The Veterinarians
Mary Lynn Lackie, DVM
|
Mary Lynn Lackie has had a love for anything to do with animals from a very young age. Being raised on a mixed family farm in Eastern Ontario provided plenty of opportunity to care for animals and solidified her desire to become a veterinarian. Every occasion to work with and learn about veterinary medicine was taken during these early years and therefore it was a natural progression to graduate from the Ontario Veterinary College in Guelph in 1996. Mary Lynn returned to Eastern Ontario and for the first 5 years of her career, practiced small animal emergency medicine and mixed animal practice. She also took the opportunity to work in both England and Wales before settling into her long term position at Village Veterinary Clinic in Russell, in 2001. During her time as an associate veterinarian, she has completed over a dozen diagnostic ultrasound courses. This has allowed her to develop a special interest in abdominal ultrasound techniques and diagnostic fine needle aspiration. She continues to perform routine and non-routine soft tissue surgery on a regular basis. She has successfully completed several canine and feline dentistry continuing education courses, remaining up to date on important dental health and surgery. Her latest endeavor is assuming ownership of the Village Veterinary Clinic and aspires to continue to provide veterinary care that exceeds expectations for her clients. What keeps her love for veterinary medicine alive after all these years, is developing relationships with clients and their furry companions. When not at Village Veterinary Clinic, you can find her enjoying time with her family, at their cottage or on their farm. She resides in Russell with her husband, Brian, their 2 daughters, Amelie and Paige, their Golden Retriever, Maddie and their two cats, Gem and Sassy. Mary Lynn enjoys volunteering as a trainer on her daughter's hockey team, and travelling.
|
Elizabeth Motluk, DVM
|
Elizabeth started working at the Village Veterinary Clinic in 2005 after graduation from the Ontario Veterinary College. She also holds an MSc in environmental studies from Dalhousie University and a BSc in wildlife biology from Trent. Elizabeth has lived and worked in many parts of the world, including the UK and Australia, and has volunteered her veterinary skills in Kenya, Uganda and South Africa, working along side the WSPCA and the Wildlife Veterinarians in Nairobi National Park. She continues to enjoy travelling and loves the outdoors, using her spare time to kayak, ski, hike and observe wildlife. Her passion for medicine is second only to her love of animals. She keeps current with the latest medical treatments by attending yearly veterinary conferences and studying through continuing education courses. She fights whole-heartedly for the ethical treatment of animals and to preserve and strengthen the human-animal bond. At home she is terrorized and loved by her two playful, mischievous cats Poppy and Kazio.
|
Haley Hickling, DVM
|
Haley began working at the VVC in April, 2018. She is a graduate of the Ontario Veterinary College and holds an honours degree in BioMedical Sciences from the University of Guelph. Before VVC, Haley worked in small animal practices in Gananoque and Brockville, Ontario. She is thrilled to be a part of this amazing team, and looks forward to meeting and providing special care for each client and pet of VVC!
Before graduating, Haley spent her time working on a dairy farm and horse-back riding in her home town of Uxbridge, Ontario. She also gained experience in small animal medicine with her Aunt and Uncle, who were both vets. Haley knew from a young age that a career in medicine was her passion, and her love of animals naturally led her towards Veterinary Medicine. Her special interests include dental surgery and aging considerations & care for geriatric pets. Haley loves cycling, cooking, travel and her family. She is living with her partner, Kevin, who is a mixed animal vet, and their adopted Cat, Eddie, who loves cuddling, car rides, and eating.
|
Tara Young, DVM
|
Tara graduated from the Atlantic Veterinary College in 2009. Prior to attending Veterinary school, she completed an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Carleton University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Prince Edward Island.
Tara moved back to Ontario after graduating from vet school to practice small animal medicine. She has developed interests in soft tissue surgery, ultrasonography, and dentistry. Tara lives in the country with her husband, two rambunctious boys, and a menagerie of animals.
|
The Veterinary Technicians and Assistants
Julie MacRae, RVT
|
Julie is a St. Lawrence College grad who has been fortunate enough to work in many aspects of the veterinary field. She has been working at VVC since 2004. Julie lives with her partner and a menagerie of pets. |
Rebecca Coyne, VT
|
Becky grew up on a small family farm outside of Chesterville. She has been surrounded by animals her entire life. Once her high school placement was completed here at Village Veterinary Clinic, she headed off to St. Lawrence College and graduated from the Veterinary Technician program. After a few years of experience elsewhere, she has returned to us. Becky loves to go for walks, camping and spending time with family. She calls Bourget her home with her partner and Shepherd mix companion Missy. Missy loves to run around in the backyard and her all-time favorite game is fetch!
|
Sabrina Gagnier, RVT
|
Sabrina is a Registered Veterinary Technician who graduated in April 2019 from College Boreal in Sudbury. She did her College placement in Guatemala where she helped a lot of dogs and cats in need. After completing her placement, she started working with us at the clinic.
