About us
Our Team
Ours is a team of experienced professionals — all of whom have had the privilege and pleasure of working successfully together, in some cases for several years and in some cases for decades.
Each of us at SOVH (Southeast Oakville Veterinary Hospital) 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 we care deeply about how and with whom we do it. That’s why we’ve come together to create a new, 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
Derek was born, raised, and schooled in Oakville. From age 5 into adulthood, he played on local hockey and soccer teams, including at the rep level. It was also here that he developed an affinity for animals along with a fascination with science and medicine.
So when the time came to choosing a career, his path was clear – veterinary medicine would include the best of both worlds. Derek spent the last few years honing his craft in Vancouver, B.C., both in a small animal general practice and in an emergency center before coming home to Oakville.
Why SOVH? “The chance to build something special from the ground up and work with this team to deliver an exceptional experience for pets and their people – in my home community no less. It doesn’t get more exciting than that!” DP
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Veterinary Training
Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph (2019); Bachelor of Science (U of G); Fear Free® certified
Special Interests
Internal Medicine (the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of internal diseases); building lasting connections with people and their pets.
Passions
Balancing a professional and a personal life: making SOVH the best it can be for all involved; and spending time with family and friends, exploring the world and its histories and cultures…oh, and sports, of course!
Superpowers
Derek embodies “works well with others.” A seasoned team player, he understands that collaboration – drawing on each other’s strengths and knowledge – is key to delivering the best medicine. He also radiates grace under pressure and brings a calm, level-headed approach to his work.
What makes him tick?
Derek is geared towards continuous learning and improvement. Are we doing it right? Is there a better way? Can we take it to the next level? If so, he’s on it. Personal and professional growth are top of his mind.
Cat person or dog person?
Derek grew up in a lively household of Cairn and Border terriers and enjoys their plucky personalities – little independent thinkers, game for anything, and loyal family
members. There was a time Derek would have considered himself a dog person. No question.
That all changed when he fostered kittens a few years back and later adopted Leila, a lovely one-eyed feline full of personality from the Soi Dog Foundation in Phuket, Thailand. (Yes, a cat from a dog foundation!) Cat or dog person? Let’s call it a tie.
Dr. Lilla Yan
Animal biology & the internal workings of living beings fascinated Lilla from early childhood. By middle school she was already feeling the call to medicine. And for someone who’s capability and interests appear to have no bounds, it’s not surprising that she wouldn’t end up limiting herself to one species or one area of medicine.
Lilla’s early career saw her working with exotic species before cats and dogs became her focus. She’s worked in Kingston and the GTA in general practice and emergency referral centres. Lilla has a keen interest in evolving technologies and has pursued specialized training in laparoscopic surgery and ultrasonography (abdominal and cardiac). She’s been at the forefront of establishing both invaluable services at SOVH.
Why SOVH? “I’ve worked with this talented team for the last 10 years. They’re really my second family, and I’m thrilled to join them at SOVH. We have a shared record of supporting each other to deliver the highest standards of veterinary medicine. I look forward to continuing to do that together in a brand-new facility designed to optimize patient care.” LY
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Veterinary Training
Ontario Veterinary College (2010); laparoscopic surgery (Center for the Advancement of Rigid Laparoscopy; Denver, Colorado); abdominal and cardiac ultrasonography; Fear Free® certified
Special Interests
Minimally invasive surgery, emergency medicine, ultrasonography
Passions
Helping people and their pets in any way she can, brings Lilla joy; at home, joy comes from her role as chef and bus driver to her kids and watching them grow and thrive.
Superpowers
A skilled and adaptable surgeon who embraces the latest techniques and tools (e.g., laparoscopy) to achieve the best possible outcomes; Lilla’s gifts as a quick-thinking multi-tasker also shine in emergency medicine.
What makes her tick?
Lilla thrives on the fast-paced demands of emergency medicine and critical care as well as the more complex challenges of internal medicine in general practice. She finds making a difference in a moment of crisis and turning sickness into health an especially rewarding part of her day.
Cat person or dog person?
Lilla grew up with cats; Sia, a chatty and sociable Siamese cross, was a particular standout. Then came Rusty, a golden retriever cross with a distinguished, gentle manner and a complicated medical history. Following in his paws, came his polar opposite – Goldendoodle Milo, all mischief and mayhem. Lilla hasn’t a favorite in the cat and dog contest. Every animal brings unique challenges and pleasures to her working day.
Dr. Iz Jakubowski
Iz would be the first to say you’re never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream, having set her sights on a career in veterinary medicine after a successful stint as a writer and editor in the software industry. Best. Decision. Ever.
