"Helen is amazing!"
“Helen is amazing! We used Helen's services for an in-clinic laryngeal tie back case for a well-known Christchurch rescue and the massive support and positive feedback we got from everyone involved was awesome. It was so rewarding to us as a team to learn from Helen, it was life changing for the dog and his owner. Helen was extremely easy to deal with and gave us all great confidence that we were meeting all the needs of the case in our own environment which we wouldn't have been able to do without her 
".
Dr Gemma Ward - Veterinarian
"...dedication to achieving the best outcome...sets her apart"!
“Helen is a remarkable veterinarian who truly puts her patients first. As a specialist she is highly skilled and has expertise that is widely sought after but it is her dedication to achieving the best outcome for each and every patient under her care that sets her apart. When your pet is in her hands you can be assured that she will be doing everything in her power to achieve the best outcome. As an educator, she has an extensive background in academia and professional development courses. And as a teacher, she is motivating and enlightening and her willingness to mentor veterinarians in their own practice will be invaluable for those seeking to get to the next level in small animal surgery".
Dr Andrew Worth, Professor of Surgery, Massey University
Registered Specialist in Small Animal Surgery
"...genuine compassion, empathy, kindness, & knowledge..."!
“Our 8-month old Retriever, ‘Rocco’, was unfortunately hit by a car that left him in a very serious condition with chest and abdominal internal injuries as well as a badly broken pelvis. Thankfully he ended up under Helen‘s care for the duration of the treatment, which was very complex. Throughout the whole time of his treatment, Helen not only, through her incredible surgical skills, saved his leg but also her genuine compassion, empathy, kindness, and knowledge was a balm of reassurance to both our beloved dog and to our whole family. He has made a full recovery from a life-threatening injury to an energetic perfect dog thanks to Helen’s incredible surgical talent".
Tracy W - Rocco's mum
"...an amazing teacher and appears naturally gifted in this field"!
“I have worked with Helen in a teaching role for the last year. Helen is an amazing teacher and appears naturally gifted in this field. She is approachable and dedicated to ensuring students understand. Her lectures are interesting and tailored to the target audience, whether they are veterinary students, post-graduate veterinarians, or other specialists. She is also excellent in a practical teaching setting. And personally, from a colleague’s perspective, she has been a pleasure to work with”.
Dr Kyle Clark, BVSc(Dist), MVSc, Dip ACVS-SA
Registered Specialist in Small Animal Surgery
"...amazing surgeon you are & how wonderful you have been to ‘Katy’ & us"!
“Your coaching venture is exciting and such a great idea. There should be great demand for professional development from someone with your expertise. How do we succinctly say what an amazing surgeon you are and how wonderful you have been to ‘Katy’ (and us). The level of care you provide, and your clinical expertise is exceptional. We know that without your skill in diagnosis, two complex surgeries, and dedicated follow-up, we would not have ‘Katy’ today. Bill and I will forever be grateful to you 😍".
Anne S - Katy's mum
"We will forever be full of gratitude to Helen for saving Jim's life"!
"When we were losing hope for our dear Jim, who was suffering with skin cancer, we were referred to Helen and our lives changed. Helen took all of us under her wing and straight away we felt secure in her tender care. With Helen going beyond the call of duty, Jim had a scan that first day, and a plan for his lifesaving surgery soon after. Helen's professionalism, explaining to us every detail, her surgical precision, and continuing aftercare of Jim, was incredible. Helen's gentle manner and kindness to Jim, and us, during our time of stress will never be forgotten. By telling Jim's story, we know Helen is held in very high regard by those we have met within the veterinary profession, and others outside it, who, like us, have been lucky to be referred to her specialist care. We will forever be full of gratitude to Helen for saving Jim's life. We are also now very proud to call her our friend".
The McCoys - Jim's family
"...the first referral-only practice in the South Island..."!
