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The Sechelt Animal Hospital Staff have come together to form a dynamic team of sincerely caring individuals. They are dedicated to maintaining and continually upgrading their skills and training in order to restore, improve, and maintain your pet's health.
"Our goal and policy is to treat our clients as we would treat our families, and to treat our clients' pets as though they were our own.
Being of service to our clients and patients, is the definition of our purpose and mission of our practice.
We pledge and guarantee that we will always do our very best to serve you and to provide your pet with the care they deserve."
 Dr. Lorne Carroll
BSc,DVM Veterinarian
Medical Director
I was born and raised here on the coast with a lifelong goal of becoming a vet. I realized that goal when I graduated with distinction from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 1994. It was always my plan to return to the coast and start my own cutting-edge practice. This hospital is part of that dream. When I'm not taking care of animals you can usually find me exploring the Sunshine Coast by scuba diving, mountain biking, hiking or hanging out with my wife and three children.
 Dr. Mike Tigchelaar
DVM
Veterinarian
I am a BC boy. I’ve tried the prairies both at school in Saskatoon and for the last few years in Winnipeg. Despite all their charm and big skies, BC pulled me back. I did my undergraduate training at UNBC in Prince George, working on a wildlife management degree. I finished my Veterinary degree from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 2004.
My working career to this point has been predominately small animal work, with a small amount of cattle and horse work at my first job in Invermere BC. After Invermere I worked for two years in small animal practice in Winnipeg before going on a working vacation in England. During the last five years of practice I have developed an interest in both ophthalmology and surgery. Now finally back in BC I am looking forward to settling down in Sechelt and exploring the sunshine coast.
On a personal level I have always enjoyed being outside, whether that is hiking, camping, biking, or just about any other outdoor pursuit. I hope to learn to scuba dive, kayak and take advantage of the ocean lifestyle. You may see me walking the beaches and trails with my 2 dogs, Mr. Nibblers, and Jessie and my partner Karen (a.k.a. Dr. Kemp).
Dr. Karen Kemp
DVM
Veterinarian
I was born and raised in Winnipeg, which despite the cruel winters was a lovely and cultural place to live. My undergraduate studies were taken at the University of Winnipeg, where I earned a Bachelor of Science honours degree in 2001. That same year I was thrilled to be accepted to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon.
I really enjoyed my time in Saskatoon and at veterinary college. During this time I met my partner Mike (Dr. Tigchelaar), and between studies managed to find time to travel to Uganda and Peru, where I worked with local wildlife and veterinary groups. Since graduation in 2005 I have worked primarily in small animal medicine at clinics in Invermere BC, Winnipeg MB, and England. Since deciding that beautiful BC was where we wanted to settle down, Mike and I are very excited to be joining the Sechelt Animal Hospital. I am looking forward to continuing to practice high quality medicine and surgery in such a gorgeous and friendly town.
At home Mike and I are outnumbered by our furry family members, which have joined us one by one over the years. Our two mixed breed dogs are Jessie and Mr. Nibblers. Our three cats are Stewie, Pudge and the Old Man. I still love to travel to far and exotic places. I also like to cycle, garden, hike, ski, and play volleyball, hockey and Ultimate Frisbee.
 Dr. Heather James
DVM
Veterinarian
I was raised on the Sunshine Coast where I enjoyed a wonderful childhood of camping, swimming and riding horses. After graduation from Chatelech in 1998, I pursued my post-secondary education at UNBC, UBC, and eventually the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon where I received my DVM in 2007. After working for 2 years in rural Saskatchewan, my heart told me to come back home, where I enjoy living closer to my parents and my brother.
These days I’m a little older but am fitting back in to Coast life quickly. I brought my 25 year old horse, Licker, back with me, the same one I had in high school, as well as a newly acquired SPCA cat, Mambo, who loves BC life so far. Our family also has a wonderful dog named Daisy, and a new kitten named Fawkes, who both came to us as rescues and are very well loved.
I am very happy to be back, and especially to work with such a fun and dedicated staff at Sechelt Animal Hospital. Here I am able to practice high quality medicine in a progressive practice. The town is even more beautiful than I remembered and it’s nice to see familiar faces again. Thanks for the warm welcomes so far and I look forward to meeting my new patients and clients.
