Our Team

Friendly and Positive

The team at Central Vet Services prides itself in being friendly and positive towards each other, the animals, and people who we see every day. By working together in an encouraging environment, we are able to focus our energy on our clients and patients.

Veterinarians

Dr. David Snell

Dr. Snell's Bio
  • Practice Co-Owner & Mixed-animal Veterinarian
  • Graduated from Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 2010.
  • Practiced in Sundre and Olds, Alberta, before coming to Central Vet in March 2012. 
  • Enjoys making farm calls and has special interests in dairy cattle management and reproduction, equine dentistry, lameness, and reproduction.

More about Dr. Snell

  • He likes spending time with his family: Wife, Dr. Stephanie Van Dynze-Snell & three wonderful kids named Samantha, Rachel, and Nicolas. 
  • He enjoys playing competitive sports such as hockey and adventure racing
  • He has a yellow lab named Eva and a cat named Sarah.

Dr. Stephanie Van Deynze-Snell

Dr. Van Deynze-Snell's Bio
  • Practice Co-Owner & Mixed-animal Veterinarian
  • Graduated Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 2011. 
  • Practiced briefly in Sundre and Olds, Alberta, before returning to Central Vet in March 2012. 
  • She greatly enjoys connecting with clients and their animals every day! 

More about Dr. Van Deynze-Snell 

  • She loves spending time with her family: Husband, Dr. Snell and kids, Samantha, Rachel, and Nicolas.
  • She enjoys gardening. 
  • She is very passionate about any role she can play in improving people’s lives, and in particular helping others be the best and happiest version of themselves.
  • She volunteers with the MVMA and CVMA
  • Winner of the 2022 BMO Women in Business Award
  • Has a lab, Eva, and a cat, Sarah. 

Dr. Samyra Stuart-Altman

Dr. Stuart-Altman's Bio
  • Practice Co-Owner, Mixed-animal Veterinarian & Small Animal Veterinarian Team Lead 
  • Graduated from Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 2012. 
  • Enjoys internal medicine, wellness, surgery, and diagnostic imaging. 
  • Has extensive experience in ultrasonography and completes both in-house and referral ultrasounds.
  • Dr. Stuart-Altman is a Feline Friendly Ambassador.

More about Dr. Stuart-Altman

  • She is a member of the International Sled Dog Veterinary Medical Association (ISDVMA) and has volunteered as a Trail Veterinarian for many distance races. 
  • She volunteers for remote spay/neuter clinics both in the province’s North and with Isla Animals; and local One Health centered clinics with Community Veterinary Outreach. 
  • She is a board member of the Winnipeg Humane Society and the MVMA’s representative to Winnipeg Animal Services.
  • She is a published author, writing articles for international veterinary blogs as well as for her own blog: TinyVet.com
  • Winner of the 2022 BMO Celebrating Women Grant, CBC 40 under 40, 2017 MVMA veterinarian of the year
  • She enjoys creating custom pet portraits with her modest local business “Ink Naturally,” travelling and enjoying live music. 
  • She also finds time to spend with her husband and her two cats: a troublemaker named Tucker and her three-legged cat named Pearl.

Dr. Jennifer White

Dr. White's Bio
  • Small animal Veterinarian.
  • Graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. 
  • Completed a clinical internship at the Atlantic College of Veterinary Medicine in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island and joined Central Vet in the fall of 2007.
  • Has professional interests in preventative medicine and dermatology. 
  • Happiest tending to the small animals that come through our doors, extending her compassion and care to every patient she sees.

More about Dr. White

  • She enjoys cooking for her little girl, Natalie, going for walks with her German Shepherd named Larry, as well as dabbling in photography. 

Dr. Ken Johnson

Dr. Johnson's Bio
  • He and his wife, Elaine, founded Central Veterinary Services in 1988.
  • Mixed-animal Veterinarian currently completing consultation work. 
  • Graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 1978.
  • 1999 recipient of the Veterinarian of the Year Award from the MVMA
  • Past president of the Western Canadian Equine Association
  • Involved with many associations over the years including: the American Association of Equine Practitioners ( a three-year term on the dentistry committee), the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, the American Endurance Riders Conference, and as a Veterinarian for the Morris Manitoba Stampede and Exhibition.

