Our Doctors and Staff
It is a great responsibility to guide the health and well-being of your companion animal. We cherish the opportunity to work together to provide education, support and exceptional patient care to you and your pets. Our hospital is a caring and dynamic environment, where people truly love what they do. The team looks forward to meeting you soon!
Veterinarians
Dr. Christine Harron
Following graduation in 1994 with a specialized honours degree in Bio-medical Science, Dr. Harron graduated with honours from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1999. Gaining a wide variety of experiences, she practiced veterinary medicine for companion animals in a private practice and with the Mississauga-Oakville Veterinary Emergency Hospital. In 2007, she and her family moved to the beautiful Orangeville area to join the Dufferin Veterinary Hospital team. It was with great excitement that she became a partner in the Dufferin Veterinary Hospital in 2009. With a special interest in rehabilitation therapy, she thoroughly enjoys all aspects and daily surprises of small animal veterinary practice. It is with compassion and enthusiasm that she looks forward to becoming your “other family doctor” – to help you enrich the quality of life for your animal companions. When not desperately trying to keep up with her two young children and bouncing Boxer dogs, her other interests include gardening, downhill skiing and tending to her small eclectic flock of pet ducks.
Dr. Joseph Wilson
Dr. Wilson graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1972 and began his professional career at Dufferin Veterinary Hospital. In 1973 Dr. Wilson became a partner in the practice. For the first handful of years, he worked as a mixed animal practitioner then chose to focus exclusively on small animal medicine and surgery. Dr. Wilson lives in Orangeville and enjoys a wide range of outdoor pursuits. He is often found in the companionship of his wife and his dog, Oakley.
Dr. Wallace Pugh
After graduating from the Ontario Veterinary College in April of 1972, Dr. Pugh was employed for four years in a mixed animal veterinary practice in Forest, Ontario. In January 1976, he moved to Orangeville and worked as an associate before becoming a partner of Dufferin Veterinary Services in 1977. Limiting his practice to companion animals for the last 25 years has been very rewarding as he enjoys the staff and clients that he has met over the years at Dufferin Veterinary Hospital.
Dr. Pugh and his wife live in the Town of Mono where they have a larger acreage, which allows them to raise purebred Hereford cattle and provides a place for their Corgi, Lizzie and their cat, Gordo to run and hunt. The Pughs have two children and two grandchildren. Dr. Pugh is a member of the Orangeville Lions Club and the Orangeville Agricultural Society, and a Director of the Ontario Hereford Association and the Canadian Hereford Association. For nine years he led a 4H veterinary science club in Dufferin County. Dr Pugh enjoys the sport of curling and the occasional tour on cross country skis.
Dr. Ann Voyame
Dr. Ann Voyame has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toronto and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the Ontario Veterinary College. She lives in Orangeville with her husband and two sons. She spends her spare time reading, boxing, watching Coronation Street and walking the beautiful trails of Headwaters country with her trusty dog Lisa.
Dr. Stephanie Avery
Dr. Avery graduated in 2004 from Atlantic Veterinary College in beautiful PEI, where she lived for 10 years while attending University of Prince Edward Island for a B.Sc. and DVM.
She shares her life with 2 cute cats and a 22 year old turtle and two handsome men, her partner and her two year old son. Stephanie enjoys movies based on true stories, the music of Elvis, home decorating, cooking and DIY. Stephanie confesses to being competitive when playing gambling card games, especially Texas Hold’em poker, but is otherwise easy going. Her family and friends are very important to her.
Dr. Taryn Ellis
Dr Ellis grew up in the Orangeville area and even did her highschool co-op placement within the walls of the Dufferin Veterinary Hospital. That experience was instrumental in steering her down the path to becoming a veterinarian. After high school Taryn went on to complete her BSc at Queen's University, followed by her veterinary degree at the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph. After graduation she started her career at a companion animal practice in Wasaga Beach. She recently joined our team at DVH and is enjoying meeting new and familiar faces (human and animal).
