About Me

I graduated with distinction (honours) from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 1994. My journey began at what was then called Abbotsford Veterinary Hospital, where I worked for two years. After a six-month period working as a locum veterinarian, I took over the well-established Gladwin Veterinary Clinic, which I owned and operated as a solo practitioner for 28 wonderful years.

During that time, I primarily cared for dogs and cats, but my passion for veterinary medicine extended far beyond. I developed a keen interest in ferret medicine and surgery—while not a board-certified specialist, I became a trusted referral option for many colleagues. I also treated reptiles (no snakes, sorry!), especially popular species like bearded dragons, as well as rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, small birds, sugar gliders, hedgehogs, and other small “critters.”

The variety of animals kept my days interesting, but what truly made the work meaningful was the opportunity to build lasting relationships with caring, dedicated pet parents. My team and I often referred to our clients as part of our “Practice Family”—a community built on mutual respect, trust, and love for animals.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I noticed a significant shift in the veterinary landscape. Many clinics became overwhelmed, and one of the first casualties was communication. I started seeing more and more second and third opinion cases—sometimes even beyond that—because pet owners felt unheard, confused, and unsure of what to do next.

That experience shaped the next chapter in my career.