Harry Joel Rumney

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. 

Edie Haberfellner (Rumney)

Growing up with a multitude of pets, Dr. Edie knows the love and richness that they bring into our lives. This appreciation was enhanced at the Ontario Veterinary college by learning how to help our animals to live healthier and longer lives. With her mother being a family physician, human medicine was an obvious choice for Dr. Edie, but her heart drew her towards veterinary medicine. A choice she has never regretted.

Suzanne Abray

Dr. Abray is a native Canadian with ties in both Alberta and Ontario. During her eight years at North Simcoe Veterinary Services, she has specialized in surgery and become a vital member of the veterinarian team. Her household consists of one husband, one son, 2 cats, 1 dog, 1 guinea pig and one small but ferocious betta fish. When Dr. Abray is not taking care of her family and pets, she enjoys hiking, traveling, and reading. Dr. Abray specializes in small animal surgery.

Mike Irving

Having recently moved to the area from Toronto, Dr. Mike comes to North Simcoe/Midland Veterinary Services for relief work when the clinics are temporarily short-staffed. He graduated from Ontario Veterinary College in 1979 and has been practicing veterinary medicine since then. He especially enjoys small animal surgery and medicine, laser surgery, and orthopedic surgery. He and his wife have a dog and cat. When asked about his interests, he responded “too many to list!”  Dr. Irving focuses his interest on small animal medicine and surgery.

Shauna O'Brien

Dr. Shauna was born and raised in Kildare, Republic of Ireland. After receiving her veterinary degree from UCD, Dublin, in 2017, she hopped on a plane and jetted off to Canada one week later. She works with all animals, though has a special love for her equine and bovine surgical patients, as well as those of the ‘scaly’ variety. Although she had to leave her best furry friend, Molly, behind in Ireland, she quickly added a new feline to her collection; Figaro comes to North Simcoe to get into trouble with our clinic cat. When she is not busy in the clinic, Dr. Shauna enjoys horse riding, canoeing, singing, and working on her accent so farmers understand her on the telephone!

Laurie Freedman

Dr. Laurie hails from Brampton, Ontario, but is well travelled when it comes to her education. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from Guelph, but Guelph was too close to home for our Dr. Laurie, and she moved to Wales for her Masters degree. After spending some time with the sheep of Wales, Dr. Laurie decided to pursue her veterinary degree abroad, and obtained her MVB from UCD, Ireland. She joined our team in 2018 as a mixed animal practicioner, with a special interest in bovine. She has one guinea pig and enjoys walking on the beach (although not accompanied by her pocket pet).

Ashley Mann

Originally from Burlington, Ontario, Dr. Ashley attended the University of Guelph for Bio-Medical science before moving abroad to Dublin, Ireland. After graduating with her degree in Veterinary Medicine from UCD, she returned home to Canada and settled in Midland with her adorable adopted cats, Amber and Ivy. In her free time she enjoys training and competing in martial arts, and visiting Copper, her family's Brittany Spaniel, back in Burlington.

Rose Rumney

Dr. Rose grew up on her family’s farm here on Rumney Road. With both parents working as veterinarians, she was exposed to a wide variety of animals from a young age, and quickly learned to love veterinary medicine. Prior to attending veterinary college she spent 4 years at the University of Guelph completing a Bachelor of Science in Animal Biology. After graduating from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2017, Dr. Rose spent a year in Peterborough working as a mixed animal veterinarian, but has now returned home to join our team. When she is not busy working Dr. Rose is an avid reader and outdoor enthusiast, enjoying activities such as fishing, skiing, hiking and bird-watching.

Colby

You can usually spot Colby curled up beside our printer, or hanging out on a chair in the waiting room. Colby loves to play with his friend, Figaro, greet people (and animals!) coming in to visit us, and cuddle anyone who wants a hug. Be careful though - he makes it his personal mission to inspect all cat carriers that come into the clinic; you may find yourself with an extra cat going home!

