Rhys brings a different background to most of our team, having started his career in the human health world. He graduated as an osteopath in 2009 and initially worked exclusively with people. During his final year at university, however, he was inspired by two lecturers who also treated horses—an idea that stayed with him and quietly shaped his future direction.

After several years in human healthcare, Rhys decided it was time to pursue that growing interest in animal treatment. In 2016, he enrolled in a two-year Graduate Diploma of Animal Biomechanical Medicine, a program undertaken by osteopaths, veterinarians, and chiropractors to apply rehabilitation principles to dogs and horses.

That decision proved to be a turning point. During his studies, Rhys recognised a significant gap in post-operative and rehabilitative care for dogs. In response, he sold the human healthcare clinic he had operated for eight years and went all in—opening the Animal Rehab Klinik in Sutherland, a practice dedicated to canine and small-animal rehabilitation in the Sutherland Shire.

Since founding the Animal Rehab Klinik, Rhys has been keen to further integrate into the veterinary space and has spent years looking for the right opportunity. Joining Medipaws was a natural fit, allowing him and his team to bring their rehabilitation expertise directly into the hospital environment.

Outside of work, Rhys has set himself a slightly ambitious goal: resurrecting his cycling career in 2026 after a 20-year hiatus, with hopes of competing in the World Masters Grand Fondo in Japan. Time will tell how that goes.

Rhys lives with his wife, Danielle, and their very energetic toddler, Koen—who is endlessly entertaining and has dramatically reduced any spare time they once had.