CARLING ANIMAL HOSPITAL - Key Persons
Dr. Abdou Elmahalwy is a dedicated veterinarian with over two decades of experience in animal care. He graduated from Alexandria University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in 2000 and has since been committed to providing compassionate and high-quality veterinary services.
In 2022, Dr. Abdou moved to Canada, bringing his expertise in small animal care, with a special interest in soft tissue surgeries and preventive medicine. He is passionate about helping pets live healthier lives and ensuring their well-being through personalized care.
Outside of work, Dr. Abdou enjoys playing soccer and listening to classical music. His love for animals and commitment to excellence make him a valued member of the veterinary community.
Dr. Allison Finlay was born and raised in the Leaside neighbourhood of Toronto. She began her career in the same area after graduating from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2007 and moved to Ottawa with her husband in the fall of the same year. Dr. Finlay has been practicing in Ottawa ever since. Her professional interests include wellness and geriatric medicine as well as oncology (the treatment of cancer), and especially cherishes the bonds that she is able to form with both her patients and their owners. And, of course, she loves all things Golden Retriever!
Outside of the hospital, Dr. Finlay loves to keep active with her husband and two dogs, Alley a 12-year-old mixed breed former teaching dog from the Ontario Veterinary College and Archie Lewis a 3-year-old Golden Retriever. She is also a self-proclaimed foodie and loves to spend time in the kitchen recreating recipes from the food network!
Dr. Jaclyn Guest was born and raised in Ottawa and is thrilled to be practicing in her hometown. She obtained a Bachelor of Sciences degree in the field of neuroscience before completing her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at the Ontario Veterinary College.
Dr. Guest joined the Carling Animal Hospital team in the spring of 2022. She has previously worked in general practice as well as in emergency medicine. While Dr. Guest enjoys all aspects of patient care, her professional interests include surgery and ultrasonography.
Outside of the hospital, Dr. Guest keeps very busy with her cat, Schro as well as her two dogs, Reka and Laszlo. She is also an active horseback rider and trains both of her dogs in agility.
Dr. Jennifer Kim-Bazard was born in South Korea and raised in New Brunswick. She graduated from the Atlantic Veterinary College in 2023. After practicing as a small animal veterinarian on the East Coast for a year, Dr. Jennifer was excited to move to Ottawa and call it her new home. With a passion for internal medicine, dentistry, and ophthalmology, she is committed to continuous professional growth.
Outside of work, Dr. Jennifer enjoys running, exploring Ottawa's diverse culinary scene, and travelling abroad. She shares her home with a loving husband and two cats: one who fancies herself the queen of the house and an energetic kitten who loves to play.
Dr. Kelia Bascom grew up in the sunny Bahamas, where a deep love for animals blossomed from an early age. Surrounded by the vibrant wildlife and beautiful landscapes of the islands, it was no surprise that animals became a lifelong passion. From childhood, Dr. Bascom was drawn to the natural world, always caring for stray animals and observing their behavior. This love for animals led to volunteering at the Humane Society, where Dr. Bascom gained hands-on experience in animal care and saw firsthand the impact of compassionate veterinary services.
After years of dedication to the welfare of animals, Dr. Bascom pursued formal education in veterinary medicine at the Ontario Veterinary College in Guelph Ontario, eager to make a difference in the lives of both pets and their owners. Today, as a veterinarian at Carling Animal Hospital, Dr. Bascom is committed to providing top-notch care with a personal touch.
The best part of Dr. Bascom's job is the opportunity to connect with clients and help patients feel better, leading healthier and happier lives. Whether it's offering advice on maintaining a pet's well-being, performing routine checkups, or assisting in complex medical procedures, Dr. Bascom finds joy in the lasting relationships formed with both pets and their owners.
One area of special interest for Dr. Bascom is animal behavior, with a particular passion for understanding how pets communicate non verbally and how to treat/manage anxieties and advocate for mental enrichment to positively impact their overall mental health. Additionally, Dr. Bascom finds great fulfillment in performing dental procedures, recognizing the critical importance of oral health in pets.
With a deep-rooted compassion for animals and a commitment to excellence in veterinary care, Dr. Bascom is excited to continue serving the local community and ensuring pets lead happy, healthy lives.
Dr. Megan Ballantine was born and raised in the Ottawa area and was excited to return to practice in the capital city after graduating with distinction from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2016.
Dr. Ballantine has a passion for preventative healthcare as well as a special interest in internal medicine and surgery. Always looking to expand her skills, Dr. Ballantine is an avid pursuant of continuing education and has taken advanced courses in ophthalmology, orthopedics, ultrasonography and dentistry. In addition to her work in general practice, Dr. Ballantine also practices in the field of emergency medicine.
Outside of the hospital, Dr. Ballantine shares her home with her husband and a rambunctious geriatric tuxedo cat named Loki. While Loki doesn't venture outside of the home, Dr. Ballantine loves to keep active through cycling and back-country camping adventures.
Dr. Ellison graduated from Ontario Veterinary College in 1987 and has worked at Carling Animal Hospital for 27 years, after moving from practice in the Toronto area. Her focus remains on provided the best care possible for patients under her care.
Dr. Ellison is an avid sailor racing J 80 boats each sailing season. She is also an enthusiastic gardener on the rural property she shares with her husband. Dr. Ellison has two beloved fur babies Cho and Yidily, her Siamese cats.
Job Titles:
- Assistant / Client Care Representative
Jamie has a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Studies but she has been working in the veterinary field for almost 10 years.
Here at Carling Animal Hospital, she has the opportunity to work both as a Client Care Representative and as a Veterinary Assistant. In both of these roles she loves that she can establish relationships with both our patients and their owners and is able to help ensure the quality of care they receive at every stage of their visit. Jamie has a special interest in small exotics (which is what first introduced her to Carling Animal Hospital as a client when she came to Ottawa). She appreciates the ability to help provide care for these particular patients and to continuously learn new things about all of our patients (non-exotic included) with each case that comes through our doors.
Jamie shares her home with a collection of animals - dogs, cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs whom all play a part in keeping her on her toes.
With Jamie's full household her life certainly revolves around animals both at work and at home. When she has the opportunity to do so, she loves spending time outside with her dogs and also enjoys volunteering with different animal rescue groups.
Job Titles:
- Assistant / Inventory Manager
Marie grew up in the Gatineau hills on a beef farm with a large variety of animals and eventually sold produce at a local farmers' market. She has a diploma in Agriculture from the University of Guelph and later went back to school at St. Lawrence College taking the veterinary assistant course graduating in 2010.
Marie has been working at CAH since 2011 and loves all aspects of the job but especially how each day is different and helping with all the different pets that come into the hospital.
Marie shares her home with her husband, their daughter and 2 cats. On days off Marie loves to spend time on the family farm and go on day trips with her family.