OVC Companion Animal Hospital: Staff
About Us
Interim Director
Peter Conlon BSc(Agr),MSc,DVM,PhD,Med
Veterinarians
Shannon Gowland, DVM
Shannon graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1995 and began her career working in a 24 hour practice in Ottawa, Ontario. She has worked in a wide variety of practice settings and enjoys many aspects of general practice including internal and preventive medicine, emergency medicine, senior pet care, anesthesia and soft tissue surgery. Shannon has also developed a special interest in working with birds and small mammals. Her passion for general practice is fueled by the endless variety of pets and people she encounters every day.
Shannon loves to spend time with her husband Jim and does her best to keep up with their two children, Fiona and Ben, their two cats Gus and Calvin, and India, a Standard Poodle. Shannon is a keen cyclist and an avid reader. She also enjoys swimming, camping, canoeing and cross-country skiing.
Mary Rea Stock, BA, DVM
Mary Rea Stock graduated from the University of Waterloo in 1996 with an Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree. Upon graduation she attended the University of Guelph where she was enrolled in biological science courses. Following completion of necessary coursework, she was accepted at the Ontario Veterinary College. During her time at OVC, Mary Rea was chosen by her peers to be the OVC 2003 Class President and Valedictorian. Dr. Stock was awarded the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association Award for leadership, scholarship and sportsmanship in her graduating year. Her professional career has consisted of mixed animal practice, companion animal practice as well as practice ownership. Throughout her time in practice she has served as a mentor to many students and has been an active representative of the profession in her community. She is a member in good standing of the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association and recipient of the continuing education award. Dr. Stock lives on a hobby farm with her husband, son, and several pet farm animals.
Tiffany Durzi, DVM
Tiffany graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2000 and began her career working at a mixed animal practice in Southern Ontario. In 2001 she moved to the Cayman Islands where she practiced small animal medicine and surgery for 7 1/2 years. In 2009 she joined the faculty at St. Matthew's University School of Veterinary Medicine in Grand Cayman where she directed the Clinical Teaching Facility and coordinated the small animal surgery program. Tiffany has also developed a special interest in feline and canine acupuncture and has completed her certification course in 2010 through the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS).
Tiffany is happy to reside in Ontario after a ten year absence and is looking forward to some winter activities with her husband, Baz, and her two children Kami and Emerson. Tiffany also enjoys reading, exercising, cooking and photography.
Veterinary Technicians
Jenn Panko, RVT, CCRP
Jenn's clinical experience includes a variety of work in companion animal practice, equine practice, and wildlife rehabilitation. Jennifer developed her tool box of rehabilitation skills and love for neurology at the Mississauga-Oakville Veterinary Emergency Hospital and Referral Group where she coordinated the rehabilitation service and more recently managed the neurology and MRI services. Jenn’s professional interests include care of the senior pet and pets having special needs, nutrition, weight management programs, behaviour, radiology, dentistry, and canine and feline rehabilitation. Outside of the clinic Jenn enjoys camping, hiking, canoeing, snowshoeing, karaoke, spending time with friends and family, and riding her horse Poppy. Her pet family includes her rescued off the track thoroughbred (Poppy), three cats (Johnny, Hank, and Steve), a senior greyhound border collie mix that she rehabilitated after knee surgery (Lickey-Loo), and a young collie mix (Katie-Kate) who enjoys cruising around and causing mischief in her wheelchair cart. Jenn is a keen volunteer at Sunrise Therapeutic and Learning Centre.
Andrea Kubisewsky, RVT
Andrea graduated from St. Clair College in 2004. She began her career working in small animal private practice. Andreas passion for animals and love of adventure lead her on a trip to South Africa in 2007. There, not only was she was involved in educating local villages on proper companion animal health and wellness, but went on safari as well. While on safari she studied wildlife rehabilitation and took part in real game capture for medical and relocating purposes. Andrea is constantly striving to expand her knowledge. This naturally led her to OVC where she began working in 2007. At OVC she has focused primarily on working in the Small Animal Intensive Care Unit/Emergency services. She has also provided service as an Emergency Referral Co-ordinator, Small Animal Wards Technician, and Radiology Technician. Outside of work Andrea enjoys activities like snowboarding, camping, boating, and just recently added to that list, wake boarding. Andrea appreciates the support of her boyfriend Dustyn, her family and friends, and her cat named Dexter (who seriously thinks he is a dog)!
Client Service Assistants
Dani Hughes
Dani Hughes began her veterinary journey as a groomer at Brack Animal Hospital in Windsor, Ontario. After four years of employment a sudden move to the Kitchener/Waterloo area resulted in a need to further her education. After graduating from the Medical Laboratory Technician program she began a five week externship at the Animal Health Laboratory-University of Guelph, that turned into an amazing six year employment. Wanting to broaden her horizons, and missing the daily interaction with companion animals, she accepted a position as a Client Service Representative at the Hills Primary Healthcare Center- Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph. Dani lives with her family in Guelph and has 2 dogs, Gracie and Darla, as well as 1 cat, Hocus.
Joanna Goode
Joanna began working at the Veterinary Emergency Clinic in Mississauga part-time during her high school years. It proved to be a wonderful way to combining her desire to help others people, and her love of animals. Joanna continued to work at a number of different veterinary practices throughout Mississauga, before taking some time off to peruse other career goals. She is thrilled to return to this type of work now, especially as part of the staff team at the Primary Health Care Centre. Joanna lives in a small town outside of Guelph with her husband, 2 sons, Jack the Golden Retriever, Sarah the cat, and a multitude of fish.
Kayla Beetham
Anneke Lansink
Animal Care Attendant
Sara Turton
Sara has been working at the OVC since 2007. Before her current job with the Primary Healthcare Centre, she was an Animal Care Attendant in the Small Animal Wards within the OVC HSC. She is a graduate of the Sheridan College Animal Care Program, 2002. After growing up in Mississauga, Sara moved to Guelph in 2008. Sara has always loved animals and brings her experience with them from a variety of capacities to her position at the PHC. She has worked in horse barns, with groomers, managed a chain pet store, and overseen kennel operations at a large boarding facility. Her time at the OVC has been spent looking after canine and feline patients, and being able to help them overcome a wide variety of conditions and diseases to be able to go home to their families has been one of the most rewarding parts of her career. Her own animals have also taught her a lot about health and welfare, and she is very grateful to have them in her life. With her in Guelph is Mikos, an adopted Greyhound from the racetrack who is greatly enjoying his retired lifestyle. Mikos is also a canine blood donor for the OVC, his help is essential in providing much needed fluids to an animal in critical care. At home with her family Sara has a Border Collie/Lab named Kira, a Golden Retriever named Autumn and a tortoiseshell cat named Charlotte. Sara is very excited about her position with the Primary Healthcare Centre, and is looking forward to meeting you!
Faren Cockburn
Faren graduated from the Health Office Administration Program at Conestoga College in 2008. Upon graduating, Faren’s natural love for animals and strong desire to help people led her to begin working in at the Small Animal Clinic within the OVC. Having grown up in a small farming community, she acquired a wide range of knowledge and experience caring for various farm animals. She has also cared for a variety of pocket pets and has a special interest in avian and exotic species. Her current fur family consists of two cats Kimarhi and McKinley, a very animated Labrador Retriever named Bozzio (above), and her newest addition a Border Collie/Lab mix named Logan whom she adopted from the Humane Society. Faren is excited to be a part of the Primary Healthcare Centre team and is looking forward to meeting you and your fur family!
Rachel Genore
Kalie Bernardo
