Your Teachers

Dr. Amy Brown graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph in 2009.  Since then, Dr. Amy has worked in a variety of small animal clinics across the country.  She brings with her experience in feline-only practice, general practice and emergency medicine.  Her passion for fear-free animal care, surgery and dentistry are evident in her teaching, as she shares it with her students.  Dr. Amy joined the Algonquin College team in January 2020 and enjoys supporting her students and finding new ways to learn with them.  She enjoys teaching as well as taking care of the critters that find their way into the Algonquin College Veterinary Learning Centre and Clinic.  When she isn’t working, Dr. Amy enjoys spending time with family and her Alaskan Klee Kai, Monashee. 

Shannon Reid is a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) who received her an advanced diploma in Veterinary Technology from St. Lawrence College.  She then went on to obtain her Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) designation as well as a Bachelor of Science degree from Queens University. Prior to coming to Algonquin, Shannon launched her career at the University of Guelph (Ontario Veterinary College) Health Sciences Center providing exceptional care and training to Veterinary students in the Large Animal Clinic, Small Animal Emergency and Intensive Care Unit and the Emergency Referral/Triage Department. Shannon joined the AC Veterinary Programs team in May 2013 and has fulfilled several roles within the program during her time there.  She enjoys teaching a variety of courses including Clinical Skills Labs, Anatomy and Physiology and Emergency and Critical Care medicine.  In addition to her role as a Professor, she also fulfills the role of the Veterinary Programs Curriculum Coordinator.  Shannon considers herself a lifelong learner and enjoys completing continuing education activities to remain up to date in the exciting and evolving world of Veterinary medicine.  In her spare time she can be found spending time outside, enjoying the company of her family and many pets on her horse farm west of Ottawa. 

Emma graduated in 1991 from the Animal Care Technologist Program, St. Lawrence College, Kingston. She has been an R.V.T. for over 20 years, starting her career in a private laboratory before joining the Alta Vista Animal Hospital in 1993. Here she worked as a R.V.T in the General practice and Emergency department and was a member of their Health and Safety Committee. Through hard work and dedication, before Emma joined the Algonquin College Team in 2006, she had become the Global Veterinary Technician manager for both the General practice and Referral services at the AVAH. Emma’s designation at the college is “support staff”, aptly named as she supports the faculty and students in their academic endeavors though facility and equipment maintenance, laboratory preparations, companion and laboratory animal husbandry as well as the Health and Safety of students, staff and animals. Emma is a member of the Algonquin College Animal Care Committee that oversees all and any activities involving animals on campus. Emma loves animals and is the facilitator of the Veterinary Technician & Assistant, Royal Canin Elite Shelter Adoption program. The faculty and students of the Veterinary Programs are dedicated to helping find forever homes for their “adoption ready” SPCA de l’ Outaouais cats and dogs. Emma shares her home with 3 beautiful rescue cats, Stella, Kramer and Dewey, and her porch with “Ginger the cat” who she hopes to win over and lure into her forever home before long.

Jennifer has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Guelph and a Veterinary Technician diploma from Seneca College. She has also completed graduate degrees in both adult education and leadership. After earning the Registered Veterinary Technician designation, she began working in a small animal practice where she provided technical support to numerous departments including General Practice, Ophthalmology, Surgery, ICU, Internal Medicine and Emergency/Critical Care. Jennifer has been teaching in the Veterinary Technician program since its inception in 2003, and has taught a variety of topics including small and large animal parasitology, radiography, math, and clinical skills. Her cat Rupert is the newest addition to her family. He was adopted from the Algonquin College Veterinary Learning Centre & Clinic and shares his home with fellow feline Sebastian.

Lisa is a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) with an advanced diploma in Veterinary Technology from St. Lawrence College; a Bachelor of Science Degree specializing in Veterinary Technology from the State University of New York; a Bachelor of Education Degree specializing in Senior Biology and Chemistry from the University of Ottawa; a Master of Education Degree in Educational Administration and Policy from St. Francis Xavier University and is currently in graduate studies at Carleton University focusing on Policy and Program Evaluation. 

Lisa has worked as an RVT and manager in small animal medicine within General Practice, Emergency/Critical Care, Internal Medicine (Cardiology and Oncology) as well as performed the TCO2 testing at horse race events. Her love for animals, learning and teaching brought her to Algonquin College in 2005. As a professor in the Veterinary Technician Program, Lisa supports students, graduates and future RVTs as they work towards achieving their professional goals in veterinary medicine.

Robyn joined the Veterinary Program’s Team in 2018 and teaches Ethology. Robyn obtained a B.A. from the University of Calgary and a M.Sc. from the University of Alberta. She graduated with honors from the Academy for Dog Trainers with a certification in training and counselling (CTC). She is also a Certified Behaviour Consultant (CBCC-KA) and holds both the animal trainer and veterinary certifications from Fear Free.
Robyn works as a dog trainer and canine behaviour consult at the Ottawa Humane Society providing support to the public. In the past Robyn has also worked as a class instructor, dog sports instructor and was an owner at Carolark: The Canine Learning Centre. Robyn has three dogs, Karma, Journey, and Digby who have fun providing real-world application to her course’s content.

Amber has been a professional groomer in the Ottawa area since graduating in 2008 from the Pet Smart Pet Grooming Academy. She currently works as a groomer at Barrhaven. Amber is passionate about dogs and enjoys teaching students in the grooming labs with her colleague Melissa Stairs.

Melissa is a graduate of Algonquin College in Office Administration (2013) and Waste Water Technician (2010). She has completed Pet Smart Grooming Academy and has worked for the past 13 years as a groomer, currently at Barrkhaven in Nepean. Melissa brings a strong background in grooming techniques and client care to the grooming courses offered in the Veterinary Assistant program. She is often accompanied to grooming lectures and labs by her two dogs Izzie and Hurley.