Dr. Laura Galbraith has been working with animals as a veterinarian since graduating from the Atlantic Veterinary College in 2002. She has worked at a range of practices – from small animal clinics throughout Southern Ontario to an emergency clinic where she gained valuable experience in urgent and critical care. Dr. Galbraith joined the Buck Animal Hospital team in 2008 and became a partner in 2015.

Dr. Galbraith’s Standard Poodle Ryder, is a bouncy lad who loves hiking, running around the farm and playing with her 2 daughters. Ripley and Roary are her Abyssinian cats who are always looking for trouble at home.

Outside of work, Dr.Galbraith’s lifelong hobby is horses and has been since childhood. She and her partner have recently started Ever After Acres in Ariss, ON where her love for horses continues to grow. They are very busy building up the property, teaching young riders, breeding horses and attending horse shows.

Dr. Linda Sommers graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1980 and has been working in veterinary medicine ever since. Dr. Sommers moved to the Kitchener/Waterloo area in late 1986 and joined the team at Buck Animal Hospital the following year. In 2001, Dr. Sommers became a partner at Buck Animal Hospital.

In her personal life, dogs have always been around! Dr. Sommers has a Shih Tzu named Buddy who is currently learning how to sail. While she would love to have a cat, her husband Brian is allergic so she relies on spending time with her daughter’s cat as well as the clinic cats, Hester (better known as Hussie) and CJ.

Dr. Sommers loves animals and veterinary medicine because every day is a new experience. She loves working with pets and pet owners alike and puts this passion into every day at Buck Animal Hospital. When she’s not at the hospital, you may find her playing the cello in the KW Community Orchestra or helping her husband build their cottage!

Dr. Robert (Bert) graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) in 1975 at which time he purchased Buck Animal Hospital (along with Dr. Jim Coleman) from Dr. Bob Buck.

For 40 years Dr. Bert had been a partner at Buck Animal Hospital. At the beginning of 2015 Dr.Blackburn stepped down and sold his share to Dr.Galbraith but continued as an associate. In November 2018 Dr Bert retired from seeing clients. He continued to do surgery one or two mornings a week until Covid 19 started. As a result of the pandemic and the shortage of veterinarians, Dr Bert came out of retirement to resume surgery on a part time basis.

Along with his wife Gale, Dr. Blackburn lives with Jazz, 6-year-old German Shorthair Pointer and Talar, 17-year-old cat with kidney disease. Gale also has an especially important horse in her life, named Kody. Dr Blackburn loves competitive trapshooting. He is currently president of the Ontario Provincial Trapshooting Association.

Dr. Jodi knew from a very young age she wanted to be a veterinarian. Originally from London, Ontario she moved not too far away to the University of Guelph for her undergrad degree. After completing her degree she moved to Calgary, Alberta and worked in a small animal emergency and referral clinic. In 2009 she was accepted to the Ontario Veterinary College and had to tear herself away from the beauty of the mountains and graduated with her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2013. She has worked in small animal medicine since graduation and joined the Buck family in April 2016.

At home, Dr. Jodi enjoys a busy life with her husband Devon and two young boys, their old lady Shilo and a crazy cat named Monkei.

Dr. Jodi is a member of the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association, the Veterinary Information Network and employs a fear free approach with pets. She enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine and surgery, and really enjoys coaching clients to make the best decisions for their pet’s health in addition to dermatology, weight management and surgery.

In her (very limited) spare time Dr. Jodi stays active with hockey and hiking and loves spending time with family and friends.

Dr. Andrée grew up in Waterloo and knew from a young age that she wanted to be a veterinarian. Joining Buck Animal Hospital in 2018

When she was little she would take their family cat to the pantry - there was a freezer which made for a great table - use shampoo bottles as an ultrasound probe and perform ultrasounds regularly. She began volunteering at the Guelph Humane Society in 2010

Her childhood ultrasounds led her to complete her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Guelph before graduating from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2017. She spent a year practicing at a general practice/emergency clinic before joining us.

