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.

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.

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.

Milestones

I would like to assist in mitigating fear and alleviating stress exhibited by patients. As a veterinary assistant, I like to contribute to this through low stress handling and feeding pets during fear-free exams.

I am a veterinary assistant, and work primarily behind the scenes. Some duties I perform involve low stress handling of cats and dogs, feeding pets during fear-free exams, laboratory sample preparation, ear cytology examination, and general clinic duties. I also perform some receptionist duties, including responding to emails, booking appointments, and answering phone calls.

I have volunteered in vet clinics for a combined total of two years, where I performed primarily cleaning and maintenance duties around the clinic. I currently volunteer at East Village Animal Hospital, for which I am part of the surgical team and am responsible for post-operative assessments.
I also performed my own research project in a molecular biology lab, for which I developed skills involving microscopy and micropipetting techniques. My customer service skills are derived from my past positions working as a hostess and server, as well as teaching assistant positions at Wilfrid Laurier University.

My primary archetype is caregiver. My secondary is intellectual, and my third is explorer.

I enjoy being part of a tight-knit team dynamic and learning new things every day. I also love working with animals, and learning about all the interesting facets that veterinary medicine has to offer.

I grew up in Oakville, Ontario, but have strong connections to Indonesia. Prior to working at Carriage Crossing, I was studying at Wilfrid Laurier for an undergraduate degree in Biology, with a minor in Chemistry, and concentration in Cells, Molecular Biology, and Genetics. I was inspired to become a veterinarian after seeing all the stray and sick animals living in Bali.

I value kindness and compassion in life. I believe I have been very privileged to have been offered the unique opportunities which were presented to me – such as access to post-secondary education – and strongly believe in giving back due to this. Therefore, being able to provide care and help others is central to who I am and what I wish to do in my career.

The Art of Happiness by the Dalai Lama. The Microbiome Breakthrough by Raphael Kellman, MD. I also like to listen to TedTalks on self-growth and personal acceptance.

I’m an active member with National Service Dogs and enjoy interacting with the dogs there. Aside from this, I love to travel, go on hikes, tend to the garden, sing, dance, cook, and spend time with my cat and partner.

Favorite quote: Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive. – Dr. Eileen Borris

Kyra is working for us while she studies Veterinary Technology as a long distance student. It has been a pleasure to watch her grow in her knowledge and skills in the short time she has been with us already. She was happy to be the latest in our team interview series.

What is something veterinary practices have to deal with that you want to fix?
I like making sure pets have an enjoyable experience when they visit. I want to help provide care and reward yummy treats for pets’ bravery!

What do you do as a student technician at Carriage Crossing Animal Hospital?
I assist senior hospital staff in appointments and exams, I help keep the clinic neat and tidy, and I help in reception by answering phone calls and emails.

What are your credentials/past experience, for working as a technician student?
I have worked at a dog groomer as well as volunteering at a local horse barn. Now I am currently studying to become a vet tech at the University of Guelph – Ridgetown!

What do you like about working as a student technician at Carriage Crossing Animal Hospital?
I love working with such amazing and loyal clients and patients. I also really enjoy working with such a kind team.

What’s your background?
I was born and raised right here in Waterloo! Prior to working at Carriage Crossing Animal Hospital, I attended Conestoga College for Interior Decorating. I grew up in a home that always had animals. I always loved animals so I knew I wanted to go back to school to become a vet tech!

What are the values that drive you?
Values that drive me are love, potential, and happiness. Everyone needs love in their life as well as happiness. I think those are things that make people whole. I am also inspired by the potential and the ability to create the best versions of ourselves, constantly striving to learn more.

Your top 3 favorite Podcasts/Books/Shows?
I like reading a good book series that keeps you on the edge. My most recent favorite is “The Summer I Turned Pretty” series. I also really enjoy watching Netflix… I love rom-com movies!

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
I enjoy spending time with my parents and my boyfriend. I love to go on walks with friends as well as watch Netflix and cook!

Just for fun, we asked Kyra for her answers to the archetype quiz:
I am a visionary, a royal, and a task maker.