Collaborative referral medicine
SAVMR works closely with referring veterinarians to clarify the clinical question, perform appropriate diagnostics and provide practical recommendations.
About SAVMR
Meet the SA Vet Medical Referrals Team
SA Vet Medical Referrals brings together experienced veterinary clinicians, nurses and client care staff to support dogs, cats, pet owners and referring vets across Adelaide and the Adelaide Hills.
The team provides referral medicine, ultrasound, cardiology, endoscopy and patient care support with a focus on practical communication, clinical collaboration and continuity with the pet’s regular veterinary clinic.
Our role
Referral veterinary support for Adelaide and the Adelaide Hills
SA Vet Medical Referrals was established to provide direct, collaborative referral support to general practice veterinarians and their patients.
Support for dogs and cats
The team focuses on small animal referral care, supporting the diagnosis and management of medical, cardiac, gastrointestinal and complex cases.
Adelaide and Adelaide Hills based
SAVMR supports pet owners and referring veterinary clinics across Adelaide and the Adelaide Hills, with Fullarton outpatient appointments and suitable mobile services.
The service helps local clinics access advanced diagnostic and medical support while keeping the regular veterinarian central to the pet’s ongoing care.
People
Meet the team
The SAVMR team includes experienced veterinarians, nursing and anaesthesia support, practice management and client care staff.
Referral Medicine, Cardiology, Endoscopy and Ultrasound
Dr Matthew Woodruff
Dr Matt Woodruff graduated from The University of Melbourne in 2002 and spent 10 years working in general and emergency practices in Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide, including helping to establish and manage a new emergency centre in Adelaide in 2008.
Matt commenced a residency in small animal internal medicine in 2012 while concurrently founding a referral medicine service at AAERC in Kurralta Park. He has passed both the practical and oral components of the specialist level examinations with the ANZCVS.
After 10 years in referral practice, Matt started a mobile medicine service to provide more direct support to the general practitioners of Adelaide. He values the close professional relationships and collegiality developed through working directly with general practitioners toward the shared goal of caring for Adelaide’s dogs and cats.
Matt is especially interested in endoscopy, cardiology and abdominal ultrasound, and enjoys educating veterinarians on the diagnostic utility of the tests available in practice.
He has published in international journals, presented at national conferences and provided multiple continuing education seminars to veterinarians in Adelaide. Matt is also involved in lecturing and tutoring fifth year veterinary science students at Adelaide University in small animal medicine topics.
Graduated from The University of Melbourne in 2002
Residency trained in small animal medicine
Passed practical and oral components of ANZCVS specialist level examinations
More than 10 years in referral practice
Interests include endoscopy, cardiology and abdominal ultrasound
Lectures and tutors veterinary science students at Adelaide University
Small Animal Imaging and Ultrasound
Dr Jennifer Judd
Dr Jennifer Judd graduated from the University of Glasgow in 2009. She began her career in mixed animal practice before developing a passion for small animal imaging, especially ultrasound.
Jen spent around eight years working in general small animal practice in Adelaide before taking a break to have her son. She established SA Veterinary Sonography in 2019 to provide a high-quality mobile ultrasound service to clinics across Adelaide.
She obtained her ANZCVS Membership in Small Animal Radiology in 2021. Since starting her mobile ultrasound work, Jen has also developed a strong interest in cardiology and continues to build her skills under the mentorship of Dr Matt at SA Vet Medical Referrals.
Since starting her ultrasound business in 2019, Jen has performed a large volume of ultrasounds and has seen many interesting cases. She has also enjoyed building collegial relationships with local clinics and is excited to join forces with SAVMR to provide a high-quality, friendly and prompt referral service for Adelaide’s pets and their owners.
Graduated from the University of Glasgow in 2009
ANZCVS Membership in Small Animal Radiology
Established SA Veterinary Sonography in 2019
Strong focus on small animal ultrasound
Developing further cardiology skills with SAVMR
Small Animal Imaging and Diagnostic Ultrasound
Dr Carly Whittaker
Dr Carly Whittaker graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2017 and spent two years working as a mixed small animal and equine veterinarian in Victoria.
After moving away from equine practice, Carly spent the next six years working as a small animal veterinarian in regional South Australia, in addition to working casually as an emergency veterinarian.
Her love of imaging led her to complete a graduate certificate in small animal abdominal imaging in 2020 and her memberships in small animal radiology in 2023.
Carly is passionate about providing high-quality diagnostic ultrasonography to improve patient outcomes and helping enhance collegial knowledge within a general practice setting.
She is excited to join the SAVMR team, continue developing her skills and knowledge with Dr Matt’s mentorship, and support the care of cats and dogs across South Australia.
Graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2017
Graduate certificate in small animal abdominal imaging
ANZCVS Membership in Small Animal Radiology
Experience in regional South Australian small animal practice
Focus on diagnostic ultrasonography and patient outcomes
Practice Management and Anaesthesia Support
Shane Palmer
With 14 years of experience in the veterinary profession, Shane joined Dr Matthew Woodruff at SA Vet Medical Referrals with a primary focus on anaesthesia.
Trained in anaesthesia, emergency critical care and surgical care, Shane is dedicated to delivering a high standard of care for clients and patients.
A passionate advocate for animal welfare, Shane has also volunteered extensively in wildlife rehabilitation and has fostered various animals on his property.
14 years of veterinary industry experience
Practice management support
Advanced anaesthesia focus
Training in emergency critical care and surgical care
Animal welfare and wildlife rehabilitation experience
Veterinary Nursing and Patient Care
Megan Witek
With more than 14 years of experience in veterinary nursing, Megan brings a strong foundation in clinical care and practice management.
Her career is driven by a deep passion for providing high-quality care to animals and building strong, empathetic relationships with clients.
Megan is dedicated to ensuring every pet owner feels informed and at ease with their pet’s treatment. She strives to provide the best possible care while minimising stress for both the animal and their family.
More than 14 years of veterinary nursing experience
Clinical care and practice management background
Strong client communication focus
Committed to low-stress patient and family support
Reception and Client Care
Dana Beumer
Dana brings more than 20 years of customer service and administration experience, with the past eight years dedicated to the veterinary industry as a receptionist.
Her transition into the veterinary field marked a turning point in her career, where she found the opportunity to combine her client care experience with her lifelong passion for animals.
Dana is committed to helping clients and their pets feel supported and welcomed from the first interaction with SAVMR.
More than 20 years of customer service and administration experience
Eight years in the veterinary industry
Client care and reception support
Focused on helping clients feel welcomed and supported
How SAVMR works
A collaborative referral model
SAVMR is designed to support the regular veterinary clinic, not replace it. Referring veterinarians remain central to each patient’s ongoing care.
The team works with the clinical history, referral question and previous test results to provide diagnostic procedures, case support and practical recommendations.
For referring vets
SAVMR provides referral-level diagnostic and medical support while keeping communication clear and clinically useful.
Information for VetsFor pet owners
SAVMR helps investigate your pet’s condition while working with your regular vet before and after the appointment.
Information for Pet OwnersFor local clinics
Mobile services and Fullarton outpatient appointments allow suitable cases to access advanced support in the most appropriate setting.
View Location InformationClinical support
Areas of clinical support
The SAVMR team supports a range of referral medicine and diagnostic services for dogs and cats.
Internal Medicine
Case review, diagnostic planning and support for complex or ongoing small animal medical conditions.
View internal medicineVeterinary Ultrasound
Abdominal, urinary tract and focused ultrasound services for dogs and cats.
View veterinary ultrasoundVeterinary Cardiology
Echocardiography, ECG and Holter monitoring support for cardiac cases.
View veterinary cardiologyVeterinary Endoscopy
Gastroscopy, bronchoscopy and selected endoscopic procedures where clinically appropriate.
View veterinary endoscopyAdvanced Imaging
MRI referral pathway guidance and imaging decision-making for selected cases.
View advanced imagingReferral services
Explore the full range of referral services available through SA Vet Medical Referrals.
View all servicesEducation
Education, mentorship and professional support
Education is an important part of SAVMR’s role in the Adelaide veterinary community. Dr Matthew Woodruff has presented at national conferences, published in international journals and provided continuing education seminars to local veterinarians.
He is also involved in lecturing and tutoring fifth year veterinary science students at Adelaide University in small animal medicine topics.
The team’s work with local clinics is built on collegiality, communication and a shared commitment to patient care.
Questions
About SAVMR FAQs
SA Vet Medical Referrals is led by Dr Matthew Woodruff, a veterinarian with residency training in small animal medicine and extensive experience in referral practice, emergency practice, endoscopy, cardiology and abdominal ultrasound.
SAVMR works closely with regular veterinarians and referral information is usually needed to plan the most appropriate appointment. Pet owners can submit a booking request, but information from the regular veterinary clinic may be required.
No. SAVMR is designed to support the regular veterinary clinic. Findings and recommendations are shared with the referring veterinarian so ongoing care can continue with the usual vet wherever appropriate.
SAVMR is based in Adelaide and the Adelaide Hills. Outpatient referral appointments are available from the Fullarton procedure room, with mobile services available for suitable cases.
SAVMR provides referral support in small animal medicine, ultrasound, cardiology, echocardiography, endoscopy and selected advanced imaging pathways.
The SAVMR team includes Dr Matthew Woodruff, Dr Jennifer Judd, Dr Carly Whittaker, Shane Palmer, Megan Witek and Dana Beumer.
Next step
Work with the SAVMR team
Whether you are a referring vet or a pet owner with a recommended referral, SAVMR can help guide the next step.
For emergency appointment enquiries, call 0497 263 505.