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Meet the friendly team at Chicopee Hills Animal Hospital!
  • Dr. Chen
    Dr. Shirley Chen
    Veterinarian, DVM

    I always knew growing up that I wanted to be a veterinarian; I love animals and science, and often got in trouble for trying to rescue wildlife in distress. My parents were not happy when I cut open the dryer-vent to rescue orphaned baby birds.

    I went to the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) from 2007-2011. During this time I worked as a kennel
    attendant at Chicopee Hills Animal Hospital. After graduation, I went back home to Toronto and practiced at a small animal clinic for 4.5 years.

    I moved to Kitchener in 2015 and came back to work for Chicopee Hills Animal Hospital as a veterinarian. I was
    glad to be back with the clinic I worked at as a student and to find all the wonderful veterinarians and staff still here.

    Early 2023 I bought Chicopee Hills from Drs. Croft and Cowper. I appreciate the opportunity to continue serving the Chicopee Hills community through high quality veterinary care for our patients.

    My interests are in dentistry, preventative medicine and geriatric care. Senior cats are my favourite as I have two 16 year old kitties myself.

    In my off hours I enjoy spending time with my husband and two young sons.  We like to be outdoors camping, biking and swimming. I also enjoy growing giant dahlias and adding to my over-crowded collection of fruit trees.


  • Dr. Croft
    Dr. Deanne Croft
    Veterinarian, DVM

    It’s an interesting exercise to reflect back on a career that has spanned 32 years. I graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1986 and Dr. Ellie and I opened Chicopee Hills Animal Hospital in February 1997. I have come to realize that being a general practitioner and practice owner fulfils 2 different but important roles: it satisfies my enjoyment of puzzles and problem solving and it thwarts any risk of boredom as no 2 days are ever the same!

    As the landscape of veterinary practice changes, as well as our societal understanding of science and facts, it can be challenging to communicate our recommendations effectively and clearly. However, that is my ongoing commitment to our clients and our patients. It is reflected in our mission and goals and is at the heart of what we do every day.

    Lastly, I can say without hesitation that after all these years, it is the daily diet of tail wags, purring cuddles as well as the hugs, tears and laughter shared with clients that makes this the best profession in the world.


  • Dr. Cowper
    Dr. Ellie Cowper
    Veterinarian, DVM

    I grew up knowing from the age of seven that I wanted to become a veterinarian. I have been thrilled with the opportunities it has offered. I love the relationships between pets and their families, the challenges of medicine and surgery, and the satisfaction of making a difference.

    Dr Croft and I founded Chicopee Hills Animal Hospital in 1997, and we have been happy to offer high quality, personal veterinary care since then.

    I share my home with my husband and our dog Monti.


  • shari
    Dr. Shari Wiseman
    Veterinarian, DVM

    Born and raised in Burlington, Ontario, I decided to become a veterinarian because I love how the profession combines my passion for animals with my desire to work with people. I enjoy the variety of a busy general practice and have a particular interest in preventative care, senior care and feline internal medicine.

    I completed my undergraduate degree in Life Sciences at Queen's University and graduated from the University of Guelph's Ontario Veterinary College in 2000. I have worked at a variety of small animal practices in southern Ontario and British Columbia since graduation.

    When I'm not at the hospital, I have a bustling home life with my husband David, our three teenagers, two cats, Tux and Orzo, and Juneau, a Shepherd X rescued from Northern Manitoba. I enjoy spending time outdoors with the kids, hiking, skiing, camping, canoeing, and going to the cottage. In my 'sparetime', I play the piano and am an avid reader.

  • Photo of Veterinarian
    Dr. Emma Milligan
    Veterinarian, DVM

    Growing up absolutely animal-crazy it would only make sense I ended up with a career all about animals, and I couldn’t imagine a better one! I graduated with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science (distinction) from Massey University, New Zealand, in 2021. After graduating I worked as a small animal veterinarian in Auckland, New Zealand. Then mid 2023 I made a big move to Canada and joined the amazing team at Chicopee Hills Animal Hospital. 

    I love all aspects of being a veterinarian, but have a particular interest in preventative health, surgery, and dentistry. Plus the infinite cuddles and tail wags are a pretty good bonus! 