Kerri
Registered Animal Health Technologist/
Practice Manager
 Animals have always been my passion and working at the Sechelt Animal Hospital allows me to realize my goal of helping animals and their owners. For the last ten years, I have been involved with animals both in the animal welfare field, and through my hobbies of competitive dog sports (such as agility and dog obedience). In 2004 I graduated from the University College of the Cariboo (now Thompson Rivers University) Animal Health Technology Program, and after hearing stories of the beautiful Sunshine Coast for years from friends and relatives, I decided to move to Sechelt and see it for myself. My two Golden Retrievers are thrilled... living so close to the beach and endless opportunity for swimming! I also have two Siamese mix cats and numerous fish.
 Meghan
Registered Animal Health Technologist/
Head Technician
I graduated from the Animal Health Technology program at Thompson Rivers University (formerly UCC) in June of 2002. After a short time working in Kamloops I moved to the Sunshine Coast in October of 2002 and I have been working at the Sechelt Animal Hospital ever since. I live in Sechelt with my husband, daughter and menagerie of animals. I have five cats (Frack, Dylan, Jesse, Sunny, and Bruce), a geriatric guinea pig (Alfalfa), and two dogs (Jake and Winnie). Ever since I was little I wanted to work with animals and I now have a job where I get to realize my dream. I never thought it was possible to enjoy coming to work everyday!
 Samantha
Registered Animal Health
Technologist
Born and raised in Nelson B.C., I have always loved animals. I graduated from Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Fairview Campus in 2005, with a degree in Animal Health Technology. I worked in the Okanagan for a while, but soon realized that I needed more.
I moved to the Sunshine Coast in 2006, and I have been with Dr. Carroll and the Sechelt Animal Hospital ever since. I enjoy every part of my job, but I have a special interest in canine behavior, dentistry and anesthesiology.
I have 2 dogs, a Border collie mix named Koda, and a German shepherd named Simone. Koda was a rescue from 4 Paws Animal Shelter in Nelson. Simone came to me not long after I started working here. She ran into (or flailed into) a trailer hitch, causing her to break her humerus, when she was just 4 months old. Her owners did not want her anymore, so I adopted her. I have a cat named Smudgie, but we call him “fatty!” He was a rescue from the Penticton SPCA.
On my days off, I can be found mountain biking, kayaking, hiking, camping, snowshoeing, or just curling up in the sun with a good book! We are happy to be putting down roots here on the beautiful Sunshine Coast. My husband, Jason and I were married in Aug 2009. We bought a house here in Sechelt in April 2009. We are hoping that a family of our own is in the not too distant future.
Sharon
Animal Health Technologist
Before moving to the coast, I worked as an Animal Health Technologist on Bowen Island for three years. Living in a close-knit Island community ispired me to work in a similar enviroment. I spend my days off on Bowen Island to care for our "fur-kids" Joey, Lupe and Max, and to visit all their friends at Missy Manor, a doggie haven!!! I graduated from Central Luzon State University College of Veterinary Medicine. I also co-own a small animal vet practice (United Doctors Animal Clinic) in the Philippines, which I visit every year.
 Tamara
Animal Health Technologist
Animals have always been a big part of my life, and I knew long ago that I would someday be caring for them.
I graduated in 2004 from Steinberg College in Vancouver and have moved all around the lower mainland gaining experience, and skills working in different hospitals since then. I am always encouraging myself for new ways to increase my knowledge in the veterinary field. Currently, I am in the Distance Education R.A.H.T Program through Thompson Rivers University.
The Sunshine Coast had become a favorite place to visit for me, when I finally decided to move here December of 2007. I have been with the Sechelt Animal Hospital Team since then, and have loved every minute of it. I live in Sechelt with my dog “Johnny Cash” and cat “Mortimer”.
My favorite interests include; hiking, biking, camping, kayaking, rock climbing, traveling, skiing, sports, reading, music, and anything else outdoorsy!
