Our Dartmouth Team
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Dr. Kyla Wuhr
Position: Director of Veterinary Services
Furry family members: 1 kitten (Simon), but on the lookout for another kitten to join our fam jam
Qualifications & Education: Graduated from UPEI in 2001 with a BSc and AVC in 2005 with a DVM
Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: “Being able to help families when their pet needs life saving surgery such as foreign body removal or a pyometra spay and the pet gets to go home and live a long and happy life!”
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Dr. Mike Ackerley
Position: Veterinarian
Furry family members: 2 senior cats (Lumpy & Gizmo)
Qualifications & Education: Completed Bachelor of Animal Science at NSAC (now Dal AC) in 2005 and then subsequently graduated with Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the Atlantic Veterinary in 2009
Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: “Being a voice for animals that cannot speak for themselves. I have a special interest in veterinary dentistry, and preventative veterinary medicine.”
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Dr. Mike West
Position: Veterinary Education Program Director, Clinical Veterinarian at Tartan Tails Veterinary Hospital
Furry family members: 1 dog (Ghizmo) and 1 cat (Spitty)
Qualifications & education: DVM graduated 1994, Small Animal Veterinarian in UK and Canada
Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: Solving problems!
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Rosie
Position: Veterinary Administration and Communications
Furry family members: 1 cat (Georgie) and 1 rabbit (Henry)
Qualifications & Education: Worked as a pharmacy assistant prior to the veterinary field
Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: “I find it extremely rewarding to be able to help advocate for the animals in need of veterinary care because they are not able to voice their own needs.”
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Kaitlyn Branton
Position: Veterinary Administration and Communications
Furry family members: 2 dogs (Precious and Lily), 1 guinea pig (Asher) and 1 corn snake (Gil)
Qualifications & Education: Healthcare, Continuing Care Assistant
Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: “Helping owners get fantastic care for their animals.”
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Ashley Yates
Position: Medical Reception Associate
Furry family members: 2 dogs (Riley and Rayleigh)
Qualifications & Education: Been a part of the veterinary industry since 2015 from private practice to emergency medicine and now a social enterprise hospital
Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: “Being able to meet families where they are to help not only their pets but also the fur-parents at the other end of the leash.”
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Lauren Ings-MacDonald
Position: Registered Veterinary Technician
Furry family members: 1 dog (Clementine) and 2 cats (Royal & Cinderella)
Qualifications & Education: Graduated Dalhousie Veterinary Technology Program in 2019 and worked in general practice for 4 years. “I spent my summers going on farm calls with my Grandfather DVM Albert Ings which fostered a love of animals and veterinary medicine.”
Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: “As much as I love the animals and find a huge amount of fulfillment and joy in being able to work with and care for them, my true love is the medicine itself. Being able to constantly learn and evolve my skills.”
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Michelle Doane
Position: Lead Registered Veterinary Technician
Furry family members: 2 dogs (Archer and Landie, an SPCA Alumni)
Qualifications & Education: Graduated from Dalhousie University in 2016 with a BSc, then graduated from Dalhousie University Agricultural campus in 2019 with a degree in Veterinary Technology. Passed the VTNE a few months later
Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: “Developing bonds with pet owners and being a source of support and education for them is very rewarding. Also working closely with the veterinarians and other staff members to provide comprehensive care is very fulfilling as an RVT. Each team member’s contributions are vital to the successful outcomes, and the collaborative environment is a great source of professional growth and camaraderie. Every day brings new cases and challenges, keeping the work dynamic and engaging.”
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Amy Choi
Position: Veterinary Assistant
Furry family members: No pets at this time... yet
Qualifications & Education: The Nova Scotia SPCA College of Animal Welfare
Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: “As a VA, it is a great joy to help animals and care about their wellbeing to make both animals and owners happy.”
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Jennah Bear
Position: Veterinary Assistant
Furry family members: 2 cats (Daisy-Mae and Zero)
Qualifications & Education: Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and the Nova Scotia SPCA College of Animal Welfare
Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: “Knowing that the job you are doing is helping to keep families and their fur-babies together!”
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Kristen
Position: Veterinary Assistant
Furry family members: No pets right now... yet
Qualifications & Education: Bachelor of Arts from Mount Saint Vincent University and the Nova Scotia SPCA College of Animal Welfare
Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: “I like that by providing my support to the veterinarians and veterinary technicians it allows them to provide their best service to their patients and the patients’ families. And of course, I love cuddling with all the puppies and kitties.”
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Laura Hobbs
Position: Veterinary Services Liaison
Furry family members: 1 dog (Murtagh), 2 cats (Huxley and Franny-Lou), and 5 hens (Bizzy, CC, Lulu, Muffin and Gemmy)
Qualifications & Education: Graduated from the Veterinary Administrative Assistant program from Eastern College in 2006. She brings almost 2 decades of experience into her current role.
Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: “I find fulfillment in supporting our team through developing processes that improve the pet and client experience across our Nova Scotian communities. It's not just about helping pets to me, because pets come with people, and they matter too!”
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Julia Leslie
Description Position: Veterinary Administration and Communications
Furry family members: 1 cat (Dani), 1 dog (Kensie Lou), and 1 bunny (Gibson)
Qualifications & Education: The Nova Scotia SPCA College of Animal Welfare. “My first experience working in the veterinary field began during a co-op job at Hope For Wildlife. I was hired that summer and continued working there until it was time for me to go back to school. I had to decide at that moment whether to pursue a career in veterinary medicine as a vet assistant or to go college to become a red seal welder. I always listened to my parents' advice to trust my instincts, and I did! Following high school, I was accepted to the SPCA College of Animal Welfare, where I started my journey toward becoming a veterinary assistant by gaining practical experience in the classroom, on rotations, and on field trips I thank the SPCA College Of Animal Welfare for helping me pursue my dreams of working in veterinary medicine.”
Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: “I consider it highly fulfilling to assist in advocating for animals requiring veterinary attention, as they are unable to express their own needs. I also find it rewarding being able to Help and educate owners in stressful situations.” goes here
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Sal Vellino
Position: Receptionist
Furry family members: Not pets at this time...yet
Qualifications & Education: Studied anthropology, and has been working in the veterinary industry for 2 years as a receptionist. “I hope to become a Veterinary Assistant in the future.”
Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: “The thing I find most fulfilling about this job is helping people and animals through difficult times in a real tangible way that you don't find in very may professions.”