Team

Janice graduated from the Atlantic Veterinary College (UPEI) in 1992 and immediately drove West with her husband, dog and cats in tow. For the first 6 years of practice, she had a varied and exciting practice that included working in up to 50 clinics in BC, many of which were remote. One of the adventures was in Campbell River, where she met Dr Marlene Smith, a pioneer in North America with veterinary acupuncture. Marlene convinced Janice to learn TCM and acupuncture and she studied and earned her certificate of accreditation in 1998. When Janice set up MCVH, the acupuncture training had informed her view of medicine and the idea of what a physical clinic could look like. Hence the exam tables are at dog/cat height in the style of mobile couches. Janice likes to do surgery, but ironically spends lots of time talking about why not to. Additional training in homeopathy (2000) and chiropractic (2005) followed. Another mentor told Janice in her early career that the two causes of professional burnout are boredom or physical exhaustion. And with holistic medicine options, boredom is impossible. It’s true. “I still learn from the animals that come to see me every day. I think they make me a better person”

Janice lives with a loving spouse and they enjoy doing their best to tire out their Rez dog Hazel up the mountains (hiking, snowshoeing). Additionally, SCUBA diving has been a life long passion and they both dive cold water and enjoy the magic and awe of the underwater world. They share the house with a two legged cat and do their best to do what she says!

Dr. Jaclyn Wolinski was born and raised on the east coast of the U.S. She grew up with an innate love of animals and started working as a veterinary assistant early in life. At age 16, she transferred from High School to University to pursue pre-vet studies. She was awarded early admissions to the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at age 19. Jaclyn graduated with her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2003. She continued her education with the Healing Oasis Wellness Center’s Veterinary Spinal Manipulative therapy (veterinary chiropractic) course in 2008, the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society’s acupuncture course in 2013 and the University of Tennessee’s Canine Rehabilitation Certification in 2015.

Dr. Jaclyn has owned and co-owned several practices in Maryland, but after losing her father in 2017 she decided to move to the Las Vegas area to be closer to her brother. After 6 years in the desert, she decided it was time for a more nourishing environment and reached out to explore options in beautiful Canada. Her first interview was with Janice… and the rest, as they say, is history!

Jaclyn made the international move as a road trip with her 3 Shelties and 6 cats (her 2 horses made the trip separately). Most of her spare time is spent with her fur family, but she’s excited to explore the ample hiking in the area.

Marie graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon 1989. Marie and Janice met in 1993 working at various clinics in the Lower Mainland and hit off a lifetime connection. Marie has been at MCVH since it’s inception as holiday coverage help and since 2024 as an additional 2 days a week regularly. Marie has a special interest in nutrition and a solid 3 plus decades of clinical experience. She has at home a teenager, a spouse, and a Rescue dog called Chela. Marie loves sailing and has taken up the paintbrush as an adult.

Dr Niecakrz graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1997 and then went to the University of Tennessee to get her boarded specialty degree in radiology (2001). She moved to Vancouver to join a local specialty practice, and soon left that to become her own, mobile radiologist. She has been a valuable support to many of our clients for more than 20 years. Janet lives on the North Shore and has the sweetest Doodle ever. Her human daughter graduates High School this year.

Susanne and Janice met at the Vancouver Animal Emergency Clinic 30 plus years ago. Janice was a locum veterinarian and Susanne was a technician (RAHT, similar to a veterinary nurse) there since 1986. After 4 decades of emergency work, the lure of general practice (and day time hours) called to Susanne and we lured her to us in 2022. Susanne lives with her spouse, Marc, her two adult sons, Calvin the Wonderdog (a BorderCollie cross) and Cody the Holland Lop (bunny).

Cathy is a long term client of MCVH. She stopped working as an RN at St. Paul's Hospital in 2020, and after over twenty five years in emergency and critical care nursing, she will tell you she hasn’t stopped smiling since!

Cathy is kind and caring, and has been able to adapt her human nursing skills into the veterinary world.

Cathy’s energy has been a ray of sunshine for us at the clinic and she does her best to ensure all the four-legged patients enjoy the clinic as much as she does (having freshly made roast beef treats certainly helps!). Her positive energy reminds us all how lucky we are to work with animals every day.

Cathy and her husband are both avid pickleball players, and when not on the courts, you can find her on the ice playing hockey. They share their household with a sweet geriatric golden retriever named Riggs and recently adopted kitten from Laurie’s orphans called Pickles.

Rebecca was a long term client of MCVH and a dog trainer that Janice enjoyed working with. We pressed her to join our team in 2021 and have enjoyed her steady presence in the front of the clinic as a receptionist. Her training skills help when we have special needs in the clinic. Rebecca has a fantastic Rottweiler called Peter Parker and some crazy reptile called Curtis. She spends a lot of her off time connecting with her family in Campbell River….and pursuing her musical interests. Her training company is dogpartners.ca

After earning her bachelor’s degree in business administration and building a career in corporate marketing, Allie followed her lifelong passion for animals into the veterinary world. She recently moved to North Vancouver with her husband Zach and sweet baby Kit-cat, where her love for the outdoors has found the perfect home.

Brooke’s love for animals started very young with her first family dog she had from Kindergarten to Grade 12. After graduating, Brooke got her Veterinary Office Assistant Diploma and started at her first Vet Clinic in reception. Brooke has been trained as a Veterinary Technician Assistant from her first clinic as well. She decided to broaden her horizons and transitioned over to working at the Saskatoon SPCA as the Volunteer & Foster Care Coordinator. Shortly after starting there, Brooke fell in love with and adopted a very friendly kitten and a few years later, a very energetic Siberian Husky. While at the SPCA, Brooke made her TV and Radio debut showing off adoptable animals. The SPCA was also where our new Vet Dr. Gloria and Brooke first met (Before Dr. Gloria was a vet!). The Vet Clinic work was calling Brooke back as she found herself at 2 more clinic after the SPCA. Since moving to North Vancouver, Brooke has worked at a doggy daycare, but eventually made her way back to the vet clinic. Brooke has her Pet First Aid Certificate and her Fear Free Certification. She is excited to be working back in the vet clinic and working alongside Dr. Gloria again.

Laurie and Janice worked together in rescue prior to setting up MCVH, and Laurie joined the team as a part timer from day 1. In addition to working with us, Laurie is certified Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitator and has studied with the Companion Animal Science Institute for two years. Laurie is particularly skilled at handling aggressive dogs. Most of the dogs are actually fearful, not truly aggressive and Laurie is unfazed by it all. The entire team looks forward to Laurie days as you never know what she will bring with her. Orphan puppies? A wild but injured animal? You never know.

Erika has degree from UBC in Psychology with a Minor in Animal Welfare. After her graduation she worked in various animal situations (RAPS, AquaPaws and two other veterinary clinics in the lower Mainland). To support her animal habit, she also maintained a job in the service industry as a skilled bartender. You will see Erika floating about the clinic (from and back) and she is having to travel back and forth to Ontario to help with family. We love her engaged, sunny and can do approach to life.

Nancy has lived on the North Shore her whole life. After 34 years of teaching elementary and secondary school in West Vancouver, she retired and became part-time staff at MCVH. Passionate about animals, their care and the science behind it, Nancy usually works behind the scenes, helping wherever needed. “As a teacher, I always said how important it was to be a lifelong learner. I’ve been lucky enough to put those words into action by being part of the incredible team at MCVH!”