She grew up on a small hobby farm in Bourget, where she took care of her horse, goats, rabbits, dogs and cats. She’s been passionate about animals since she was a little girl and always knew she wanted to work in the animal field. Sabrina now lives in St-Pascal with her partner Joshua and her furry pets, Enzo, Luna, Dexter, Quila and Prou. They love the outdoors, hiking, fishing and camping. |
Emily Bland, RVT
|
Emily graduated from the Veterinary Technician program at Oulton’s College in her hometown of Moncton, New Brunswick in 2014. After several years of working as an RVT in small practices in New Brunswick and Alberta, Emily joined the VVC team. Emily now calls Embrun home with her fiancé, Kevin, and their fur babies, which includes their 3 cats: Luna, Ellie, and Icarus, along with their 2 dogs: Kerrigan and Tianna. In her free time, Emily enjoys spending time with her horse, Evey.
|
Briana Harrison, VA
|
Briana graduated from the Veterinary Assistant program at Algonquin College in February 2018. She completed her field placement at the clinic and has been working here since then. When not working, she enjoys reading, painting, and photography. All of her pets are rescue animals.
|
The Client Service Representatives
Katie Currie
|
One of the first people you are likely to meet or speak with at the clinic is our receptionist, Katie. She is also our website designer. Her outgoing personality brings wonderful enthusiasm to the workplace. A lifelong animal lover, Katie especially enjoys her time with her Chocolate Labrador Schnauzer Mix, Winnie. Her interest in post-secondary education has led to a degree from Carleton University in Criminology with a concentration in Sociology. In her spare time, Katie also enjoys photography, playing defense in ball hockey and spending time with friends and family. |
Ashley Macfarlane
|
Ashley started at the VVC in January 2015 for her high school placement. She then left for college in June 2015, studying Biotechnology in Kingston. After graduation, she came back and started working at the VVC a year later.
Ashley loves wildlife photography, hiking and anything outdoors, especially in the winter. She currently lives with her three dogs, her bunny, and her lizard. |
Janet Johnson
|
Janet started with us in October of 2018 after a hiatus from veterinary medicine. She graduated from the Animal Health Technology program at Lakeland College in Vermilion, AB in 1993, and has previously worked as a Veterinary Technician / Nurse in General Practice, Specialty Referral, and Emergency / ICU in Canada and Australia.
Janet holds a BA in languages from Dalhousie University (NS) and Albert-Ludwigs-Universität (Germany), and a certificate in Equine Studies from Kemptville College (ON). She was formerly a commissioned officer with the Canadian Forces, and a practitioner of Eden Energy Medicine and Reiki, for both people and pets. Amongst other things she has also worked in the human nutrition and supplementation field, lived and worked on a dairy and cash crop operation, been involved with Thoroughbred racing as an exercise rider at Woodbine Racetrack, and helped foster a Lions Foundation Dog Guide puppy. Janet enjoys most outdoor activities, including hiking, swimming, skating and snowshoeing. Her other interests include travelling, reading, languages/culture, plant-based cooking, and music. She is also a self-proclaimed enthusiast of the minimalist and tiny house movements. Janet has had many beloved pets down through the years. Her very special current companion is Spencer, a 20 year old Domestic Short Hair, who, like all cats, rules the roost. |
Elise Bankley
|
Fully bilingual Russell native Elise Bankley has always had a passion for working with animals. Since March 2015, she has managed her full-time studies with her part-time work with the clinic. As a loving dog and cat owner, she knows first hand how pets are a big part of a family. Elise is looking forward to building a professional future in animal care.
|
Amelie Buma
|
Amelie has had a love for animals and an interest in veterinary medicine for her entire life, inspired by her mother. She was raised on a dairy farm outside of Russell and has grown a passion for all sorts of animals. When she is not at school or the clinic, she enjoys playing multiple sports as well as traveling. Amelie has worked part-time at the clinic since 2017 and hopes to build a career in veterinary medicine in the future.
|
Abbey Blanchard |
Abbey was born and raised in Russell with her loving family. She is going back to school, to become a veterinarian technician, next year. She lives with her loving dog, Meisha. Her love for animals started when she was a little girl. When she’s not working she likes to play sports, go work with the cows, and also enjoys being around friends and family.
|
|
|
The Clinic Cat
Tedford Von Lackie III
|
Tedford came to us in the winter of 2018. He enjoys TV, snuggles and meeting new clients. He especially loves large breed dogs. Follow him on Instagram @ted_ventures!
|
