Biography - Dr. Richard
Head of the cardiorespiratory service, Richard Woolley BVetMed DipECVIM-CA (Cardiology) MRCVS is the ONLY specialist veterinary cardiologist in Victoria, and one of only a handful registered specialist veterinary cardiologists in Australia.
Richard has many years of experience in cardiology and respiratory medicine of all animals, from mice to gorillas. He has worked in academia and in private practice, lectured extensively, and his present focus is on specialist cardiorespiratory medicine of dogs and cats.
Having graduated from the Royal Veterinary College London in 2002, Richard passed the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination in the same year. After graduation he completed a one-year rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the University of Edinburgh, and then remained at Edinburgh University to complete a three-year cardiopulmonary residency, including one year working in the small animal internal medicine department.
Richard passed the first part of the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine – Companion Animals diploma in 2006 and was employed as a veterinary cardiologist by the University of Edinburgh after completing his residency. During this time Richard also completed externships in the veterinary cardiology departments at Cornell and Florida Universities.
Richard’s professional interests and areas of publication include advanced echocardiography techniques, pimobendan in mitral valve disease, pacemaker implantation, balloon valvuloplasty, the use of Canine Ductal Occluders in PDAs and stem cell therapy.
In 2007 Richard came to Australia and has been working in Melbourne since then. That year he also passed the second part of his diploma and subsequently registered as a Veterinary Cardiology Specialist in Australia.
Richard now offers a specialist cardiology service for all of Melbourne. He also has a clinic at the Melbourne University Veterinary Hospital Weribee on Wednesdays and holds regular regional clinics (see areas and dates below).
Biography - Dr. Kathryn
Dr. Kathryn Farquharson brings a unique background to Cardiorespiratory Pet Referrals with over 15 years veterinary experience and over 6 years experience in human echocardiography at the Alfred Hospital.
Kathryn graduated from the University of Queensland in 2007. After graduating, she completed general practice work before joining Veterinary Specialist Services (VSS) in Southeast Queensland as an intern before commencing a residency training program in internal medicine for 5 years. After leaving VSS and relocating to Melbourne, she worked in general practice for 5 years before moving to locum roles to complete a Post Graduate Diploma in Cardiac Sonography at the Alfred Hospital. Kathryn still works part time as a cardiac physiologist/sonographer at the Alfred Hospital.
Since January 2024, Kathryn has been undertaking echocardiograms and consults, supported and in collaboration with Richard Woolley. This has allowed her to combine her two passions of veterinary work and cardiology, leveraging the wealth of knowledge and experience across her diverse career.
Interesting facts – although Kathryn has predominantly worked as a small animal veterinarian this hasn’t always meant working with cats and dogs. During her time at VSS patients ranged from lace monitors and a dolphin to Australia’s more well known animals including koalas, possums and wallabies.
Regional Clinics - 2025
Greencross Vet Hospital at the University
Every Wednesday morning
West - Ballarat
First Friday of each month
(unless a public holiday)
East - Warragul
Third Friday of each month
(unless a public holiday)
Adelaide - No longer visiting