Meet The staff
Dr. Johanne Paquet
Veterinarian/Owner
Dr. Johanne Paquet was born and raised in Sudbury and spent her childhood summers at the Providence Bay Trailer Park. Johanne graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2003, after having completed a degree in wildlife biology. She built her experience by working at a small animal clinic in Toronto for 5 years and a 24 hour clinic in Brampton for 3 years. She enthusiastically returned to Manitoulin Island in April 2013. Her interests include feline medicine and dermatology. Outside of work, Johanne enjoys spending time outdoors exploring Manitoulin with her family. Johanne lives with her husband and two daughters, and shares her home with 3 cats and 2 dogs
Dr. Janice Mitchell
Veterinarian
Dr. Cathy Seabrook
Veterinarian
The original owner of The Island Animal Hospital which opened April 19th, 1993, Cathy graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1981. She was born and raised right here in Mindemoya and was the very first Haweater to graduate from OVC. Cathy's favourite part of the job is appreciating the extraordinary gift of the animal human connection. She feels lucky to work with an exceptional team of her favourite people (awe, thanks Cathy, we like you too!), and privileged to share and contribute to clients' stories with their special animal friends. Cathy enjoys helping the animals be their best physically, mentally and emotionally. Behaviour is her favourite game! Cathy has four busy grandsons she spends her time with, along with horses. Natural horsemanship, animal communication, farm life and the arts are just some of Cathy's hobbies and interests. Cathy has senior horse therapy friends Dante, Raphael, andRegalo as well and senior Kitty comforter Rorie.
Dr. Ted Delange
Veterinarian
Ted started working here in 2017 providing both small and large animal care. Ted graduated OVC in 1982 and moved to the Island in 1969 (the year MSS opened!). Ted enjoys the variety that the job offers and being out on the road for his large animal calls. Outside of work you can find Ted cheering for the Boston Bruins or watching Nascar. He is currently working his way down from their all-time high of 2 dogs and 12 cats - his best known cat being Carson, a former clinic cat.
Heather Jeeves
Registered Veterinary Technician
Heather started with us back in 2016 while she was still in tech school. She first took the veterinary assistant course and then followed through graduating the vet tech course at Northern College in 2017. Heather became a tech because she has always loved animals and has been a huge advocate for them, she grew up on a farm and has been surrounded by animals and pets her whole life. Heather has a dog named Luka – a Dalmatian and two cats (Mittens and Thomas), she also has some farm animals. Outside of work you can find Heather out on nature walks with her dogs, photographing wildlife and her pets, or catching up on the most recent Netflix shows! Heather is happy and excited to finally be a part in helping and working with animals on a daily basis.
Bryn Millsap
Registered Veterinary Technician
Bryn started with us in June of 2021 after moving back home from out west and coming off maternity leave. Bryn graduated the Vet Tech program at Ridgetown in 2016 and soon after moved out west to Alberta then British Columbia. Bryn became a tech because she wanted to pursue a career in the medical field but also enjoyed working with animals. She loves the different challenges and skills it requires to do our job and how no two days are ever the same! Her favorite parts of the job are dental cleanings and x-raying. Bryn has one dog, a basset hound named Tucker and two cats, Rory and Riggs. Outside of work Bryn spends time with her son on their family farm. She enjoys any outdoor activities and playing hockey in the winter. Bryn is happy to be back on the island and started a career at such a great clinic!
Pat Moore
Registered Veterinary Technician
Pat was born and raised in Rockville. Pat grew up on a beef farm and from an early age always loved being around animals. Pat attended and graduated from New Liskeard College with an agriculture diploma in 1988. In 1991 she decided to go back to college and enrolled in the Veterinary Technician program at St Clair College in Windsor Ont. She graduated in 1993 and completed her registration exam becoming a Registered Veterinary technician. She started working at the Island Animal Hospital in December 1993. With her many years of experience she brings a wealth of knowledge and capability to the clinic. Pat spends most of her free time with her granddaughter. She shares her home with her feline roommate Buddy.
Kayla Whatling
Client Services
Kayla just joined us in October of 2022 after moving to the Island in 2020. Kayla has always been passionate about animals and their care. Outside of work you can find Kayla caring for her pets, riding her horses and going on adventures with her husband and dogs. She currently has 9 cats, 2 dogs and 3 horses.
Deb Pardiac
Bookkeeper/Receptionist
Deb has been with us since 2002, she was born and raised on the Island. Deb has a background in corporate administration and customer service but entered the veterinary field when she started working at this clinic. Deb grew up on a beef farm and has always loved working with animals, she truly feels that we make a difference in both pets and owners lives and knows how important pets are to families. Outside of work you can find Deb reading, gardening, snorkeling, kayaking and traveling. She has 2 cats, Smokey and Kitty both of which were adopted from local rescues.
Lorie Leeson
Client Services
Lorie joined us in August of 2019, she has been a visitor to the Island most of her life but has lived here full time since 1989. Lorie has been a lifelong animal lover and collector as she has had many rescues throughout her life. In her spare time Lorie enjoys all the outdoor activities the Island has to offer; boating, sledding and hunting. As well as her creative hobbies which include knitting and crafts of all varieties. In the past Lorie loved her team of huskies and going sledding with them. She currently has 5 cats, the oldest being 19 and youngest 6 months.
Smokey
Clinic Manager/Owner
Smokey joined our team in 2015 and is approximately 11 years old. He enjoys long walks through town and lounging in the sun. His strengths are the heat-trapping abilities of his long luscious locks in the winter and his iconic lion-mane haircut in the summer. You will see Smokey doing his rounds making sure everyone is hard at work and managing day-to-day tasks. His superpower is that he can make anyone - human or animal – smile, and he is a much beloved member of the Island Animal Hospital family.
Steve Fisher
Clinic Manager/Owner
Steve joined the team in 2014, he was born and raised in a small town outside of London Ontario, growing up on a family farm with many pets running around. Steve went to Tech College and traded in 20 years of technical background to move to the Island with his wife and 2 kids. He works collaboratively with the staff to achieve a common goal. His unique and diverse skills enable him to contribute in a variety of roles. Outside of work Steve enjoys spending time outdoors exploring Manitoulin with his family. Steve lives with his wife, 2 children, 2 cats and his loyal companion Smokey. Steve can be seen most days driving around in his truck with Smokey.