Dr. Melissa Hardy

Veterinarian

Dr. Melissa Hardy graduated from the Atlantic Veterinary College in PEI in 2012.

After graduating she moved to Fort McMurray, AB where she practiced in a busy small animal clinic. She made the move back to Ontario to be closer to family and most recently was working in downtown Hamilton.

Dr. Hardy is very excited to join the team here at West Niagara Animal Hospital and get to know all the fantastic clients and pets.

During her free time Dr. Hardy, enjoys spending time with family, renovating her house and travelling. Dr. Hardy has traveled to places such as Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Guatemala to work in spay/ neuter clinics and provide veterinary care to animals in need. She also spends some time in February each year at the Canadian Challenge Dog Sled Race as a handler for a team of canine athletes.

Dr. Melissa Luna

Dr. Melissa Luna was born in Bogotá, Colombia and moved to Toronto at a young age. She obtained an Honours Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Guelph prior to completing her DVM at the Ontario Veterinary College in 2022.

Dr. Luna is new to the Niagara region and is very excited to be a part of the team at West Niagara Animal Hospital. Dr. Luna enjoys many aspects of general practice including soft tissue surgery, dermatology, nutrition, and emergency medicine.

Outside of the hospital, Dr. Luna can be found exploring the outdoors with her fiancé and two fur babies. She enjoys traveling, hiking, playing tennis, and spending time with friends and family. In the future, Dr. Luna hopes to be able to travel to developing countries to provide spay/neuter and vaccinations for pets in need.

Karen Towner

Registered Veterinary Technician & Practice Manager

Karen is an experienced RVT who joined the team in October of 2017 after having the pleasure of working with Dr. Hardy at a previous clinic in Hamilton.

She graduated in 2003 from the Veterinary Technician program at Ridgetown College through the University of Guelph. She became registered right after graduation. She is excited to be celebrating her 20th year as an RVT this year!
Karen has worked in multiple clinical settings including emergency. Her favourite aspect of her job is caring for hospitalized patients and she values her experience in anesthesia.

Outside clinic life Karen enjoys camping with her husband & children, and long distance running. Karen currently lives with 3 cats: Melon, Astro and Charlie. She also has a very loyal border collie mix named Rocket and a sweet hamster named Ferb.

Julie (aka ” Jules”)

Registered Veterinary Technician

Julie is a Registered Vet Tech from Sheridan College. Julie has always been around animals, whether it was dogs at the cottage or horse back riding, she has always been passionate about them. She currently is owner to a black cat named CeCe. She looks forward to a long career in the field and is a great asset to our team.

Rachel

Alumni – Animal Care Assistant

Rachel was our fantastic animal care assistant and is now a full time high school teacher. She can still be found visiting us and helping out when we are busy.

Rachel completed a bachelor’s degree in Zoology/Ecology at the University of Guelph shortly before joining our clinic in January of 2018. She has worked with animals in many locations, including as a volunteer at school, as animal care staff at a local zoo and in Zimbabwe, Africa where she worked alongside veterinary and animal-rehabilitation staff at a wildlife orphanage and rescue centre. In her free time Rachel enjoys reading, being outdoors and traveling.

Kathryn

Receptionist and Office Operations Manager

Kathryn joined West Niagara Animal Hospital as a receptionist in July of 2019.

Kathryn took an unconventional route before getting into a field where she could work and help animals. From a young age Kathryn was petrified of all animals. She used to climb on top of her Dad’s shoulders if she saw a dog or cat. This all changed when she was introduced to a 3lb puppy, who she held all day. Her parents knew they had to take this miracle puppy home. Brandy was a beloved member of the family for 19 years and completely changed the way Kathryn interacted with animals.

From then on she was an avid animal advocate and snuggler. Who regularly stops for all animals and talks to cats for hours at parties.

Her soulmate later came in the form of an anxious black & white cat named Jersey who was her partner in crime for many years and is sorely missed.

She previously worked in the legal field & taxation but finds working with animals & their human parents much more fulfilling.

She currently shares her home with her son and 2 beautiful Maine coon kittens Jason and Roger who can also be found keeping clients entertained in our reception area.

Tracy

Veterinary Technician

Tracy graduated from the Animal Health Technician program at St. Clair College in Windsor in 1989.

Her vast experience as a technician extends to both small animal and equine practice.

Tracy is a busy technician who also is currently running her own farm sitting business, Stablecations since 2012. Equestrianism is one of her passions and she also has excellent culinary skills.

We are very excited to have Tracy as a full time valued member of our team!

Andrea Woodhead

Registered Veterinary Technician

I’m excited to have been given the opportunity to work with the team at West Niagara Animal Hospital.

I earned my Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Zoology in 2007. Shortly after this, I decided to pursue a career in the Veterinary field and enrolled in the veterinary technician program at University of Guelph, Ridgetown campus.

I have worked in a veterinary clinic setting for over 12 years now, and I absolutely love what I do.

When not at work, I enjoy playing soccer and spending time on my hobby farm with my husband and our two rescue dogs and assorted farm animal pets.

Kayla Jensen

Receptionist

Kayla is the warm voice that is ready to listen to your needs when you call into our office. She is a mom to her young son and a cat mom to her 2 fur babies Chai and Binx. She also recently has added a sphinx kitten to her family as well. She enjoys spending her free time with family and friends.