ISLINGTON VILLAGE ANIMAL HOSPITAL - Key Persons
I have wanted to be a veterinarian since grade 2. Unfortunately, it turns out that you can't be a veterinarian in grade 2… To compensate, I embarked on acquiring a massive toy horse collection, spent a lot of time communing with and dressing up our cats, and attended many animal-based day camps.
As I grew older, I was able to seek out opportunities to volunteer with animals. I was privileged to volunteer with the Community Association for Riders with Disabilities and saw first-hand the importance of the bond animals can create with people. This experience really honed my drive to become a veterinarian and care for those which enrich our lives in so many ways.
I completed a year of undergraduate studies at the University of Guelph before entering the Ontario Veterinary College where I received my DVM in 2002. I returned to my home town of Toronto after graduation and worked at a clinic in midtown before settling at a clinic in North Toronto for many years. In fact, Dr. Spence and I worked together at this clinic for several years before she moved on to open her current practice. I am delighted to be working with her again!
I love being a veterinarian because I'm able to meet interesting, caring people and have the opportunity to spend time with many pretty amazing pets! Learning and continuing education are an important part of veterinary medicine and are something that I enjoy immensely. Talking with owners and providing them with the information they need in order to make the best health-care decisions for their furry family members is gratifying. I find internal medicine very rewarding and am a huge proponent of preventative health care. I appreciate the team approach at Islington Village Animal Hospital and look forward to meeting the larger, client family.
My husband, two daughters, and I live in the Junction neighbourhood. We also share our home with our cat Pineapple (who is very particular and enjoys having the house to himself). In my spare time, I like to read, rug hook, swim, attend the theatre, spend time with family and explore small towns in Ontario searching for antiques and vintage collectibles.
From a very early age, I felt a special bond with animals, and I wanted to be a veterinarian since I was 5 years old. When I was a child I was only allowed to have very small pets of my own such as hamsters and goldfish. So I took every opportunity to look after other people's pets, either through pet sitting or volunteering.
I attended the University of Guelph for a Bachelor of Science in 1994, and then I got into the Ontario Veterinary College in 1998. My first job out of vet school was in Oakville, shortly after which I moved to Toronto to work in a different small animal practice in North York. I was there until 2010 when I decided to open my own practice. I have had a lifelong fascination for medicine and science, and I also enjoy working with people and forging relationships. I love always learning new things, and with this job, it happens all the time. I wanted to make a living in a career that challenges and inspires me, and now actually being a vet allows me to do that every day.
I have always felt driven to help animals, to provide them with comfort and safety. Not only that, I love helping owners understand their pets better and guiding them on giving the best care possible. I thoroughly enjoy developing a relationship with my clients. I love getting to know them beyond their pets as with each visit I get to learn more about their families, their jobs, and their lives.
Currently, my husband and I live and thrive in Etobicoke, and what we love to do most is play golf. I have a high-energy border collie mix named Alex that keeps me out running and walking. Some day I would love to have a country property where I can have multiple pets around. I enjoy physical fitness and outdoor activities such as cycling. My dream is to travel more and soon I hope to get to Europe. I am a member of the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association, the Village of Islington Business Association, and an avid supporter of the Farley Foundation.
Given that my first word was "Zack", the name of our family dog, I seemed destined for a career working with animals. Born in British Columbia, I moved to Ontario at the age of 7 and grew up in Toronto's east end. I did an undergraduate degree at McGill University with a double major in biology and geology, and completed a master's degree at Queen's University in reproductive endocrinology.
During my studies, I volunteered at several animal shelters and veterinary clinics, and as a master's student, I worked closely with the university veterinarian. It was through these experiences that I realized that veterinary medicine was the career path I wanted to follow.
While studying at the Ontario Veterinary College, I spent time in Africa working with the local veterinarians, I did an externship at the San Diego Zoo, and I did rotations in my final year in both large and small animal medicine. It was small animal medicine, however, that afforded the greatest opportunity to forge strong and rewarding relationships with both animals and people over the long term. I never had any intention of doing a specialization because I love the variety that general practice has to offer, though I'm particularly fond of internal medicine and soft tissue surgery. I graduated in 2009, and there's still nothing I'd rather be doing with my life.
In my spare time, I love cycling, reading, board games, playing the piano, and spending time with my family. I currently live in southern Etobicoke with my husband Alex, my daughter Natalie, my son Oscar, and my three amazing kitties, Rufus, Ayla, and Lemon.
Dr. Brown has been a part of the Islington Village Animal Hospital team since May of 2022. She is a very busy professional who has yet to submit her bio to management, so until then we have written one for her. Stay tuned for her own personal version, but in the meantime, here is a little bit about her:
Dr. Brown did not have the traditional path to becoming a veterinarian. She started her professional life by earning a Ph.D. at the University of Toronto and spent many years there in the study of neuroscience and behavioral brain research. It was during this time that she discovered a calling to work with four-legged creatures. So instead of pursuing a career in human research, she devoted herself to pursuing new studies in animal care and gaining the experience and qualifications required to apply to veterinary school. Her love of animals paid off, and she graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College, class of 2020.
Dr. Brown initially grew up in Britain, and eventually moved to Canada with her family in her adolescent years. She has a beautiful rescue cat named Blue, and in her spare time likes to spend time with her family, and travel to interesting places. Dr. Brown is extremely positive about everything she does, and has a massive enthusiasm for veterinary medicine and the patients in her care. Anyone that gets to know her quickly realizes that she has zest for life, and a sense of humor that gets her through the day.
We look forward to her spending her veterinary years at our hospital. And she is looking forward to meeting you and your beloved pets!