Where Excellence Lives:
An Interview at Willinga Park Vet Hospital
Article by Tiffany Chapman
Nestled within the immaculate grounds of Willinga Park on the South Coast of New South Wales lies an equine hospital unlike any other. At first glance, its architectural elegance and world-class facilities set it apart. But it’s not just the state-of-the-art equipment or the MRI machine or the rehabilitation centre that clients rave about, it’s the people. Behind the professionalism of Willinga Park Vet Hospital is a deep, deliberate commitment to uncompromising care, grounded in global expertise and delivered with local heart.
From the moment a horse walks through the gates, be it a retired paddock favourite or a high-level performance athlete (Olympians included), they’re met with an approach that is deliberately unrushed, unmistakably expert, and deeply human. The hospital was founded on a principle that echoes throughout every consultation and every surgical suite: we do not negotiate on excellence. That was the ethos of Terry Snow, the visionary behind Willinga Park.That legacy is alive and well today.
Much of that ethos is carried by the internationally credentialed specialists at the heart of the practice. Dr Lucas Nolazco, a board-certified Specialist in Equine Surgery, and Dr Stephanie Givan, a board-certified Specialist in Equine Internal Medicine, bring a level of training and experience rarely seen in regional Australia. Each completed intensive training at world-renowned equine hospitals in the United States.Yet what stands out most in conversation with them is not where they’ve been, but how they’ve chosen to practice now. Their clients aren’t passed from person to person or rushed in and out. Appointments are structured to allow as much time as needed to offer clients and their horses an individual and comprehensive approach. Together, they oversee an integrated practice that handles both first-opinion cases and complex referrals, with patients now travelling in from as far as Newcastle, Sydney, regional NSW, and Victoria.
While the facilities and equipment at Willinga Park Vet Hospital are remarkable – the only MRI of its kind in the southern hemisphere, several surgical suites, and an ICU fitted for critical care – what truly draws horse owners in is the reassurance of knowing their animal is in the best possible hands. In emergencies, the hospital offers a 24/7 response capability that covers an enormous region otherwise underserved by Specialist Equine services. Many clients who have previously faced the stress of transporting horses to Sydney or beyond now speak with relief at having Willinga Park Vet Hospital in reach. Others send their horses for month-long rehabilitation and pre-training stays, trusting the underwater treadmill, 40-metre swimming pool, and other rehabilitation facilities to aid recovery or conditioning under expert guidance.
Willinga Park Vet Hospital doesn’t replace the role of a regular vet. It extends and supports it.
In an industry that too often rushes or over-promises, Willinga Park Vet Hospital has chosen a different path. Here, excellence is not a buzzword. It’s Terry Snow’s legacy, it’s the foundation, the standard, the culture, and the commitment to every client and their horses
Willinga Park Vet Hospital Services
Emergency & Critical Care
When a crisis strikes, access to immediate, specialist-led hospital care can be the difference between hope and heartbreak. Willinga Park Vet Hospital stands as the only equine specialist hospital on the South Coast offering true 24/7 emergency and critical care. Our expert team, including board-certified specialists in surgery and internal medicine, is supported by licensed veterinary nurses and on-site diagnostics to ensure swift, decisive intervention at any hour.
Our hospital features multiple examination rooms and three advanced surgical theatres connected to purpose-built anaesthesia induction and recovery chambers. Critically ill horses and foals receive around-the-clock care in our purpose-built intensive care unit, equipped with advanced monitoring, oxygen therapy, and fluid support. An adjacent isolation unit ensures the safe management of infectious disease cases without compromising the care of others. With an on-site laboratory, advanced imaging, and fully equipped surgical theatres, we can assess, diagnose, and treat emergencies without delay. Whether faced with colic, dystocia, severe lameness, or trauma, you can trust Willinga Park Vet Hospital to provide the highest level of care when it matters most.
Advanced Diagnostics & Imaging
Accurate diagnosis is the foundation of effective treatment. Willinga Park Vet Hospital offers the most advanced diagnostic imaging available in Australia, including the country’s only G-scan MRI system. This unique technology delivers exceptional imaging of both bone and soft tissue in the upper and distal limbs, neck, and head. It is an invaluable tool for diagnosing subtle bone and soft tissue lesions that other modalities may miss. Our digital radiography and high-resolution ultrasonography systems further support lameness evaluations, pre-purchase exams, and ongoing performance management.
Specialist Veterinary Services
At Willinga Park Vet Hospital, every case is managed through a comprehensive team approach. With specialists in surgery and internal medicine, we offer advanced care across a wide range of conditions. Our team is equipped to manage complex lameness and sports medicine cases, supported by advanced diagnostics. We perform a full spectrum of elective and emergency surgeries, including laser surgery, colic surgery, fracture repair, arthroscopy, upper airway and sinus procedures, and laparoscopy.
