Our Staff
Our Veterinarians
Dr. Schild has co-owned Kennedy Heights Animal & Bird Hospital since 1992. She takes pride in owning a practice that focuses on high-quality patient care, up-to-date medicine and techniques, and developing bonds with our clients. At the heart of the practice is her belief that pets should be treated as members of the family, with dignity and compassion, through all stages of their lives. Teasingly referred to as the “Energizer Bunny” by her staff for her endless vivacity and enthusiasm, Dr. Schild is a constant source of drive in the practice. She enjoys working in a small animal practice that gives her the opportunity to care for a wide variety of animals, including exotic species and birds. She embraces all areas of her job, from educating a client with a new puppy to preventive medicine, to diagnostics and treatment. Her interest in oncology has also allowed the clinic to treat many more cancer patients in the last few years. She shares her home with her husband, Rob, daughters, Mary Elisabeth and Katherine, and their absolutely adorable bunny, Fudge. In her spare time, Dr. Schild enjoys skiing, reading, and spending time with her family. The challenge of making her practice all that it can be keeps our energizer bunny going, and her team is always excited to see what she has planned for the practice next!
Dr. Michelle has been a familiar face at Kennedy Heights for many years. Originally a member of our team from 1994-1998, she returned to our team in June 2009 on a full-time basis. She graduated as a veterinarian from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1993 and she has worked in small animal practices in the Lower Mainland. She loves seeing her feline and canine patients, but she also has a passion for birds and exotics such as reptiles and pocket pets. The diversity of the patients visiting her every day is one of the parts of her career that she loves the most. She also sees the importance of preventative health care and nutrition in making sure our patients have the optimal health and happiness in their lives. When not at work, Dr. Michelle is kept busy enjoying her rescued cat and her two horses. She also enjoys hiking, skiing and reading.
The doctors and staff recently welcomed
Dr. Yuri Yoon to the team at Kennedy Heights Animal & Bird Hospital. Dr. Yoon graduated from Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, in 2009. Not only does she enjoy looking after dogs and cats, but she also has an avid interest in our pocket pets and feathered friends. Her other interests in the veterinary field include dentistry, internal medicine and dermatology. She shares her home with her two adorable kitties, Julia and Bella. In her down time, Dr. Yuri enjoys fishing, cooking, gardening and playing with her kitties.
Receptionists/Veterinary Care Coordinators
Joanna has been at Kennedy Heights since 1994, and knows many of our clients and patients like they are her own family. Joanna has used her warmth and compassion to be there for many of our patients from babyhood through to the golden years. As a full time receptionist Joanna keeps the busy practice running smoothly, always taking that extra time to give our patients and their owners that little bit of extra TLC. Outside of work Joanna is kept busy taking care of her “babies”. She shares her home with her dog Taz and her kitties Miss Lily, Nala, and Miss Dixie. Joanna also raised three gorgeous border collies from puppy hood through to a ripe old age, and will always talk “border collie talk” with anybody who shares the passion. (Watch out if you come in with a border collie! It may fall madly in love with Joanna and never want to leave!) Her husband Marvin may as well be an honorary employee, and many of our clients have met him without even realizing it… as Santa’s “understudy” at our annual Santa photos every December. Joanna is a constant source of comfort for our patients and clients, and a vital part of the heart of our hospital.
Sharon has been a receptionist at Kennedy Heights since 2001. She has been part of our family even longer than that as a client. Her smile and calm manner can soothe the craziest situations, and her energy and humour can liven up the quietest room. In her spare time Sharon enjoys relaxing at home with her partner Denise and their growing brood of four legged fuzzies. She and Denise share their home with a mastiff cross, Dara, their cats Puff, Mouse, Dakota, Chipotle (Chip), and Camille, and their newest edition, a doberman named Lucian. (Want to see Sharon’s eyes light up? Just get “talking rat”.) What Sharon loves most about her time at Kennedy Heights is educating people about healthcare for their pets and helping animals to feel better in stressful situations. She has such a knack for soothing anxious patients that she is jokingly called the “whisperer” for a few of them!