Dr. Andrée is a member of the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association, the Veterinary Information Network and her interests include soft tissue surgery, dentistry and cardiology.

At home, Dr. Morin has a Labrador Retriever named Walter, and two beautiful cats named Daphne and Rolo. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, staying active, and spending time with family and friends.

Dr Mallory joined Buck Animal Hospital in March 2020

Growing up on a dairy farm meant being surrounded by animals. As a young child she remembers spending large parts of her free time caring for the newborn kittens born each spring. Her first job at the age of 12 was feeding the calves. In grade 8 she started volunteering with the Farm veterinarian. Throughout high school and university she enjoyed working and volunteering at vet clinics and the Humane Society.

This road led her to graduating from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2017 and began practicing as a mixed animal veterinarian in Eastern Ontario.

She is a member of the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association, and the Veterinary Information Network.

When Dr. Mallory is not at work - she is spending time with her fiance Brad, their two feline companions - Molly and new kitten Norman. She loves anything to do with the great outdoors - running, hiking, biking, kayaking and spending time having BBQ’s and games nights with friends and family

Dr. Frank started working with animals in high school by volunteering at a local Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre near Hamilton, Ontario where he grew up. After his first shift of working with injured and orphaned raccoons, squirrels, opossums, foxes and more, he was hooked and knew he would have a career in animal care.

In 2019, Dr. Frank graduated from the University of Guelph with a bachelor’s degree in animal biology and went on to complete his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at the Ontario Veterinary College in 2023. Dr. Frank joined the great team at Buck Animal Hospital in the summer of 2023 shortly after graduation.

Dr. Frank is a member of the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association and the Veterinary Information Network. He enjoys many aspects of veterinary medicine but is especially interested in surgery and neurology. He is fear-free certified and is passionate about keeping vet visits as stress-free as possible.

In his spare time, you will find Dr. Frank on the golf course, at the tennis court, or at home relaxing with his partner Jaimie and their new Airedale puppy, Odin. He is also a loyal (and regretful) fan of the Orlando Magic basketball team.

Dr. Allison was born and raised up in wintery Timmins Ontario, and like many of her colleagues, has known since she was a young girl that she wanted to be a vet. She attended every wellness exam her cat needed as a child, trying to absorb what she could, and read a multitude of animal themed books until she was old enough to work in a clinic. She spent 8 years in her local animal hospital as a veterinary assistant, four of these in the summers in between studying for her undergraduate degree at the University of Guelph. Outside of the clinic, Dr. Armstrong volunteered at her local humane society, shadowed a dairy veterinarian, and visited Costa Rica and Nicaragua to provide veterinary aide to underserviced areas. In 2019, her long-time dream came true, and she was accepted to the Ontario Veterinary College. She graduated in 2023, joining Buck that same year.

Dr. Allison is a member of the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association and the Veterinary Information Network. She has a special interest in preventative medicine, behaviour, nutrition, and ophthalmology. She also has a place in her heart for exotics medicine (birds, rodents, reptiles, etc), and hopes to expand her experience in this area.

Outside of work, Dr. Allison loves to run, play soccer, birdwatch, and spend time with her beloved family and friends, especially in nature. And of course, not a day goes by where she doesn’t bond with her snuggly ragdoll Bear, and spunky black and white kitten, Panda.

Sam has been with Buck Animal Hospital since April 2007 but working with animals since she was 10 - including cows and horses.

She started out as a kennel staff and never left all while working hard to earn her H.Bsc in Animal Biology and Msc in Animal Immunogenetics.
Sam wears the hats of many roles and we are so excited to watch her fulfill her dream of become a DVM!

Sam loves working with and answering client questions. Nutrition and immunology in veterinary medicine is her passion and currently has her Fear Fear Level 1 certification and is a Veterinary Nutrition Advisor after completing all the modules with Royal Canin Academy.