Sheila Lalonde

When Sheila is not running around the clinic trying to help clients and staff, she is watching cars race around the track at NASCAR events. In addition to enjoying car racing, Sheila loves to travel in her RV with her beloved Doberman and occasionally her cat (of course, her husband comes along for the ride also!). At the clinic, she especially enjoys practical application of her technician skills (catheter placement and surgery assistance). She too is a long time “resident” of North Simcoe Veterinary Service and Midland Veterinary Service and has logged in 26 years of experience at the clinics.

Mary Smith

Mary Smith is a native of Ontario and has called North Simcoe Veterinary Services her“home away from home” for nearly 25 years. She specializes in the effective handling of dogs and cats within the clinic setting as well as client pet counseling and other behavioral concerns. In her spare time, Mary participates in agility and obedience training with her dogs, Slip, Trim, Hope and Gail.

Amanda Belange

Bio Coming Soon.

Mary-Kate McIsaac

Hailing from the Ramara area, Mary-Kate became part of the North Simcoe team during her practical training placement as part of her college degree. After she received her veterinary technician diploma from Georgian College, Orillia in 2017, she joined North Simcoe full-time as one of our registered veterinary technicians. Her special interest is large animal surgery, and she enjoys accompanying our large animal vets on ambulatory visits to farms. Mary-Kate has two dogs at home, Lacey and Annie, and enjoys hiking with the pair in her free time, as well as riding horses.

Megan Peplinskie

A native Ontario resident, Megan has always enjoyed horse back riding and spending time with family and friends. After receiving her training at College Boreal and Kemptville College, she worked for a brief time at Caledone Equine before joining the North Simcoe team. She especially enjoys assisting in large animal surgeries.

Susan Gauld

After graduating from Seneca College, Susan worked at North Simcoe for a time, before moving to Owen Sound to work in a small animal clinic for a time. Now back in our mixed practice, Susan's areas of expertise are examining laboratory samples including blood smears, mass and faecals. Susan is the self-confessed 'faecal lady'! She also has a special interest in homeopathy and herbal remedies. In her spare time, Susan enjoys gardening and spending time with her daughter, Heather..

Dave Mercier

Although originally from the northern aspect of Ontario, Dave has found a “second” home in Midland and North Simcoe. An avid sports fan, he also enjoys camping, fishing, and hunting. When on the job, his interests are small animal surgery and radiology. He and his family have numerous dogs and cats

Jennifer G Gonsalves

Jen was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario.  She moved to the Moonstone area approximately 15 years ago.  Having always been interested in animals, she has collected a large menagerie of pets, including goats, chickens, dogs, cats, turtles, fish, guinea pigs, and ducks.  She has 2 children, Owen and Emma.  When she isn't working hard at the clinic, she enjoys watching her children play basebal

Beth Harris

Beth is originally from St. Albert, Alberta, but currently farms sheep in the Penetanguishene area. Beth received a B.A.Sc in Geography with honours, and joined our team in 2017. She has a special interest in equine and of course ovine, but is not afraid to get involved with  all aspects of the clinic. In her free time, Beth likes horseback riding and gardening, as well as backpacking with her family and two dogs, River and Finn.

Julie Doyle

Bio Coming Soon.

Sue Bodsworth

When you walk through the doors at North Simcoe/Midland Veterinary Services, don’t be surprised when you are greeted by this English-accented receptionist. Sue was born in England but moved to Canada and began working at North Simcoe in 1991. In 1994, she left to raise her family but returned in 2010. She enjoys interacting with clients and their pets. She has 2 dogs, 2 cats, a husband, and 4 sons. When questioned about what her hobbies are outside of work, she said “peace and quiet!”

Christine Robinson

Another local lady, Christine was raised in Wyevale. Her first career as a chef began with training with Keyano College Culinary Program. From there, she moved to Fort McMurray in Alberta where she indulged her love of cooking into a full-time job. After retiring from the restaurant business, Christine moved back home and began working at North Simcoe in June of 2010. She enjoys the interaction with clients and coworkers when she isn’t helping her sister (Sheila Lalonde) in the office.