One of our part time receptionists,
Laura is always there to help when the practice is at its busiest. Anyone who has met her knows how contagious her energy and smile can be! She has a bachelors degree in zoology and works full time as a pharmacological rep with Vetoquinol, while still finding time to be part of our team. She shares her home with her husband Brad, one soft wheaton terrier, Quinn, and two gorgeous umbrella cockatoos, Pheobe and Rocky. Her passion for birds has allowed her to gain quite a knowledge about them through courses and personal experience, and we always encourage people to ask our “Bird Lady” any questions they may have about caring for their feathered friends. In her spare time (which we’re amazed that she has any!!), she enjoys motorcycles, scuba diving, and charitable work for the Canadian Animal Assistance Team. She has traveled with CAAT on spay/neuter projects and sits on their board of directors. Laura enjoys learning something new and meeting somebody new every time she comes to work, so we hope you get to see her smiling face the next time you come through our door.
Sarah joined the Kennedy Heights team in June of 2008 as a kennel assistant/student. She graduated from LA Matheson Secondary School in 2009. At school she enjoyed earth science, history, and art. She and her family share their home with one yorkshire terrier, T, and one cat, Cali. In her spare time Sarah enjoys playing electric and acoustic guitar, and drawing. She is also an accomplished blue belt in karate. Sarah has loved working in the friendly environment here at Kennedy Heights and her smile and positive attitude are a huge asset to the hospital. Sarah is now one of our newest Receptionists-in-training and she is doing a great job!
Stefanie has been on of the friendly smiling faces to greet you in our reception area since September of 2008. She is one of our hard working Veterinary Care Coordinators. Her day is a busy one, spent communicating with our clients, coordinating our patient visits, dispensing medications, assisting in appointments, seeing to our patients' comfort and security, and helping our veterinarians and animal health technologists in the treatment of hospitalized pets. Her Bachelor of Science in Biology told us that she had an interest in animals, but her passion for the well being of our patients has been a vital addition to our team. Although she loves the variety of her position, and gives every patient her undivided attention, the favourite parts of her job are getting to interact with every pet and owner who comes to our hospital and to be able to be a part of every part of their visit-from greeting them at the door, to helping treat the patient, and discussing home care at the end of the appointment. She shares her home with her husband, her Doberman, Ocean, her rescued birds, and two cats. She enjoys scuba diving, rock climbing, hiking, soccer, and most important to her friends here, she is an amazing baker!! Yum!
Exam Room Assistants
Julia joined the practice in June 2005 after graduating from Stenberg College’s Veterinary Assistant program. Since joining KHABH she has developed and refined the position of Exam Room Assistant and she is a vital asset in our daily appointments. She greets clients and their pets, gains some patient history and other details, and then joins the doctor during the physical exam and consultation. She then continues to work with the client after the doctor has left. Her knowledge in puppy and kitten care, parasite control, nutrition, behavior, and many other areas make her an invaluable source of information and support for our clients. She enjoys working closely with the veterinarian during the day and getting to interact with both the clients and their pets. She is able to be part of a patient’s initial exam, help admit patients into the hospital, be a part of its nursing care and therapy, and then help send it home at the end of its stay. In her spare time Julia enjoys hiking with her dogs, yoga, pilates, and ballroom dancing. She also enjoys being a part of animal rescue societies and nature organizations like Tynehead Fish Hatchery. She shares her home with her husband Jared, her dog, Louie, her cats Midge, Darla, and Phelix, and her frogs and fish. Julia and Jared were thrilled with the birth of their new edition, a baby girl named Clara, in September 2010.
