Our caring and compassionate veterinary care team!

Your pet is important to us. We want your experience here to be a positive one, filled with warmth and understanding. Kindness and compassion are hallmarks of our clinic, and we pride ourselves on offering some of the best veterinary care around. We hope you’ll allow us the opportunity to become part of your family as much as you’ll became part of ours.

Please call us at (519) 653-4411 to speak to one of our caring staff members!

DR. SARA UNTCH, DVM

Veterinary medicine is the perfect combination for someone who loves animals and science. I value the special bond between my patients and their human family members. I love meeting new clients and their pets. I am honoured to guide, support and educate my clients in caring for their pets’ overall health and happiness. I strive to make each visit a positive one. I continue to improve my medical knowledge to ensure the best possible care for my patients.

I share my love of hiking and movies with my two lovely daughters when I’m not out dancing, or answering to the demands of my sweet cats Walter and Nessa, and the ever mischievous Kat.

DR. NICKEY BROWN, DVM

I’ve always loved animals, science, and meeting new people, so it was an easy decision to dedicate my life to veterinary medicine. Each patient is important to me and I value the relationships that I build with their families. I focus on preventative medicine and like to think of my style as gentle, warm and caring. Trust is important in this line of work and I don’t take that lightly. While they’re in my care, your pet is as important to me as they are to you.

I have a wonderful husband, Tim, three great kids, and a house full of pets. Right now we have four dogs, one cat, two birds, and a brood of chickens. There’s never a dull moment.

“Be patient, be kind. We are all dealing with life in our own way”

DR.  MARCO MAZZOCCO, DVM

Dr. Marco Mazzocco received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1999 from the Ontario Veterinary College. He also received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Guelph.

After graduation he completed an intership in small animal surgery, medicine and critical care at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at the Ontario Veterinary College. During this intense year of medical training he got the chance to work with world renowned specialists in surgery, internal medicine, critical care, cardiology and oncology.

He has continued his training in Florida and at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado in minimally invasive surgery and has brought endoscopy and laparoscopy to private practice in Guelph.

His furry family includes two yellow Labrador retrievers and two rescue cats.

KATHLEEN, REGISTERED VETERINARY TECHNICIAN, HOSPITAL MANAGER

Kathleen graduated from the Veterinary Technician program at Seneca College in 1999.  She worked in multiple companion animal and specialty veterinary practices in Toronto and Mississauga before moving to Waterloo in 2009 to start a family. Kathleen has been a member of the Rabies Response Team of Ontario since 2015.  Kathleen joined the Pioneer Pet Hospital family as a technician in 2018 and immediately felt right at home. She accepted the position of hospital manager in 2020. She has embraced her new role in the clinic and is constantly striving to support the staff, clients and patients in any way she can.

Kathleen lives with her husband, 2 daughters, 2 cats and a red eared slider turtle.  She enjoys hiking, dancing and travelling and is looking forward to adding a puppy to the family in the spring of 2022!!

CHRIS ROBINSON, REGISTERED VETERINARY TECHNICIAN

Chris is a registered veterinary technician and our hospital manager. She is celebrating 25 years at Pioneer Pet Hospital! Here is what Chris has to say about her work…

“I love my Pioneer Pet Hospital Family! That includes those I work with and those who bring their pets to us for care. Knowing our clients so well is something that makes Pioneer so special to me. The connection over partnering in their pets care is so wonderful. I love animals but I also love helping people who love animals! I have always had a strong passion for animals, I drove my parents crazy with my menagerie of pets I had as a kid. When I am not working at Pioneer, I spend my time on my second animal passion, running a national animal charity, the Canadian Animal Assistance Team. We help to bring volunteer veterinary services to remote communities in need, it is great to help those animals that would otherwise have no access to veterinary care. I also still surround myself with a menagerie, with 2 dogs, 3 cats, 2 horses, and 10 miniature donkeys! It keeps me busy!”

KAITLYN, REGISTERED VETERINARY TECHNICIAN 

Kaitlyn graduated the Veterinary Technician program at Sheridan College in 2020 and became a Registered Veterinary Technician. Kaitlyn has always loved animals and she feels truly lucky to be in a career that allows her to work with them on a daily basis. She especially enjoys interacting with our clients and getting to know their beloved pets. Outside of work she enjoys hiking, spending time with family and friends, and snuggling her beautiful kitten, Finn.

CELESTE, Head Receptionist

I am a goldsmith and silversmith by trade, which I studied for 3 years at Georgian College, but am an animal lover to my core! I have always known I would work with animals in some way, so I was blessed to have found both my position as head receptionist along with a family at Pioneer Pet Hospital! I have 2 cats; a bengal called Remi and a Siamese called Riki, and a ball python called Rumple Snake Skin. I love spending time outdoors and keeping active, and am a huge advocate for all facets of health and fitness and living a healthy lifestyle. My passions include expressing myself creatively and artistically through different mediums; from my style choices and blue hair, metals and mixed materials in my jewelry making, to ingredients for recipes. I’m also an avid baker and absolutely love experimenting with new creations/altering recipes for specialty baking with a major focus on gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and keto!

Mireya, Receptionist and Animal care attendant

Hi, I’m Mireya! I am currently a student at Conestoga College, studying Animal Sciences and I am on the path to achieving my goal of becoming a veterinarian technician. I know my calling is working with animals. I first became involved with the Pioneer Pet family when I was in co-op at my old high school. I was fortunate enough to have been hired on to the amazing staff! I love coming into work to meet our patients. I had a goofy, fun, loving Goldendoodle named Buddy who sadly passed away during Covid, and I miss him terribly. But coming into work and seeing the animals puts a smile on my face.

When I’m not at Pioneer I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and spending time outdoors.

Alysha Venhuizen – Veterinary Receptionist/Assistant

Alysha grew up with and worked with animals her whole life, and was a horseback rider from a young age.

She has always had a passion to work with animals, dogs in particular! Alysha finds the science behind different behaviors so intriguing and is excited to expand her knowledge while working with all the furry friends here!

Alysha has her Fashion Design Diploma from Fanshawe College and loves to bring her creative ideas to life.

When she isn’t working at Pioneer, Alysha is either out training her lab/rottweiler “Stormy” and her bouvier des flandres “Lou”, as well as doing various activities and sports to keep busy like volleyball, snowboarding, paddleboarding, and golf.