Long- fascinated by science and medicine and drawn to animals of all descriptions, vet med would prove the life-affirming and intellectually rewarding next act Iz was looking for. Iz (and her patients!) have thrived in general veterinary practice in the GTA, Kingston, and the Blue Mountains. And now, a new goal and a new dream: Taking patient care to the next level with a team that knows just how to do it.
Why SOVH? “SOVH is the whole package: a medical team whose values and goals align to bring the best of veterinary medicine to patient care; a forward–thinking, supportive management team with a proven track record of blending the best of business and medical practices; and a beautiful, roomy, modern facility designed to allow us to do our best work.” IJ
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Veterinary Training
Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, P.E.I. (2008); ultrasonography (SCIL Animal Care); Fear Free® certified
Special Interests
Internal Medicine (the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of internal diseases); preventive care, quality of life issues (including pain management), and client education
Passions
Advancing her knowledge and expertise and fostering collaboration and communication with a view to bringing our best selves to the people and pets in our care; equal parts explorer and adventurer, Iz’s happy place outside of work is out enjoying nature and wildlife as well as customs and cultures both close to home and around the world.
Superpowers
Iz’s commitment to our team and the people and pets in our care runs deep. We see it in how she connects (all kindness, compassion, and encouragement) and the distance she’ll go to see that we’re delivering on our promise of patient–centered care.
What makes her tick?
Iz cherishes her role advocating for the health & well–being of her patients and partnering with clients to understand the issues at hand and determine the best course of action for a positive outcome.
Cat person or dog person?
Management Team
Rita Peters, CVPM
Managing Partner
As large corporations continue to buy up veterinary hospitals, those hospitals are losing their individual and local identities along with their ability to deliver a customized level of care. Under a corporate umbrella, hospitals have limited decision-making capability relating to how a hospital operates. And with a longer chain of command, a lengthy approval process is inevitable. That means a good idea, a course correction, or the adoption of new equipment, technology, or “best practices” can take a long time to implement.
Rita is committed to charting a different course – one that has some of the economic reach of corporate with all the flexibility and sensibility of “independent and locally-owned.” SOVH is, and will remain, a privately-owned veterinary hospital with deep roots in both the local community/economy and the veterinary community at large. Rita and her husband are long-term residents of Oakville and have raised their family here.
Why SOVH? “I was the Hospital Director of a large, successful veterinary hospital in the GTA for 35 years and was poised to purchase that hospital when it was sold instead to a multi-national corporation. Despite the disappointment and challenges that presented, I recognized an opportunity. SOVH is the realization of a new, shared vision: to elevate how veterinary medicine is delivered by providing individualized, modernized care in a beautiful new facility with a group of talented, like-minded, and dedicated team players who truly care about every pet.”
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Business Training
Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) and a graduate of Purdue University’s Veterinary Management Institute; Rita has an extensive background in science and business management; Fear Free® certified
Key Roles
Financial management and strategic planning
Passions
Delivering the very best of what veterinary medicine has to offer at every level: a skilled and compassionate team focussed on patient–centered care along with the latest technology and best practices; downtime finds Rita following soccer and hockey (an avid fan) and traveling the world.
Superpowers
Our resident visionary with the wisdom of decades of experience in this field, an eye ever focused on the future, and a gift for creating a safe space that nurtures accountability, creativity, and excellence.
What makes her tick?
Keeping her ear to the ground and doing a deep dive (conferences, podcasts, management boards, trade journals & so on) into the latest trends and who’s setting (and bucking) them and setting many herself. Rita is an idea person with an eye on the big picture and a drive to stay ahead of the curve, always with a view to optimizing patient care.
Cat person or dog person?
Both species have had a paw hold in Rita’s household and heart at one time or another. Where dogs are concerned, Rita is a dyed–in–the–wool terrier fan. And you can’t have just one. Border Terrier, Razzle, and Cairn Terrier, Tiggy, are always at her side – or in someone’s lap at one team meeting or another.
Helen Duncan, CVPM
Hospital Manager
Helen enjoyed a long and rewarding partnership managing a large, successful veterinary practice in the GTA with Rita Peters (now SOVH’s Managing Partner).
With the sale of that hospital to a large corporation, Helen chose to rejoin Rita in a privately-owned practice where she would have the flexibility, opportunity, and authority to build something new and inspiring. She looks forward to delivering on the promise of a “tech forward”, partnership-centred veterinary experience at SOVH.