Outside of work Sam enjoys teaching undergrad courses at the University of Guelph, horseback riding, lending a hand on the dairy farm and working out. Sam and her partner along with bulldog mix Wilbur, standard poodles; Penelopi and Banana, enjoy going for hikes. They also have a rescue domestic medium hair named HollanDAISY sauce.

Buck Animal Hospital's Practice Manager, Andrina has been working at Buck's since 1992. While working she completed her Honours Biological Science Degree at University of Guelph graduating in 1995, as well as receiving her diploma at St Laurence College in 2001 for Veterinary Hospital Manager.

Andrina has been working in a vet clinic since she was old enough to work. She has had a number of different jobs but always enjoyed working with animals and has always kept a job in a vet clinic.
Andrina's furry family members include Ashawa, a handsome grey domestic short-hair and two Great Danes, Hansen and Marley. Andrina has always loved animals and has had cats, dogs, birds, fish and rodent pets over the years. Animals give you unconditional love and add immense joy to your everyday life! It's wonderful to come home and be greeted with great enthusiasm and love.

Andrina lives with her partner Mark, son Wason and daughter Tesla when she isn't away pursuing her next degree. In 2008, Andrina's eldest daughter Cyra passed away. She has a brain hemorrhage, strokes and a 5 year battle. She is missed terribly but remembered daily.

Andrina enjoys long daily hikes with the dogs, time at the cottage and stained glass in her spare time.

Mark always comments that she kisses Hansen and Marley before him when she gets home, she told him that if he beats them to the door to greet her, then she will kiss him first. He hasn’t won yet!

Katie joined Buck Animal Hospital right out of technician school in April 2008, graduating from Seneca College.

From a very young age she always had a love for animals and knew she would be involved in an animal hospital in some manner. Always taking care of family pets and volunteering at animal hospitals whenever she could. In 2004 she did a co-op placement while in high school and continued to work there during the summers through tech school.

Her passion is surgery, helping pets feel comfortable while they are at the clinic and keeping things organized! Katie is a member of the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians and a big advocate for health and wellness.

Katie and her husband are proud parents of 2 girls - Hailee and Adelynne. Their current four-legged number is three. All rescues - Milo a husky shepherd mix, Naulah a domestic short hair and Simba a domestic long haired. Both kitties clearly named by the girls after the Lion King.

In Katie’s spare time you can find her spending time with her family outdoors, hiking, gardening, at the cottage, working out, baking and chasing her dream to bring more joy into her surroundings.

Drewe joined our team in July 2020 after graduating from Seneca College in April.

Growing up Drewe’s parents owned a reptile business and her mom raised National Service Dogs. Helping out with both at a young age she was exposed to a lot of different species. At the age of 14 Drewe decided she wanted to be a veterinarian, once in University she decided it was not the right path for her. She attended University of Guelph for Animal Biology, began volunteering at the Guelph Humane Society and at a horse farm - there she found a passion working with the horses and the barn family.

Drewe is still figuring out what her passion is at work but she certainly lights up when there is a cute, fluffy puppy or kitten - well pretty much any pet - that comes through the door. Drewe is a member of the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians, completed level 2 of the Fear Free Certification and earned her BSC in Animal Biology.

Drewe lives with two kitties - Oliver and Franklin. She met Oliver through the adoption program at tech school and fell in love instantly. His once shy, scared personality has turned into a cuddly, playful cat that enjoys a wide variety of toys and treats including - chicken, ice cream and peanut butter. Franklin was adopted by Drewe once we realized he was a family cat and not a clinic cat. Both Franklin and Oliver get along very well and have adjusted to being playmates.
In her spare time you can find Drewe reading, hiking, skiing or doing arts and crafts.

Amanda has joined our team in 2024 with 20 years of experience in the field graduating from St Clair College in 2004. Amanda has lifelong passion for working with animals and providing them with the best care possible.