Taryn currently lives in Collingwood with her orange tabby "Finnegan", great dane "Rae-Lyn" and a 10 year old goldfish " Lil Benny". Outside of work Taryn enjoys all types of skiing (water, cross-country, downhill), hiking, cycling, reading and time spent with family and friends.
Veterinary Technicians
Lisa Hafermehl, RVT
Lisa joined Dufferin Veterinary Hospital as Head Veterinary Technician in May 2009. She is an honours graduate from Georgian College in Orillia. She is passionate about veterinary dentistry and works diligently to educate clients on the importance of maintaining their pet’s oral hygiene. She strives to create a friendly and educational environment for clients and their furry babies.
Lisa enjoys motorcycling and hiking with her amateur dog pulling Staffordshire mix, Aries.
Natasha Belford, RVT
Natasha’s career in the field of animal health started in 1986 when she got her very first job, at a veterinary clinic in Bolton. After working there for 5 years and absolutely loving it, she decided to pursue higher education in the veterinary field and graduated from Seneca College Veterinary Technician program in 1993. Shortly after graduation she achieved her OAVT registration. She joined the team at Dufferin Veterinary Hospital in March 2009 as a Registered Veterinary Technician.
Chelsea Lodder, RVT
Chelsea is a Registered Veterinary Technician who joined the DVH team in October 2010. Chelsea graduated in June 2010 from the Veterinary Technician program at Seneca College in King City. She is excited to be a member of the Dufferin Veterinary Hospital team and has a keen interest in client communication and education, as well as cytology and surgical anesthesia.
Chelsea loves to spend time with her two pet Shih Tzus, Sophie and Sadie. She also enjoys spending time with family and friends, is interested in photography and music (currently learning acoustic guitar), and enjoys staying active by playing soccer competitively in the summer and by snowboarding in the winter.
Aimmy Sills, VT
Aimmy started working with animals on her parent’s horse farm, and her first job was mucking stalls. She graduated from Northern College's veterinary technician program in 2007 and started her career as a Veterinary Technician at Dufferin Veterinary Hospital. She and her partner have adopted a cat named Squinty from the Humane Society. Aimmy enjoys horseback riding, reading, and watching movies with friends.
Office Manager
Debbie Barwick
Debbie has been a member of the Dufferin Veterinary Hospital team for more than 17 years. Hired as a Customer Service Representative in 1993, she has been Office Manager since 2006.
Due to family allergies, Debbie does not own a dog or cat, but helps her daughter care for two turtles, Mr. Feeney and Luigi, and a hamster named Gordie.
Debbie has lived in Orangeville for 25 years with her husband, two sons now grown, and one daughter away at University. Debbie enjoys leisure time at the family cottage, reading, and is trying (in vain) to master the Spanish language. Hasta luego!
Inventory Manager
Jennifer Lidbury
Jenn has been a part of the DVH family since 2006. She has worked in all areas of the hospital, from cleaning to client services and is currently the hospital Inventory Manager. Jenn has taken several continuing education courses on animal nutrition and canine behaviour, and has personal experience working with pets with special needs.
Jenn has three Australian Shepherds who keep her very busy. They are all active in dog agility, competing at the Regional/National level. She also teaches agility in Georgetown. Her youngest Aussie is deaf which brings a whole new outlook to dog training and has taught her to look for new and different ways to train. Jenn also has two cats that think they are small dogs and enjoy playing fetch.
Health and Safety Co-ordinator
Samantha Gagnon
Samantha has been in the veterinary field for the past 13 years working as a Veterinary Assistant, Receptionist and Office Manager. Currently, she is working towards completing her practice manager certification. At Dufferin Veterinary Hospital, she wears two hats: Health and Safety Coordinator and Client Service Representative. She has an interest in animal behaviour and dreams of opening a canine training and boarding facility.
Sam’s menagerie consists of one cat and two dogs: Payton, Sykora and Steeler (all named after a sport theme). In her spare time she enjoys rocking out to Bon Jovi and Kid Rock and volunteering with her certified therapy dog, Sykora.
