Our Caring & Compassionate Veterinary Team!

Meet the Veterinarians & Team of River Road Animal Hospital in Wasaga Beach! We’re pleased to provide exceptional vet care for your pets!

Please call us at 705-322-3459 to speak to one of our caring veterinary staff members!

Veterinarians

Dr. Kelly Volmers

Veterinarian & Clinic Owner

I am a 1995 graduate of Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph. Growing up we would spend weekends on Georgian Bay and it was a dream to live in the area. After graduation my husband, Earl and I, our two tabby cats and Labrador retriever moved to Wasaga Beach. We have lived in the area for over 25 years and raised 2 sons, now away at post secondary school. We also have 3 dogs; Ava is a gentle Golden Retriever cross, Leif is a spunky Schipperke and Toby is a lovable but unusual Corgi cross (he looks like a Bernese Mountain dog with legs that are too short!). In my spare time I am often hiking the Bruce trail with my canine entourage. This area has so much to offer and we love to get out there and appreciate it.

I opened River Road Animal Hospital in June of 1998 with the primary focus as preventative care for pets. The hospital has grown over the past 20 years to a staff of 10 great compassionate animal lovers that provide the care they would want for their own pets. We have a team approach to health care and our talented and caring staff pursues continuing education and certification. By focusing on preventive medicine, we can identify areas of health concern before they become serious health problems.

I enjoy practicing in a small community because it gives me the time to know our patients well. Being in a more rural area, it was important to make all aspects of veterinary care available at the clinic. We offer a complete in house laboratory with laser analysis, surgical suite with anesthetic and monitoring equipment, digital radiology, ultra-sonic dentistry and radiology, electrocardiograph, electrocautery, ultrasound, orthopedic surgery and VIN membership to allow for consultation with specialists in every field.

I have a special interest in dentistry, senior pet care, ultrasound and pain control and palliative care. I am interested in new developments and attend continuing education in dentistry, pain management and anesthesia, compassionate care and ultrasound. I am also interested in tick borne disease, such as Lyme disease and have attended the International Lyme and Associated Disease conference. I love cats and have experience with breeding Himalayans and Birmese and am a member of the American Association of Feline Practitioners.

We welcome new patients and would be happy to answer any questions you have or give a tour of our clinic. You can also contact me directly at drkelly@riverroadanimalhospital.ca

Interest in Preventative and Senior medicine, Dentistry, Ultrasound, Soft tissue surgery, Tick-borne Disease, Cushing's and Endocrine Disease and Continuing Education in New modalities in veterinary care

Hobbies - Hiking with my dogs, skiing, boating, Waterskiing, Scuba and Knitting

Dr. Krista Gilpin

Associate Veterinarian, DVM

We welcome Dr Krista Gilpin to our team. Dr Gilpin is a University of Guelph graduate that brings many years of experience to small animal practice with a compassionate approach. She has an interest in exotic and pocket pets, as well as preventative small animal medicine, dog sport and behaviour. You can find Dr Gilpin competing in agility with her two dogs, Sugar a northern Ontario rescue husky cross and Sprocket, a Border Collie in her spare time.

Dr Amanda Schutz

Associate Veterinarian

Education: University of Edinburgh

Pets: Nevis, an energetic canine rescue from Manitoba

I am a 2021 graduate of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. I am originally from Oakville, Ontario, but moved up to the Georgian Bay area to spend more time outside. I am excited to join the River Road Animal Hospital team and treat the pets of the Wasaga Beach area. My veterinary interests include client education, pain management and dermatology.

When I’m not in the clinic, I can be found outside - either trail running, climbing or hiking with my husband and mystery mutt, Nevis (named after the tallest mountain in the UK, Ben Nevis). I love travelling and I have dreams of completing rafting and climbing trips to the NWT, Nunavut and Yukon in the future.

Reception

Samantha and Mel

Receptionist

My name is Samantha, I joined the River Road Animal Hospital team in January of 2021. Prior to that I was in restaurant management for over 10 years. I always hoped to someday work with animals! Being a receptionist at River Road animal hospital has allowed me to combine my two passions, customer service and caring for animals! In my free time I enjoy crafting, working on home renovations and spending time my dogs & cat!

