Dr. Natalie Cowling (She/Her)
Veterinarian

I’ve always been fascinated with the well-being of my pets I grew up with and the stray cats & dogs I saw while travelling with my parents. I decided to pursue a career in Veterinary medicine to find a balance between scientific curiosity, helping people and animals, and where compassion is important.
As a little girl, I was always present for appointments with my own pets. I looked up to the Veterinary and held her in high regard. I never doubted that she wanted what was best for my pets.
My ultimate goal when engaging with clients is to be the kind of Vet I always idolized and make my clients feel like I want to help them  and their pet family like I would my own.
All of my current pets have been acquired from my clinics, which is a delightful hazard of the job!
I have an adventurous Chihuahua named Javier, a tiny female cat named Clee and an affectionate old, male cat named Maverick. They are all best friends!
I don’t have a motto that I live by really, but I googled a bunch and this quote by Samwise Gamgee (Lord of the Rings) stuck with me: “there’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo…and it’s worth fighting for.”
– Natalie Cowling. DVM

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Dr. Kate Hawkes (She/Her)
Veterinarian

Dr. Kate grew up in Aurora, Ontario and always had a love for creatures big and small. After graduating high school she completed an undergraduate degree at Dalhousie University in Halifax where she was a double major in Marine Biology and History. Following her first degree she spent several years working for a variety of marine mammal and wildlife rehab facilities. Fortunately, she ended up at a seal sanctuary in Courtown, Ireland and that is truly where her love of medicine began. After that experience, she decided she wanted to learn how to help all types of sick animals. She graduated from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh, Scotland with a degree in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery in 2016.

Dr Kate enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine but particularly enjoys internal medicine, pain management and feline medicine. She is currently a member of the College of Veterinarians of Ontario and the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association. In her free time she enjoys going to the cottage, boating, hiking, scuba diving and curling. When she is not at work she loves spending time with her two rescue cats Bob and Marvin and her terrier cross Sunday.

Dr. Kylie (She/Her)
Veterinarian

Dr Kylie grew up in Barrie, Ontario and was 6 years old when she decided she wanted to become a veterinarian.  She completed her Bachelor of Science in Animal Biology at the University of Guelph prior to attending the Ontario Veterinary College for their DVM program.  Kylie enjoys many aspects of veterinary medicine but her passions lie in preventative care, community outreach and dentistry!  She loves working with clients to help provide the best care possible for their furry family members.  Kylie has moved back to Barrie and now lives there with her sweet pup Moon, a rescue from Manitoba.

Dr. Jenna Shivers (She/Her)
Veterinarian

Sheri Cordery (She/Her)
Practice Manager

About twenty-five years ago, I was a client here and I remember coming away from my pets appointment thinking that the staff here were extremely nice, and everyone seemed so happy to be working together. At that time, I was an accountant and while I loved to crunch numbers, I was also missing fulfillment in the career. Eventually there was a job ad for ODVS and I decided to apply and was hired.
I was put through the paces of the different job aspects to gain experience and knowledge of how the clinic can and should run efficiently and safely for all patients and staff. I have now been at ODVS for over 20 years and I adore working at a hospital that provides the best care for the animals. Its amazing to work in such an organized operation that runs smoothly, and have staff that really enjoy their job. The atmosphere is amazing. “Create the life that makes you want to jump out of bed in the morning”. I am so excited every day to be able to live the life that I wanted.
My husband and I have two daughters pursuing post-secondary education, and three dogs. They are; Clover (a Cane Corso cross), Minnie (a Boston Terrier x Red Heeler) and our newest pup Wilson (a French Bulldog).
– Sheri, Practice Manager

Shannon Lynn (She/Her)
Head Registered Veterinary Technician

Growing up, I always had many animals who were such a significant part of my big family! I now have a beloved Scottish Terrier named Bailey who really sparked my interest in veterinary medicine. When she was younger, we went to a veterinary clinic where I observed how stressed she was, and in turn how stressed that made me. The philosophy “nothing changes if nothing changes” rang through and I realized that while I wanted to be have a career in healthcare, I could really find my stride in veterinary medicine and provide the positive changes I wanted to see. Although that visit wasn’t a pleasant experience for Bailey, I was exactly where I needed to be so I could start my journey on making a difference in these pet’s lives. Fast forward to 2017, where I joined the ODVS team as a Registered Veterinary Technician. At ODVS, I can apply different techniques to help keep our patients and their owners more comfortable and less stressed. Whether I am in an exam room with my patients, or I am taking them through a procedure that keeps them with us for the day, I love knowing I play such a key part to keeping all pets comfortable throughout their visit/stay. As an RVT, I find myself enjoying being the primary caregiver for our hospitalized patients, and seeing cases all the way through – I thoroughly enjoy being part of your pets journey. I have a strong interest in medicine and using my skills to their full potential: placing IV catheters, intubating for surgical procedures or taking x-rays to help achieve a diagnosis, makes my day very rewarding.

