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Meet Our Team

Our Caring & Compassionate Veterinary Team!

Meet the Veterinarians & Team of Waverley Animal Hospital in Waverley, NS! We’re pleased to provide exceptional vet care for your pets!

Please call us at 902 576 2068 to speak to one of our caring veterinary staff members!

Dr. Pauline Giffin

Veterinarian and Owner

As the proud owners of Waverley Animal Hospital, my husband and I wish to personally welcome you and your family to our community veterinary practice. It is our profound pleasure to be entrusted with the care of your pets. Rest assured that when you are with us, you are with family!

I cannot recall a time in life when I did not love to be surrounded by animals. It was my dream as a child to be able to work with animals and help them in any way that I could. It was with great joy that I graduated from the Atlantic Veterinary College in 2003 and I have had the amazing opportunity to serve HRM as a small animal veterinarian since 2004. While I love all aspects of veterinary medicine, I have a keen interest in internal medicine, dermatology, and behaviour. Working on behalf of stray, homeless, and abandoned animals has always been a passion of mine and I am committed to helping rescue animals in need whenever I can.

I am originally from Dartmouth and my husband, John, and I moved to the Village of Waverley, NS almost 20 years ago. We immediately fell in love with the old-world charm, beauty and amazing community spirit of the area. Here, we are raising 2 wonderful daughters surrounded by the love of many delightful pets in our home… 1 dog, 1 cat, 1 hamster, 2 guinea pigs and many foster kitties! From my family to yours, WELCOME and we cannot wait to meet you!

Dr. Dominique Solecki

Associate Veterinarian

A huge hello to the Waverley community.  I am very excited to become a part of the veterinary family at Waverley Animal Hospital and the Waverley community in general.  Although I grew up in Toronto, I have found my place initially in Muskoka and now in Fall River where I am in my ‘happy place’ surrounded by the sounds of the spring peepers and the smell of evening campfires.  After graduating from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2009, I initially practiced in Brantford Ontario.  Prior to settling in the HRM, I have also practiced in several small animal practices in Boston, MA and Huntsville, Ontario.

I have always had a particular interest in Dermatology and Internal Medicine as well as welcoming new puppies and kittens into their new forever homes.

My current ‘zoo crew’ includes my husband, my 5 year-old daughter, 1.5 year-old son, a Cape Breton mutt named Finnegan, Peacock the black cat and Dot, a cat who recently joined us from the Bahamas.  I’m always in search of that elusive free time but when I find it, I love to hike and paddle and try to keep up with ballet which I’ve been doing since age 5!”

Dr. Emily MacFarlane

Associate Veterinarian

Dr. Emily MacFarlane was born and raised in rural Ontario. She moved to Prince Edward Island in 2014, where she completed 3 years of her Bachelor’s of Science in Chemistry. Thereafter, she graduated from the Atlantic Veterinary College with a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine.

After graduation, she continued to pursue further education and training as a rotating medicine and surgical intern. Now, she has transitioned to general practice. Emily enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine; however, she has special interests in internal medicine, senior-patient care and surgery.

Emily recently moved to Bedford, Nova Scotia with her orange tabby, Mufasa.  In her free time, she enjoys yoga, exploring all parts of Nova Scotia as well as visiting friends and family in Prince Edward Island. Emily is delighted to now serve the wonderful community and pets of Waverley!

Kendra

Registered Veterinary Technician

Kendra is one of our dedicated Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVT) whose journey into veterinary medicine began with a heartfelt commitment to animal care. Kendra’s passion ignited during her years of volunteering in a small animal practice, where she immersed herself in the nuances of pet health and wellbeing.

After years of hands-on experience, Kendra pursued formal education, graduating from the veterinary technician program in 2006. Since then, she has been an invaluable asset to our team, bringing a wealth of knowledge and a compassionate touch to every patient she encounters.

For Kendra, being an RVT isn’t just a profession—it’s a calling. She understands the profound trust that clients place in our team to safeguard the health and happiness of their beloved pets. That’s why she approaches each case with unwavering dedication, treating every animal as if they were her own.

Outside of the hospital, Kendra’s devotion to family extends to her furry companions. She shares her home with three cats and three dogs, cherishing every moment spent with her loved ones, both human and animal alike.

When you entrust your pet’s care to Kendra, you can rest assured that they are in the hands of a passionate advocate who prioritizes their comfort, health, and happiness above all else.

Laura

Registered Veterinary Technician

Laura’s career in veterinary medicine started out with a love for animals. Pursuing a childhood dream, she started volunteering at a veterinary clinic in Yarmouth for a few years, and fell in love with the field! Laura has since graduated from Dalhousie University’s Agricultural Campus in 2022.

Laura is grateful to have the opportunity to continue to grow her skills and put down roots in a community as wonderful as Waverley. She loves running lab work, surgery, and caring for her patients!
Laura resides in Halifax with her leopard gecko Zero who has been with her since leaving school, and her sweet cat Holly adopted last winter from Spay Day! She can be found outside of the clinic occasionally as a hobby photographer, hiking, supporting local bands, or spending time with her friends and family.

