The Granville Island Veterinary Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Gabriela

Gabriela is originally from Santiago, Chile and moved to Canada with her family when she was less than a year old in 1985. Gabriela started volunteering at Granville Island Veterinary Hospital during high school in November of 2001. Her work experience and volunteer time soon lead to a full time position as a loving and organized ward nurse. Since December of 2001 Gabriela has worked on and off with us, taking time off to continue her education to become a registered animal health technologist and give birth to her beautiful baby girl Claudia in April 2006. Her huge heart has the capacity, in her time outside work, to love her 2 dogs Maximus and Chico and her 2 cats Jack and Phoebe in addition to her husband and daughter.

Kelly

Thanks to our volunteer program we were fortunate to find the hardest working ward nurse in Vancouver. After 2 months of volunteering we knew Kelly Lamanes would be a great addition to our team. Born and raised in Vancouver, Kelly lived on a small farm in Langley where she developed a special love and bond with animals at an early age. Kelly is a caring ward nurse with a huge heart that is quick to learn new things everyday. She shares her apartment with Simon and Sophie, her two cats, and her son Ethan. Kelly Lamanes is currently upgrading her education to one day become a registered animal health technologist. In her spare time Kelly enjoys camping and playing baseball. Mickey is the beloved family dog that is included in this picture of Kelly and her son.

Ruby

Ruby is currently studying to achieve a BSc at UBC. She considers herself lucky to have found a job where she can be exposed to many different cases, where every animal has left a part of them with her in some way. She is also grateful to be encouraged by the amazing support system that is the people at GIVH. Eventually, Ruby would like to get into veterinary medicine, but is taking things one step at a time. Besides school and work, Ruby enjoys trail riding, snowboarding, and hugging laundry fresh from the dryer.

Smilja

Smilja Jelec is one of our hospital's crown jewels! If Smilja isn't hugging a nervous puppy or comforting a cat recovering from surgery, she's making sure we're eating all our vegetables. Smilja was born in Doboj, Bosnia and lived in Germany for six years before moving to Canada in 1998 - bringing along her Guinea Pig, Gogo! Smilja has survived another job where she worked 7 days a week for 4 years, has survived 29 years of marriage to her doting husband, Mirko, and is currently surviving "Duke", her 3-year-old Bichon Frise. She and Mirko also have a very handsome kitty named "Edgar". Smilja is one of our most talented at helping very nervous kitties feel better while they're in the hospital. If your cat has had to stay with us, she likely has spent more than a few minutes cuddled up on Smilja's lap. She truly has a compassionate heart and it's easy to see why we all call her "Momma".

Terimarie

Originally from the east coast town of Corner Brook, Newfoundland, Terimarie began her time here at Granville Island Veterinary Hospital as a hard working night nurse. As an individual Teri perfected her skills as a caring, attentive ward nurse. The day shift is now blessed with her cheery disposition and loving heart. The patients here at Granville Island Veterinary Hospital are lucky to have a caring, intelligent, intuitive individual such as Teri to speak for them. Terimarie has an interest grooming and graduated from Clippers Pet Grooming Academy in 2001. She is also the volunteer program co-ordinator and trainer here. Teri’s ‘lemon dog’ Peanut-Butter has had the best care, having to have 3 procedures within her first year of life. Terimarie also has 2 cats; Patch and Bunky. In addition, Teri suffers from an obsession for the color pink.

Ward Nurses