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 later 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 then people in her house. She has 4 cats (Tula, CeeJee, Archie and Mr. James), a dog named Pepperoni, 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. Simon Farha has been working in the veterinary field for over 18 years in Canada and abroad before finding his way to Chedoke Animal Hospital in 2022. His passion for animals and kind demeanor are likely the first things you will notice about him when coming into the clinic.
When not at the clinic, you can find him biking, trail hiking or spending the day with his wife, son and their cat, Nucy. You may even find him occasionally on the badminton court!
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 almost fifteen years. She loves her animals, big and small. She has worked with animals as small as a hamster, to a baby tiger and even an adorable orphaned moose calf.
She likes to be busy. She currently has three children; Two girls (Alayna, Abigail) and her little 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.
In her spare time, she enjoys riding her American Paint, Bayley and hopes to get to some eventing shows this year.
Tabitha graduated as a Veterinary Technician in June 2021. Her passion and enthusiasm is something she eagerly brings to her position here at Chedoke Animal Hospital.
In her spare time, Tabitha enjoys spending time with her family, friends and furry felines, Daisy and Tonka. She also enjoys working on cars and partaking in autocross.
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, with her two dogs, a Whippet named Twist and a beautiful Borzoi named Tamarin. 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.
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.
When not at the clinic, Jessica enjoys hiking, photography, crocheting, and going on adventures with her boyfriend Chris and their new baby.
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 at home with her many reptiles (a snake, a uromastyx and 5 geckos). Or outside, on an adventure with her dog Lyla. On occasion, you can even find her riding her favourite horse Dispatch. When not with her beloved furry and scaly friends, Allysanne enjoys spending time with friends, her boyfriend Trevor and their son.
Carly has worked at Chedoke Animal Hospital since 2020 and her bright smile will most likely be one of the first you see as you walk into the clinic.
At home, Carly is busy with her 3 kids, Elena, Parker and Ryder, 2 dogs, Oreo and Gracie and her cat Willow. When she does have spare time, she enjoys discovering new sewing projects to work on.
Laura has been with Chedoke Animal Hospital since 2022, and has been working in the animal care industry for over 11 years. Her passion is animal welfare.
Laura likes to be busy. When you stop by the clinic, you are likely to find her smiling face zooming around our reception area.
In her spare time, she is kept on her toes by her 3 small children, Connor, Sloane and Jamie, and humorously refers to herself as a “professional snack fetcher”. Her positive outlook and “live your life” attitude have been a welcome addition to our clinic.
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.
