nature, Italian food.

Annelie, Xavia & Kaspaas

Annelie Pretorius, Receptionist, Animal Person

With 13 years of service at HAH, Annelie’s smile and infectious laughter have never faltered. She is part of the reception team, a Hill’s Nutritional advisor and has a special interest in educational animal toys and training aids. Her life is filled with loving kisses from her Swiss shepherd girl, schnauzer boy and two cats. She enjoys gardening and painting in her free time.

Jennifer & Lily

Jennifer MacKenzie, Receptionist, Animal Person

Love of animals is obviously paramount in my life as I have been in the veterinary field for over 50 years with both small animals and equines. I love the interaction with our patients and their owners. When not working I spend time hiking, gardening and enjoying sundowners with friends at the sea.