    My hobbies outside of work include baking, hiking, and instructing or attending group fitness classes (Body Step and Body Pump for any LM fans!). My beloved family pets are back in New Zealand - Roxy (the cutest little tabby cat) and Zoey (miniature schnauzer). So I am hoping to add a pet to the family here in Canada sometime soon.

  • Photo
    Jocelyn
    Registered Veterinary Technician

    After receiving my Bachelor’s degree in Science (Mathematics) in 2010 and working in insurance for a few years, I adopted and fell in love with my first pet – a resilient little rescue cat named Claira. I quickly realized that caring for animals was my passion, and headed back to school to study veterinary technology.

    I joined Chicopee Hills Animal Hospital in 2016, and worked as an assistant for 3 years, while studying to become a veterinary technician. In 2019 I graduated from the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus and immediately obtained my registered status.  I am so thrilled to be back at Chicopee Hills Animal Hospital as an RVT!

    In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my partner and our two rescue pets; Claira (tabby cat), and Gushue (Golden Retriever mix).

  • RVT Erin with a Dalmatian mix dog
    Erin
    Registered Veterinary Technician

    I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Wilfrid Laurier in 2013. After a few years of working in environmental conservation, I decided to return to school to pursue my childhood dream of working in the veterinary field. I joined the Chicopee Hills Animal Hospital team in the spring of 2018 after graduating from Georgian College’s Veterinary Technician program, and wrote the Veterinary Technician Nation Exam that summer to gain my registered status.  

    When I’m not working, I love to spend time outdoors: camping, hiking, and being out on the water. Over the years, I have fostered many dogs for a rescue organization called Save Me Dog Rescue; and have adopted two of my own dogs from them as well. I share my home with my husband, our toddler son, and our senior spaniel, Tuck.

  • Photo of Maddy and her dogs
    Maddy
    Registered Veterinary Technician

    I graduated from Ridgetown College in 2018, and that summer I gained my registered status by passing the Veterinary Technician National Exam. I previously worked at Chicopee Hills during the summer of 2017 as an Assistant to the RVT and in 2019 I returned to work as an RVT.

    At home I have three dogs, Alexa (Lab X), Charley, and Lacey (Westies). I also have one horse, Diamond. I grew up always at my grandmother’s farm, so I’ve been around a wide variety of animals. I always knew when I was younger I would want a career in the veterinary field. When I’m not at work I like to take my dogs for a run or a long hike or spend time at my cottage with family and friends. 

  • Photo of Jade
    Jade
    Registered Veterinary Technician

    Ever since I was a child I have enjoyed spending time with animals, whether it was catching frogs at the lake or teaching our family dog new tricks. After receiving my Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Resource Studies in 2015, I spent some time working in the outdoor industry, including guiding dog sled tours in the Rocky Mountains. I enjoyed working with animals so much that I decided to persue my desire to contribute to the wellbeing of animals, and go back to school to become a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT).

    I happily joined the team at Chicopee Hills Animal Hospital in 2021 as an RVT. I have a special interest in pain management, anesthesia, fear free vet visits, and feline behaviour. 

    When not at the clinic, I enjoy spending my time canoeing, camping, playing board games with friends, and listening to my vinyl collection with my two cats Kovu and Dutch lounging around me. I look forward to meeting you and your furry family members!

  • Anne
    Anne
    Receptionist

    Hi, I’m Anne and I have been receptionist/office manager at Chicopee Hills Animal Hospital since its opening in 1997.

    I have worked in the veterinary field all my adult life. I especially enjoy interacting with our clients and their beloved pets, sharing in the amazing human/animal bond between them.

    My own dogs are whippets (look like small greyhounds) and I am enthusiastic about participating in various sports with them. I am, or have been, involved in flyball, agility, obedience and conformation showing. My favourite is a sport called Lure Coursing which tests the speed, endurance and agility of sighthound type dogs. I travel all over Ontario and the United States to race my whippets in these meets.

    Since whippets have little body fat or hair, they need warm winter coats. I started sewing coats for my own dogs, then had many requests from friends. This has exploded into a mini business and I spend my winter evenings and weekends sewing coats for whippets all over North America. I also sew all the dog bandanas on display at our reception desk, as well as other items of dog apparel.

    I look forward to seeing you and hearing about the passion you have for your pets.

