Ingrid Alexy-Ferrede RVT - Supervisor, Patient Care Services
Ingrid Alexy-Ferrede graduated from Seneca
College in 1981 and worked in two mixed animal practices for six years before joining OVC's Large Animal Clinic 1987. While most of her time at OVC has been spent
working with large animals, Ingrid has also worked in junior surgery, small
animal wards, small animal surgery and small animal ICU. Ingrid was involved in
the design and set-up of the large animal isolation unit and is currently
assisting with the set-up of the Equine Sports Medicine and Reproduction Centre.
Adrienne Archer RVT, VTS (ECC) -
Emergency and Critical Care
Jennifer Arruda RVT - Ophthalmology
Karen Avent RVT
Julie Ball RVT,VTS(ECC) - Supervisor, Patient Care Services
Carolyn Bennett, Team Leader, AHT, BSc Biology - Diagnostic Imaging
Carolyn graduated from the AHT program at Centralia College in 1982. She worked at various clinics as a veterinary technician before she started working at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at the University of Guelph in 2002 in the Diagnostic Imaging Department. Carolyn is now the lead hand of the department, working in large and small animal radiology,ultrasound and CT. She has done lectures at McMaster University for radiology technicians as well as teaching the Lifelearn ultrasound wet labs. Carolyn also do radiology and ultrasound lectures and wet labs at the OAVT conference.
Sarah M. Birch, RVT - Avian & Exotic Medicine Service
Sarah began her career 12 years ago at the Toronto Wildlife Centre where she discovered her passion for exotic animal species. She received her diploma from Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology in 2006. Upon graduation, she worked for just under a year at Earth Rangers Wildlife Facility. Throughout her years of service in the animal care field, she has gained experience from such places as the Toronto Zoo and The Links Road Animal and Bird Clinic. Sarah currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians. While she is not busy working, she likes to spend time with her husband Joe and two sons, Brandon and Jesse.
Back to Top
Steve Bray - Agricultural Assistant
Melanie Brooks RVT - Oncology
Heidi Chambers, RVT - Cardiology
Heidi is responsible for the administration of the clinical research activities for the cardiology service, and the care of the patients enrolled within them.She is also responsible for the Holter service. Heidi attended Ridgetown College to complete her diploma in Veterinary Technology, and was registered with the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technologists in 2000. After working in regular practice for a year, she returned to the University of Guelph to complete her BSc in biological science, with a minor in neuroscience. She has worked in several areas of the veterinary industry as an RVT over the past 12 years, including emergency hospitals, surgery referral practice, pharmaceutical sales, and as a pathology technician with the Animal Health Lab here at the University of Guelph.
Meghan Cigagna RVT - Anesthesia
Debbie Cloutier, RVT - Emergency Veterinary Referral Coordinator/Triage
Debbie began her OVC career in the mid 90's working in small animal wards, anesthesia and ICU. She started working in the ICU fulltime in 1997 where she stayed for 12 years. Debbie has been doing triage for 4.5 years and loves it. Triage gives her the opportunity to talk to RDVM's and their wonderful clients. She also gets the pleasure of triaging all the wonderful critters that come through our doors. Debbie is a wife and mother of two children. She has a standard poodle, cat and 2 guinea pigs. She enjoy spending her summers on the shores of Lake Erie, hiking and cycling.
Back to Top
Nick Coghlin RVT - Anesthesia
Jennifer Collins RVT - Neurology
Rob Cook RVT - Anesthesia
Deb Cook RVT - Emergency and Critical Care
Sue Cornwell AHT
Heather Creasey RVT, VTS (ECC) - Emergency and Critical Care
Sheila Currie RVT - Diagnostic Imaging
Pat Davis AHT - Small Animal Surgery
Alice Daw MRT(MR)(R) - Diagnostic Imaging
Medical Radiation Technologist(Magnetic Resonance)(Radiography)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Facility Coordinator
Prior to employment at OVC, Alice worked at Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital in Burlington and for a brief brief time at the Guelph General Hospital. She continues to enjoy working with all creatures great & small, both here at OVC and at St Joseph's Health Care Hamilton.
Back to Top
Caitrin Desantis AHT
Karen Rutherford RVT - Theriogenology, Large animal emergency care
Karen graduated with honors from the Georgian College Veterinary Technician program. Prior to going back to school as a Veterinary Technician, Karen worked at the Toronto General Hospital as a pharmaceutical compounding technician. Karen has worked/ridden in the equestrian industry for many years. She has over 20 years experience in the equine breeding industry. She continues to successfully breed Dutch Warmbloods for the hunter/jumper show ring. Karen loves being a part of the Theriogenology team where she combines her interest in reproductive medicine with a variety of species.
Janet Dickson RVT
Charlotte Donohoe RVT, VTS(ECC) - Emergency Veterinary Referral Coordinator/Triage
Alison Downie RVT - Small Animal Internal Medicine
Cindy Ferraro - Animal Care Attendant
Bonnie Fife AHT
Emily Forde RVT - Anesthesia
Ramona Fowler RVT - Blood Donor Program
Jennifer Gallagher RVT - Emergency and Critical Care
Janice Grinberg RVT - Diagnostic Imaging
Kim Healey RVT
Vicky Heinbecker RVT - Oncology
Geraldine Higginson BSc, MSc, RVT - Oncology
Geri Higginson MSc, RVT received her 4 year BSc (Zoology) degree from Victoria College, University of Toronto in 1993 and RVT diploma from Seneca College in 1998. In 2007, she completed her MSc degree at the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, investigating the effect of diet on avian coagulation. She joined the Ontario Veterinary College in 1998, working initially with Avian & Exotics/Wild Bird Clinic and now with the Oncology Service in the new Animal Cancer Centre. Geri loves to travel and is actively involved with running, cycling and triathlon groups in the Guelph area.
