Our Healthcare Team

Dr. Amanda MacDonald Veterinarian, Co-Owner

From a very young age, I have been fascinated with pets and their quirky, fun personalities. I am lucky to have been able to mold this love into a career as a veterinarian. Growing up in Waterloo, I completed an honours biology degree at the University of Waterloo, then completed my veterinary degree at the University of Guelph in 2001. After a ski- and beach-filled year working at a practice in Collingwood, I returned to my roots with my family and friends to purchase Preston Animal Clinic. I am touched on a daily basis by the deep bond that our clients share with their pets of all species, and am privileged to be able to work with a caring team that understands and supports this important relationship. When not at work, I am usually found jogging with Cheerio or Dillon (my favourite “mutts”), or running between school sports events with my hilarious son, Thomas.

Dr. Christine Coghlan Veterinarian, Co-Owner

I graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1994, and have since been following my childhood dream of being a small animal veterinarian. I practiced in Brampton for many years prior to finding my permanent home at Preston Animal Clinic in the fall of 2003. I thoroughly enjoy the close relationships I have with clients and their pets and I have a special interest in Internal Medicine. I have had the honour of serving as an Executive on the Board of the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association since 2013, including a term as President of the association in 2016. My family includes my three dogs (Will and Grace -two adorable miniature Dachshunds and Jack – my sweet, energetic black Lab), a sassy Green Cheeked Conure named Phoebe and of course, my husband! We have 6 adult children, and 2 beautiful grandsons. I love the outdoors – hiking with the dogs, snow-shoeing, kayaking, camping, golfing and playing softball, and thoroughly enjoy playing hockey and have recently discovered a love of curling.

DR. MEGHAN WALLACE Veterinarian

I was lucky enough to start my veterinary career at Preston Animal Clinic in the spring of 2009, after graduating from the Ontario Veterinary College. Prior to my veterinary degree, I completed a bachelor’s degree in zoology at the University of Guelph. Animals have been a lifelong love for me, and have played a big part in my life since before I can remember. Growing up, I volunteered and worked part-time in veterinary clinics, fostered service dog puppies and during university I worked summers with parrots and other birds at the African Lion Safari. As a veterinarian, I enjoy getting to know our clients and their many extraordinary pets. I have a particular interest in exotic animal medicine, as well as pain management and surgery. I currently work part-time at the clinic and spend my days off trying to keep up with Mackenzie, my whildwind of a daughter, 4 cats (Felix, Izzy, Chopper and Lily), my dog Piper, and Mr. Dressup (an eclectus parrot)

DR. ISABEL KARAFILOV Veterinarian

I was fortunate to join the team at Preston Animal Clinic a couple years after graduation from the Ontario Veterinary College. As a child, the experience of caring for a stray cat in our garage was enough to convince me that I wanted to dedicate myself to the care and improvement of animals’ lives. In high school I developed an interest in biology and health, so I decided that veterinary medicine would offer the best of both worlds! A summer job at African Lion Safari offered my first taste of exotic/zoo animal medicine…and the rest, as they say, is history! Though my family had mainly dogs growing up, these days I enjoy working with and am always eager to further my knowledge of the many fascinating small, furry, winged, weird and wonderful creatures that are kept as pets. Some of my interests outside of veterinary medicine include travelling, reading, watching movies, DIY craft projects and spending time with family & friends. I share my current household with my husband Carlos and 4 guinea pigs: Inti Pooka, Raz, Ari & Fluffy (aka Yoga)

DR. ELAD ROSENFELD Veterinarian

For as long as I can remember, I was surrounded by animals of all kinds. Growing up in a small rural village in Israel, I played with basically anything that moves including dogs, cats, worms, insects, snakes and scorpions (much to my mother’s dismay!). Playing, examining and taking care of them was the best way to spend any afternoon.
I decided to follow my childhood dream, and after working for several years as a veterinary technician, I moved to Guelph, with my family, to attend The Ontario Veterinary College and have since made Guelph my home.
I have a keen interest in animal behavior and am a Fear Free Certified Practitioner striving to alleviate fear and stress from the pets that I meet (and their owners).
Always looking to keep learning, I am excited to be expanding my practice areas to include furry, spiky, feathered and scaly pets.
Outside of work, I enjoy playing guitar, riding my bicycle, playing soccer, hiking, camping and basically anything outdoors.
I share my home with my wife and two daughters as well as our 2 dogs, Paddy and Bailey and our young cat S’mores.