Why SOVH? “It’s an opportunity of a lifetime to have a hand in building a state-of-the-art hospital from the ground up with a team invested in working together to deliver the high-end level of care to which this team aspires.” HD
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Business Training
Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) and a graduate of Purdue University’s Veterinary Management Institute; Fear Free® certified
Key Roles
Client relations, the gamut of Human Resource responsibilities (hiring, training, workplace safety & so on), day-to-day operations, accounting, evaluation of practice performance, equipment procurement, and facility maintenance… to name a few.
Passions
Helen is a roll-up-your-sleeves team member passionate about getting all of it right: client service, patient care, the technology and tools we use, and the work culture that allows us to be our best. Away from work, she can be found enjoying time with her family or recharging her batteries on an adventure in some distant land.
Superpowers
SOVH’s goodwill ambassador has a particular talent for networking with industry providers and experts and building strong and lasting relationships with clients and colleagues alike. She’s a true “people person” who gives each individual the respect, kindness, and empathy we all deserve.
What makes her tick?
So many things! Helen is a deeply caring person who loves to help people and their pets. Making a positive difference in their lives is intrinsically rewarding to her. She also loves to learn and be challenged, and there’s no end of opportunity for that in veterinary medicine.
Cat person or dog person?
Helen loves cats. She had a tabby named Turbo who exuded calm, would come when called and would purr up a storm while warming your lap. Best. Cat. Ever. When it comes to dogs, she loves them all! Kenan, a handsome, gentle Rhodesian Ridgeback paved the way for current canine, Indy, a Standard Poodle.
Veterinary Technicians
Dannielle Gauci, rvt
You know those people who knew what they wanted to do for a living from the age of 5? Dannielle is one of those. That she would work with animals was never a question. She’s volunteered at the Toronto Wildlife Centre, done community outreach for a private zoo, and worked in general practice (cats, dogs, and exotics). She brings an abundance of heart and tech savvy to SOVH and is known for thinking both on her feet and outside the box.
Why SOVH? “I love working with a dynamic group that’s quick to adopt the latest best practises and medical technology. This is a tech-forward place in every way.” DG
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Vet tech training:
Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT), Seneca College, 2011; with a later stint at Northern College in animal rehab programs; Fear Free® Elite certified
Special interests:
Emergency medicine, surgery and anesthesia, aging pets, and patient comfort
Passions:
At work? Treating every pet as if it were her own. Every. Single. One. At play? Family, friends, team sports, and the next big adventure. Mud runs. Sky diving. Scuba diving. She’s up for it all.
Superpowers:
Unbridled enthusiasm and can-do spirit
What makes her tick?
The adrenaline rush of taking up a challenge. Bring it!
Cat or dog person?
More of an ‘all creatures great and small’ person. She can’t remember a time she didn’t have more than one species sharing her home. She’s also worked with exotics, wildlife, and domestic pets along the way. Her current brood includes Hudson, a shy mixed breed rescue from Taiwan (he trusts her implicitly), her Jardine’s parrot, Fritz, and 5 crested geckos.
Maureen Haunts, AHT
There was never any question that Maureen’s life’s work would involve animals. Her family jokes that she could bark before she could speak. As a vet tech, she honed her skills in emergency and specialty clinics and general practice. At SOVH, Maureen draws on her extensive medical and client care knowledge to deliver an unparalleled veterinary experience.
Why SOVH? “As I’ve watched this industry evolve, I firmly believe that a well-designed, modern, privately owned practice with a seasoned management and veterinary team is best positioned to offer the best medicine.” MH
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Vet tech training:
Animal Health Technician (AHT), Centralia College of Agricultural Technology, 1980’s; Fear Free® Elite certified
Special interests:
Client education, long-term and palliative care, geriatric and end-of-life counseling, community outreach
Passions:
Loves to teach! Also an avid reader and gardener.
Superpower:
A consummate caregiver who’s always checking in and helping out
What makes her tick?
Lives to share her considerable knowledge and wisdom with her peers and loves helping clients make informed decisions
Cat or dog person?
Maureen’s menagerie has included cats, birds, rabbits, ponies, cows, and land turtles at one time or another. But Labrador Retrievers have remained the family’s go-to pet. Current lab in residence is the irrepressible, Tec, a constant source of mischief and mayhem and unconditional love.
Liz James, RVT
A start volunteering at Etobicoke’s Humane Society led to a stint working in animal care at Sheridan College which led to a look-see into the world of a vet-tech…and with that, Liz was hooked! While Liz is always watching, listening, questioning, and upping her technical game at SOVH, she’s equally committed to ensuring the comfort and wellbeing of clients and patients in her care.