More about Dr. Johnson

  • He has been an active role in mentoring hundreds of students in their pursuit of careers in veterinary medicine. 
  • He enjoys visiting with his friends and family and spending time at the lake.

Dr. Mackenzie Marks

Dr. Marks' Bio
  • Mixed-animal Veterinarian & Large Animal Veterinarian Team Lead 
  • Graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 2011. 
  • Practiced in Arborg and Gimli, Manitoba, before coming to Central Vet in February 2016. 
  • Enjoys making farm calls and has a professional interest in small and large animal surgeries.
  • Additional training in Advanced Equine Dentistry & Small Animal Orthopedics 

More about Dr. Marks 

  • MVMA President chair 2023
  • He enjoys making music, doing leatherwork, and spending time outdoors with his wife, Sheena (often on horseback). 
  • He also finds time to spend with his dogs, Remington, Benelli & Tortilla, and a feline friend named Ella. 

Dr. Kristen Wilson

Dr. Wilson's Bio
  • Mixed-animal Veterinarian. 
  • You may recognize Dr. Wilson, as she previously worked for us as a registered veterinary technologist from 2012 to 2014. 
  • Graduated from Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 2018
  • Previously worked at Central Vet as an RVT and rejoined us after becoming a Veterinarian.
  • Has additional training in Small Animal Abdominal & Cardiac Ultrasound and completes both in-house and referral ultrasounds. 

More about Dr. Wilson

  • She enjoys getting outside to go horseback riding, tending to her chickens and working around her beautiful acreage. 
  • She also finds time to spend with her cats, 2 dogs, 2 horses, chickens, ducks, guineas, and bees! 

Dr. Heidi Bjornson

Dr. Bjornson's Bio
  • Mixed-animal Veterinarian. 
  • Graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 2016. 
  • She previously volunteered and had a Reception/Hospital Assistant position at Central Vet and rejoined us as a Veterinarian in May 2019.
  • Studied Traditional Chinese Medicine at the Chi Institute in Florida. 

More about Dr. Bjornson

  • She enjoys horseback riding, playing baseball, and spending time with her two young nieces. 

Dr. Jenna Noordenbos

Dr. Noordenbos' Bio
  • Mixed-animal Veterinarian. 
  • Graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 2020. 
  • Joined Central Vet in May 2020.
  • Her interests include equine medicine & rehabilitation, and companion animal (dog and cat) surgery.
  • Has taking additional training in small animal ultrasound.

More about Dr. Noordenbos

  • She enjoys hiking, camping, biking, baking/cooking, playing musical instruments, crafting and being creative.
  • She has a Husky cross named Nala.
Dr.Carly Duncan

Dr. Carly Duncan

Dr. Duncan's Bio
  • Small animal Veterinarian
  • Graduated from Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 2017.
  • She joined Central Vet in 2020 (?)
  • Received Fear Free certification. 
  • She loves preventative medicine to senior care, and everything in between. 

More about Dr. Duncan

  • She likes to spend time with friends/family and being outdoors or at her cabin as much as she can. 
  • She has three dogs, Border Collie X Lahela, Macy, and Ricky (all of which were are from Manitoba Underdogs Rescue).

Support Staff

Shai Wood (RVT)

Shai's Bio
  • Registered Veterinary Technician
  • Is also our Small Animal Director of Medical Services as of 2017
  • Red River College diploma in Animal Health Technology.
  • Joined Central Vet in the fall of 2014.
  • Has particular interests in bovine surgery, small animal phlebotomy, and emergency services. 
  • Often found within her office, running numbers, coordinating community medical events, and ensuring that day-to-day activities run smoothly!
  • Has continued education for Zlig procedure & RVT communication
  • Shai is a Feline Friendly Ambassador.