DR. LAURIE FREEDMAN Veterinarian

I grew up in Brampton where I worked at a hobby farm in the middle of the city with a variety of animals from ponies to rabbits to peacocks. Working with all different types of species is where I found my passion to want to work in veterinary medicine. After finishing my undergraduate degree at the University of Guelph, I completed a diploma as a Veterinary Technician at Seneca College. Shortly after, I ventured over to the UK to learn about how other countries do agriculture and veterinary medicine where I completed a Master’s of Science degree in Animal Science in 2013. From Wales, I went over to Dublin, Ireland where I completed my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2017. After coming back to Ontario, I worked up north for over 2 years as a mixed animal veterinarian before starting at Preston Animal Clinic in the fall of 2020. I am passionate about preventative medicine and thoroughly enjoy working with cats and dogs as well as all the furry pocket pets. I currently live with 3 squeaky guinea pigs (Biscuit, Reece and Peanut) and a wonderful super mutt dog (Rosa). In my spare time, I enjoy horseback riding.

DR. STEPHANIE GERRITSEN Veterinarian

From her first trip to the Toronto Zoo as a child growing up in Whitby, Ontario, Dr. Stephanie Gerritsen knew she wanted to be a veterinarian. With her trusty grey tabby Keara at her side, Dr. Gerritsen began her journey into veterinary medicine. She first graduated from the University of Guelph with an honors degree in biological science before pursuing her doctorate of veterinary medicine at the Ontario Veterinary College in 2015. In her time at the college, Dr. Gerritsen worked hard facilitating low stress feline handling labs (much inspired by her cat Keara’s anxiety at the vet clinic) and working as a student ambassador for the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association. As a 2019 graduate, she has spent the last year working with birds, reptiles, cats, dogs, and everything else in between as an emergency veterinarian in Peterborough. Dr. Gerritsen is passionate and fascinated with all species of animals, and loves to help owners that are just as passionate about their pets! As a veterinarian who deeply values the human animal bond and with extra special interests in animal behaviour, exotic animal care, and emergency medicine, Dr. Gerritsen is thrilled to be joining the Preston Animal Clinic team. She looks forward to meeting you and all of your furry, scaly, and feathery loved ones!

JULIE RVT

I am very proud to be able to say that I have held my position as a Registered Veterinary Technician at Preston Animal Clinic for 22 years. I enjoy meeting new faces, as well as catching up with the clients that I have known for many years. I love when I get the chance to chat with clients about the interesting and humorous stories that they have to share about their families! Our home life is very busy with 3 active children. Our pets include Tyson (lab mix), Pete, Hope & Dusty (cats), Gloria, Gingy, Reese & Leonard (guinea pigs), Colours (budgie) & Rex (skink). I also enjoy volunteering to transfer wildlife treated at the clinic to a variety of Ontario Wildlife Rehabilitators. My profession is very important to me. I am grateful after all these years that I still love coming to work and continue to enjoy my experiences at Preston Animal Clinic!

DANA RVT

I graduated with honours from the veterinary technician program at Georgian College in Aug 2014 and gained my RVT status in Feb 2015. I am thrilled to be part of the team at Preston Animal Clinic. I feel very blessed that I have been able to turn my passion for animals into a rewarding career. When I’m not at work, I enjoy spending time with the loves of my life my 3 cats Zeus, Fancy, and Loki, my bearded dragon Dilly and my corn snake Mina.

LINDA RVT

I graduated from Ridgetown College and have been working in the veterinary field for more than 15 years. I have had the opportunity to work with a wide variety of species at the various clinics she has been with. I enjoy meeting the pets and interacting with the people that share their lives. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time at the lake with my husband and our 4-legged furry kid – a Vizsla named Mac

ANDREA RVT

Hello! My name is Andrea and I have been working at Preston Animal Clinic as a Registered Veterinary Technician since April 2015. I love what I do and enjoy coming to work everyday where I am able to make a positive impact on animals lives. I share my home with my fiancé, daughter and our German Shorthair Pointer “Tonka”. In my spare time I enjoy yoga, golfing, snowboarding and hiking with my family. (also pictured our late Black Lab “Bettis”)

ANDREA T RVT

I graduated from Seneca College in 2013 and have been fortunate enough to be part of the team at Preston Animal Clinic since early 2018. Since graduating I have been fortunate enough to work with a wide variety of species and have developed a passion for small mammal medicine, especially rabbits! When I’m not at work you can find me exploring local trails or camping in Algonquin Park with my partner, Cailen, and our two very spoiled dogs Dexter and Lennon

Sarah VT

Hi, I’m Sarah and I’ve been a receptionist at Preston Animal Clinic since graduating from University of Guelph’s Ridgetown Campus in June 2011. I love that I get to learn new things at work every day and I look forward to furthering my education in the future. Getting to know clients and their pets is one of my favourite parts of my job. After a busy day at work I enjoy spending time with my Australian Shepherd/Border Collie cross, “Kallie”. My house is also filled with my Akita/Husky mix, “Bailey” and 2 rabbits, “Wheaty” and “Hunny”. When I don’t have my hands full with them I enjoy playing guitar, reading and camping.

