Chedoke Animal Hospital was established in 1982 by Dr. Fred Mansbridge. The clinic was later taken over by Dr. Carol Anne Devenne in 1992. Dr. Heinen acquired the practice in 2018.
At Chedoke Animal Hospital it is our mission to provide high-quality veterinary care with an emphasis on excellent customer service and patient care. We strive to build long-term relationships that are both desirable and fulfilling for our clients and our employees. We’re a dedicated team, helping to provide healthier and longer lives for our patients by customizing individual patient care in our family centered practice.
Dr Erica Heinen has been a veterinarian for over 14 years, graduating in 2006 from the Ontario Veterinary College after completing her Bachelor of Science degree. She is focused on building relationships with her clients and their pets. She believes that having a pet enriches one’s life and wants to ensure her patients live a long and happy life with their pet parents. An interest in medicine and the love for animals made her pursue a career in veterinary medicine. She continues to learn by attending a variety of continued education in order to better serve our pets and clients.
She lives on a small hobby farm with her husband, daughter Alix and twins, Zane and Noah. She has a canine rescue from Mexico named Pablo and 2 horses, Abu and Rowan, that enjoy their retirement life style.
In her spare time, she likes to be outdoors with her family, riding horses or working on home improvements.
Dr Sandra Harris has always wanted to be a veterinarian since she was young. She graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2002 after completing her Bachelor of Science degree. She enjoys getting to know her clients and the specific needs of their pets. She has a keen interest in exotic animals and has cared for many rabbits, guinea pigs and rodents, from medicine cases to even performing surgeries on these tiny pets. She understands the importance of the human-animal bond and works with her clients to ensure this is maintained throughout the pet’s life by providing excellent care and ensuring her patients have a great quality of life.
She lives in Waterdown with her husband and two children, Jacob and Mia. There are more pets than people in her house. She has 4 cats (Tula, CeeJee, Archie and Mr. James), a lizard named Thor, multiple hamsters, a snake (Lucy) and fish.
In her spare time, she enjoys gardening and is known as a Hosta collector. She also enjoys cooking, camping with her family and the outdoors.
Dr. Andrea Pechey has over 11 years in the veterinary field, with a special interest in dentistry. If your pet needs dental work done, she is likely the one to do it! Whether in surgery, dentistry or in appointments, she is always happy to teach anyone who is willing to learn and often takes on a mentorship role for the veterinary students that come through our clinic for rotations.
A fun fact about Dr. Pechey is that she grew up in South Africa! She has many interesting and funny stories about monkeys eating her bananas and zebras roaming the streets. She now lives with her husband on their tree farm with their 3 daughters, their dog and 2 cats. When not driving her girls to their various activities or volunteering at the school, she enjoys gardening and nature walks with her family.
Dr. Amanda Thompson has always wanted to be a veterinarian (even naming it as her desired profession at 6 years old!). After high school, she studied Animal Biology at the University of Guelph before being accepted into Veterinary College. She graduated Veterinary College in 2023 and has been working at Chedoke Animal Hospital since.
In her free time, you can likely find her snuggled up with her dog Link; a book in one hand and a nice, warm coffee in the other.
Whitney has worked as one of our Registered Veterinary Technicians at Chedoke for about fifteen years. She loves her animals, big and small. She has worked with a variety of animals, from a hamster, to a baby tiger and even an adorable orphaned moose calf.
Whitney likes to be busy. She has three children; Two girls (Alayna and Abigail) and a boy (Jaxson).
When she isn’t working at Chedoke, she likes to work on the family diary farm with her husband (Jason) and his parents. She also enjoys riding her American Paint, Bayley with her kids and their pony, Honey. As if that wasn’t enough, she additionally runs a boarding barn for horses!
Megan began her journey with Chedoke Animal Hospital as a high school Co-op student. She has always had a passion for animals and an eagerness to learn. After graduating from Tech School in 2023, Megan knew where she wanted to work and was elated when an opportunity presented itself for her to join the Chedoke Animal Hospital team. Her positivity and enthusiasm have been an asset to the clinic.
When not at work, Megan enjoys going for long walks with her dog Hazel, spending time with friends and reading.
Vanessa has always had a passion for animals. She knew she wanted to work in the animal field from a very early age and has only had animal related jobs since joining the work force! She graduated from Tech School in 2023 and started working at Chedoke Animal Hospital that same year.
When not at work, you can usually find her spending time with her 2 dogs and 5 cats, or spending time with her family or friends.
Sarah arrived in Ontario after leaving the corporate world of Calgary and is our Client Care Specialist and one of our veterinary assistants (in other words “Jack-of-all-Trades”). She has worked here at Chedoke Animal Hospital for almost 20 years and will likely be the first bright smile that will greet you as you come in to the clinic.
Growing up in the Yukon, most days were an adventure for her. She enjoyed many outdoor activities such as snowmobiling, dog sledding, white water rafting, camping and flying helicopters with her Dad. Her little town was beside Kluane National Park and on a clear day, Mount Logan could be seen out of her front window. The Northern outdoors exposed her to a wide variety of wildlife. If you ever want to hear some of her funny wildlife encounters, ask her next time you stop by.
Now in her free time, Sarah enjoys pet sitting and spending time with her husband Arran and their fur family, which includes 3 cats; Ninja, Emma and their big trouble maker Gary.
Sue is a long- standing employee of Chedoke Animal Hospital. She is very active in the agility world, and if you ever have any behavior questions, Sue would love to help you out.
In her spare time, she can be found swimming, taking her dogs for walks or working on the agility field.
When she is not charming people with her welcoming smile, she is currently attending Veterinary College after completing her Masters in Animal Nutrition at the University of Guelph. Her ultimate goal is to become a small animal veterinarian.
When not in school, Francesca loves spending time with friends, family and her Sphynx cat Milton.
Jessica has had a love of animals for as long as she can remember; witnessing and assisting in the birth of her first pet at only 3 years of age. As a teenager, she worked as an Animal Care Attendant while attending High school and absolutely loved it. She tried several different jobs thereafter, but found nothing that interested her more than animal care work. She returned to school to become a Veterinary Assistant in 2018. She volunteered and worked at a couple SPCAs before coming to Chedoke Animal Hospital in 2020 and absolutely adores exploring her love of animals – furry, scaly, feathery and hooved.
When not at the clinic, Jessica enjoys hiking, photography, crocheting, and going on adventures with her son.
Allysanne had a great enthusiasm for animals growing up and that passion is something that has translated to her adulthood. She has worked as a zookeeper, animal control officer and an animal educator before making her way to Chedoke Animal Hospital.
In her spare time, Allysanne enjoys spending time outside with her son, Logan. She also loves riding horses and has an affinity for reptiles. When not with her beloved furry and scaly companions, Allysanne enjoys spending time with friends and her son.
Lisa has been at Chedoke Animal Hospital since May of 2023. Her love of animals drove her to change her previous 14-year career from restaurant management to the veterinary field. Her teamwork and positive disposition have helped her settle in with ease.
When not at the clinic, Lisa enjoys being outside. Be it gardening or hiking with her dogs, she is happiest in nature. Her 2 cats, Hank and Waylon and 2 dogs, Rip and Nina, are her babies and she is happy doing anything as long as they are involved.
Breanna studied Theatrical Production at the Toronto Metropolitan University, but ended up finding a new passion and joined the Chedoke Animal Hospital team shortly after getting her diploma in Animal Care. Her compassion and sunny disposition have been a welcome addition to the clinic.
In her spare time, Breanna loves to paint, thrift and embroider. She also loves couch cuddles with her cat Bibbers (when Bibbers decides it’s okay, that is!).