More about Shai

  • She enjoys fishing, snowmobiling, canoeing, hiking, house building & land development, or doing any outdoor activities with her herd of dogs at home. 
  • She has a mischievous Mastiff named Scarlett, a high-energy Rottweiler named Kilo, and an antisocial Siamese named Arlo.

Amanda Hebert (RVT)

Amanda's Bio
  • Registered Veterinary Technician
  • Is also our Director of Marketing and Public Relations, obtaining feedback and working to improve the client and patient experience, and a member of the Central Vet Workplace Safety and Health Committee.
  • Joined Central Vet in the spring of 2015.
  • Red River College diploma in Animal Health Technology.
  • Amanda volunteered many Saturdays with us before going to school to become an RVT. She came back to Central Vet for the opportunity to work with a variety of animals.
  • She completed the Amy Oliver Healthy Business Course and has training in The Accessibility of Manitobans Act – Accessible Employment Module and Accessible Customer Service Module; Enabling Access, local ability and inclusion specialists; and Canadian Mental Health Association – Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Workplace.

More about Amanda

  • She enjoys gardening, camping and spending time with her family of 3. 
  • She has a red Labrador Retreiver named Dex.

Callie Hilton (RVT)

Callie's Bio
  • Registered Veterinary Technician
  • Is also our Large Animal Director of Medical Services 
  • Red River College diploma in Animal Health Technology.
  • Joined Cen in the summer of 2016 

More about Callie

  • She is often found at the barn riding her horse, Carmen, or competing in show jumping. 
  • She enjoys spending a lot of time staying active, like running & baseball. 
  • She also has two cats named Ozzy & Connie (AKA Princess Consuela).

Courtney Smith (RVT)

Courtney's Bio
  • Registered Veterinary Technician
  • Is also a member of the Central Vet Workplace Safety and Health Committee. 
  • Red River College diploma in Animal Health Technology.
  • Joined Central Vet in fall of 2017. 
  • She enjoys doing dental cleanings, where there is a drastic before and after.

More about Courtney

  • She enjoys going to the archery range and staying active!
  • She has a border collie cross named Willow.

Carly Dreger (RVT)

Carly's Bio
  • Registered Veterinary Technician
  • Red River College diploma in Animal Health Technology.
  • Joined Central Vet in July 2019
  • She enjoys large animal farm calls.
  • Carly is a Feline Friendly Ambassador.

More about Carly

  • She enjoys spending as much time outdoors as she can – gardening, horseback riding, bee keeping, and getting her dog out for a bike ride. 
  • She has a Pyrenees mix named Pearl, 2 horses (Lucky-Lou & Bobbie), 3 cats (Cheese, Herriot & Radish)

Nikki Beaton (RVT)

Nikki's Bio
  • Registered Veterinary Technician
  • Red River College diploma in Animal Health Technology.
  • She previously volunteered at the clinic and then joined Central Vet as an RVT in August 2019
  • She enjoys administering and monitoring anesthesia and phlebotomy.
  • Nikki is a Feline Friendly Ambassador.
  • She completed ASL 101 & 102 with ASL Teaching Services; and can translate in American Sign Language for our clients.

More about Nikki

  • She enjoys escape rooms, video games, horseback riding (trail), creating paracord collars, leashes, halters, and more for her business, Knotsense, and fostering animals in her spare time.
  • She has a dog named Lucy, two cats named Morty and Odin, and a horse named Zariyah.

Carla Favelle (RVT)

Carla's Bio
  • Registered Veterinary Technician Team Lead
  • Red River College diploma in Animal Health Technology (2009) and a Bachelor of Science honours degree in animal biology from the University of Guelph (2014). 
  • She joined Central Vet in September 2020. 
  • She enjoys large animal medicine & surgery, educating clients, mentoring RVTs as team lead, and is passionate about mental health in the workplace. 
  • Carla is a Feline Friendly Ambassador.