In recognition of her outstanding contributions to veterinary medicine, Amanda was honoured with the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians' "Technician of the Year" award in 2009. She specializes in anaesthetic and pain management in surgical settings, combining a high level of skill with deep compassion for her patients.

Outside of her professional life, Amanda shares her home with her husband and two children. A lifelong animal lover, she had a beloved cat who was rescued from a difficult situation and brought immense joy to her life for 20 years. He remains forever in her heart.

Elly joined Buck Animal Hospital in August 2024 as a student to do her externship as a veterinary technician. We hope to continue to work with Elly as she continues to work her way to becoming a Register Veterinary Technician.

Elly brings four years of dedicated experience in shelter medicine and has graduated from Seneca College as a veterinary assistant. Through this she has developed a deep commitment to the health and well-being of animals in need. She thrives in collaborative settings and cherishes her relationships with both animals and coworkers.

Elly is a proud owner of a rescue dog from Louisiana and understands the unique challenges and joys that come with caring for animals from diverse backgrounds.
In her spare time, she enjoys hiking and watching TV. Elly is excited to continue her journey in veterinary medicine and make lasting impacts on the lives of animals and their families.

Alicia has been working at Buck Animal Hospital since March 1997.

In high school she wanted to be a vet so thought it would be a good idea to work at an animal clinic to gain some experience. Instead she went for a Master's degree in environmental engineering and became a professional engineer.

She has a passion for treading lightly on the earth - minimizing her consumption of resources and helping others do the same. She loves animals and couldn't give up the opportunity to help them after her career path changed and started working as an engineer.

Alicia currently lives with her feline companion Keats.

In her spare time she can be found practicing yoga, increasing her knowledge on wellness and snowboarding

Jillian has been with the Buck team since April of 2019.

She has been volunteering and working in the animal care field since she was 18 at various horse barns, the Toronto Wildlife Centre, animal hospitals, and cow farms.
Jill grew up with 2 older brothers and was constantly surrounded by animals. At a young age she knew she wanted a career in animal health care.

She graduated from the University of Guelph with a H.BSc in Biological Sciences in 2020 and is now currently in a Master’s program in Biomedical Sciences.

On her days off you can find her with friends, outdoors, exercising, shopping, or relaxing at home with her cat Jasper and dog Kira.

Tesla grew up at Buck's, attending staff meetings with a colouring book, and officially started working in 2013 in the animal care position. She continued to evolve within the clinic to working reception as well as continuing animal care.

Tesla took sometime off work during her undergrad at the University of Guelph in molecular biology and genetics (BScH 2017). She couldn't stay away and is currently working reception once a month as well as pursuing a PhD at Queen's University researching gene therapy for neurological disorders.

Tesla has a cat named Lemon that she found on the side of the road after being hit by a car. Dr. Blackburn performed 2 lifesaving surgeries on her back in 2018. We are happy to say she made a full recovery and you could never tell she doesn't have a hip bone! Tesla also has a Great Dane named Neera who is very energetic, so she loves her agility and obedience training.

Tesla works with animals in some capacity everyday- her little mice are the heart and soul of her PhD pursuits and make life-saving therapies possible.

In her spare time she enjoys hiking, plant care, staying active, puzzles and watching all the critters that bird feeders bring

Fiona has been with the Buck team since April 2023. She started out front as a receptionist and now has started helping in the back with the technicians and doctors caring for our lovely patients.

She had been working in the animal industry for a very long time. Growing up she took on many volunteer opportunities from Pride Stables to Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society. Fiona spent close to 3 years at a different clinic prior to joining our team.
From a young age Fiona has been surrounded by pets of her own including an assortment of different rodents, fish, as well as many cats and a couple dogs. She has always had a passion for helping and caring for animals of all kinds and they’re humans as well. Fiona currently has a dog named Freddie and two cats called Wilma and Hazel.

