Our Vet Team in Oakville, ON
Each of us at SOVH brings a skill set that’s both unique and complementary. All of us share the goal of elevating how veterinary medicine is delivered. We love what we do and care very deeply about how and with whom we do it. That’s why we’ve come together to create a state-of-the-art hospital that’s privately owned by long-term residents of Oakville with strong ties to the community and a wealth of experience in the field of veterinary medicine.
Our Veterinarians
Dr. Derek Peters
Medical Director
As our Medical Director, Dr. Peters leads by example and inspires us to live up to SOVH’s values and deliver best medical practices and the highest quality of patient care.
Dr. Lilla Yan
Veterinarian
With a keen interest in advancing the medical and surgical options available to our patients, Dr. Yan has been instrumental in establishing ultrasonography and minimally invasive (laparoscopic) surgery at SOVH.
Dr. Iz Jakubowski
Veterinarian
After a career in the software industry, Dr. Iz Jakubowski switched to veterinary medicine. Now at SOVH, she excels in general practice, aiming to elevate patient care with her team.
Dr. Joanna McPherson
Veterinarian
Dr. McPherson brings considerable experience and skill in emergency and general medicine, along with her empathetic and compassionate approach to every interaction with the people and pets in her care.
Management Team
Rita Peters, CVPM
Managing Partner
With decades of experience, a deep understanding of our industry, a clear vision, and a proven track record of staying ahead of the curve, Rita delivers an environment in which our team thrives and our clients and their pets receive exemplary care.
Helen Duncan, CVPM
Hospital Manager
Helen’s extensive training, years of experience, and personal passion for our line of work guide her leadership of our team to provide exceptional care that puts pets and people first.
Veterinary Technicians
Dannielle Gauci, RVT
Veterinary Technician
Dannielle brings her A-game to everything she does – in surgery, appointments, team huddles, running diagnostics, and carrying out treatment plans. Best practices and patient care are always top-of-mind.
Maureen Haunts, AHT
Veterinary Technician
Maureen draws on decades of hard-earned experience, wisdom, and knowledge in a variety of arenas (emergency, specialty, and general practice) to deliver a superior level of client and patient-centered care.
Liz James, RVT
Veterinary Technician
Liz imbues every interaction with her trademark compassion and positive outlook. She’s also one of our technical whizzes, adept at troubleshooting and ably rising to all manner of technical challenges.
Shaniqua Lowe, VT
Veterinary Technician
Shaniqua helps bring out the best in all of us. She loves (and excels at) her work in surgery, looking after people and their pets, and collaborating with her team.
Alyssa Cope, RVT
Veterinary Technician
A seasoned vet tech who’s worked in Canada and the Bahamas, Alyssa thrives at SOVH where she can apply her well-honed technical and interpersonal skills (empathy being chief among them).
Cheryl Marshall, VT
Veterinary Technician
Cheryl has worn many hats over her decades of service in this field, bringing a wealth of heart and technical skill along with a gift for working with anxious pets.
Stephanie Yurek, RVT
Veterinary Technician
Stephanie’s inquiring mind, attention to detail, along with her drive to support her team and our clients and their pets in any way she can are on display every day.
Kayleigh Kuindersma, RVT
Veterinary Technician
Schooled in engineering before finding her way to veterinary medicine, Kayleigh brings a keen mind, fresh insights, and a commitment to providing an experience that puts pets and people first.
Erika Rasteiro, RVT
Veterinary Technician
A lifelong animal lover who found her calling in the vital role veterinary technicians play, Erika brings fresh credentials, a warm and caring presence, and a deep commitment to making every patient and their owner feel truly looked after.
Veterinary Care Coordinator
Adrienne Dunko
Veterinary Care Coordinator
A lifelong animal lover and rescuer of everything from baby raccoons to abandoned farm geese, Adrienne found her passion for veterinary medicine through a high school co-op placement and never looked back. Her warmth, genuine love of people and their pets, and gift for making every client feel welcome and at ease make her an irreplaceable part of the SOVH experience.
Veterinary Assistants
Emily Telizyn
Veterinary Assistant
Emily provides invaluable support to our team, assisting with care-taking of our patients (feeding, exercising, bathing, holding for procedures) and ensuring that we’re working in a well-stocked, uncluttered, clean environment.
Sophie Ha
Veterinary Assistant
A University of Guelph graduate whose love of animal biology led her to trade human kinetics for veterinary medicine, Sophie brings years of hands-on experience, a hunger to keep learning, and a whole lot of heart to the SOVH team.