Chantele
Receptionist and Veterinary Assistant

Chantele loves her work here, especially helping to educate dog owners about their dogs and their behaviours, as she is a certified dog trainer.  Her responsibilities are numerous as she helps our River Oaks families care for their pets, and she helps Dr. Gold and the rest of our hospital team treat and care for our patients in hospital - whether it be in Surgery, Radiology, the Examination room or general treatments.    When you call us in the mornings,  it will often be Chantele warmly greeting you on the phone and assisting you with your questions and scheduling appointments for you as needed.  Chantele has been with us for 5 years, and truly helps us all feel at home!

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Sydney
Veterinary Receptionist/Assistant

Sydney has been on our staff for a number of years.  While she had been "out back" as an Animal Care Attendant in the past, you will see her smiling and helping you at the reception desk and in the examination room this summer.  Syd has now completed 2 years at the University of Guelph and is working toward an application to the Ontario Veterinary College.   Sydney spent the summer of 2024 with us and is now back at the University of Guelph, continuing her education, but you can expect to see her back on her holidays!  

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Dr. Candace Flynn
Veterinarian

Candace has been on our team for 13 years.  Her warm personality, intelligence and true high level of care are greatly appreciated by all of our team and the many clients that know her so well.  While Candace joined us as a high school student, in an "Animal Care" position, her growth with us and in life is something that we are all so proud of!  After graduating from high school, Candace continued to work with us part time while she completed her Undergraduate and Masters degrees in science at the University of Guelph,  she was then accepted into the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine professional program at the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph!  We are so excited for her amazing successes and are thrilled that she is spending so much time here with us now.  Candace has completed her studies at the University of Guelph,  as of spring, 2024, you will see her assisting Doctor Gold during your appointments and in all aspects of patient care.  Don't hesitate to ask Candace questions, as she helps you with your special family member!  July 2024 update:  Dr. Flynn hopes to see you and your pets on occasion when she is back in Oakville, but she will be spending most of her time now at another hospital which treats not only companion animals, but agricultural patients as well.  Dr. Gold and Dr. Flynn stay in contact, and we are so excited for her as she embarks on her new professional career!

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Esha
Veterinary Student, receptionist and assistant

You will be delighted to meet Esha, who joined our hospital team this summer, 2024.  Esha has a background in the human medical field, including a university degree in biomedical sciences, and is working toward her application to Veterinary School.  Esha's warmth and concern with the best of care of our clients and patients will contribute to your welcome as part of our River Oaks family!
  We are very excited to tell you that Esha has successfully applied to Veterinary School, so with a little hard work and time, she will be Dr. Dev, in just a short 4 year's time!  
  Unfortunately, this does mean that Esha will be leaving our team spring 2025, in order to start her school with a spring admission.  We do wish Esha the very best at school and in her future career and we certainly expect her to visit with us and you when she is back in the country visiting her family and friends!

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Krissie
Veterinary Technician and  Assistant

Krissie has  been working side by side with Dr. Gold for over 20 years.  Our clients and patients have known and loved Krissie and her wonderful care of both our clients and patients for all of this time.    Whether it be assisting Dr. Gold in surgery, seeing clients to take blood samples from our patients, or generally assisting all of our staff with their varied responsibilities, Krissie is a wonderful friend and team member!

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Alyssia
Veterinary Student

​I was born in Oakville and I live with my parents and two sisters. We have a cat named Bella who is 11 years old and a 6 year old Maltese-Yorkie who is named Max. Outside of work I attend Holy Trinity Secondary School where I play field hockey and I belong to the ski team.

I came to work at the Animal Hospital of River Oaks in April, 2019.  I had been looking for a job for a while that would give me experience working with animals.  I now attend the University of Guelph, with the intent to pursue a career as a veterinarian, but I still come in to assist when my studies allow me the time to support the rest of our team.

I find working at the clinic especially rewarding because I get to be around animals and therefore I learn more about the veterinary profession.  My position at the clinic is Animal Care Attendant. My job includes looking after the animals that are boarding at the clinic or are recovering from surgery. I also make sure the veterinary clinic is sanitized and presentable to the public.

Learning from Dr. Gold and watching him interact with his clients and their animals is invaluable to me and I hope to learn so much more.
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NOTE:  
  We are very excited to let you all know that Alyssia has been very successful as a student at the University of Guelph and has been accepted into the Ontario Veterinary College, in the graduating class of 2027!  Dr. Gold was one of the featured speakers at the University at their Professional Welcome Ceremony.  You can enjoy the ceremony at this link:  https://www.youtube.com/live/SYyGn7YNAX0?si=uf5mMKZCAGfZH4HN

NOTE:  Dr. Gold also spoke at the Professional Welcome Ceremony for the graduating class of 2028
​ and you can enjoy this ceremony at the following link:
https://www.youtube.com/live/3Al3GCB0x0Q?si=g-S3U1ryxM48TM9o