In Fiona’s spare time she enjoys spending time at the rock-climbing gym which has been a big part of her life for many years. She also enjoys going for walks with Freddie, spending lots of time outdoors, or getting cozy on the couch with her pets reading a book or watching tv.

Christine has been with Buck since November of 2023

Growing up, there was never a time where dogs or cats were not in the house. Christine’s family would take in stray cats, vaccinate them, look after them and find them their forever homes.
After high school, Christine graduated from Sheridan College in 1992, with a diploma in Animal Care. She worked in clinics in Burlington, Oakville and Guelph, both as a receptionist and a Vet Assistant. Christine got married and then took some extended time off to raise her 3 children in the late 90’s and early 2000’s.

Christine’s first pet that she had on her own was her cat Kayla, which she rescued while in college. Kayla was instrumental in helping her first born, Patrick, learn to crawl and go upstairs as he loved to follow Kayla around. There have been others as well, including a cat, Cinderella (Cindy), and two dogs, Gypsy and until recently, her beloved Oscar. All of them were rescues and amazing members of the family. This year marks the first time Christine and her family have been without a furry friend around the house, and she is pretty sure that void will be filled sometime soon.

In her spare time, Christine is an avid sports fan (NHL, NFL, NBA and the Jays). Christine and her husband love to find and explore hiking trails all around the region, and we cannot forget to mention … she loves to shop!

Nicole started working at Buck Animal Hospital in August of 2004.

She has been working with animals since 2002, beginning with volunteer work at the KW Humane Society.

Nicole has always had a passion for both wild and domestic animals. She has owned all types of pets including: birds, rodents, reptiles, amphibians, small mammals and different breeds of dogs.

Nicole currently lives with her husband, 2 children, and their pets: a collie/shepherd mix named "Heidi", a husky/shepherd mix named "Lucy In The Sky" and 2 tortoiseshell cats - inseparable sisters named "Freya" and "Nya"

All of Nicole's current pets are rescues. Lucy made an extra special journey to find her furever home. In 2019, she traveled from North Bay aboard the "Pet Valu Rescue Express". The "Rescue Express" is an initiative of the North Bay and District Humane Society to transport animals in need from remote communities to more populated areas in hopes of securing homes for them.

Christie McCue has worked at Bucks as an animal care personnel since 2012.
She was covering Nicole’s maternity leave and is once again working her evening kennel position.

Christie’s focus has always been on animal care, starting as a volunteer for over 30 years ago at various Animal Clinics and Pet Shops as well as at the Ontario Veterinary College.

Christie is always helping animals in need and giving them a home whether 4 legged or 2 legged. It would not be an odd sight to see a squirrel, or a seagull being fostered and rehabilitated in the McCue household.

Their permanent residences include several cats Bob, Mani, Butters and Murdock, a Pomeranian Grizzly, and a Senegal Parrot – Boggie. The house is filled with a lot of love and noise

Kailey joined our team in 2024 working part-time in animal care and recently started her high school co-op placement. She is passionate about pursuing a career in veterinary medicine. Her hands-on experience here has deepened her understanding of animal care and reinforced her commitment to helping animals in need.

Outside of work at the clinic, she loves spending time with her two dogs, Monkey, a goofy German Shepherd, and Coco, an energetic German Shorthaired Pointer. Together, they enjoy training sessions that strengthen their bond and enhance their skills. Kailey's enthusiasm for dog training has not only taught patience and perseverance but has also ignited her desire to specialize in animal behaviour in the future.

Kailey looks forward to continuing her journey in the veterinary field and making a positive impact on the lives of animals and their owners.

Clawdia was surrendered to our clinic as a senior cat with various health issues. Our lovely Dr. Morin cared for her and got her back to being a healthy senior! She is on daily medications and a special veterinary diet. She is very vocal, and always wanting attention! She has settled in very nicely at her new home here