Client Service Representatives
Crystal Trimble
Crystal has worked for Dufferin Veterinary Hospital for the past 9 years and shares her time between the Orangeville and Shelburne offices. She is a Client Services Representative and has also worked as a Veterinary Assistant. She has a Veterinary Assistant diploma as well as an Animal Sciences diploma. She enjoys interacting with clients and their four-legged family members. Crystal is interested in the administrative side and is looking forward to getting her Business Administration degree.
Crystal and her husband have a young son, as well as three cats, Cleo, Rusty and Ernie, and a dog named Max. If she ever finds spare time she enjoys reading, drawing and taking her dog for hikes.
Lorie Harrington
Lorie is a Client Services Representative with 13 years of experience. She became a member of the Dufferin Veterinary Hospital team in 2008 and shares her time between the Orangeville clinic and the Shelburne Clinic.
Lorie shares her life with a few different species, including the two-legged variety. She is crazy about Chihuahuas and is currently owned by four of the little darlings as well as some other furry and feathered friends.
Lorie spends her spare time running half marathons and completed her first full marathon in October 2009. She enjoys spending time with her dogs, cross country skiing, playing squash, travelling, fancy restaurants and wine.
Jodie Caldwell
Jodie Caldwell has been in the animal care field for the past 8 years. In those years she was an animal control officer, a veterinary assistant, and is now a customer service representative at Dufferin Veterinary Hospital. Jodie is a certified Equine & Canine Massage Therapist and is also in the process of obtaining her canine rehabilitation certification.
Ebony and Hermione are her four legged furry children. They're both mixed breed dogs that had behavioral issues and were not suitable for adoption. She rescued and worked with them, with the goal of finding them a good home and she did - her own.
Elaine Stock
Elaine was a client at the Caledon East Veterinary Office for almost 20 years prior to becoming an employee at the Dufferin Veterinary Hospital in 2005. Elaine is the go-to person at the Caledon East Veterinary Office as a Client Services Representative.
When not at work, Elaine has been actively involved in her community through the Caledon East Block Parents, Brampton Power Squadron and the 892 Snowy Owl Royal Canadian Air Cadets. Elaine and her husband have two Shetland Sheepdogs, Skye and Star.
Kathy Mauer
Kathy has also been a client of the Caledon East Veterinary Office before joining the team at Dufferin Veterinary Hospital in 2006. She is currently employed as a customer service representative at the Caledon East Veterinary Office. Kathy is an active member in her community and is vice president of the WLU Alumni Choir which she helped found at Wilfrid Laurier University.
Kathy’s interests include music and sailing and she lives in the country with her husband, two children and her mini cat Dinkie.
Ingrid Drew
Ingrid has been with Dufferin Veterinary Hospital since October 1990 as a Client Services Representative. She is the proud owner of Rupert, a boy in a dog suit, and Dora, a cat disguised as a dog that snorts like a pig, and four cats, Boots, Simon, Blue, and Puddleduck, otherwise known as "The Duck ".
Animal Care Attendants
Brigitte Breese
Brigitte has had a love for animals since a very young age and is an Animal Care Attendant at Dufferin Veterinary Hospital. She is currently pursuing her career as a Registered Animal Health Technologist (RAHT) with an interest in herbal medicine and acupuncture.
The loves of her life are her Saint Bernard, Kortt and her mule, Gomer. She enjoys hiking, playing with Kortt, horseback riding, snowmobiling, skiing, biking and playing the drums.
Deirdre Howard
Deirdre was born and raised in England and moved to Canada in 2001. Although trained as a chef, her true love is animals and she followed that passion to Dufferin Veterinary Hospital as an Animal Care Attendant and now a Client Services Representative.
Over the years, she has owned a variety of pets and her menagerie consists of budgies, rabbits, hamsters, fish, guinea pigs, gerbils, cats, dogs, horses, chickens and ducks – and, oops almost forgot Humphrey the hedgehog. Her two-legged family consists of her husband and two children.