We also offer a comprehensive suite of endoscopic tools, including a 1-metre upper airway endoscope, a 3-metre high-definition gastroscope for stomach ulcer detection, laparoscope, arthroscope, and 3mm minimally invasive scope. Our in-house laboratory enables rapid, high-accuracy diagnostics. With haematology, biochemistry, blood gas analysis, cytology, and infectious disease testing, we are equipped to deliver results quickly—even in emergencies—so treatment can begin without delay.
Minimally invasive techniques are used wherever possible to reduce pain, minimise scarring, and support a faster recovery. Our internal medicine service provides thorough diagnosis and management of complex medical conditions, including colic, gastrointestinal disease, respiratory, endocrine and neurologic conditions, and poor performance. Foals with prematurity, sepsis, or congenital abnormalities benefit from around-the-clock monitoring and intensive treatment plans.
We also offer advanced ophthalmic evaluation and treatment for conditions such as corneal ulcers, abscesses, uveitis, and traumatic eye injuries. For dermatological and oncological conditions, treatment options include surgical excision, intralesional chemotherapy, cryotherapy and diode laser ablation, with a strong focus on early intervention to optimise outcomes.
The hospital is equipped with on-site laboratory capabilities, advanced imaging, and a dedicated ICU. As the only specialist-led equine hospital serving the South Coast of NSW and the Canberra region, we are dedicated to delivering expert care for every horse.
Rehabilitation & Conditioning
Located within one of Australia’s premier equestrian venues, Willinga Park Vet Hospital offers elite-level equine rehabilitation and conditioning under the guidance of specialist veterinarians. Our comprehensive and collaborative approach supports recovery from injury or surgery while helping horses maintain peak condition. Our facilities include an aqua treadmill, 40m swimming pool, walkerion therapy, infrared solarium, alongside multiple indoor and outdoor Otto Sport arenas, round yards, and a gallop track. These resources enable carefully structured rehabilitation and conditioning programs tailored to each individual athlete.
To further support healing and long-term musculoskeletal health, we provide advanced regenerative therapies such as ProStride, IRAP, PRP, and stem cells—ideal for managing tendon, ligament, and joint disease in equine athletes.
Willinga Park Vet Hospital represents a new benchmark in equine veterinary care—not only on the South Coast of New South Wales, but across Australia. Purpose-built for excellence and set within the world-class environment of Willinga Park, our hospital combines cutting-edge technology, expert-led care, and an unwavering commitment to horse and rider. Whether managing a complex emergency, guiding recovery after surgery, or supporting peak performance, we are proud to be your trusted partner in equine health.
Success Stories
A Chance for Billie: How Expert Care Saved Her Sight
When Billie was discovered by her owners with a rapidly worsening eye ulcer, it was clear she needed urgent help. She was promptly seen by the team at Bungendore Vets, who immediately referred her to Willinga Park Vet Hospital for emergency evaluation and specialist treatment. Upon arrival, Billie was assessed by the internal medicine team and immediately taken to surgery for a conjunctival graft — a delicate procedure designed to preserve the eye and give her the best possible chance at recovery. The infection was aggressive, but so was the response: Billie remained hospitalised for 12 days, receiving intensive, round-the-clock medical treatment to control the infection and support healing. After her discharge, the road to recovery continued at home. Her devoted owners, in close collaboration with the Bungendore Vets team, provided ongoing care, with weekly rechecks ensuring her progress stayed on track. Now, a year on, Billie is thriving. The only reminder of her ordeal is a faint scar — a small mark left behind from what was once a life-altering injury. Her story is a testament to early intervention, specialist care, and above all, the dedication of a veterinary team united across practices.
From Mystery to Movement: A Tailored Path to Soundness
A talented Warmblood showjumping gelding had been battling an unresolved left hind limb lameness for over three years. Despite assessment at multiple specialist equine hospitals in Sydney — and undergoing advanced diagnostics including CT, bone scan, and MRI — the source of the lameness remained a mystery. In September 2024, the gelding was referred to Willinga Park Vet Hospital for further evaluation. With the support of his local veterinarian, the team at Willinga Park took a personalised, methodical approach, beginning with repeated lameness evaluations and targeted diagnostic anaesthesia. This thorough investigation helped localise the problem area, and a focused MRI of the proximal metatarsal and distal tarsal region finally revealed the underlying issue: a ligamentous injury that had gone undetected until now. With a clear diagnosis, a tailored treatment plan was initiated. The gelding received ultrasound-guided administration of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) directly into the lesion — a targeted regenerative therapy designed to support healing. He is now progressing through a structured rehabilitation program guided by the team at Willinga Park Vet Hospital, with continued support and collaboration from his local vet. Thanks to this coordinated approach, he is finally on track to return to the sport he loves.