
Harry Joel Rumney
B.Sc (Bio), B. Sc (Ag), DVM, Cert DHM
Born and raised just up the road from the present clinic site, Joel is the only son of Harry and Patricia Rumney. Born and raised in “the valley,” Joel graduated from the one room school “Riverside” just down the road (the same school from which his father and grandmother graduated). Harry was a farmer by birth raising purebred Shorthorn cattle, sheep, horses, hogs and poultry. Pat, Joel’s mother, came into the community to teach at the one room school in Vasey where Harry was quick to take a liking to the new pretty young teacher.
Veterinary medicine was not something new to the Rumney family. Dr. Wilfred Rumney and his little sister Jean Rumney (cousins of Joel’s father and raised next door) were both veterinarians. Wilf went on to build and operate the Blue Cross Animal Hospital on King Street in Hamilton. Wilf later became the president of the College of Veterinarians and lectured at the Ontario Veterinary College.
Dr. Jean Rumney, although severely affected by polio at a very young age, became the first Canadian woman to graduate from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1939. She continued her brother Wilf’s role at the Blue Cross Animal Hospital until her death in 1974.
Joel's desire to become a veterinarian was born from this background of farming and animal husbandry.In his studies at the University of Guelph, Joel completed a bachelor’s degree in both biology and animal sciences before admission to the Veterinary College.
Joel realized that he wanted to come back to the family farm to establish a practice. In his final year at O.V.C, he designed and planned the current facility. Joel’s carpentry and building skills led to his interest and proficiency in surgery and orthopedics, areas that he still enjoys immensely.