To be the most progressive, inclusive, and modern privately owned small animal veterinary hospital on Cape Breton Island. Due to our compassion and forward-thinking, we would like to become the clinic of choice for modern veterinary care for all animal species. We will strive to offer the highest standard of care and provide more up-to-date and advanced care to the island’s cat, dog, and exotic animal patients.
Meet the Veterinarians & Family of Island Veterinary Hospital in Cape Breton! We’re pleased to provide exceptional vet care for your pets!
Veterinarian
Along with being a practicing veterinarian in the clinic, Steven is the owner and visionary for Island Veterinary Hospital.
He is a 2013 graduate of the Atlantic Veterinary College in PEI with extensive experience in a variety of disciplines, such as: small animal, large animal, wildlife, and exotics.
He has had the dream to eventually open up his own veterinary practice since the beginning of his journey in the veterinary industry, and it has finally come to life with Island Veterinary Hospital!
Veterinarian
Alexander is originally from Coxheath. He is a 2024 graduate of the Atlantic Veterinary College in PEI. He has a passion for animal behavior and is certified in Fear Free medicine. He is committed to making every visit as calm and enjoyable for everyone as possible.
Technician
Trish entered into this field in 2010 to try and make a difference in the patients and client’s lives. She has been doing this for 12 years and loves every minute of it. Trish has an American Staffordshire, Marcus James and 2 cats, Lena Sugar and Thomas Drake. Trish enjoys the outdoors, painting and anything to do with animals. She has been at Sydney animal hospital for almost 2 years and at Northside Animal Hospital for 10 years as a Vet Technician. Trish attended Thompson Rivers University (online distance program) to become an RVT which she still working towards. This isn’t just a job for her, it is her passion. Trish has attended many conferences where it made her have a love for dentistry. She is also passionate about surgery and anesthetic monitoring. Trish has trained many clients how to give insulin injections, how to manage their diabetic fur baby and makes sure the clients have the proper information and to make them feel comfortable with the process. Trish also has her certification in ‘Sophia Yin low stress handing’ and does everything to make your fur baby comfortable and not as afraid to be in a clinic setting. She is very patient and works with your fur baby to ensure a safe space and best possible experience with us. Her goal is to ensure proper client education and to give the best possible care and love to the patients.
Registered Veterinary Technician
Melanie has been in the veterinary industry since 2004 and has worked in several clinics across Canada. Being from a small community in Cape Breton, when the opportunity presented itself, the decision to move back to her roots was an easy one.
As a child, Melanie had dreams of becoming a nurse. That desire to help people, combined with her love of animals, lead her to where she is today. She graduated in 2002 with a diploma as a Veterinary Assistant, and after many years working as a trained technician, she decided to make it official and became licensed as a Registered Veterinary Technician in 2015. She is very passionate about providing the best care for patients and their families, and strives to make each visit as easy as possible for every client. She can often be found giving extra care (in the form of snuggles) to the hospitalized patients.
Melanie spends most of her home life with her husband and 2 sons on their small farm, beekeeping, hiking, and being on or near the ocean.
Veterinary Assistant
Barbara is from North Side East Bay, a mom to the coolest human son and 3 dogs. Barbara has been working with animals for the past 15 years professionally, while owning and raising a large variety for many more than that! In addition to her dogs she has 4 goats and 2 horses who always keep her and her family happy and busy.
Her passion is to give pets a voice in their care while helping to ensure we are providing the best treatment possible on the good days and the bad.
Starting at a young age, her love of all things animal related blossomed and led naturally to a career in the industry.
Although she will most often be found on the floor of the clinic getting to know each and every patient, she also enjoys the personal interaction involved in building and maintaining client relationships.
Her energy, drive and above all, compassion and knowledge is integral and evident in her daily duties.
Veterinary Assistant
Kayla chose to work at Island Veterinary Clinic because of her love for animals. Kayla has a Border Collie/Sheppard Mix (Nelly) and an American Bully (Ark), and an orange tabbynamed Oliver. Kayla’s spare time she is either spent outdoors with her Fur Babies and little boy or creating her wood burnings and paintings. The thing she loves most about her job is that every day is different, and she always gets to learn something new about Veterinarian medicine! Ever since Kayla was young, her dream was to work with animals, so this is her dream come true. Kayla is very passionate about her work; she treats each fur baby like a part of her family. Kayla has some experience working with animals because of her time at Two Rivers wildlife park, Kayla had volunteer to help with animal care and than was later hired for a summer position. Kayla also worked at Animal Medical Centre for a year as Clinic Care Representative. Kayla has decided to take classes to become a Vet Assistant so she can have more knowledge in this field of work.
Customer Care Representative
Kelsey is a long term resident of Sydney and has a vast knowledge stemming from her careers in the healthcare industry.
Growing up on the family farm, Kelsey was big into rescuing horses and a variety of animals in need. Her passion towards people and animals led her to her CCR position.
In her spare time you can find her baking, cleaning, listening to true crime and spending time with her son Oakley and pets, Zeus, Pooper and Evil.
Her favorite part of the CCR position will be learning about veterinary medicine, meeting all of our clients and patients and providing an endless amount of care and compassion. She is very excited to be a part of the Island Veterinary Clinic Family.