BURLINGTON ANIMAL HOSPITAL - Key Persons
Dr. Jennifer Bassindale grew up in Burlington and from a young age knew she wanted to be a veterinarian. Growing up she was always surrounded by animals both small and large, which contributed to her deep love of animals. She has a keen interest in nutrition, pain management and internal medicine. Dr. Bassindale regularly attends conferences and meetings to keep up to date in veterinary medicine.
When she is not at the clinic you can find her at the gym, playing with her four footed children or working hard on the farm with the sheep. Dr. Bassindale is honoured to be a part of the fantastic team at the Burlington Animal Hospital and is very much looking forward to spending time with all your furry loved ones.
Job Titles:
- Veterinarian / Askey Animal Hospital
Dr. Kelsey Shropshire graduated from University College Dublin, in Ireland. Kelsey attended the University of Guelph, earning a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Biology while competing with the Guelph Varsity Figure Skating Team. Dr. Shropshire led the varsity team to a gold and silver championship as their Team Captain in 2014 and 2015. She skated competitively while maintaining an active voice and leadership position in an animal ethics club on campus. Dr. Shropshire knew that veterinary medicine was her dream since she was a little girl and picked up everything to move to Ireland to fulfill this dream. During her time in Ireland she was awarded the stage 3 MVB scholarship for the highest academic achievement in her year. She is extremely passionate about animal health and welfare and earned her ‘Fear Free' certification to reduce the anxiety and stresses of her patients in clinic. Dr. Shropshire has special interests in ophthalmology and neurology taking after her late grandfather a world-renowned ophthalmologist.
Dr. Shropshire lives in Mississauga with her dog Captain, a husky mixed breed dog she adopted from the Toronto Humane Society. Dr. Shropshire and Captain spend their weekends hiking, kayaking and running on the trails. We are very fortunate to have Dr. Shropshire join our team at VCA Canada Askey Animal Hospital.
Job Titles:
- Veterinarian / Bay Cities Animal Hospital
Dr. Larisa Silveira knew she wanted to become a veterinarian since she was a little girl. She started her journey on that path by completing her undergraduate degree at the University of Guelph. She majored in Biomedical Science and earned her Honours Bachelor of Science in 2017. Dr. Silveira then attended the Ontario Veterinary College where she obtained her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with distinction in 2021. Dr. Silveira enjoyed her time in veterinary school and was part of many clubs and sports teams. One of her most memorable experiences was when she travelled to Africa to work with lions, rhinos, vultures and community cats and dogs. Dr. Silveira has worked at Bay Cities Animal Hospital during her summers as a student veterinarian. We are thrilled to have Larisa as an associate veterinarian at our hospital.
Dr. Silveira's professional interests include surgery and ultrasonography. She also has a special interest in community outreach and hopes to incorporate both local and international outreach initiatives in her career. When Dr. Silveira isn't working she enjoys playing sports (soccer, hockey, snowboarding), travelling and spending time with family, friends, and her dog Cailey.
Job Titles:
- Veterinarian / Bay Cities Animal Hospital
Dr. Natalie Patterson graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph in 2001. Before pursuing her degree in Veterinary Medicine, she graduated from McGill University with a Major in Biology and a Minor in Environmental studies. Following graduation, she worked briefly in Sarnia in a mixed animal practice. After working in Sarnia, she elected to focus on dogs and cats while in Sudbury. She was then fortunate to have the opportunity to work in St Johns, Newfoundland for 5 years and most recently Winnipeg, Manitoba. While following her values of trust and credibility she gained valuable experience and knowledge from every clinic.
She recently got the opportunity to move back to Ontario and happily joined the VCA family. She has a special interest in internal medicine and dermatology. Dr. Patterson currently lives in Burlington with her husband and her two dogs: Piper a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and Madison a German Shepherd Husky Mix. She became an avid hiker while in Newfoundland and hopes to explore the local trails with her Duck Toller. Her dogs also keep her busy with agility (Piper), and reactive dog training (Madison).
Job Titles:
- Veterinarian / Askey Animal Hospital
Dr. Stephanie Ng has always wanted to be a veterinarian and started working at a veterinary clinic in Cambridge at the age of 14. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Guelph in 2000. Dr. Ng joined Askey Animal Hospital after receiving her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, with distinction in 2003 from the Ontario Veterinary College. She believes in lifelong learning, completing the Canine Osteoarthritis Case Manager Certificate Program in 2020 and is currently pursuing her Fear Free Veterinary Certification.
Dr. Ng enjoys the variety that GP practice offers. She feels privileged to have cared for many of the hospital's patients from kitten or puppyhood into their senior years. Having had a senior German shepherd and currently a 19-year-old tabby cat, she has a passion for helping senior pets live their best lives. More recently she adopted a young mischievous northern Manitoba mutt named Hudson. Hudson has just started agility training, and is working towards his trick dog title. He hopes to be a therapy dog one day.
When not at the clinic, Dr. Ng enjoys combining travel with hiking, making and eating good food, as well as game nights with co-workers. Before Hudson took over her life, her hobbies included amigurumi (crocheting tiny animals) and horseback riding.
Dr. Rochman-Fowler (Dr. Max) was born in Midtown Toronto, and from an early age, developed a fascination for animals of all kinds. He completed an undergraduate degree in Biology at Wilfrid Laurier University in 2013, taking many courses in animal physiology and behavior. He then attended the Ontario Veterinary College and graduated in 2019. Dr. Max started his veterinary career post-graduation at a small animal practice in Brantford before joining the Burlington Animal Hospital team.
His main veterinary interests are nutrition, internal medicine and optimizing client communication in practice. During his off time, he enjoys hiking/camping and long walks with his Shepherd-cross Millie and partner Hannah, who is also a veterinarian. He is an avid Toronto sports team fan and likes to spend time watching games with the fur kids (Millie, and her two feline siblings, Duck and Peaches).
Dr. Max is thrilled to join the BAH team and is excited to meet all of the clients and their furry companions!