Hi, I’m Dr. Mara Gerriets Ashby, and I have wanted to be a small animal vet since I was very young. I didn’t follow the usual path to veterinary medicine, but made my own way, ultimately leading me to build a full service animal hospital near you and becoming your newest Waterloo Veterinarian!

I began by pursuing my love of reading and horses, and completed degrees in English Literature and Stable Management. My early jobs included working for a backpacker bus in Europe, exercising polo ponies, teaching English in Thailand and writing for magazines. I knew I still wanted to become a small animal vet, so I went back to school.

Graduating from Ontario Veterinary College in 2006, I moved to St Jacobs where I live with my husband and two beautiful collies. When not working with small animals at my dream job as a Veterinarian and owner of Carriage Crossing Animal Hospital, I still love reading books and riding my horse, Prince, whenever I can.

I am looking forward to getting to know you and your pets, while offering you high quality animal care with a comfortable and comforting experience.

We are very excited to welcome Dr Wendy Wideman to the CCAH family!

Dr Wideman LOVES her cat, Trinity, and they go for walks together on leash every day. Though she is affectionately known as the "cat whisperer", Dr Wideman's kind nature has helped her with a variety of animals (she even helped nurse a baby deer who was hit by a car!)

Dr Wideman and Dr Ashby were classmates together in veterinary school at the University of Guelph. Even back then, Dr Wideman was well known for her patience and empathy. In the 10+ years since graduating, Dr Wideman has worked at a variety of clinics, always helping people and their beloved pets.

We are so happy to have her join our team! Please say "hi" to her on your next visit!

I joined the Carriage Crossing Animal Hospital team after completing a co-op position at the practice, as part of my post-secondary education. The following year, I graduated from the Veterinary Technician program at Georgian College with Honours, and began working full-time at CCAH. I’ve really enjoyed getting to watch ourselves grow, along with our clients and patients. I find the work that we do to keep our patients healthy and our clients happy to be extremely rewarding, and I couldn’t imagine ever working anywhere else!

When I’m not working, I love to spend time with friends, family, and my own pets. Sammy was my West Highland Terrier, I sadly lost him to cancer in September 2017, but I still talk about him all the time! Destiny is my Thoroughbred horse; she’s sassy and spunky but has a heart of gold. Then there’s my cat, Josie. She’s a trouble maker, but I don’t mind. I love all of my animals no matter what!

I started at Carriage Crossing Animal Hospital in 2016. I am a Registered Veterinary Technician as well as a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) and combine my skills to help pets feel more comfortable in the veterinary clinic setting and to help keep any procedures and handling as low stress as possible. I have really enjoyed getting to watch the progression as pets that have been scared and anxious to visit the clinic become excited and can hardly wait to get in the door.

I have a lab mix named Luna that graduated from veterinary technician school with me. Luna is an independent goofball that loves to learn new things. She is quite convinced that 101 Things to do With a Box is the best game EVER! Luna came with some fears and worries about the outside world that needed time and training in order to make her feel safe. Because of this experience with Luna I have a soft spot for dogs with behavioural issues and an understanding of what their owners go through. This also motivates me to help puppies get the best start on life with the Kindergarten classes we offer so that they do not have to face some of these behavioural challenges in their future.

I am so excited to be working at Carriage Crossing Animal Hospital! I met Dr. Ashby many years ago, when we worked together at another animal hospital. We share the same values and love for animals! We enjoy working together to help your very special furry family members stay happy and healthy! My animals are a very special part of my life! I enjoy riding and jumping my horse Marty. His field companion Spark is a retired race horse. My black cat Dynamite, was found in my previous animal hospital’s parking lot! I am so lucky he found me!