More about Carla

  • She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, volunteering with Manitoba Underdogs, gardening & planting, and spending time outdoors!
  • She has a German Shorthaired Pointer/Labrador Retriever Mix named Hunter, a German Shorthaired Pointer named Harper, and three cats named Truffles, Ruby & Martin.

Nadine Carreiro (RVT)

Nadine's Bio
  • Registered Veterinary Technician
  • Red River College diploma in Animal Health Technology with honors (2021)
  • She joined Cental Vet as a Hospital Assistant in 2018 and continued with us as an RVT after graduation in Spring 2021.
  • She enjoys being around large and small animals and contributing to their well-being.
  • Can often be found in our in-house laboratory processing various patient samples
  • Certified in RECOVER CPR Basic and Advanced Life support.

More about Nadine

  • She enjoys going outside, camping, fishing and hiking with her mixed breed dog, a named Mayonnaise.

Erynne Danard (RVT)

Erynne's Bio
  • Registered Veterinary Technician
  • Red River College diploma in Animal Health Technology with honors (2015). 
  • She joined Central Vet in April 2015
  • She enjoys working with a wide variety of species, applying fear-free techniques, and working with senior pets. 

More about Erynne

  • She enjoys playing hockey, fishing, running, and reading a good mystery novel. 
  • She has a Boxer cross, Rocco, who is her best buddy!

Stephanie Guenette (RVT)

Stephanie's Bio
  • Registered Veterinary Technician
  • Red River College diploma in Animal Health Technology (2020).
  • She joined Central Vet in March 2021.
  • She loves being on the surgery team, monitoring the anesthesia and has a passion for animal behavior and fear-free practices. 
  • She has additional training in Small Animal Veterinary Nutrition & Karen Pryor Dog Trainer Comprehensive

More about Stephanie

  • She likes to spend time outdoors, hiking with her dogs, camping, fishing, and enjoying the sunshine. 
  • She LOVES Golden Retreivers.
  • She has a beautiful mix-breed mutt named Mya and two handsome Golden Retrievers named Nixon and Finnegan.

Ada Pinho (RVT)

Ada 's Bio
  • Registered Veterinary Technician
  • Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology diploma in Veterinary Technology (2013). 
  • Ada completed her externship at the Assiniboine zoo.
  • Joined Central Vet in October 2022
  • She enjoys working in the pharmacy and dental surgeries, studying pet nutrition and has a passion for caring for neonates and educating clients on their home care.
  • She speaks Portuguese and can translate for Portuguese-speaking clients. 

More about Ada 

  • She fosters kittens, volunteers for the CARE Outreach Program, reads, grows plants, plays video games, and rides her motorcycle. 
  • She has multiple kitties at home and has a soft spot for Siamese and cats with hypoplasia (her youngest cat is a wobbly lilac point!). 

Breanne Bordush (VTA)

Breanne's Bio
  • Veterinary Technician Assistant
  • Joined Central Vet in September 2018. 
  • Her favourite aspect of the job is large animal medicine and surgeries.
  • Bre is a Feline Friendly Ambassador.

More about Bre

  • She enjoys, horseback riding, fishing, quadding and hiking. 
  • She has 2 dogs at home, Meekah & Gibson. 

Tessa Wilderman (HA/Office)

Tessa's Bio
  • Hospital Assistant
  • Is also our Marketing Coordinator.
  • Joined Central Vet in September 2019. 
  • She enjoys interacting with the variety of animals that we see through the clinic, big and small, and is often seen snapping pictures of our patients for our social media pages.
  • She completed the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) certificate and Queering the Compass training.
  • She speaks intermediate French and is starting to learn Spanish. She can translate for French-speaking clients. 

More about Tessa

  • She is currently working on completing her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology degree.
  • She enjoys riding horses, coaching equestrian lessons, camping, hiking, travelling, plants, and is passionate about mental health and wellbeing. 
  • She has an Italian Greyhound, Joey, and 2 cats named Orchid & Boopy. 