At home, I have my Scottie dog, Bailey who keeps life interesting and my adorable cat Laci.
– Shannon Lynn, RVT

Hillary Boyd (She/Her)
Registered Veterinary Technician / Inventory Manager 

Veterinary medicine is something I have always been passionate about. When I was younger, my parents had a hobby farm and my mother was a Veterinary Technician. We frequently welcomed sick or injured animals into our home, so I was always around anything furry or feathered. One thing I love about the profession is how rewarding it is to be able to help a pet live a healthier, happier, pain free life. I take a special interest in areas like nutritional consults, preventive medicine and long term palliative care. It all makes a difference in the pets life and in turn, their owners as well. My goal with every appointment, is for the owner to leave with enough knowledge to make an informed decision for their pet and lifestyle. My philosophy is “Choose kindness and laugh often”.
I grew up and have lived in Oro Medonte my whole life. I enjoy spending my time with my daughter, my 2 dogs – Lucy (Rottweiler), Remington (Great Dane); 3 cats – Coco, Karleton, Talula; 3 potbelly pigs – Penelope, Petunia, Phoebe;  3 mules and 1 horse – Gracie, Jake, Moose and Wally.
– Hillary Boyd, RVT

Chelsey-May Hickey (She/Her)
Registered Veterinary Technician

As with any veterinary professional, I’ve always loved animals. We had a Rottweiler growing up and added Lola, our adorable Boston Terrier, to the mix when I was twelve.
When she was four-years-old, she started having seizures, which was pretty terrifying to see.
The veterinary staff at the clinic we went to were kind, caring and helped us learn what to do when she was actively seizing. They also educated us on how to manage the frequency of the seizures with medication.
They helped us feel less helpless and I knew I wanted to do that for other pet owners.
When a client comes to ODVS, I want to make sure they feel like all of their concerns are addressed and that they don’t have any doubts or questions regarding their pet’s health and well-being. I would also like to assure them that their pet is in the best hands here at ODVS!
I love to know I get to be the voice and advocate for those who can’t do it themselves.  Plus, the snuggles. Who doesn’t appreciate a good snuggle session?
My house has an adorable Boston Terrier named Eleanor who we’ve had since birth!
The motto I live by is: “Laugh big, love hard, pet dogs and drink iced coffee!”
– Chelsey-May Hickey, RVT

Annika Ayers (She/Her)
Veterinary Technician

From a young age, I knew I wanted to have a career with animals. Finding what career it was going to be was the hard part until a high school Guidance Counselor suggested to try a co-op at a veterinary clinic. That’s how I ended up at ODVS.
After being here a short time, I feel in love with the clinic and staff. When my co-op was coming to an end, I was able to become employed as an ACA. I have now been here for just over 2 years and am currently in school to become an RVT!
I know it can be nerve-wracking to bring a pet into the clinic when are nervous, so I always strive to make their visit as stress-free as possible. I want all of our patients and clients to know they are in good hands when they come here for their appointments.
Of course, I always love seeing our puppy and kitten patients, but what I look forward to everytime I come to the clinic is seeing what I will be doing that day, whether it’s assisting with surgery preparation, assisting with X-Rays, among other things. Because their pet-parents aren’t present while they are here, I always enjoy giving the patient an extra level of comfort and assurance that they are safe.
At home, I have an adorable Old English Bulldog named Rosie, a Boxer cross names Lucy (my pride and joy!), a pot-belly pig names Dixie and my horse named Bullet Speed!
I like to live by the motto: “The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain” – Dolly Parton.
– Annika Ayers, VT

Jaimee Kosnaski (She/Her)
Registered Veterinary Technician

When I was young, my dad always called me “Ellie-May Clampett” because of my love for all critters and always bringing them home. We always had pets growing up and I was always excited to go to the Vets office with them. I decided at the age of 7 that I wanted to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.
When I am engaging with clients, my ultimate goal is to educate them and to make sure that the client can trust me. I always want to make sure the client knows that their pet is in the best care with me and I will always strive to provide the best medicine for them. I especially love educating about their pets’ nutritional needs.
I love my job because no two days are the same. I especially get excited when I am working with the surgery team and when cool cases come in. I love staying engaged and learning new things.
My pet-family includes a 4-year-old Chocolate Lab named Kodiak who is a very active and excitable dog.
The motto that I like to live by is: “If you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain” – Dolly Parton.