Why SOVH? “A chance to be part of a cohesive, hard-working, dedicated team that shares the goal of treating clients and patients with the kindness and compassion they deserve? I’m in!” LCJ
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Vet tech training:
Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT), Sheridan College, 2018; Fear Free® Elite certified
Special interests:
Surgery and anesthesia, dentistry, in-house lab work
Passions:
Bringing her A-game to client and patient care; an avid video gamer and foodie with a penchant for cheese, potatoes, and any combo thereof…nom, nom, nom
Superpowers:
Unfaltering deepfelt compassion and quick-witted humour that keeps us in stitches and lightens the load when the going gets tough
What makes her tick?
An insatiable curiosity and drive to learn new things
Cat or dog person?
Liz’s first pet was a black lab named Cole. Cole stole her heart the way labs do, and for the longest time, Liz considered herself a dog person. Then along came her black cat Noire, and she’d now have to say she’s an equal opportunity cat and dog person. They’re both great in their own right. Any colour. Any breed.
Shaniqua Lowe, VT
Shaniqua was fascinated with the animal kingdom from early childhood. She can’t remember a time when she didn’t want to care for animals. It’s a calling, really, and veterinary care suits her perfectly. Shaniqua thrives on the busy demands of veterinary practice and rises to every challenge with skill and determination. At the forefront of everything she does is to deliver an exceptional level of service and care.
Why SOVH? “It’s a priority for me to be working in a cohesive and collaborative environment with like-minded people who care as deeply about each other as they do the health and well-being of those in our care.” SAL
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Vet tech training:
Veterinary Technician (VT), Sheridan College, 2012; Fear Free® Elite certified
Special interests:
Emergency medicine, surgery and anesthesia, dentistry
Passions:
At work, people and their pets make Shaniqua’s day; on the home front, her amazing kids are her world; banana bread and soccer keep her pretty happy too!
Superpowers:
Unwavering optimism and seeming boundless empathy
What makes her tick?
Making sure clients are as well looked after as the critters in her care.
Cat or dog person?
Tough one. Wren (part husky, part howler monkey) is her right-hand pup. Loves that girl. But will also jump at the chance to hand raise orphaned kittens. And adopt them. Wren shares Mom’s affections with cats Twix, Mars, and Reese. Yes, it’s a busy household!
Alyssa Cope, RVT
Alyssa was introduced to veterinary medicine volunteering at her local vet clinic as a young teen and later working as a receptionist in the GTA. That’s where she discovered her true calling and went back to school to become a registered veterinary technician (RVT). While working as an RVT in general practice, Alyssa also volunteered with humane society-sponsored spay/neuter clinics in the Bahamas. She brings all that experience and skill to deliver exemplary client and patient care at SOVH.
Why SOVH? “So many reasons! But a big one is the highly collaborative culture at SOVH. Shared ideas, knowledge, and skills make for much better medicine and client/patient relationships, not to mention a great working environment.” AC
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Vet tech training:
Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT), Seneca College, 2011; Fear Free® Elite certified
Special interests:
Client support and relationship building, nurturing the human-animal bond, pain management, radiology
Passions:
Whether at work or play, Alyssa always has her sights on gaining new knowledge and developing new skills; where might you find her during her downtime? Anywhere there might be horses.
Superpowers:
A true empath who can put herself in someone else’s shoes and go the distance with them with both emotional and practical support.
What makes her tick?
A special ability to calm and reassure even the most anxious client
Cat or dog person?
When it comes to sharing digs with dogs, Alyssa’s more ‘aunt’ than ‘mom’ material – loves loving them up – then sending them back home. Where cats are concerned, she’s a “foster failure” – in a good way! She fostered Ivy, Lana, & Nyx and decided they were keepers. She loves her free-spirited felines and would give anything to be able to nap like them.
Cheryl Marshall, VT
Cheryl’s parents saw where her life was headed with their 5-year-old’s first pet (a guinea pig), her first favourite book (a dog atlas), and posters of dogs filling her bedroom while other teens favoured boy bands. Her journey from animal care attendant to veterinary assistant, receptionist, then technician (in private practise & her mobile tech business) was a foregone conclusion – no question that her life’s work would involve animals. At SOVH, Cheryl brings an impressive breadth of experience and skill, a no-nonsense, practical, can-do spirit, and endless heart for pets and people alike.