Allison (Ally) Shaw (VTA)

Ally's Bio
  • Veterinary Technician Assistant
  • Joined Central Vet in June 2019. 
  • Her favourite aspect of the job is interacting with the animals and learning as much as possible.
  • She is most often found in our large animal area or on farm calls. 
  • She is working on obtaining her diploma in Animal Health Technology at Olds College and has an interest in Equine Reproduction.

More about Ally 

  • She enjoys horseback riding and show jumping. 
  • She has 8 horses, 4 dogs and 3 cats.

Kayla Toback (VTA)

Kayla's Bio
  • Veterinary Technician Assistant
  • Veterinary Office Assistant Diploma program from Robertson College
  • Is also a member of the Central Vet Workplace Safety and Health Committee.
  • Joined Central Vet in November 2019 as a Receptionist and transitioned to Hospital Assistant 
  • Her favourite aspect of her job is meeting all our wonderful patients.

More about Kayla

  • She enjoys camping and fishing.
  • She has a cat, Sonny, and a dog named Kenny. 

Majenta Mason (HA)

Majenta's Bio
  • Hospital Assistant
  • Veterinary Office Assistant Diploma program from Robertson College
  • Joined Central Vet in November 2020
  • Her favourite aspect of veterinary medicine is all the hands-on work she gets to do with the animals.

More about Majenta

  • She enjoys snowmobiling and horseback riding. 
  • She has one dog and two cats at home.

Tasha Reimer (HA)

Tasha's Bio
  • Hospital Assistant
  • Joined Central Vet in June 2021. 
  • Her favourite aspects of the job are surgery, learning as much as she can, and the great co-workers!
  • She has a Bachelor degree majoring in biology from the University of Winnipeg.

More about Tasha

  • She enjoys spending time outdoors, traveling, and spending time with friends. 
  • She has 3 dogs – a Shih Tzu named Tucker and a Terrier named Daisy, and a doodle named Mailey – and one Siamese cat named Emrys.

Jonathon Morton (HA)

Jonathon's Bio
  • Hospital Assistant
  • Joined Central Vet in October 2020 after being a long-time volunteer. 
  • His favourite aspect of the job is learning different treatment options for numerous ailments from the veterinarians.
  • He has a Bachelor degree in Biological Science. 
  • Jonathon speaks French and he can translate for French-speaking clients.

More about Jonathon

  • He enjoys watching films and television shows. He is also a great cook and loves to bake. 
  • He has a Shepherd/Husky named Zoie, and a pet frog. 

Danielle Courchane (HA)

Danielle's Bio
  • Hospital Assistant
  • Completed the Robertson College Veterinary Office Assistant Program with honors in December 2021.
  • Joined Central Vet in February 2022. 
  • Her favourite aspect of the job is seeing the love of helping animals in the industry. 

More about Danielle 

  • She enjoys paddle boarding, walking, crafting, kayaking or cycling. 
  • She has a Bulldog/Boxer/Chihuahua cross, Lola, and a cat named Wynonna.

Ashley Deverill (HA & Reception)

Ashley's Bio
  • Receptionist & Hospital Assistant
  • Joined Central Vet in January 2022. 
  • Her favourite aspect of her job is getting to learn something new about veterinary medicine every day and meeting all the wonderful patients. 

More about Ashley 

  • She enjoys hiking, fishing and being with family. 
  • She has a Siamese cross cat named Goose.

Amanda Phelan (Reception)

Amanda's Bio
  • Receptionist Team Lead
  • Joined Central Vet in 2008 as a Receptionist. 
  • Obtained certificates from both MediCal and Hill’s. 
  • She enjoys learning about large animal medicine. 

More about Amanda

  • She stays very busy with her kids, involving them in many activities, and enjoys downtime with her kids/husband and going for walks. 
  • She has a Golden Retriever named Gus.

Ana Yegorova (Reception)

Ana's Bio
  • Joined Central Vet in May 2013 as a Hospital Assistant before transitioning to Receptionist. 
  • Her favourite part of the job is meeting our great clients and their pets, working with the rest of our staff, trips out to the farm, and, of course, puppy cuddles!

