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Key points
• Woman Veterinarian of the Year, Dr Alison Taylor, honoured at the 2026 GapOnly® Veterinary Awards.
• Awards held on the eve of International Women’s Day, recognising a predominantly female veterinary workforce.
• Veterinarians face long hours, workforce shortages and care pressures, with no Medicare-style safety net for pets.
• Awards highlight leadership, mentorship and wellbeing across the profession.
7 March 2026, Sydney – One of Australia’s most demanding and under-recognised professions was placed firmly in the spotlight last night, with Dr Alison Taylor of Kippax Vet Clinic named Woman Veterinarian of the Year at the 2026 GapOnly® Veterinary Awards (GOVAs).
Held on Friday 6 March at Doltone House on the eve of International Women’s Day, the awards celebrated the extraordinary contribution of veterinary professionals working at the frontline of animal care – a workforce that is now predominantly female.
According to the Australian Veterinary Association, women now make up around 70 per cent of the veterinary workforce.1 Many balance demanding clinical workloads with after-hours care, while facing ongoing workforce shortages across the country.
These pressures are being compounded by an ongoing national shortage of veterinarians. With fewer practitioners available, veterinary teams are working longer and less predictable hours. They are covering more after-hours and emergency care, while managing increasing client demand. This strain is particularly acute for women, who make up most of the profession and are also more likely to be juggling caring responsibilities alongside clinical work.
Dr Maria Neale, General Manager of GapOnly®, said recognising excellence must go hand-in-hand with supporting the sustainability of the veterinary workforce.
“Veterinarians care deeply not just for animals, but for the people who love them, and that responsibility often comes with long hours and a significant emotional load,” Dr. Neale said.
“Supporting a predominantly female workforce means acknowledging these pressures and improving access to care through practical solutions such as pet insurance, telehealth and innovative service models, so veterinarians are not carrying the full weight of the system alone.”
This year’s PetSafetyNet Welfare and Wellbeing Champion award recognised veterinarians who ensure pets receive urgent and essential veterinary care when their owners are experiencing financial hardship. The 2026 recipient was Dr Alicia Kennedy of Cherished Pets (VIC) for her compassionate, community-focused commitment to supporting vulnerable pet carers and keeping pets connected to the care they need.
PetSafetyNet is a PetSure initiative that supports eligible pet carers experiencing financial hardship. It combines 24/7 veterinary telehealth with support towards urgent in-clinic treatment when needed. The program is delivered through a collaborative network of veterinary and community partners.
PetSafetyNet is funded through the everyday use of GapOnly®, with $1 from every GapOnly® claim contributed to the PetSafetyNet fund. To date, it has supported over 1,000 vulnerable pet owners across Australia, helping them avoid having to forgo care or face the devastating decision to surrender or euthanise their pet due to cost.
The 2026 GOVAs celebrated excellence across six categories. Winners included veterinarians, mentors, educators, welfare champions and frontline team members delivering outstanding care across Australia.
For more information about the GapOnly® Veterinary Awards, see gaponly.com.au/gova.
2026 GOVAs winners
• Woman Veterinarian of the Year – Dr Alison Taylor, Kippax Vet Clinic / Capital Paws Group (ACT)
• Excellence in Metropolitan Veterinary Services – Dr Fiona Scholz and Dr. Samantha Crothers, Veterinary Dermatology Specialists (WA)
• Excellence in Rural and Regional Veterinary Services – Dr Michael Woodham, Sugarland Animal Hospital (QLD)
• Veterinary Mentor or Educator of the Year – Asha Yeoman, Greencross Vet Hospital Werribee (VIC)
• PetSafetyNet Welfare and Wellbeing Champion – Dr Alicia Kennedy, Cherished Pets (VIC)
• Team Member of the Year (non‑veterinarian) – Brooke McIntosh, Sugarland Animal Hospital (QLD)
For further information, please contact PetSure Media [email protected] or 0411 387 254.
About GapOnly®
GapOnly® is the pet insurance industry’s leading claims experience, designed to make veterinary care more accessible and sustainable for both pet owners and veterinary team. GapOnly® enables pet owners to claim eligible insurance benefits on the spot at the vet, helping them avoid unnecessary out-of-pocket expenses.
Since launch, GapOnly® has supported more than 1.5 million pet parents to avoid over $708 million in upfront costs, reducing financial stress at the point of care and easing pressure on veterinary teams.
GapOnly® is available Australia-wide in more than 1,750 participating veterinary clinics and is powered by PetSure, Australia’s largest pet insurer. For more information, visit gaponly.com.au. GapOnly® loved by 92 per cent of Australian vets.2
GapOnly® is a trademark owned by PetSure (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 95 075 949 923, AFSL 420183.
About PetSafetyNet
PetSafetyNet is a PetSure initiative designed to improve access to veterinary care for eligible pet carers experiencing financial hardship. It combines veterinary telehealth with, in many cases, support for the cost of urgent in‑clinic care. The program works with veterinary clinics and community partners to create a practical network of support for pets and the people who love them.
PetSafetyNet is funded through GapOnly®. One dollar from every GapOnly® claim is contributed to the PetSafetyNet fund, turning everyday vet visits into opportunities to give back.
1 Australian Veterinary Association (AVA), Veterinary Workforce Survey 2023–2024, AVA, Melbourne, 2024, https://www.ava.com.au/siteassets/advocacy/workforce-survey/ava-2023_2024-workforce-survey-report.pdf
2 Survey conducted by PetSure in September 2025 to GapOnly Vet clinics in Australia
