Nova Scotia Veterinarian

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.”

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!

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.”

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.”

Position: Veterinary Technician

Furry family members: 1 dog (RJ) and 1 cat (Ash)

Qualifications & Education: Veterinary Technology Diploma at Olds College of Agriculture and Technology in Olds, Alberta

Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: I’ve always loved animals, and being able to help them in a more meaningful way like feeling better after being sick or being there to comfort after surgery.

Position: Veterinary Assistant 

Furry family members: 2 dogs (Maple and Honey)  

Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: The most fulfilling part for me is supporting both the patient and their owner. Seeing how much people care about their pets and being able to help them through difficult situations, whether it’s an illness, surgery, or routine care, makes the work feel meaningful. 

Position: Customer Service Representative and Veterinary Assistant  

Furry family members: 2 cats (Charlie and Bentley) and 1 dog (Hero) 

Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: Favourite thing about working in vet med would be meeting all the animals and learning their names. Most fulfilling would be when I hand back a pet to an owner knowing we took the best possible care of their fur baby and how thankful they are. 

Position: Veterinary Assistant and Customer Service Representative 

Furry family members: 1 conure bird (Nico) 

Qualifications & Education: Graduating soon with a BSc in Biology  

Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: My favorite part about working in veterinary medicine is of course getting to be around the animals, but also being able to help the pet parents as much as I can during difficult times! 

Position: Veterinary Assistant  

Furry family members: 3 cats (Casey, Freddy, and Sue) 

Qualifications & Education: Veterinary Assistant Program from Nova Scotia SPCA College of Animal Welfare 

Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: My favorite part of working in vet med is the medical side of things. I always ask way too many questions (thankfully we have patient doctors) and I'm constantly learning new things. The only thing that tops that is of course kittens!   

Position: Veterinarian

Furry family members: 2 dogs (Rosie and Mr. Todd), 1 bearded dragon, 1 cat (Bobby), 3 African Grey Parrots, 1 Cockatoo, 1 Senegal Parrot, 1 love bird, 1 pigeon, 2 parakeet and 2 hamsters

Qualifications & Education: Bachelor of Science and Biology, Bachelor of Land Use and Environmental Sciences and DVM

Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: “Helping the animals and the pet parents.”

Position: Veterinarian

Furry family members: 2 dogs (Harper & Penney) and 2 cats (Pat & Walter)

Qualifications & Education: BSc 2010 from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College and DVM 2014 Atlantic Veterinary College

Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: “I like to help families help their animals.”

Position: Veterinarian 

Furry family members: 1 dog (Bailey) 

Qualifications & Education: Pre-veterinary studies at the Dalhousie Faculty of Agriculture in Truro, NS. Then completed a DVM degree at the Atlantic Veterinary College in Charlottetown, PE in 2018. 

Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: Most fulfilling part of working in vet med is providing access to quality care for all community members in my hometown.   

Position: Registered Veterinary Technologist and Senior Support Staff

Furry family members: 4 SPCA alumni dogs (Annie, Carol, Kobe, and Julian) and 2 SPCA alumni cats (Mabel and Leaf)

Qualifications & Education: Graduated with Animal Health Technology Diploma in 2000 from NSAC (now Dal Ag) in Truro. Worked as an RVT for over 25 years.

Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: “Most fulfilling is helping an animal that is sick or injured get back to health and rejoin its family.”

Position: Lead Veterinary Assistant

Furry family members: 2 cats (Nova and Cutie Pie)

Qualifications & education: Bachelor of Ayurveda Medicine and Surgery

Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: “Helping pets have a better life and to be their voice.”

Position: Administrative Coordinator

Furry family members: 2 cats (Mitzy and Luna)

Qualifications & Education: Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science & Engineering, PBD in Business Management

Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: “Working in veterinary medicine is deeply fulfilling because it combines a commitment to service with a profound impact on the well-being of animals and their families. The opportunity to improve the quality of life for pets, support their owners through challenging times, and contribute to the overall health of the community is incredibly rewarding. Each day presents new challenges and chances to make a positive difference, which aligns perfectly with my passion for service-oriented work.”

