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Pain and fear are too common in our companion animals. When you know your pet is suffering, you just want to help but it is hard to know what to do. I want to give people tools to decrease the pain and fear that cats and dogs experience, helping the whole family have happier and healthier lives together.
As a veterinarian I see patients that are healthy for preventative care, and those that are unhealthy for medical and surgical treatment. I really enjoy solving medical mysteries, as well as catching problems early and preventing them. As the practice owner, I spend time training our team in outstanding customer service, building a team culture that values learning and helping, and ensuring our patients receive the highest standard of care.
I have a somewhat unusual academic background for a veterinarian. I have a degree in English Literature, Equine Stable Management, as well as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Ontario Veterinary College in 2006. I worked a variety of jobs before vet school, including travel guide, horseback riding instructor, and writer. Before opening Carriage Crossing Animal Hospital in September 2013, I worked in small animal practice, equine practice and in a humane society.
I am an intellectual, a caregiver, and an explorer.
I like the people and pets who visit us, they really are some amazing individuals, as well as my passionate dedicated team. In a time when it is common to be rude and stressed, we are fortunate to have these wonderful relationships that are respectful and kind.
I grew up in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, but my parents were both born in the US and I was born in Toronto. Traveling when I was young gave me the bug for travel in my twenties when I visited and worked in a dozen different European countries. I have always loved horses and still do. While traveling, I missed working with horses which brought me to vet school as a mature student.
I think peace, love and truth are values that guide me. Truth is where my arts and science education came together, because I think they both asked how you know something is true. From reading a good romance to my job being all about the love people have for their cats and dogs, I see love in many things that I value. I think of peace when I build a team culture at work that is positive and supportive, when we train in low stress handling of patients, and when we work with clients instead of against them.
For work,I have been listening to podcasts by Brene Brown, Andy Roark, and Dan Harris and found they really help me be a kinder, more self aware person. For fun, I like to read to escape the world and travel to new places in my imagination. Books I have reread many times are Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, and A Wizard of Earthsea.
I love spending time with my horse. Through clicker training I feel like we share a language. Together we compete in agility, work on our respective physiotherapy needs, and learn more about training. I also love spending time with my hubby, camping together and playing video games like Valheim (which is like virtual camping). I have recently started gardening and am in love with sempervivums, nasturtiums, cone flowers and irrigation systems that turn out to be more work than watering by hand.
Veterinary Practices are sometimes very scary and intimidating places for both pets and pet parents. I want to help relieve some of that scariness, take away some of the unknown, so everyone has a pleasant experience . When people call me with problems, whether that problem is a sick pet, or that they ran out of their pet food, treats or medication, I help them know where to start and reassure them that a solution is not far away.
I am the voice you hear on the phone, welcoming you to Carriage Crossing Animal Hospital, I am here to help you with all your questions and concerns regarding your furry family member. I assist Dr Ashby in appointments, procedures and treatments, I am the laughter you hear in the background-making myself or my teammates laugh ( I find myself hilarious). I am here to make sure you feel comfortable and at ease with your veterinary visit and your furry family member feels safe and cared for.
I have worked in veterinary healthcare on the frontlines as a receptionist and in quality control at a major reference laboratory. My education is in marketing which has been incredibly helpful for my role in interacting with people as the face of the hospital.
I am a caregiver, I am spiritual, and I am an advocate
I love working with both pets and their pet parents. Building relationships of trust and caring. Knowing that I can be depended on to help them with their pets and any concerns or questions that they may have.
I grew up and lived in Brampton, until I moved to the Waterloo area about 5 years ago. I have been working in the veterinary field for over 30 years, in emergency 24 hour clinics, in veterinary labs and in general practices. I enjoy working in a general practice veterinary hospital the most. I love building relationships of trust and caring with clients and their pets. Knowing that they can always trust their “auntie” Lori to look out for them while they are here at Carriage Crossing Animal Hospital whether they are here for an exam, surgery or appointment.
The Values that drive me are compassion, laughter/having fun and integrity. These values are much in demand in this industry. And you will not be successful if you do not possess these values.
I am an avid reader, loving fantasy and science fiction. My favourite authors are Mercedes Lackey, Patricia Briggs, David Eddings and Patrick Rothfuss. I am also kind of a nerd loving both Star Wars and Star Trek movies and TV shows. Although Lord of the Rings, Hobbit and Harry Potter are a must in my life as well.
Ooooooo I forgot horror movies as well, Halloween is my favorite time of year.
When I am not working I am spending time with 2 cats Benny and Bailey watching Netflix, or out hiking along the Grand River with my Olde English Bulldogge Jolene. I also play competitive Volleyball, and am working on cultivating my green thumb.
Meet Heather, our registered veterinary technician. She loves that our hospital is Fear Free Certified and is quickly on her own way to becoming Elite Fear Free Certified. Her confidence and competence allows us all to relax during tricky procedures. Her quiet presence is soothing to animals and people and she is a great couseller for families with new puppies and kittens.
Visits to the veterinary clinic can often feel rushed. Maybe you feel unheard or left with unanswered questions. I strongly believe in the importance of client education because it strengthens the bond between you and your pet.
I am a registered veterinary technician. You will often see me assisting Dr. Ashby in your appointments, performing blood collections, monitoring your pets during anesthesia, and providing them with exceptional nursing care.
I graduated with distinction from the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus Veterinary Technician program in 2008 and became a registered technician with the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians in 2009.
Here at Carriage Crossing Animal Hospital appointments are never rushed. Time is taken to ensure that your pet is comfortable, their health status is discussed in full, and all pets are treated in the most gentle and kind manner.
I have a wide variety of experience from working in small animal practice, in the neurology department of a referral hospital, in emergency medicine, exotic animal clinics, and spay/neuter clinics.
I enjoy watching true crime documentaries, watching The Office, and reading books by Terri Blackstock
I am a busy wife and mother of 2 children. As a family we enjoy board games, building Lego, going camping and in the winter we are usually outdoors skating on our backyard ice rink.
Just for fun, we asked Heather for her answers to an Archetype quiz.
I am a Caregiver, Spiritual, and a Visionary.
We are thrilled to have Heather as a long term addition to our wonderful team. Check out this interview on our Youtube.
I help clients by answering questions with regards to their pets and I help them keep their furry family members healthy and happy. I answer phones and emails, order supplies, keep the days running smoothly, scan patient related records and maintain a clean hospital.
I did a co-op placement in an animal hospital in high school and have worked at an animal hospital ever since! Before that I worked at Pride Stables and Arby’s.
I am a Caregiver, I am Spiritual, and I am an Advocate
I like the team that I work with and the work that we do to help clients and animals.
I grew up in Scarborough.
My core values are kindness and positivity.
I love to snuggle up with my cats and watch The Bachelor, Survivor or Hudson and Rex!
I enjoy riding, spending time with my cats, family, and friends.
