Care Team - Vet In Nelson | Selkirk Veterinary Hospital

Angela

Registered Animal Health Technician

Angie knew she wanted to be in this field of work at a very young age, and started working as a kennel assistant in 2005. From there, she moved to Coquitlam to complete her schooling as a Technician.

Once she graduated from Douglas college in 2009, she stayed in the Coquitlam area and worked locally at a clinic for a couple years. However, Angela moved back to Nelson after realizing how much she loved and missed the area and her family.

Once Angela moved back, she met her boyfriend who she now lives with along with 3 dogs (Tyka, a Shepherd/Husky X, Luna, a Lab/Golden Retriever X, and Brewzer, a Border Collie X) 2 cats (Java the Tortishell, and Chaalie a Domestic Short Hair), and a Python named Alfred. In her spare time she enjoys outdoor activities like camping, hiking and fishing.

Caroline

Registered Animal Health Technician

Caroline is a registered Veterinary Technician who graduated in 2007 with honors from Ridgetown College-University of Guelph. She took a bit of a longer road to discovering that this is what she was meant to do, with trials of University in Calgary and backpacking Australia and New Zealand. Upon her return to Canada she continued working in a 24hr emergency veterinary clinic ICU while she got her diploma as a Veterinary Technician.

Since graduating she has moved around, worked and traveled the world with her husband and pets, most recently returning from a year in Glasgow, Scotland. The whole family including the cat Beans and dog Wicket, made the trip and filled their time with travel.

Now finally settled in Nelson, Caroline is excited to share in all the outdoor opportunities it has to offer. She enjoys photography and skiing in her free time.

Heather

Registered Animal Health Technician

Heather grew up in Scotland and became a certified Veterinary Technician in 2005. In 2006 she came to Canada and started work in Grand Forks at a veterinary clinic where she gained experience in small animal emergency care. In 2010 Heather hit the road again to Okotoks, AB. While she was there she had practical training in laser therapy and also participated in the implementation of a new veterinary clinic. Heather has now settled down on a farm in Winlaw, BC with her husband, daughter, and multiple pets. She joined our team at Selkirk Veterinary Hospital in July 2015 as a Veterinary Technician, although, you’ll sometimes see her smiling face behind the Reception desk. In her free time, Heather is also a certified Scuba Diver, enthusiastic scrapbooker, and devoted volunteer at her daughter’s school.

Iyla

Practice Manager

Iyla was born and raised on the Sunshine Coast in BC. She started working in Veterinary Medicine as a Kennel Attendant in 2006, and found her calling. She moved to the Kootenays in 2006 and joined the Selkirk team in 2007. After making a brief career change and obtaining her diploma as a Medical Lab Assistant, she returned to the team at Selkirk Veterinary Hospital and couldn’t be happier. She enjoys working with our patients and clients to ensure the best experience possible. Iyla volunteers with the BC SPCA and enjoys giving back to the community. Iyla has had dogs, cats, guinea pigs, and rabbits. She has also cared for ferrets, hamsters, birds and reptiles.

Patti

Client Care Specialist

Patti joined our team in May of 2002 – if you’re not sure which one she is, she will be the one regaling our clients with a selection of her many jokes!

Between working at our hospital and her other job as a Court Reporter, she’s a pretty busy girl. Patti is now remarried, having raised her two wonderfulsons who have flown the coop and are successfully on their way. If she wasn’t busy enough, Patti has a gorgeous three-legged boy named Luka, and three sweet kitty-cats named Toby, Mya & Kiwi.

Patti’s hobbies include playing tuba in the Nelson Community Band, sunbathing, gardening, dancing, jogging, walking, baking and laughing. She feels that she is one lucky lady to be able to work with such wonderful people and to meet the extraordinary clientele that we have at the hospital!

Annette

Veterinary Assistant

Annette and her husband have lived in the Slocan Valley since 2001. Her interests are multi-faceted, ranging from natural pursuits such as gardening, hiking to peaceful activities such as reading, writing, fine art, singing, learning the bass guitar, sewing and cooking up a storm. She currently shares her home with two dogs, the lovely Twilight and Helix, and their kitties, Star and Dipper. In her garden also reside several pond fishies. Voted most likely to assist with any rodent visits, Annette is our resident rodent whisperer.

Debra

Veterinary Assistant

Debra grew up on a farm in Northern Alberta where she developed a strong work ethic. She joined our team in 2005 and we often say, “If you need something done, ask Deb.”

She now resides in the Kootenays with her husband. Deb enjoys spending time with her family which has grown with the addition of grandchildren. Deb has 1 Siamese cat named Luna. She also has a particular interest in chickens and has developed a small flock of her own.

Teressa

Veterinary Assistant/Veterinary Technician Student

Teressa moved to the Kootenays from the Lower Mainland in 1999, eager to leave the busy city and enjoy “Kootenay Time”. She comes to us with an extensive pharmacy background and 3 years experience working full time at the Nelson SPCA.

She spends most of her spare time outdoors in the wilderness either hiking or snowshoeing. She also loves gardening, fingers in the dirt providing for the family.

Teressa is very prominent in the local music scene and is an avid supporter of our local musicians. She has also spent many years working with Kootenay Coop Radio both as a founding member and on various boards.

Teressa played roller derby for many years and was a board member of West Kootenay Roller Derby. The perfect combination of physical activity and working as a team.

Deanna

Kennel Attendant

Bio coming soon!

Emma

Client Care Specialist

Emma’s passion in life is animal welfare. She has spent the last 25 years working & volunteering in animal welfare in both Canada and the UK. She was a founding member of Second Chance Animal Shelter, Central Bark Pet Supply store & the Pugapalooza pug festival in Nelson. Emma was previously a member of the team at Selkirk Veterinary Hospital before returning to the UK for 10 years to spend time with her family. While there she continued to follow her passion by working for the two largest animal charities in the UK .

The Kootenay lifestyle brought her back to Nelson and she is once again embracing everything that the area has to offer.

Emma shares her home with her husband and her rescue family; Marmaduke the cat who has travelled to the UK and back , her senior Whippet Luki and most recently a feline addition called Maisie and a puppy named Maple.

Jenn

Client Care Specialist

Jenn grew up living between BC and Ontario splitting her time between parents. Jenn attended Queens University to take psychology but realized her passion when she started working as a kennel attendant in Kingston, Ontario. She moved to the Kootenays in 2013, and started volunteering in Mexico joining a spay/neuter campaign helping to sterilize 300 cats and dogs at no cost to the locals of Cancun. She most recently volunteered in Mexico in April 2022 for the same project.

She has cared for many pets throughout the years. Her most memorable companion was her soul dog “Kaelie”, a beautiful husky of 14 years. She is currently the proud fur-mom of 2 hilarious cats who keep her on her toes.