Nova Scotia Veterinarian

Position: Veterinarian

Furry family members: 1 dog (Eragon) and 1 cat (Christian Grey)

Qualifications & education: AS in Veterinary Technology from St Petersburg College (2017) + obtained my CVT after graduation, BS in Integrative Animal Biology from University of South Florida (2021), and DVM + Shelter Medicine certificate from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine (2026)

Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: I feel incredibly lucky because not many people get to meet so many amazing animals every day. I love helping animals, but I also love helping their owners better understand how to care for them—that moment when you see everything click is so rewarding. One of my favorite parts of veterinary medicine is working through challenging cases with a team that's always learning from one another. Every patient teaches us something new, and I love using today's experiences to provide even better care for tomorrow's patients.

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: Registered Veterinary Technician  

Furry family members: Beans and Beau

Qualifications & Education: Kinesiology Diploma, Veterinary technician diploma, CPR recover certificate 

Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: It’s the change of pace from day to day, the continuing education, the pets and people, and my team!  

Position: Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT)

Furry family members: Jasper Jr. (JJ to his friends) 

Qualifications & Education: Two years in Emergency Medicine after graduating from Oulton College in 2023. Also, a Bachelor of Music from Western University and an Artist Diploma from the Glenn Gould School before diving into Veterinary Medicine.

Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: Seeing a patient's progress after overcoming an illness or injury. Especially animals whose mobility has been compromised and they discover the ability to walk again. 

Position: Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) 

Furry family members: I have two four-legged, Truro and Eden and one two-legged, my daughter Rory, whose first word was “cat,” so it’s safe to say she’s going to fit in just fine around here. 

Qualifications & education: I’m a Registered Veterinary Technician from Dalhousie University and a Veterinary Assistant through Penn Foster 😊 

Favourite and most fulfilling thing about working in veterinary medicine: The most meaningful part of veterinary medicine for me is the human moments tucked between the medicine. It’s the elderly man who tells you, “It’s just me and him. He’s my best friend.” The little girl proudly showing off her new puppy with the most ridiculous name only a child’s imagination could come up with. The breath someone finally lets out when the bloodwork comes back normal, and the steady hand on their shoulder when it doesn’t. 

And then there are the goodbyes. People often tell me they could never do this job because of that part, but to me it has become one of the most unexpected gifts. It’s the room is filled with stories and laughter through the tears; other times, it’s a hand resting on their fur as we sit together in silence. In both, the depth of love is unmistakable. 

Every story is different, but at the heart of each one is the same thing: this isn’t just an animal, this is someone’s family. And being trusted with that is, to me, the greatest privilege of this work. 

Position: Veterinary Assistant/Veterinary Admin

Furry family members: 1 cat (Dani), 2 dogs  (Kensie Lou and Francis Bacon), and 1 bunny (Gibson) 

Qualifications & Education: The Nova Scotia SPCA College of Animal Welfare.

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 to be able to help and educate owners in stressful situations.”

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. 

Bio coming soon!

Position: Veterinary Assistant

Furry family members: 1 cat (Edee)

Qualifications & Education: Eastern College for Veterinary Administrative Assistant for 10 months and then after two years, cross trained on the job to become a Veterinary Assistant

Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: Getting to work and help with animals and their needs. It's satisfying being able to give an owner a plan for their pet's needs and being able to be apart of that.

Position: Veterinarian

Furry family members: 1 dog (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 dogs (Annie, Carol, Kobe, and Julian) and 4 cats (Mabel, Leaf, Olive, and Chippy)

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: 1 cat (Mitzy)

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 1 dog (Bailey)

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: Veterinarian

Furry family members: I recently moved to the Maritimes with my family and our menagerie of animals, two dogs, 2 cats, 4 chickens, MoonBoots the Guinea Pig, and Oakley the Tarantula.

Qualifications & education: Originally from the UK, I studied at Liverpool University and graduated in 2007.

Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: “I find working in general practice very rewarding, meeting the animals of North Nova and with their families to keep them happy and healthy.  I particularly enjoy dentistry, anesthesia, and internal medicine.”

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. 

Bio coming soon!

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. 

Position: Veterinary Technician Graduate

Furry family members: 1 bunny (Willow), 3 cats (Marty McFly, Gus, and Sully), and 1 dog (Cooper)

Qualifications & Education: Diploma in Veterinary Technology 2026 from Dalhousie Agricultural Campus. I also have worked with the SPCA since 2022, starting as Animal Care and Reception, Foster Coordinator for some time, then becoming a Veterinary assistant with Tartan Tails In October 2025 until completion of my program.

Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: Meeting all of the dedicated owners and their animals. Seeing the happy outcomes of tough health issues or even just comforting the animals as they get their routine check-ups, fills my cup.

Bio coming soon!