Back to Top
Colleen Hill RVT
Ines Jimenez AHT - Anesthesia
Jeanette Jones - Animal Care Attendant
Andrea Kacer AHT - Anesthesia
Deborah Kingston, AHT, RVT - Dermatology & Cardiology
Graduate of St. Clair College, Windsor Ontario, graduating with an Animal Health Technician Diploma, I completed the Registration Exam one year later to become a Registered Veterinary Technician. In this capacity I have worked in both small and large animal practices including emergency care.
I have been employed with the Ontario Veterinary College-Health Sciences Center since 1997; areas of expertise include research, radiology, oncology, dermatology and cardiology. I am currently the Cardiology specialty technician.
Interests include hiking, swimming, yoga, biking, guitar and travel.
Back to Top
Sue Kinsella AHT - Small Animal Surgery
Bonnie Lambert AHT
Rob Leighton, Agricultural Assistant - Large Animal Housing Lead Hand
Heather Little - Agricultural Assistant
Pam Longworth RVT
Shani MacArthur - Animal Care Attendant
Lisa Mamuza - Animal Care Attendant
Andrew McHutchison - Agricultural Assistant
Andrea McMillan RVT - Emergency and Critical Care
Rick McNabb - Agricultural Assistant
Leah Mitchell RVT, VTS (ECC) - Emergency and Critical Care
Michelle Morin AHT
Mike Myers - Agricultural Assistant
Jenn Nowell RVT - Anesthesia
Anne O'Donnell - Supervisor, Patient Care Services
Anne is a graduate of Centralia College, 1983. Anne started working at the OVC in the Large Animal Clinic in 1984 as an Animal Health Technician. Since that time she has held positions of progressive responsibility, in 1990 Anne assumed the position of Lead Hand in Small Animal Housing, in 2000 she accepted the role of Team Leader for the Large Animal Veterinary Technicians. In 2002 Anne accepted the position of Manager, Large Animal Clinic Veterinary Technicians. Over time, Anne also assumed responsibility for managing the following areas: Companion Animal ICU, OR, Junior Surgery, Diagnostic Imaging, Companion Animal Wards, Anesthesia, Specialty Services and the Large and Small Animal Housing units and SPD Technicians.
Currently Anne is the Supervisor, Patient Care Services for the Companion Animal Housing, Animal Cancer Centre, Radiation Therapy, Avian and Exotics, Cardiology, Dermatology, Neurology, Ophthalmology, Theriogenology, Medicine and Surgery Service Technicians.
Back to Top
Wendy Perkes - Animal Care Attendant
Tom Pineau - Agricultural Assistant
Rob Quinn - Agricultural Assistant
Aly Reid RVT
Peter Reynard - Agricultural Assistant
Deb Robinson - Animal Care Attendant Team Lead
Clint Saunders - Agricultural Assistant
Susanne Shearing RVT - Diagnostic Imaging
Lucy Siydock RVT - Anesthesia Team Lead
Rachel Skippen RVT - Ruminant Field Services
Alex Smith - Agricultural Assistant
Andrea Steele MSc, RVT, VTS(ECC) - Emergency and Critical Care
Andrea graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Specialized Honours Zoology from the University of Guelph, (1994), followed by receiving her Veterinary Technician Diploma from Ridgetown College Campus, University of Guelph (1998). Finally, Andrea received her Master's degree in Veterinary Clinical Studies, in 2011.
Andrea has been an ICU technician since 1998, and became a Veterinary Technician Specialist in Emergency and Critical Care (VTS(ECC)) in 2003. In 2012, Andrea began a two-year term as President of the Academy of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Technicians (AVECCT). Andrea frequently teaches at national and international conferences on emergency and critical care nursing.
Back to Top
Vita Steibert RVT - Anesthesia
Julie Steininger AHT
Gabby Swanton RVT - Emergency Veterinary Referral Coordinator & Diagnostic Imaging
Kathy Taylor RVT, VTS (ECC) - Emergency and Critical Care
Rae-Lee Tedesco RVT - Small Animal Surgery
Mel Thompson RVT
Joanne Tolton AHT
Jim Van Dusen - Agricultural Assistant
Lisa Vespasiano - Diagnostic Imaging
Lisa first began working in the medical field 13 years ago as a Pharmacy Technician (C.Ph.T). In 2003, she decided to further her studies in Medical office Administration at Conestoga College and performed a two month work placement in Small Animal reception at OVC. Upon completion of her program she offered a position in the Small Animal reception area and then took a position in the Medical Records department. In 2007, she began working in the Radiology department as a DI Clerk and then secured a permanent position. In 2008, she successfully completed the Pacs Adminstration program through the Michener Institute to obtain her current role of Pacs Administrator in the DI department.
Elise Wickett - Supervisor, Patient Care Services
Tara Wochesen RVT - Diagnostic Imaging
Back to Top