"Helen and I worked together when we ran 'Vetspecs', established over 20years ago, the first referral-only practice in the South Island to be staffed by Registered Specialist Veterinarians. I always found Helen to be dedicated to her job and committed to keeping up with developments in veterinary surgery. During our time at 'Vetspecs', she was a very able surgeon and keen to apply new techniques. Very importantly, she showed genuine empathy for our patients and their owners and appreciated their difficulties in a very real way. She has had considerable experience with teaching and communicates well with referring veterinarians. She should be well suited to this new venture and I wish her well".
Dr Larry Anderson, BVSc, Dip Vet Med, PhD
Registered Specialist in Small Animal Surgery [retired]
"She has so much veterinary knowledge & is always a friend..."!
“We had the good fortune to meet Helen some years ago when our gorgeous 15-month old Labrador, Bran, was diagnosed with aggressive cancer. Helen treated Bran, and his fragile family, with compassion, care, and so much understanding. This was the beginning of a long and treasured friendship. Helen performed the surgery that Bran needed and he loved her until the day he died, 12 years later. Bran even loved a weekend holiday at Helen’s house, she was the only person we could trust with our precious boy. After Bran passed, Helen continued with her kind-heartedness and visited Bran to say a final goodbye. Helen shows so much empathy and compassion to her clients, both animal and human. She has so much veterinary knowledge and is always a friend that I can call on for advice and coffee (or maybe a glass of wine!). She is a wonderful vet and a wonderful person”.
Sue H – Bran’s mum
"...dedication & her passion for her craft to be unwavering"!
“I've had the privilege of knowing and working with Helen in my years as a veterinarian and have found her dedication and her passion for her craft to be unwavering. She has undoubtedly been instrumental in shaping New Zealand’s specialist veterinary scene".
Dr Bradley Richardson - Veterinarian
"Her care, follow-up of cases, and support for me as a referring veterinarian is second to none"!
“As a senior veterinarian and clinic owner I have known Helen for more years than I wish to admit to! After attending journal club meetings and seminars that Helen has run, I can confidently say that Helen has an encyclopedic mind, keeps up to date with the latest in many fields, and has an amazing communication style that all can understand. This crosses over to her interactions with my referred clients. There has not been a single case where a client has come back to me saying they were unhappy or did not understand something. Her care, follow-up of cases, and support for me as a referring veterinarian is second to none. More recently, Helen has assisted us with a soft tissue case in-house as well as teaching our veterinarians and nurses in an in-house seminar. I have no hesitation in recommending Helen whether it be as a teaching surgeon, a referral surgeon or assisting with continuing education".
Dr Nick Deane - Veterinarian
"...a very valuable resource for New Zealand vets..."!
“I have known Helen for over 20 years and she is providing a very valuable resource for New Zealand vets with an interest in surgery. Coaching and mentoring are essential for surgeons in training in any setting - and is not easy to get sometimes! I have examined with her for the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (in Small Animal Surgery) and she has covered my maternity leave at an Auckland specialist practice. We have also discussed many tricky cases over the years. I know she will continue to give her all to each and every case she assists with and that her help will extend beyond the operating theatre".
Dr Ruth Youmans
Registered Specialist in Small Animal Surgery
"She has become such a valuable source of knowledge..."!
“I met Helen, as a surgeon teaching at a BOAS surgery course, a few months ago but I feel like I have known her for ages. She has become such a valuable source of knowledge, advice and skill. Through an animal rescue that we support, our clinic had become involved with 2 puppies with bilateral ectopic ureters. We were struggling to find a way to help them. I picked all the surgeons’ brains at the course, but it was Helen who offered to get involved and guide me through the surgeries. Working with Helen was an awesome experience for all at my clinic, not only her professionalism and skill, but also her warm and accommodating personality made the whole process enjoyable and rewarding. The puppies are fully continent and now in their new adopted homes; amazing result. Not only is Helen great at what she does, but she is enthusiastic about sharing her knowledge and upskilling those around her. Her calm and dedicated manner make her a great educator and I have learnt so much from her already. I am really looking forward to working with her again in the future".
Dr Paula Grant - Veterinarian
Have you been a client of Helen's?
Would you like to have a blurb and picture of your patient and/or pet uploaded to this page?
Please feel free to send them through via Helen's email address milnerconsulting@outlook.com!
