About Launceston Exotic Animal Hospital
Hello! My name is Dr. Nikki Tapp, and I am the veterinarian and director behind the Launceston Exotic Animal Hospital (LEAH) team.
I graduated from Massey University in 2014. Before settling in Launceston in 2022, I gained diverse experience over 5 years in Cairns and 2.5 years travelling as a locum vet along the east coast with my eclectus parrot Jeff and cat Molly.
My passion for birds and unique animals began at vet school in New Zealand, where I was fortunate to work with native species like Kiwi, Kea, and the rare Kakapo at Wildbase Hospital. This passion grew in Cairns through collaborations with Cairns Tropical Zoo, Hartley's Crocodile Adventures, and Bird World Kuranda.
At home, I'm a loving owner to two eclectus parrots (Jeff and Wally), a cat (Bastet), and a dog (Cricket). In my downtime, I enjoy knitting, sewing, crafting, and watching horror movies.
I look forward to meeting you and your wonderful exotic pets!
Our Mission & Approach
LEAH is Launceston’s only dedicated exotic animal veterinary clinic. Our mission is to provide exceptional, high-quality care and treatment for exotic animals.
We achieve this by offering a safe and welcoming environment specifically designed for these unique patients, utilizing specialized equipment for advanced care, and having a trained, confident team knowledgeable in the handling and specific needs of exotic species.
Our investment in specialized tools includes species-specific ET tubes, an Exotic Vetronic SAV 04 ventilator, appropriate heating solutions, specialized dental adaptors, in-house avian and reptile blood testing capabilities, and fine, delicate surgical instruments, all to ensure your pet receives the highest standard of veterinary care.
Our goal is to support both pet owners and fellow veterinary clinics in the area by reducing stress and providing specialized attention for exotic pets that may require additional time for examination, research, surgery, and recovery.
Species We Treat
Details on species treated are coming soon.
LEAH does not accommodate feline or canine patients or any large animals.
