Meet Our Team

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Dr. Melissa Ochotsky, DVM 
​ Veterinarian / Practice Owner

Dr. Melissa graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon. She has a menagerie of dogs and cats, as well as 1 horse with whom she participates in show jumping competitions. Melissa enjoys keeping very busy with a multitude of extracurricular activities, which include hiking, running, yoga and gardening. ​

Amy
Registered Veterinary Technician

Bio coming soon.

Miranda 
Office Manager , ​Veterinary Office Assistant

Miranda joined Westwood Heights in 2016 as a Veterinary Assistant after graduating from the Douglas College Veterinary Office and Animal Care program. Her dedication and organizational skills quickly stood out, and she stepped into the role of office manager in 2018. While she doesn’t currently have any pets of her own, Miranda is a proud “aunt” to her nephew dog, Emmet, and loves spending her free time taking him on adventures and fun extracurricular outings.

Natalie
Registered Veterinary Technician

Natalie started at Westw​ood Heights as an RVT in 2011. She recently took 2 years off to have babies but is now back in action. Natalie has always been passionate about animals and their well being. She currently has 3 dogs (a Pomeranian, Pitbull and a Whippet) and a barn full of animals. She has 2 kunekune pigs, 6 goats, 3 cats, 3 ducks and a whole bunch of chickens with the intent to get more.

Vanessa
Veterinary Office Assistant

Vanessa has worked at Westwood Heights since 2007. Over the years, she has adopted 6 pets from Westwood, but as of 2024 is currently pet-less. However, she does have some regular visitors that she babysits, 1 of which is her "godson" Cuda, featured in her profile picture. While Vanessa does love spending time with & helping animals, she spends most of her workdays at our reception helping clients. Fun work-related fact: she loves paperwork. When not working, Vanessa likes to do as little as possible, but always has music playing and enjoys reading and trying to crochet.

Keri
Veterinary Office Assistant

Keri graduated from the Douglas College Veterinary Office Assistant program in 2019 and went on to work at BCSPCA Burnaby Veterinary Hospital for three years before joining ​the Westwood Heights team in 2022. Having grown up in a household with anywhere from two to five pets in residence at a given time, she has always felt a strong connection with animals and is thrilled to be contributing to their health and well-being in a professional capacity. Keri and her husband are proud pet parents of one dog, Rudy, and two cats, Velcro and Bar Code. In her spare time, Keri enjoys reading, needlecraft, photography, and attempting to play the piano without one or more cats trying to join in.

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Clinic Cats

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Mommy Cat - Laundry Supervisor

Greg - Kitten Foster Dad

Guppy - Reception Supervisor

Mommy Cat came to us as a stray with her 3 kittens​ in July of 2009. She was adopted out 3 months later, but unfortunately was brought back as she was keeping the new owner up at night wanting to play. After that, we decided to keep her for good. You can find her on top of a fresh pile of laundry or playing with catnip.

Greg came to us a stray in August of 2018. He had eaten 30 hair elastics and was skin and bones. We had the endoscopy specialist come in and remove them all, and now he is doing great! We have had quite a few litters of kittens that we have fostered, and Greg loves to groom and play with them. He can never turn down a good treat.

Guppy came to us at approximately eight weeks old, as a stray with her two littermates in October 2020. She was born unable to use her back legs, but she scoots around just great! She is one of the most happy, affectionate cats we have ever met. She is always hanging out in the reception area, or with Greg, her best feline friend.

Westwood Wall of Honour

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Rudy

2013-2022

Mr. Magoo

2013-2020

Sioban

2001-2018

Crystal

2002-2018

Penny

2013-2017

Pasq

2000-2016

Sally

​2003-2015