"Until we have loved an animal, a part of our soul remains un-awakened." - Anatole France
Dr. Frits Verzijlenberg, D.V.M.
 Dr. Frits and Champ
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After graduating from the University of Veterinary Sciences in Utrecht, the Netherlands in 1979, Dr. Frits Verzijlenberg was employed at the university’s department for large animal surgery for 5 years. During those five years, he specialized in large animal anaesthetics, large animal surgery including abdominal (colic) surgery and lameness examination in horses. He co-authored an article on neurectomy in horses and also published an article on sinusitis in horses in 1984. Subsequently, he joined a small animal specialists' hospital and gained valuable knowledge and experience in small animal practice and orthopedic surgery. He later started his own mixed animal practice which grew to a 3 veterinarian practice over the next 10 years.
In 1995, the Verzijlenberg family emigrated to Canada; and after starting his own mixed animal clinic in Powassan, Dr. Frits relocated the clinic in 2008 to Sundridge, closer to the family home. Dr. Frits Verzijlenberg is a member of the CVO, OVMA, AAHA IVAPM and AAFP. |
Audrey, Hospital Manager
Audrey with Fate
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Audrey brings a diploma in Business Administration and over 30 years of experience in the Information Technology industry to the hospital. She has a lot of initiative and organizational skills. She helps keep procedures updated for our AAHA and other accreditations, does web site updating and accounts receivable, and handles a myriad of other ongoing business support tasks. In addition, Audrey is very bubbly, energetic, and eager to continue learning more about all the different kinds of animals and the hospital.
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Tina, Client Care and Veterinary Technician
 Tina and Wonder
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Tina joined the clinic in September 2008, and brings a diverse portfolio of
front-end administrative and customer care skills to the clinic. Her bubbly attitude is infectious and keeps us all in wonderful spirits even on a downy day. Tina is incredibly creative and brings wonderful ideas and views that help us serve our clients and patients even better. Tina is wonderful with animals and people alike, and often assists in examinations and treatments as well as her regular duties as a Client Care Specialist. Tina has recently successfully completed a course in Surgery Preparation and Assisting. Tina's dog is named Wonder, who is a bundle of energy and will greet you with licks and the spirited wag of her tail. She also has a cat named Abu who she rescued in the fall of 2010, and who will do just about anything for a "Temptations" treat. |
Laura, Veterinary Technician / Dental Technician
 Laura with Raja
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Els, Champ, and Laura
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Laura has been working full-time at the Sundridge clinic since July 2009, after she completed an Undergraduate degree in Biology and English. Laura has 11 years of direct experience working part-time at the clinic prior to 2009. She has finished a dentistry course through the Veterinary Support Personnel Network (VSPN), and is the primary veterinary technician in the hospital with a focus on animal dental care. Feel free to ask her any questions concerning dentistry.
Laura has recently successfully completed a course in Examination Protocols and is also currently working on courses in Pain Management and Pharmacology. She has also been accepted into the Registered Veterinary Technician program at Algonquin and will be attending their R.V.T. program this fall.
Laura has two horses named Princess and Blue, whom she loves to ride and spend time with. In addition she also has a cat named Raja, who showed up one cold evening with half a tail (which then needed to be amputated the following day). He now shows his happiness with the wiggle of a little stump.
Laura has recently successfully completed a course in Examination Protocols and is also currently working on courses in Pain Management and Pharmacology. She has also been accepted into the Registered Veterinary Technician program at Algonquin and will be attending their R.V.T. program this fall.
Laura has two horses named Princess and Blue, whom she loves to ride and spend time with. In addition she also has a cat named Raja, who showed up one cold evening with half a tail (which then needed to be amputated the following day). He now shows his happiness with the wiggle of a little stump.
Lisette, Veterinary Technician
 Lisette with Fate
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Lisette earned her degree in Biomedical Biology at Laurentian University, and plans to attend the O.V.C. program at University of Guelph next fall. During non-school terms, she works at the hospital to gain experience in the field, and returns to school every September to continue with her studies.
Lisette has recently successfully completed a course on Parasitology. This past summer Lisette adopted Fate (a rescued kitten of just 2 days old) whom she bottle fed and raised. Fate is now a spunky, healthy and happy cat. Click here to see Fate's story. |
Mary, Client Care and Veterinary Technician
Mary
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Mary joined our team with over 20 years of experience in the medical/ dental field. She is very helpful and friendly to our clients and patients alike. Mary takes care of sterilization of instruments, assists Laura with dental procedures, and manages the overall housekeeping in the hospital.
Mary has recently successfully completed a course in Surgery Preparation and Assisting. Mary grew up on a farm and has a dog named Brewster, a 26-year-old turtle named Tommy, and two kittens named Rhonda and Curtain. |
Leah, Client Care
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Leah is our newest member of the team and very bubbly! She loves all kinds of animals, growing up with not only many dogs, but also a petting zoo!
Leah is very family-oriented, a talented photographer and artist, writes her own music and plays guitar. Leah has two dogs named Diega and Toulouse (Toulouse likes to eat her couch) and two cats, Miss Kitty and Ottley. |
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Leah comforting a patient
after surgery |
Leah with her cat Ottley
(a Scottish Fold Munchkin) |
Els, Business Manager
 Els tending the gardens
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Els has been involved in all aspects of veterinary work since Frits began his first practice in 1985. Previously she was employed as a registered apothecary assistant and gained valuable medical and pharmaceutical knowledge.
As the business manager, Els ensures everything runs smoothly at the hospital and that every little detail is looked after. Els manages many of the details of data in our hospital software. Els has recently successfully completed a course in Surgery Preparation and Assisting. Her flowers made the clinic recipient of "Garden of the Month" award from the Horticultural Society in 2009. She continues to show her green thumb and creativity in the beautiful gardens and seasonal displays at the hospital. |
Patrisha, Housekeeping
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Patrisha recently joined the team; she assists with housekeeping. She has three pets: two Yorkies named Yoda and Ai, and her cat Tigger. Patrisha is very gentle and likes to talk to the animals whenever she gets the chance. |
Ben, General Assistant
Ben watering new sod
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Ben provides his time whenever an extra helper is needed outside or inside the Hospital. He is excellent with animals and very meticulous (and as he likes to put it, he is C.D.O., not O.C.D.). |
Bart, Server/L.A.N. Master
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Bart maintains all server/LAN within the hospital. Whenever an issue arises with any of the computers he knows how to fix it in a jiffy. Although most of his work is done offsite, he occasionally also comes into the hospital if a major issue arises. |
Clayton, Purolator Delivery
 Clayton with Champ, Wonder, and Bear.
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Clayton is the most wonderful and friendliest delivery man anywhere!
And we sure love his infectious cheerful attitude. Bear, Champ, and Wonder are always extremely excited to see Clayton each day, and even wait for him at the door when they hear his truck arrive. We truly couldn't ask for anyone better to arrive with a smile and our deliveries each day! |
Marie Ashbourne,
Final-year Veterinary Student from University of Guelph (2 month externship)
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Marie is with us for two months completing one of her externship requirements for the OVC (Veterinary) program from the University of Guelph starting May 13 through to the beginning of July. She has just entered her final year of the OVC program and hopes to gain quite a bit of large and small animal on-hands experience. When you come to the hospital in the next few weeks she would love to say hi and meet your pets.
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Completed Placements/Externships:
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As of May 2012 we have begun accepting applications for externship from the University of Guelph O.V.C. program. Please note, due to the in-depth nature of such a placement we only take one student per year. Please submit an application via email to vet@drfrits.com with subject title: O.V.C. Externship Application.
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