Alicia

Hello, my name is Alicia and I started at Preston Animal Clinic during my grade 11 year of High School through cooperative education. I have now been working at the clinic since September 2014. At home, I have a very loveable calico kitty named Maggie and an adorable Lop eared bunny named Boomer. I love that every time I come into the clinic I am learning exciting new things and that I can bond with the amazing clientele over their furry, scaly, feathery and fluffy loved ones. Right now I am in school studying Health Sciences, and furthering my education for my career in the medical field.

Olivia

Hi, my name is Olivia and I have been a part of the wonderful staff at Preston Animal Clinic since September 2013. I was offered a job at Preston Animal Clinic after completing a co-op education program at the clinic at Preston High School and am now one of the animal care attendants. I have loved animals all my life and have grown up having many pets. I currently own a Lab named Maui, two cats (Pussywillow and Nahla), and a Chinese water dragon named Lili Noi. When I’m not at work, I enjoy playing field hockey, surfing, skiing and travelling with my family. I have recently been accepted to the University of Guelph, where I hope to further my education in the veterinary field and continue to feed my passion of caring for animals. I thoroughly enjoy being a part of the caring staff here at the clinic and am thankful every day for the opportunity to work with all the wonderful pets.

Tatum

Hi, my name is Tatum. I have been passionate about animals and the outdoors from a very young age, and my interest in veterinary medicine was inspired by seeing firsthand the way veterinarians can change the lives of their patients. I started volunteering at Preston in 2014 and officially joined the team as an Animal Care Attendant in 2016. I love getting to work with animals, and look forward to pursuing a veterinary degree in the future. When I’m not busy with school, I enjoy sketching and painting, martial arts, and outdoor sports with my family.

Paula

My name is Paula and I’m one of the animal care attendants here at Preston Animal Clinic. I started volunteering at Preston Animal Clinic during the summer of 2016 and was offered a position shortly after in December of 2016. I fell in love with my job right away because of all the amazing pets I get to meet and the interesting things I get to see. I’m currently studying biology at the University of Waterloo and I hope to further my education afterwards to become a veterinarian. Animals have been my passion since I was little, so naturally, horseback riding became my favourite pastime. I have two furry family members: a white-faced cockatiel named Angel and a standard poodle named Clifford.

Linda

I grew up in Northern Ontario which is where my love for animals began. I knew from a very young age that I wanted to work with animals.
I graduated from the Animal Care Program at Sheridan College and have since had the opportunity to work with a wide variety of animals in my rewarding career.

I was a wildlife rehabilitator and on the Board of Directors where I acted as the Fundraising Chair for a wonderful wildlife centre up North.
At that center, I had the privilege of caring for everything from mice to moose.

I enjoy meeting new people and the pets they share their life with.
I thoroughly enjoy being part of such a wonderful team here at Preston.

In my spare time, I love to be out in the bush enjoying nature, or at home surrounded by my 12 birds.
I look forward to meeting you and your animal family!

Kristi

Hi, my name is Kristi and I’m one of the receptionists here at Preston Animal Clinic. Having spent a few years at another clinic learning all about cats and dogs, I am now very excited to expand my animal knowledge into avian and exotics! I thoroughly enjoy building long, lasting relationships with all of our clients and their pets – whether furry, feathered or scaly and am so thankful to be part of the amazing team here at Preston. When not at the clinic I can be found at home or trailer with my husband Norm and our two furry babies, bichon poodle Snoopy and shih-tzu x maltese Charli.

Nicole

Hello! My name is Nicole and I am proud to be a part of the Client Care team at Preston Animal Clinic. I bring a mix of experience from working in local animal shelters, veterinary clinics, studying wildlife rehabilitation and positive reinforcement canine behaviour modification. I enjoy learning new things every day, and being able to help such a variety of animals; from cats and dogs, to turtles, birds and wildlife. When not at work, I can be found at home with my partner Chris and our senior shepherd named Elsie, three Eastern Box Turtles, two Cherry Head tortoises and an array of geckos and fish.