Jenn joined Kennedy Heights Animal and Bird Hospital in July 2006. She had worked in small animal veterinary practices for several years after graduating from West Coast College's Veterinary Assistant Program in 2002. Since joining our team, she has helped to develop and refine the position of exam room assistant. Her day consists of bringing clients and patients in for their appointment, gathering important information about that pet's health and lifestyle and any concerns that the owner may have. She then assists the doctor during the appointment. After the veterinarian has completed their portion of the visit, Jenn continues by going through any homecare or medications, and also any relevant behavioural or training issues. Jenn also assists our veterinarians and animal health technologists with in-hospital patient care. If Jenn were to pick a few favourite parts of her day, they would have to be working closely with the clients and patients, encouraging and enjoying the human-animal bond, and also being able to learn new things every time she comes to work. Jenn, her husband Kevin, and their little girl Molly, share a home with their cats, Martha, Muse, and Baily, and their rabbit, Lily. Jenn enjoys gardening and playing guitar in her time off, but most of all spending time being a mom to her little girl.
Animal Health Technologists
Lindsay started with the practice in 1998, shortly after graduating high school. She worked for several years as a receptionist and assistant. In 2003 she left to go to school and graduated in 2005 from Thompson Rivers University as an Animal Health Technologist. Although she loves the challenge of emergencies and a busy day, there is nothing more rewarding for Lindsay than a few quiet minutes cuddling with a patient in the hospital. She has a passion for learning new skills, especially in the areas of anesthesia and dentistry. She is also on the executive board for the Animal Health Technologists Association of B.C. She loves the staff she works with. She can’t think of a group that she would rather have as her second family. Lindsay shares her home with her husband Steve, and their energetic daughter, Emma, a lovely border collie cross, Barkley, and two kitties, E.D. and Burgy. In her spare time she loves to go on doggie hikes, bike ride, read, camp, have family get-togethers, and most of all, just be a mom.
Jessica has been with our practice since 2001. She joined us shortly after graduating as an Animal Health Technologist from University College of the Cariboo. She has always added energy and enthusiasm to our team, and is a passionate advocate for her patients. You'll see Jessica at both Kennedy Heights and our sister practice, Lifetime Pet Care Practice. Jessica's love for her career is obvious in her smile and caring way with the animals. She loves dentistry, nursing care, and emergency medicine. Her skills in emergency medicine are put to good use as one of the AHTs at the Animal Emergency Clinic of the Fraser Valley in Langley. Jessica devotes her time outside of work caring for her family. This includes her husband Brennan, daughter Kaede, son Mason, dogs Dizzy and Dingo, and kitty Dumpling. She loves spending time on the beach and finding all sorts of ways to have fun with her family.
Julie joined Kennedy Heights in February 2009 as one of our full-time Registered Animal Health Technologists. She graduated from Thompson Rivers University in 2006 as an AHT and she has enjoyed working in small animal practices since. Her days at Kennedy Heights are busy and full of variety, performing anesthetics, and helping in surgery, taking radiographs, administering chemotherapy, performing diagnostic labwork and caring for our patients' teeth with dental cleanings, among her many other duties. She enjoys working closely with the animals and providing the highest quality nursing care, which she does in a calm and comforting way, often taking time to make sure our patients get that bit of extra time with her to feel more at ease. She really enjoys seeing our patients right from kitty hood and puppy hood and watching them grow up happy and healthy. In her spare time, she loves to spend time with her boyfriend, Mike, and her cat, Rags. If you every want a laugh, ask her about Rags' tricks for treats and his ability to find food anywhere, anytime! She works hard renovating her new apartment, and enjoys hiking and reading. She has been an energetic and indispensable addition to our team, and we couldn't imagine the hospital without her!
Groomer
Tammy has been at Kennedy Heights for nine years now, and her amazing skills are always in demand. People are always amazed at how beautiful their dogs and cats look after they have spent the day with Tammy. She started in 1989 as a veterinary assistant at South Surrey Animal Hospital, which gave her the skills to sooth animals under stress in an unfamiliar environment. Then in 1993 she graduated from Sunny Slope Grooming School and started her own company, A Loving Touch Grooming. In her time off Tammy has kept busy taking care of all of her animals, which includes her dogs, Emma, Penny, two cats, Levi and Gimpy, twelve llamas, her twenty six year old mare, Madison, and goats, chickens and ducks. What Tammy loves most about her career is working slowly and patiently with a nervous animal until they come around and really enjoy their grooming. She also loves grooming geriatric pets, which require just that little bit of extra TLC.
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