Veterinarians
Jill Blathwayt, DVM
Dr. Blathwayt graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1994. She joined the practice in 1998. At home are David Puddy, the smartest cat in the whole world and his much simpler sidekick Scout. To avoid the nickname “Cat Lady” a cavalier named Lindy was added to the mix. Dave and Scout continue to adjust to the change in their lifestyle.
Leigh Harrison, DVM
Dr. Leigh Harrison is a graduate of the Ontario Veterinary College. Originally from Collingwood, she moved to the Tri-cities and joined the Beechmount team in June 2022. Dr. Harrison has a soft spot for poodles, in the family are 4 named Tucker, Tilley, Lady, and Toby. To keep it interesting, she also has a teacup chihuahua named Kikai.
Natalie Trisch, DVM
Dr. Trisch graduated with an Honours degree in Biology from the University of Guelph and completed a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1996. She has since worked as a small animal locum.
Dr. Trisch shares her life with two rescue cats – Cocoa, a sweet 18 year old Himalayan, and Freddie (in her words) “the fatty fat fatty,” an 8 year old brown tabby. Freddie wakes her up every morning at 5:30AM because he is starving!
Josh Kirby, DVM
Dr. Josh Kirby graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2007. He joins us with a background in emergency medicine. At home, he is kept very busy with his family and golden retrievers.
Veterinary Assistants
Emily
Emily joined the Beechmount Animal Hospital in the beginning of 2017. She grew up in Ottawa and spent summers working as a zookeeper at the Ottawa zoo. Inspired by her time at the zoo, Emily moved to Sudbury and attended Laurentian University to obtain her degree in Zoology. Her cat Boots recently had to welcome a puppy named Burt. The jury is still out on how Boots feels about her new roommate.
Dana
Dana joined us over a year ago as a volunteer. She quickly became a knowledgeable and beloved team member and began working full time this summer. Ultimately, we will probably lose her to vet school but we are lucky to have her now. She’s pictured with her American Akita Mac.
Cadence
Cadence has joined the Beechmount team between her first and second year at Ridgetown, University of Guelph for Veterinary Technology. Between her time at school and work, she enjoys spending time with her 2 dogs Lincoln and Lexus as well as her bunny Dusty. –>
Registered Veterinary Technicians
Kelly
Kelly joined the Beechmount Animal Hospital team in 2000 as a brand new Veterinary Technician graduate from Ridgetown College. Those who have met her over her years know her as gentle, kind and compassionate. She currently shares her home with a variety of cats and a hound cross named Blue. Her kitties are her true favourites and the very best one is Crumb, a tabby and white boy. Kelly also shares her home with her husband and two boys, they might also say Crumb is her favourite ;).
Kaitlyn
Kaitlyn received her Honours Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Biology with a minor in Chemistry in 2017, from Wilfrid Laurier University. She then graduated from the veterinary technician program at Seneca College in 2019, got her registration, and joined our team in the same year.
Kaitlyn has a background working with Canadian wildlife, domestic, farm & exotic animals, as well as experience volunteering at a Cheetah breeding program in South Africa. Kaitlyn has settled down in the KW area with her husband, her 2 cats Link & Quill, and her dog Buck.
Sydney
Sydney spent two months volunteering at Beechmount Animal Hospital before graduating from the Veterinary Technician program at Seneca College in April 2023 with high honors. She got her registration a few months after, and officially joined the Beechmount team in September of 2023. She has a passion for rescuing animals. At home you’ll find her rabbit (Casper) and her dog (Autumn) who she cares for deeply. She is super excited to be a part of the team and can’t wait to meet all the new friendly faces.
Sonya
Sonya grew up in Kitchener and started working in a clinic as a veterinary assistant in 2016 while working towards her Veterinary Office Administration diploma from Conestoga College. After a year of working she went on to St. Clair College in 2018 to become a Veterinary Technician. She graduated in 2020 and got her license the same year. Sonya still resides in Kitchener with her husky Zira and joined the Beechmount team in 2024.
Reception Staff
Andrea
Andrea joined the Beechmount team in 2007. There is never a dull moment at home with her cats: lovely Ember, and cuddly Jack.
Miesha
Miesha is the newest addition to the Reception Team here at Beechmount. With a lifetime of love for animals, she recently graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University with her BA Biology degree. Miesha continues to call Waterloo region home, which she is pleased to share with her Mini Australian Shepherd, Winnie, and her cat, Luna.
Carrie
Carrie has always worked in the medical field, her favourite being veterinary medicine. Having compassion and empathy for your furry friends is her greatest asset.
In Carrie’s spare time, she enjoys spending time with her 3 adult children, grandchildren, as well as her furry kids.
Clinic Cats
Loocy
In Memory
Loocy joined us in 2011. She belonged to a senior who found her difficult to take care of due to her medical issues. Dr. Dodd took a shine to this recalcitrant cat and insisted that she stay. Being dangerously overweight, our first plan was to diet her back. Her huge love of food (particularly fruit) made it difficult but we are pleased to say that she is now half her weight. She started at 22 pounds and she is currently 11 pounds!
Tomorrow
In 2010, Tomorrow (also known as TT) was hired for the position of head cat. She came to fill this role from her previous position as a stray at the Humane Society. She takes her job seriously, greeting clients from her basket on the front desk. She also donates her time to allow clients to practice injection technique prior to starting their own pets on insulin to treat diabetes.