Meet the Veterinarians & Team of Tavistock Veterinarians – Dairy Division in Tavistock, On! We’re pleased to provide exceptional care and service to you farm!
Please call us at (519) 655-2421 to speak to one of our caring veterinary staff members!
Allister grew up in Toronto. He originally intended to do small animal practice but became interested in dairy practice when he entered OVC, class of 1982, and worked on a dairy farm near Milton. He developed an interest in pork production as a student, when he worked in Waterloo, Perth and Oxford Counties. After graduation in 1986, he worked at West Prince Veterinary Services in PEI. In 1988, he returned to Ontario and started at Tavistock. He became a partner in 1990. Allister’s emphasis is swine health management and production medicine, but maintains his interest in dairy practice. Allister lives with his wife Leslie and three boys Allister, Jordan and Liam in New Hamburg.
Kalie is a recent graduate of the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph. Kalie grew up in Mississauga. Her interest in dairy practice evolved when she did her undergraduate in Animal Biology at the University of Guelph. Her preparation for dairy medicine include international learning in New Zealand and Scotland, where she spent a summer experiencing management practices and techniques from the dairy veterinarians and farmers there. Kalie may be familiar to you as she spent 3 weeks of external elective education with us during her final year. Kalie’s main interests are in dairy herd health and reproduction. She is very excited to join our team and work with you on your dairy cows.
Raised in Acton, Ontario, Clark has had an interest in animals and agriculture from a very early age. It began at his grandparents’ farm as a child and progressed from there. Cattle were always his main interest. His interest in agriculture and cattle led him to the Ontario Agricultural College where he received his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture degree in 2010. After completing his undergraduate degree, he wanted to pursue a career where he could work in the dairy industry at an on farm level and make a difference for producers. He was fortunate enough to be selected into OVC and he graduated in 2015 with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. His main interests are dairy production medicine and health management as well as general medicine and surgery. He also dabbles in beef cattle work. Clark is a family man whose other interests include sports, gardening and fishing.
Kristen received her undergraduate degree in Zoology from The University of Guelph and earned her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from The Ontario Veterinary College in 2014. Upon graduation she joined the Perry Veterinary Clinic in Perry, New York; a large predominately dairy practice with 26 veterinarians on their team. Wanting to be closer to family, Kristen returned to Ontario to practice dairy production medicine and joined Tavistock in 2016.
Her journey to becoming a bovine veterinarian included working as a herd manager for dairies in Ontario and Ireland as well as attending the Cornell Summer Dairy Institute in 2013. Dr. Edwards is a member of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, the Ontario Association of Bovine Practitioners, and the Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council. Her professional interests include dairy nutrition, calf health, reproduction, and dairy economics.
In her spare time, Kristen enjoys snowboarding, hiking, and going on canoe trips with her husband, Sean.
Dr. Topp grew up on a dairy farm outside of Embro, where she cultivated her love of cattle. That love lead her to complete her bachelor’s degree in Animal Science in 2009, followed by her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2013. After graduating, Amanda worked with another clinic for 8 years before finding her way to Tavistock Vets. She is really enjoying working with all the new staff and clients. Amanda is passionate about sharing her knowledge of cattle, dairy farming and veterinary medicine to help producers improve their operations. In her spare time, Amanda enjoys spending time with her two kids and her husband Matt, playing soccer, vegetable gardening and visiting her own “herd” of cows scattered in various barns all around the countryside.
Dr. Burello grew up in the suburbs of Vaughan and her passion for agriculture stems from her family who farmed a variety of crops and animals back in Italy. Her aspirations to become a veterinarian and work with farm animals was evident from a young age. She completed her undergraduate degree in Animal Biology and Master’s degree in Swine Nutrition and Gastrointestinal Physiology at the University of Guelph. Nicole attended veterinary school in Europe at the University College Dublin to expand her perspective on dairy production, with the goal of incorporating unique and advanced European practices in her work. Her interests include lameness in dairy cattle, surgery, beef cattle and small ruminants. Outside of work, Nicole enjoys hiking with her husband, Connor, and dog, Chip, riding horses and going to the gym. She is very excited to be a part of the Tavistock team and helping farmers feed the world!
Dr. Van Bommel was raised in Thamesford where her family operates a farrow to finish hog farm, broiler farm, and cash crop operation. Emily’s passion for agriculture and veterinary medicine began at a young age growing up on her family’s farm, and this led her to pursue a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at the Ontario Veterinary College. She completed three years of a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Guelph in 2017, and earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2021. Her professional interests include bovine general medicine and surgery, as well as companion animal internal medicine and preventive pet healthcare. In her free time, Emily enjoys a variety of outdoor activities, playing hockey, travelling, and reading.
Dr. Wayne Shewfelt received his DVM degree from the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph in 1977. He joined Tavistock Veterinarians in 1980. His professional activities focus on proactive dairy health management services (nutritional consultation, reproductive herd health, milk quality, herd monitoring, cow comfort, barn design, ventilation assessment, young stock programs, farm financial review). Wayne became Board Certified with the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in 2006 and requalified in 2016. January 1, 2020 he retired from active practice but has maintained a consulting role in the dairy industry and as a mentor to the Tavistock dairy team. Wayne and his wife Carol have 3 children and 2 grandchildren Olive and Elliot.
John Chesney was born and raised in Oxford County. He attended OAC and graduated from OVC in 1977. During his college years, he split his free time working for Western Ontario breeders and with Bruce Robb here at Tavistock Vets. After a short stint in Northern Ontario, John worked for the ruminant field service at OVC training students. In 1979 he returned to Tavistock and became a partner with Dr. Robb. John has an interest in dairy reproduction and a keen mind for farm finances. He is a graduate of the Dairy health modules and dabbles in poultry medicine.
Originally from Clinton ON, Alana moved to this area for her job at Tavistock Veterinarians in April 2003. She graduated as a Vet Tech in 2002 from St. Clair College, Windsor ON.
Alana is our Large Animal technician who goes on farm and administers and tracks producers dehorning and vaccination programs. She also offers ultrasounding calf lungs and participates in data gathering for research projects for the clinic. She does all the data input for Dairy Comp 305 in clinic.
When not at work she enjoys gardening, working out and plays baseball. Alana has 2 girls and 2 Great Danes, Lily and Gus.
Lois grew up on a dairy farm in Bruce County, and moved to this area after graduating from Centralia College as an Animal Health Technician. She joined Tavistock Veterinarians in 2006 as the Inventory Manager. Her job duties keep her mainly at her desk, but she also helps out in the front office. When Lois is not at work, she enjoys many hobbies, including reading, putting together jigsaw puzzles, and square-dancing. Lois is married to Doug and they have 2 daughters.