Why SOVH? “As a 20-year veteran of private practise with a recent stint in corporate veterinary medicine, I’m very happy to be back where I belong – practising the best of individualized care with former colleagues who know just how to deliver it.” CM
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Vet tech training:
Decades of on-the-job training along with the AAHA-approved Distance Education Veterinary Technology Program (DEVTP) and other formal continuing education coursework. Fear Free® certified
Special interests:
While Cheryl enjoys the technical aspects of ‘teching’, she’s all about the feels and loves the animal behaviour side of our work.
Passions:
Cheryl’s love for and dedication to animals runs deep. She works with them, lives with them, and fosters them. Many-a dog and neonatal kitten have been benefactors of Cheryl’s care. She also provides guidance and health support to other fosters working with Forever in Foster (FIF) program offered by Speaking of Dogs Rescue.
Superpowers:
A cat/dog whisperer with a special gift for working with the most anxious or testy of patients.
What makes her tick?
Helping companion animals live their best lives.
Cat or dog person?
An “all creatures” person. While you’ll never find Cheryl without a dog (any breed, large or small), cats are beloved too (she has three). In truth, her fondness for critters knows no bounds (her household includes a parrot and a fish).
Stephanie Yurek, RVT
Growing up with a variety of critters, it’s no surprise that young Stephanie took up her cousin’s invitation to tour his vet school and spend summers shadowing him in clinic. She went on to get formal training as a tech and on-the-job training with the gang she works with today. She was the little sister pup nipping at their heels soaking up every bit of knowledge and skill they had to share. She’s a composite of qualities we cherish in the rest of our techs. But also her own person. When she officially graduated, she hit the ground running with a number of tricks and talents of her own.
Why SOVH? “It’s an amazing opportunity to work alongside and learn from experienced and compassionate people. A place where people and patient care are the top priority is a place I want to be.” SLY
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Vet tech training:
Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT), Seneca College, 2022; Fear Free® certified
Special interests:
Having spent time looking through microscopes as a kid, it’s no surprise that Stephanie enjoys working in our lab. But she’s equally at home in surgery and has an interest in animal behaviour and fear free practices.
Passions:
Steph’s enthusiasm for helping people help their pets knows no bounds. Down time finds her relaxing with friends, family, and creature comforts (her kitty Barb and dog Phoebe) or exercising her creative side with arts and crafts.
Superpowers:
Shakespeare’s “though she be but little, she be fierce” aptly describes our pint-sized tech who holds her own with the best of them. Small but mighty. A quick study, quick witted, and detail-oriented, Steph punches above her weight (in a good way!).
What makes her tick?
Steph is all-in when it comes to any opportunity to learn something new to better care for people and their pets.
Cat or dog person?
You know that song “Barbara Streisand” by Duck Sauce? Music-loving Steph sings it to soothe her spicey kitty Barb when she’s in for a workup. Works like charm. How Steph treats her own cat (finding just the thing to relieve stress) is how she’ll treat yours. The same goes for your dog. We have her beloved Bernadoodle, Phoebe, to thank for that.
Kayleigh Kuindersma
Despite graduating with a degree in Chemical Engineering from U of Waterloo, Kayleigh found her true chemistry with the veterinary, not the manufacturing industry. A year spent volunteering at the Toronto Cat Rescue led to a year in the Animal Care Program at Sheridan College learning how to assist veterinary teams. Then, on to Family Pet Services (a boarding/country club for dogs) in Campbelleville, where she had her first introduction to Fear Free® practices. (Like the rest of us, Kayleigh is Fear Free® certified.)
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Veterinary Assistants
Samantha Sula
For all the time Sam’s spent on the water, one might be surprised that she decided to pursue a career on land. After all, she spent 9 years as a competitive kayaker on the national & international scenes, ultimately representing Team Canada at the Junior Worlds in South Africa and Romania in 2017. But Sam’s had her sights set on becoming a veterinarian for as long as she can remember. And when she didn’t have a paddle in hand, she worked towards that goal, volunteering at veterinary hospitals, working on a dairy farm, and getting her degree in Animal Biology from the University of Guelph. Having completed her first year of veterinary medicine at the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC), the finish line is now well in sight.
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Emily Telizyn
Caregiving is a calling, and Emily answered the call when she chose her high school co-op placement with a vet hospital in Burlington. Inspired to build on that experience, she completed Sheridan’s Animal Care program and did her placement with a vet emergency and referral hospital in Oakville. Thinking about becoming a vet tech someday, Emily joined SOVH to learn from some of the best techs in the industry in a hospital that shares her values & practises what it preaches (putting pets and people first). Her three kitties Scrappy, Booboo, and Milo and her bichon-poodle Coco approve!