More about Ana 

  • She enjoys hiking, fishing, and horseback riding. 
  • Ana owns a rescue dog named Jet 

Tiffany Newton (Reception)

Tiffany's Bio
  • Veterinary Office Assistant Diploma with honors from Robertson College.
  • Joined Central Vet in December 2018  
  • Her favourite aspect of her job is meeting all of our wonderful clients and being a part of the team that supports their pet’s care.

More about Tiffany

  • She enjoys supporting her daughter and her cheer club. 
  • She grew up showing horses (hunters/jumpers), and although she does not ride anymore, this is still one of her passions.
  • She has a standard Poodle named Maui and a Rescue from Cupcakes Pommy and Friends named Stitch

Taylor Cougnon (Reception)

Taylor's Bio
  • Veterinary Office Assistant Diploma from Robertson College.
  • Joined Central vet in November 2019.  
  • Her favorite aspect of the job is greeting and meeting all of the new people and animals we see here.

More about Taylor

  • She enjoys going to the gym and watching movies. 
  • She has a Boxer named Floyd.
  • Currently on maternity leave.

Shanna Bilinski (Reception)

Shanna's Bio
  • Veterinary Office Assistant Diploma with honors from Robertson College
  • Joined Central Vet in June 2021. 
  • Her favourite aspects of the job include learning something new every day and seeing the bond between people and their pets when they come into the clinic.

More about Shanna 

  • Growing up, she spent a lot of time running around her grandparents’ farm. 
  • She enjoys playing baseball, as well as going fishing. Go Blue Jays! 
  • She has a Shepard cross from the WHS, named Wagner, and two cats, named Zoom & Garth. 

Lyndi (Reception)

Lyndi's Bio
  • Joined Central Vet in February 2023. 
  • Her favourite aspect of the job is meeting all the clients and their pets. 

More about Lyndi

  • She enjoys spending time at the cottage and bonfires.

Sally Dickinson (Office)

Sally's Bio
  • Our Director of Finance – overseeing payroll, accounts receivable, accounts payable, inventory and IT. 
  • She has over 20 years of experience in finance, operations and customer service.
  • Joined Central Vet in March 2013 bringing with her 

More about Sally

  • She enjoys spending time with her two cats and her family/friends.

Jennifer Adams (Office)

Jennifer's Bio
  • Works in our Finance department & accounts payable 
  • Joined Central Vet in August 2017 as a Receptionist after spending 34 years teaching in the public education system, and is now in our Finance department. 
  • Her favourite parts of the job are meeting new people and their pets, working with the lively, enthusiastic group of people who deliver the utmost in veterinary care and learning the “behind the scenes” runnings of the clinic. 

More about Jennifer 

  • She likes to spend time with her family and do volunteer work with her local rescue. 
  • She has a Yorkshire Terrier named Sadie Rose and a Pomeranian named Emma Lee. 

Courtney Hudson (Office)

Courtney's Bio
  • Our Inventory Manager
  • Joined Central Vet in October 2016 as a Hospital Assistant before taking on the Inventory Manager role.
  • Completed CVIP (Certified Veterinary Inventory Professional course)
  • She enjoys equine diagnostic imaging and working with vets to find alternate solutions for diets & medications.
  • She loves snuggling the senior dogs that come in to visit and learning more about eastern medicine.

More about Courtney 

  • She enjoys spending time horseback riding. 
  • She has a dog named Maverick. 

Laurena Van De Velde (Office)

Laurena's Bio
  • Our Director of Administration. 
  • Has over 15 years of experience in agricultural-based product marketing, communications, market research, strategic planning, and management of people and processes in organizations.
  • Completed a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree in marketing and international Business.
  • Joined Central Vet in September 2020. 

More about Laurena

  • She enjoys spending time at the lake with her husband, two children and their puppy, Charlie.
  • She was raised on a purebred cattle and grain farm.