Keri
Ward Nurse
I have been with the Sechelt Animal Hospital as a ward nurse since October of 2004. It is my job to ensure the comfort and happiness of the patients during their stay here. I have been working with animals since I was 12 years old, starting at a pet store in Yellowknife NWT where I grew up and more recently at Gibson’s Wildlife Rehab Centre. These experiences have made me especially fond of birds and exotics and in fact my husband and I have several snakes, lizards, rodents and tropical fish as well as the more conventional cats and dogs at home. The little dog with me in the picture is Phoebe who I adopted through SAH as an injured puppy in March of 05 and the big white dog is Chaos, my husband’s dog. Chaos has allergies so technically he’s white and pink!
Elisabet
Ward Nurse
I began working at the Sechelt Animal Hospital in June of 2006 after working for several years at a local shelter. While with the shelter I earned my Animal Welfare Certificate and I maintain a keen interest in animal welfare and rescue work. Currently I volunteer for Renaissance Rescue helping care for all kinds of needy critters. My job at the hospital is to make all of the patients and boarders comfortable during their stay. I am especially fond of shy animals and I enjoy giving them the extra TLC they need to bring them out of their shell. I also have a special fondness for rabbits (I have 6 of my own!), and I enjoy building fun habitats for them to help enrich their environment. Along with the 6 rabbits I have 2 dogs (Emma and Angel), 3 cats (Pebbles, Bam-Bam, and Tinker) and a husband (Chuck).
Corri
Veterinary Assistant/Ward Nurse
 I graduated the Veterinary Office Assistant program at Granville Business College in June 2008 and started working at Sechelt Animal Hospital at the end of August.
I moved to the Sunshine Coast from Richmond at the end of the summer with my daughter. We have a cat named Riley and two energetic dogs named Kya, and Harley.
We are all enjoying our new life here on the coast and have settled nicely into our new house.
All of the family (besides my lazy cat) enjoy hiking, swimming and camping, so we are looking forward to exploring the coast in the spring and summer months. To make the winter months go by quicker, I have started to volunteer at the local SPCA walking dogs once a week and I am hoping to, one day, become a foster parent for the SPCA.
Chris
Reception
 Originally from the UK, I first came to Canada in 1996. I was over here to work for a year at the Chateau Lake Louise as part of a Degree Course in Hospitality Management. It didn't take me long, living and working in the Rockies, to fall in love with Canada and the Outdoors. I also met a young Canadian lady called Gail, who was from Saskatchewan, during that year. I was very happy when she chose to come with me when I went back to the UK in 1997 to finish my degree at University in Birmingham. After graduating I spent a couple of years working in the UK before marrying Gail and returning to Canada. My new wife and I moved back to the Rocky Mountains and worked at the Chateau Lake Louise for another four years. It was during this time that we had our daughter, Charlotte. In 2004 we decided that we had dealt with the harsh weather for quite long enough and the cold winters drove us to the warmer climbs of the West Coast. We lived in Richmond for a couple of years while exploring more of BC. My family and I came over to the Sunshine Coast for a day in January 2007 and never looked back. We moved over here three months later and have decided that we are here to stay. The Sunshine Coast has everything that we need and none of the things we don't. We now live in Halfmoon Bay and love the peace, safety, and sense of community. My daughter, Charlotte, is in Grade two in Halfmoon Bay Elementary and loves to learn. She also loves to hear about my day working with animals. This is the perfect place to raise our daughter and live our lives. I continued to work in the Hospitality Industry for a little while before deciding that didn't really fit with our new life on the Coast and was very happy to start working at Sechelt Animal Hospital. I am new to the Veterinary Industry but am really enjoying working with the great team here, learning about animal care, and applying my customer service skills to a new area.
Virginia
Reception/Ward Nurse
 I grew up here on the coast spending my summers on the beach with my grandmother enjoying all the beauty the coast has to offer. I have always loved animals, especially dogs. I first worked at the Sechelt Animal Hospital from 2003 to 2006 as a receptionist/ward nurse. I recently came back on board in September 2009. I think that working with animals is both challenging and rewarding. I joined the Sechelt Animal Hospital team because of my love for animals, and to learn more about animal health and become an advocate for better care for all pets. I live with three Jack Russell Terrorists, and a very tolerant cat. My hobbies include photography, mixed media arts and mountain biking.
Kevin
Kennel Attendant
*Bio under construction*
Tank
Director of Feline Affairs
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