Our Dartmouth Team

  • Dr. Kyla Wuhr

    Position: Director of Veterinary Services

    Furry family members: 1 kitten (Simon), but on the lookout for another kitten to join our fam jam

    Qualifications & Education: Graduated from UPEI in 2001 with a BSc and AVC in 2005 with a DVM

    Time with the team: Almost 4 years

    Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: “Being able to help families when their pet needs life saving surgery such as foreign body removal or a pyometra spay and the pet gets to go home and live a long and happy life!”

  • Dr. Mike Ackerley

    Position: Veterinarian

    Furry family members: 2 senior cats (Lumpy & Gizmo)

    Qualifications & Education: Completed Bachelor of Animal Science at NSAC (now Dal AC) in 2005 and then subsequently graduated with Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the Atlantic Veterinary in 2009

    Time with the team: 2 years

    Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: “Being a voice for animals that cannot speak for themselves. I have a special interest in veterinary dentistry, and preventative veterinary medicine.”

  • Dr. Mike West

    Position: Veterinary Education Program Director, Clinical Veterinarian at Tartan Tails Veterinary Hospital

    Furry family members: 1 dog (Ghizmo) and 1 cat (Spitty)

    Qualifications & education: DVM graduated 1994, Small Animal Veterinarian in UK and Canada

    How long you’ve been with Tartan Tails Veterinary Hospital: 3 years

    Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: Solving problems!

  • Heidi Lo

    Position: Receptionist

    Furry family members: Currently no pets at home... yet

    Qualifications & education: Social Work and Counselling

    Time with the team: 1 month

    Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: “Seeing the affectionate bonding between pets and human.”

  • Rosie

    Position: Veterinary Administration and Communications

    Furry family members: 1 cat (Georgie) and 1 rabbit (Henry)

    Qualifications & Education: Worked as a pharmacy assistant prior to the veterinary field

    Time with the team: 2 years

    Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: “I find it extremely rewarding to be able to help advocate for the animals in need of veterinary care because they are not able to voice their own needs.”

  • Kaitlyn Branton

    Position: Veterinary Administration and Communications

    Furry family members: 2 dogs (Precious and Lily), 1 guinea pig (Asher) and 1 corn snake (Gil)

    Qualifications & Education: Healthcare, Continuing Care Assistant

    Time with the team: 6 months

    Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: “Helping owners get fantastic care for their animals.”

  • Lauren Ings-MacDonald

    Position: Registered Veterinary Technician

    Furry family members: 1 dog (Clementine) and 2 cats (Royal & Cinderella)

    Qualifications & Education: Graduated Dalhousie Veterinary Technology Program in 2019 and worked in general practice for 4 years. “I spent my summers going on farm calls with my Grandfather DVM Albert Ings which fostered a love of animals and veterinary medicine.”

    Time with the team: 1.5 years

    Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: “As much as I love the animals and find a huge amount of fulfillment and joy in being able to work with and care for them, my true love is the medicine itself. Being able to constantly learn and evolve my skills.”

  • Michelle Doane

    Position: Lead Registered Veterinary Technician

    Furry family members: 2 dogs (Archer and Landie, an SPCA Alumni)

    Qualifications & Education: Graduated from Dalhousie University in 2016 with a BSc, then graduated from Dalhousie University Agricultural campus in 2019 with a degree in Veterinary Technology. Passed the VTNE a few months later

    Time with the team: 3 years

    Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: “Developing bonds with pet owners and being a source of support and education for them is very rewarding. Also working closely with the veterinarians and other staff members to provide comprehensive care is very fulfilling as an RVT. Each team member’s contributions are vital to the successful outcomes, and the collaborative environment is a great source of professional growth and camaraderie. Every day brings new cases and challenges, keeping the work dynamic and engaging.”

  • Ashley Brine

    Position: Medical Reception Associate

    Furry family members: 2 dogs (Riley and Rayleigh)

    Qualifications & Education: Been a part of the veterinary industry since 2015 from private practice to emergency medicine and now a social enterprise hospital

    Time with the team: 3 years

    Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: “Being able to meet families where they are to help not only their pets but also the fur-parents at the other end of the leash.”

  • Amy Choi

    Position: Veterinary Assistant

    Furry family members: No pets at this time... yet

    Qualifications & Education: The Nova Scotia SPCA College of Animal Welfare

    Time with the team: 2 years

    Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: “As a VA, it is a great joy to help animals and care about their wellbeing to make both animals and owners happy.”

  • Jennah Bear

    Position: Veterinary Assistant

    Furry family members: 2 cats (Daisy-Mae and Zero)

    Qualifications & Education: Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and the Nova Scotia SPCA College of Animal Welfare

    Time with the team: Almost 1 year

    Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: “Knowing that the job you are doing is helping to keep families and their fur-babies together!”

  • Kristen

    Position: Veterinary Assistant

    Furry family members: No pets right now... yet

    Qualifications & Education: Bachelor of Arts from Mount Saint Vincent University and the Nova Scotia SPCA College of Animal Welfare

    Time with the team: 2 years

    Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: “I like that by providing my support to the veterinarians and veterinary technicians it allows them to provide their best service to their patients and the patients’ families. And of course, I love cuddling with all the puppies and kitties.”

  • Laura Hobbs

    Position: Veterinary Services Liaison

    urry family members: 1 dog (Murtagh), 2 cats (Huxley and Franny-Lou), and 5 hens (Bizzy, CC, Lulu, Muffin and Gemmy)

    Qualifications & Education: Graduated from the Veterinary Administrative Assistant program from Eastern College in 2006. She brings almost 2 decades of experience into her current role.

    Time with the team: 2 years

    Favourite and most fulfilling about working in veterinary medicine: “I find fulfillment in supporting our team through developing processes that improve the pet and client experience across our Nova Scotian communities. It's not just about helping pets to me, because pets come with people, and they matter too!”