Olivia

Receptionist

Bio coming soon

Veterinary Technicians

Shallon Kemsley RVT

Veterinary Technician

Ever since I was public school, I wanted to work with animals. In April 2002 my dreams came true. I graduated from the Veterinary Technician program at Northern College in Haileybury, ON. I completed the registry exam at the University of Guelph and on June 30th 2002 I received the good news that I had passed the exam and was now a Registered Veterinary Technician.

I am also a member of the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians. Through this program I am able to keep up with continuous changes to veterinary medicine and participate in continuing education programs.

My favorite part of working with animals is seeing how they are so strong and resilient. It still amazes me their ability to overcome obstacles. Being able to take part in helping them overcome these obstacles and prolonging their life makes every effort worth it!

I have enjoyed growing up in the small town of Stayner and I am happy to be working in a community so close to home. My husband Darryl and I enjoy being parents to our son Carson and daughter Payton. We love going camping, out for walks and visiting with family and friends. We have two dogs at home - a Shih Tzu named Oakley and a male brindle Boxer named Diesel.

Tracy Fancett

Veterinary Technician

I am a 1992 graduate of the Veterinary Technician program at Seneca College. I have always felt a deep concern for the well-being of animals. Almost all of my experience as a veterinary technician had been at a cats-only practice, and when I started working at River Road Animal Hospital, I received a great refresher course on dogs from all of the wonderful staff.

It is very rewarding for me to be involved in patient care and client education. Helping to make the patient’s visit as pleasant as possible, I hope the client leaves with a good feeling about choosing our hospital. I have lived in Wasaga Beach since 1997 with my husband Greg and we have three beautiful children; Rhiannon, Marlowe and Keiran. We also share our home with our dog Wembley, and our cats Phineas and Marble.

Brydie McDonough

Veterinary Technician

I am a recent graudate of Georgian College's Veterinary Technician program and currently working on getting registered by the end of September. Before this academic endeavor, I achieved a Bachelor of Arts at Bishop's University for Musical Performance. I joined River Road Animal Hospital after completing my Georgian College placement here in June of 2023. I have two cats and two rabbits, Cider (cat), Juliette (cat), Millie (rabbit), and Rosie (rabbit). Fun fact, all my pets come from my time living in Quebec! They all have huge personality and my house can be a mad house sometimes but it's how I like it. My personal goal as a technician is to provide a safe enviroment for all patients and provide the best the care they deserve as if they were my own animals (also I will give them all the comforting cuddles while they are back with me). When I'm not at River Road I am usually hanging out with my boyfriend and our animals, playing music, having bonfire with friends, or convincing my boyfriend to go on an adventure with me!

Alicia Bialczyk

Veterinary Technician

I graduated from Georgian College's Veterinary Technician program in June of 2023 and joined River Road Animal Hospital after completing my field placement here. I have a senior Shih Tzu mix named Grover. My family adopted him from the OSPCA when he was very timid and fearful. I found it very rewarding seeing him open up into the silly guy he is today. At River Road, I do my best to help your pet be as comfortable and safe as possible as if they were my own. When I'm not at work, I like to go on hikes with Grover, go rock climbing, and spend time with family and friends.

Practice Manager

Jamie Hendry

Veterinary Assistant

I grew up with a love for animals. I have spent my whole life surrounded by family dogs and cats. I live in Wasaga Beach and have my own little family of Jack Russell Terriers. In 2010 when I was given the opportunity to work here at River Road Animal Hospital, I could not have been happier. Each day is different and I enjoyed getting to know all of the clients and their furry friends. I have grown with the practice and am now the practice manager of River Road Animal Hospital. I am pleased to work in all areas of the practice and still get to spend time with the furry friends coming in and the many clients I have known for years. I am ambassador for the clinic and am here to help with any concerns you have. I find this to be a very rewarding job.