Laura Bowers (She/Her)
Client Services 

I grew up in a household that had many pets. Our whole family believed in keeping a warm, loving atmosphere that respected animals. My love of all things related to animals never stopped growing and it was inevitable I would be in the Veterinary industry.
I started working in the Veterinary field as a teenager. My position then was an Animal Care Attendant. From that experience, I developed a passion for creating a relationship not only with the patients, but the clients as well. This love of interaction moved me to a receptionist position which is what I am able to do with the ODVS team.
At every patient visit, I always make sure all pets come in to a comfortable and safe environment. Creating this stress-free environment starts by welcoming the pet and client into the building, and continues until they are heading home. I face everyday with the mantra: “Live everyday like you’re waking up to the smell of coffee and cinnamon buns.” Everyday I strive to create and maintain this atmosphere while also making sure our clients are smiling and comfortable during their pets’ visit.
I call Oro-Medonte home with my husband, Jerry and our adopted dog, Romo. Romo is a loveable Lab X who is a bundle of energy, can’t ever get enough snuggles and loves everyone!
– Laura, Client Services

Tammy Durnford (She/Her)
Client Services 

As long as I can remember, I have always had a certain “connection” with animals. My relatives used to tease me, calling me “Dr. Doolittle”. As a teenager, I briefly entertained the idea of becoming a veterinarian, but a highschool co-op in Sault Ste. Marie introduced me to the veterinary technician field. I then attended Seneca College, graduating as a Registered Veterinary Technician in 1992.
During college, I finally met my pen pal that I had been writing to since grade 3, and a year after graduation, we were married on Valentine’s Day. I left the veterinary field for a few years to start a family (a daughter then son), then worked at Casino Rama for a number of years.
I had a desire to return to the profession I loved, so I jumped back in as a receptionist and learned a whole new skill set. Twenty years later, I still love the challenges of client services, and educating people about their pets. I want clients to feel as if they have come to a friend’s house for coffee and advice and I will make sure clients feel like we have solved (or at least laid out a plan) to take care of their concerns.
At the end of the day, I look forward to spending time with Keith, my husband and soul mate of over 30 years, our son, or sharing a “Facetime” with our daughter who is an RN up north. We also share our time with Marty, our personable Min Pin mix, 4 quirky cats, 2 bunnies, chickens and geckos.
With a life so full, I try to live by the mantra of “Breathe – it’s just a bad day, not a bad life!”
– Tammy, Client Services

Hailey Goodchild (She/Her)
Client Services 

I have been an animal lover since I was a toddler. We always had cats and dogs when I was growing up, so I was lucky to experience the joy a pet brings to your life.
Working in the Veterinary industry was never really a thought of mine when I was younger, but since starting in this field a few years ago, I won’t look back!
When interacting with pet-parents, it is always a memorable experience. There are many happy moments that I share with clients and bonds I have with them that make me smile everyday.
I enjoy being in this profession because I know I can make a difference when someone is going through happy or sad experiences with their pets.
Being able to help animals and strengthen their bonds with their pet-parent is very rewarding. Of course, the best part is being able to SNUGGLE all of the animals that walk through the door. What better therapy is there?
I am the happy parent to two dogs: Dooey, an energetic Husky and Nora, a beautiful St. Bernard mix!
I like to live by the motto: “this isn’t fur on my shirt, it’s husky love!”
– Hailey, Client Services 

Brianne Kelly (She/Her)
Client Services 

As a child, I always had a love for animals. I had many different pets growing up and was often found catching frogs in the creek and to help any animals that I would come across. After high school, I moved to western Canada and expanded my career in resort hospitality and restaurant management.
Combined with my love and appreciation of animals, my previous background in customer service has provided me with the foundation to build new experiences in the animal care field as Customer Service Representative at ODVS. I live in beautiful Horseshoe Valley with my family and our funny, strong-willed French Bulldog named Mikka.
The motto I like to live by is: “If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito” – Dalai Lama.
– Brianne, Client Services

Lori Colacci (She/Her)
Animal Care Attendant 

I worked for most of my life in a multitude of different jobs focusing on customer care and client services. I truly enjoy helping people and making sure they get the best care possible. As a client care specialist at ODVS, I am able to provide this service to people, and their animals, all of whom I adore. I live by the saying “Always treat others how you would want to be treated”. Because of this, my goal with every client and patient is make each experience a positive and memorable one. I take great pride in our community, clients and patients and I am always excited to help in any way I can. I strive to show the compassion, respect and considerate care we at ODVS have for all of our extended family.

I have a loving husband of over 40 years, 2 wonderful grown children, 3 adorable grandchildren, one comical grand-dog and last but not least our lovely dog Leroy (who is the best dog ever) who makes up my immediate family unit.
– Lori, ACA

Chantrey Williams (She/Her)
Animal Care Attendant

Growing up, I always had a love for animals. I grew up with a Chocolate Lab named Monty and loved the companionship he brought to my life.
Pursuing a career in the Veterinary industry has always been in the back of my mind. When I joined the ODVS team, I realized this was the job for me!
My goal is to join the Veterinary Technician Program and become and RVT.
When a client is here with their pets, I always want to make sure they feel like we took the best care of them and their pets. Making their pets feel safe while they are with us during the day for surgery or other procedures is my ultimate goal.
I really enjoy being hands-on with all of our patients here, whether it’s assisting with surgery preparation or giving them as nice snuggle while they are recovering.
Being involved with the pre-surgery team has allowed me to learn many new things along the way.
My pet-family at home includes a beautiful Bulldog mix named Peaches and a very fluffy Great Pyrenees mix named Koda.
The motto I like to live by is: “When you can’t find the sunshine, be the sunshine!”
Chantrey, ACA