Dr. Tanya Sparling
Dr. Tanya Sparling, owner of Amherst Veterinary Hospital, is passionate: passionate about animals, passionate about people, passionate about her staff and the practice they work for. Her warm, friendly exterior is genuine, but so is her hard-driving dedication to excellence in veterinary care, and her unbending devotion to the animals entrusted to her hospital.
Tanya graduated from Ontario Veterinary College, Guelph, in 2009, where she received the Animal Behaviour and Welfare Award from the OVMA. In addition to her DVM, Dr. Sparling is a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist, and the NSVMA’s 2018 “Young Veterinarian of the Year”.
Dr. Carolyn Hollis
Dr. Carolyn Hollis began her career at the Amherst Veterinary Hospital after graduating from the Atlantic Veterinary College in Charlottetown, P.E.I. She has a very calm and methodical approach to her work and, as our most senior Veterinarian, Dr. Hollis is very supportive and helpful in all aspects of the hospital. Her knowledge and experience are extraordinary assets for patients and staff. Along with her husband, Dennis, and two children Mallory and Evan, they provide a loving home to many pets.
Dr. Emily Youé
Dr. Emily Youé first began at our Hospital while completing her externship in 2010. Upon graduation from the Ontario Veterinary College, she accepted a full-time position with us in 2011. Emily’s mom is an Amherstonian and she has many family members and friends in this area. Since joining our team, Emily and her husband James have had two beautiful children, Kingston and Esmé. Her family also includes two dogs (Rosie and Kisses) and two cats (Mr. Mustard and Tobias). Emily has developed a keen interest in orthopaedic surgery and enjoys her time in the surgery suite. Emily is a dedicated and empathetic veterinarian and we are so pleased to have her on our team.
Dr. Bonnie Harrison
Dr. Ali Frye
Dr. Colleen Apt
Bio coming soon...
Barbara Cook
Barb became a member of the Amherst Veterinary Hospital in the capacity as bookkeeper and assistant to the Veterinarians some years ago. At that time, the Hospital was primarily a large animal clinic and because of that, Barb has evolved and has experienced many changes. A valued member of the staff, Barb is very competent as our financial officer. She has a love of all animals large and small and has fostered many animals over the years. Barb not only has a wealth of knowledge but always has a smile for everyone.
Angelina Dickson
We were so happy to have Angy join our AVH team at the end of 2014. Angy originally hails from across the Atlantic ocean - she was born in Bornheim, Germany - and moved to Nova Scotia in 2003. Angy graduated in 2011 as an RVT. Always willing to help out, she can often be heard cracking a joke or laughing with a client. Angy currently enjoys her down time in Tidnish with her husband Thomas, and her small herd of animal friends.
Emily Maclean
Emily joined our staff in 2007 as a Veterinary Assistant and is now a Registered Veterinary Technician. She is kind and helpful with a special knack for getting inappetent animals to eat. She loves her job and each day it shows in her strong technical skills and thirst for more information. Outside of work she loves staying active and spending time with friends and family, especially her niece Vivian and nephew Jax. We are all looking forward to her upcoming wedding to fiancé Matt in the summer of 2020.
Julie MacDonnell
Julie has been with the Amherst Veterinary Hospital since September 2009. She grew up in Springhill and currently lives in that area with her husband and their pets. Julie has worked in the veterinary business since her graduation as a Veterinary Assistant since 2004. Along with assisting our Veterinarians in all aspects of the profession, Julie also is supervisor of our laboratory and maintains inventory control. She has a quiet and positive presence in our Hospital and loves to work with animals. Julie hit the books and recently achieved her RVT status along with Emily MacLean. GOOD JOB JULIE!!
Kim Giffin
As a graduate Veterinary Assistant and later a Veterinary Technician, Kim has been with us since 2003. Over these years, Kim has developed many techniques and skills to the benefit of her patients and colleagues. She is a busy Mom to her three children, Karter, Vaughn and Nora, along with husband Nick who she married in September 2019. Kim has adopted many animals over the years and has fostered some as well. She is involved in all aspects of the hospital and was recently promoted to Office Manager. Kim’s great attitude and her love for all animals are valued assets at the hospital.
Jessica Kay
Alishia Knol
Alishia Knol started at AVH in 2018. The registered veterinary technician says her favorite part of the job is seeing clients go home happy with healthy pets. “It’s a nice feeling knowing you helped make that pet better,” she says. The newlywed has a dog, Lilly, and a lizard (a bearded dragon) named Drogon. Alishia’s hobbies include video games and painting, reading and hiking. She wants to expand her knowledge in her chosen field, and wouldn’t mind finding time to learn how to swordfight, as well as visit a few places, such as Japan, New Zealand and Disney World.
Renee Fitzpatrick
Renee first joined our team as a high school volunteer in 2012. Soon after, she was hired to help with client services and kennel care. This experience confirmed for her that she wanted to pursue education in animal healthcare. She graduated from Oulton College's Veterinary Technician program in 2016, and obtained her Registered Veterinary Technician status. Renee has lived in Amherst since she was born, and plans to continue living in the town she loves with her husband Stephen and daughter Ensley. She loves what she does, and her compassion for people and animals is evident in her daily work with us.
Kiera Fullerton
Kiera has been part of the AVH team since November 2015. She attended college to become a Veterinary Assistant. Her love for animals shines through with everything she does. She has responsibilities throughout the hospital ranging from client care to kennel duties. Outside of AVH her hobbies include walking her dog Shyla and spending time with family and friends. Kiera is originally from Parrsboro but recently relocated to Amherst. Her future plan is to work towards obtaining her RVT status.
Jenelle
Bio coming soon...
Rose D'Orsay
Rose D’Orsay is one of our talented client service representatives. Her passion for animal welfare and dedication to helping people has made her an indispensable member of our team. Rose is from River Hebert, originally, but now lives in Brookdale with her husband and daughter. Spending time with her family is a top priority for Rose. She enjoys crafting, watching movies and spending time outdoors fishing.
Gillian Strong
Gillian Strong hails from St. John’s, Newfoundland. She moved to Nova Scotia for school, and came to Amherst with her husband, who has roots in our community. Gillian has created her own local roots through the YMCA and her involvement in the Amherst Striders--she’s an aspiring triathlete--not to mention all the clients and coworkers she’s met at AVH in her role as a client service representative. “I love that no day is the same…,” says Gillian, “…[and] that I am a part of a strong team that strives to provide the best possible care.”
Emma Harrison
Bio coming soon...
Kelly Furlong
Bio coming soon...
Vanessa Ward-Estabrooks
Bio coming soon...