Position: Registered Veterinary Technician

Furry family members: 1 cat (Carl) and 2 dogs (Callie and Abby)

Qualifications & Education: Graduated from the Veterinary Technician program at Oulton college in 2017

Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: “⁠For me, the dental health aspect of Veterinary medicine is very rewarding. For a lot of these animals, a dental cleaning can change their lives for the better. Animals are great at hiding pain so it is our job to spot the signs. Knowing that these animals are going to feel so much relief after a good dentistry is such a great feeling. And who doesn’t love fresh, clean dog breath!”

Position: Veterinary Assistant

Furry family members: 2 dogs (Oonagh and Trebol), 2 cats (Ginger and Pickles) and 1 Ball Python (Lloyd)

Qualifications & Education: Zoology Degree, Renewable Resource Management Diploma, 10 years in Vet Med including 5 years at a Wildlife Park in Yukon

Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: “Knowing that you are helping both pets in need, and also the owners who are struggling to find veterinary care.”

Position: Veterinarian

Furry family members: 3 cats (Baby Mr. Snuggles, Sugar Dragon and Etc – AKA Echo), 3 dogs (Achoo, Grim and Laszlo) and 1 snake (Hot Chocolate)

Qualifications & Education: I received my (Hons) in Biology from the University of Calgary, received my MSc in Zoology from the University of Calgary and received my DVM from the University of Calgary.

Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: Learning new techniques that allow me to improve the quality of life of my patients.

Position: Practice Manager, RVT

Furry family members: 2 cats (Indy and Dory) and always a multitude of fosters (anywhere from newborns kittens or puppies, baby guinea pigs and any cats or dogs requiring more socialization).

Qualifications & Education: Worked as an RVT for 15 years, starting out in a mixed animal practice including large, small and exotic animals, then transitioned to a small and exotic practice that specialized in Orthopedics

Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: “What I enjoy most about Veterinary medicine is making a difference in animals’ lives, whether that difference is big or small, it is so rewarding to see an animal get the best care it possibly can.”

Position: Receptionist 

Furry family members: 1 dog (Buddy the Best Boy) and 1 cat (Charlie Chatty Chicken Brown Meow) 

Qualifications & Education: Graduated NSCC Secretarial diploma 1988 and Graduated NSCC Business diploma 1990. Started working at a small animal clinic in 1995. Then moved to a mixed animal practice (large and small animal) in 2001. Very fortunate to continue my career with the SPCA and accept a reception position with North Nova Tartan Tails in September 2024. 2025 marks my 30th year in animal health and medicine. 

Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: The enrichment I receive each time I help a family keep their furry companions healthy. 

Position: Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) 

Furry Family Members: 2 dogs (Maisie and Tyke), and 3 cats (Butter, Margarine, and Tallow) 

Qualifications & Education: I graduated from the Veterinary Technology program at Dalhousie Agricultural Campus in 2023. After graduation, I spent three years working in a busy mixed-animal general practice and emergency clinic in northern British Columbia. While I loved the experience and everything I learned there, I missed Nova Scotia and was excited to move back home this year. 

Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: One of my favourite parts of veterinary medicine is seeing patients feel better and thrive after treatment. I also love getting to know clients and their pets over time and being part of their care throughout every stage of life. 

Position: Veterinary Assistant 

Furry family members: 1 cat (Meowth), and helping with the 4 family cats as well (Num Num, Scotia, Simba and Tiny)

Qualifications & Education: Veterinary Assistant Course from Maritime Business College  

Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: My favourite things about veterinary medicine is getting to see all the new types of animals. I sort of have a soft spot for Amstaffs and German Shepherds. I enjoy learning new things, and if someone is willing to teach me, I'll step up and give it a try. I also like seeing how much people care for their animals. It's heartwarming, they're like our children. Our animals help us more than others know and I love seeing and hearing their stories, especially rescue stories.