  • Brenda
    Brenda
    Receptionist

    I currently live with my husband John in Waterloo but have lived in the Cambridge
    area for most of my life. I previously owned a small hobby farm in Branchton
    and have enjoyed many different pets including a pot-bellied pig named Teddy.

    My passion is horses. I have ridden and shown them successfully for 50 years. As
    well as being a competitor, I am also a carded judge and travel most of Ontario from Sarnia to Sault Saint Marie to judge shows. I currently own and show my quarterhorse gelding, Sheik’s What’s Hot who came from Tennessee and never disappoints in the show ring.

    I have two grown daughters, Tracy and Becky, who have inherited my love for horses. They have also been involved in competing and have been since they were two years old. We have gathered so many wonderful memories over the years travelling and competing together. They have also given me three special grandsons, Liam, Cooper, and Ciaran and one grandaughter, Kailey who keep me entertained constantly.

    John and I share our home with and love our crazy Jack Russell Terrier Floyd Beanz.

  • Gord in Sweater
    Michelle
    Receptionist/Practice Manager

    I started working in the veterinary industry as a kennel attendant back in 1987 and I have been lucky enough to consistently work in the industry ever since.  I have been a veterinary nurse, practice manager and a receptionist. Receptionist is by far my favourite position to hold.  We are able to build wonderful relationships with our clients and their pets.

    I love all animals but I am especially fond of the brachycephalic breeds.  I own a Boston terrier named Gordie and a Pug named Jilly Bean. 

    When not working, I like to spend quality time with my two daughters. 

  • Photo of Kathryn
    Kathryn
    Veterinary Assistant

    Growing up I always had cats and dogs, usually Golden Retrievers
    whom are my heart’s blood. I’ve loved animals deeply and passionately since
    being old enough to say the words ‘cat’ and ‘dog’. I’m definitely that person
    who comes over to your house and just sits on the floor for the whole visit
    loving on the pets and ignoring the humans, much to my family’s chagrin. I
    am an avid coffee drinker (thanks to my past job at Starbucks) and you will
    usually find me with a book in hand.

    In hopes of finding a dog of my own that would get along well
    with my eldest cat, Arya, I started fostering rescue dogs in 2014 - the second
    one I met was my furever love “Ellie”. I continued fostering while in school
    and working at an emergency clinic in Toronto where I gained the second my two
    kitties, Draco Malfoy, who came in as a stray. I lived in Toronto for 10 years,
    originally for school, before moving to Kitchener in April 2020 and finding
    another great clinic in Guelph.

    Due to the busy household my husband Chris and I have with three
    pets and two little kids I needed to find work closer to home recently, bringing
    me to Chicopee Hills! I hope to get into school to become a RVT once my two
    kiddos are in school to further my knowledge and be even more involved in
    caring for your pets. 

  • Photo of Cats
    Nicole
    Veterinary Assistant

    I’ve always loved animals and grew up with an array of pets. I had fish, hamsters, a rabbit, a cat, a hedgehog, and a dog. It wasn’t until high school where I really decided that a career with animals was the route for me. My first job working with animals was on a turkey farm. The joy I felt everyday going into work and being around animals is really what set my career path goals in stone. 

    Since then, I worked at my first clinic in Cambridge as a receptionist and assistant. I love being in the back with the animals and learning treatment firsthand, as well as assisting in surgeries.  

    This is the second clinic I’ve worked at, and am so excited to see where my path goes. I’m hoping to go back to school to become an RVT, with interest in learning physiotherapy. Outside of clinic work, I volunteer at a cat rescue in Kitchener. 

    In my spare time, I enjoy camping, hiking, and video games. However, my favourite thing to do every day after work is spend time with my cats, Humphrey and Lily. 

Office Hours

OFFICE CLOSED ON STATUTORY HOLIDAYS

Monday

8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Tuesday

8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Wednesday

8:00 am - 7:00 pm

Thursday

8:00 am - 7:00 pm

Friday

8:00 am - 7:00 pm

Saturday

8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Sunday

Closed

Monday
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Tuesday
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Wednesday
8:00 am - 7:00 pm
Thursday
8:00 am - 7:00 pm
Friday
8:00 am - 7:00 pm
Saturday
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Sunday
Closed

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