Melissa

Registered Veterinary Technician

Melissa is a well-versed part of our team! With over half a lifetime devoted to Veterinary Medicine, Melissa’s passion for animal care is truly unmatched. Her extensive experience includes teaching roles, where she has shared her knowledge in Nutrition, Behavior, Client Education, and Dentistry.

Melissa thrives on collaborating with both you and your pets to ensure optimal animal health. Her dedication make her an integral part of our team, and she looks forward to working with you to provide the best care possible for your beloved companions.

Melanie

Veterinary Assistant

Melanie has had a passion for animals since she was young, this led her to get her Veterinary Assistant diploma in 2010 from Eastern Collage. Melanie has worked various rolls in clinic caring for pets in HRM over the years.

She was born and raised in Dartmouth, but has chosen to settle down in Fletchers lake with her fiancé and step son.

Melanie is happy to be working with a clinic that works so closely with rescues like Spay Day where she adopted her most recent kitty Bug.

When not at work you can find her playing in her garden, Camping / Canoeing, playing card/board games and enjoying the company of her 3 cats (Monster, Soda and Bug) and 6 Muscovy ducks.

Tynesha

Veterinary Assistant

Tynesha is a compassionate member of our veterinary team here at Waverley Animal Hospital. With a lifelong love for animals, Tynesha embarked on her journey in animal healthcare by graduating as a vet assistant in 2019. Since then, she has gained experience in various capacities within the field, all with the shared goal of ensuring pets lead long and healthy lives.

Outside of work, Tynesha’s passion for animals continues to shine as she spends quality time with her many dogs and cats at home. Whether she’s cuddling with her feline friends or enjoying outdoor adventures with her canine companions, her love for animals shines through.

Katie

Client Care Specialist

Kate moved to the area from the UK with her family 17 years ago. She has been able to pursue her lifelong love and talent for caring for animals both inside and outside of her work. Caring for pets has become a calling for Kate, she feels that the unconditional love we get from our pets is the most rewarding part of being around animals. Kate has a history of working in local dog grooming shop for over five years and a pet store providing support to the community.

Kate has been working at Waverley Animal Hospital since it opened and loves working at the front desk.  She loves meeting new people and their furbabies.  She also loves being involved in the local rescue Spay Day and has been fostering kittens and cats for them.  She has also fostered many dogs in desperate situations with special needs for local rescue organizations, helping them find their forever homes.

Kate has had many pets of her own including rescues.  She currently cherishes her two dogs, Izzy and Skipper as well as her four cats Marco, Esme, Boo and Floof!  She lives with her husband and daughter in Fall River and loves her community.  

Leah

Client Care Specialist

Leah is a valued member of our veterinary team at Waverley! Leah brings a wealth of experience to our practice, having dedicated many years to assisting families with their beloved pets at local animal hospitals before joining our family in January 2024.

Although Leah resides outside the immediate area with her husband and three dogs, she believes in the importance of being part of the Waverley family and serving our clients. Despite the commute, Leah finds fulfillment in contributing to the well-being of both our team and our cherished patients.

Beyond her passion for veterinary care, Leah’s heart belongs to the countryside, where she spends her free time surrounded by horses and dogs. Whether she’s tending to animals at work or enjoying the tranquility of country life, Leah’s dedication to animals shines through in all she does.

Amelia

Client Care Specialist

After serving the community through work at Sobeys in Fall River for many years, I finally took the big step to pursue my childhood dream of caring for animals. For as long as I can remember I’ve wanted to work hands on with animals, in order to not only improve their health and quality of life, but also to enrich their lives. Being a part of such a compassionate and caring team has provided me with the most amazing opportunity to turn a visit to the vet into a positive experience for many pets.

Throughout my life, I can’t remember a time where I wasn’t surrounded by animals, I spent many years riding, caring for horses and building knowledge surrounding equine care. I currently reside with my Australian Shepherd Nova Leigh, Shih Tzu Maggie, and two cats Dusty and Chai. I will be heading back to school in September to further my Veterinary education, but in the meantime can be found hiking with my dogs, or spending quality time with family. I am forever thankful for everyone who allows us to care for their fur babies, and hope to build long lasting relationships with all of you here at Waverley Animal Hospital!

Olivia

Client Care Specialist

Olivia joined our team in 2023 as a profound lover of animals, with a dream to one day become a veterinarian. Currently, Olivia is a 4th year student at Dalhousie University studying Bioveterinary Sciences, and hopes to continue her studies in Veterinary Medicine. She is fuelled by her passion for animal care and finds joy everyday in working with your pets. Most of all, she is grateful to be part of a team that shares her values for animal welfare and excellent veterinary care!

Outside of work, Olivia has 2 Dachshunds named Daisy and Olive, and a Shih Tzu named Molly. Olivia loves working within her community and looks forward to meeting and maintaining relationships with all clients here at the Waverley Animal Hospital!