A team of professionals that are passionate about helping animals and their humans.
The partners at Penhorn Animal Hospital want to create a practice culture where mental and physical health is a priority. Having core values that focus on a collaborative, supportive and empathetic environment help guide our work. Creating a happy and healthy work space for the team helps ensure that you and your pet receive the attention and care that you deserve.
Partners
Karen Keizer, DVM
I have lived in Nova Scotia all of my life. I was 3 years into a bachelor of Art degree when I decided to become a veterinarian. My Aunt was visiting from Texas and she was talking about veterinarians in her State setting up in parks and spaying and neutering stray animals.
It was at that moment I knew I wanted to be a part of helping animals. I switched to a bachelor of science and graduated with both a BA and BSc, and started veterinary school. I graduated veterinary school in 2002, and I worked for 10 years in Cole Harbour in general practice.
I have spent the last 10 years working in emergency medicine. I am very excited to work at Penhorn Animal Hospital where I can care for sick, and injured animals, and build relationships with the animals and their owners. When I’m not at work I enjoy spending time with my husband Brian and son Justin, and our cats – the number of cats I do not disclose.
Kathrine Lamey, DVM
Dr. Kathy Lamey grew up in Dartmouth. She was raised by a single mother who nurtured and supported her love of everything “animal”. She knew at a very early age that she wanted to be a veterinarian and continues to pursue excellence in that field to this day.
Dr. Lamey graduated from the Atlantic Veterinary College in 1996. From there she headed west to Toronto where she practiced at a busy downtown clinic, honing skills in preventative and emergency medicine. Upon her return to the Maritimes, she began her career in emergency and critical care at the Metro Animal Emergency Clinic finding herself at the grassroots of the only emergency clinic in Nova Scotia.
She has special interest in surgery and gastrointestinal health. Outside of work Kathy is an avid amateur but very productive gardener. She is a bird watcher and friend to the little wildlife creatures who come calling. She enjoys her precious spare time with her partner Daniel. Together they share a love of camping, exploring, preparing healthy meals together, and taking care of their three cats Seethil, Jo, and ERL.
Wade Smith, RVT
Wade grew up in Salmon River, Nova Scotia, and always had pet dogs, cats and even a pet goat. He loved spending time at his grandparents hobby farm in Wentworth. Despite his love of animals he hadn’t considered it as a career path, and after high school he moved to Toronto.
Over the next 10 years he took courses in business administration, marketing, and environmental studies, but still hadn’t found his passion. In 1997 while visiting his family, he was walking down the street with friends, and he witnessed a cat get hit by a car.
He and his friends tried to find a vet to see the cat, but no one would see her as it was after hours, and they didn’t know who the owner was. The cat passed away in his arms, and this was when Wade decided he wanted a career helping animals. He became a veterinary technician and has worked in emergency clinics in both Ontario and Nova Scotia.
In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, and two dogs Dave and Mattie. He enjoys hiking, paddle boarding, golf, and travelling.
Associate Veterinarians
Paige Marryatt, DVM
Nova Scotia is home for me and where I have spent most of my life. When I was a young girl growing up, I showed a penchant for medicine as well as animals from the time I could barely crawl. Much to a squeamish mother’s dismay, I would sit and watch reality emergency medicine on PBS as a child. I think my family knew I was destined to end up working in the medical field in some capacity. Growing up in a household with a severely allergic parent, I quickly made friends with the neighbourhood felines. Many a picture of me as a toddler includes the beloved next-door cat Mittens. As I got older, we progressed to hamsters, then guinea pigs, and then a beautiful Netherland dwarf rabbit. I loved them all, but cats always held my heart.
When I graduated from high school, I entered University taking a psychology degree. I successfully defended my thesis, and I was considering a career in clinical psychology. The universe is an interesting place, though, and somehow the obvious decision to enter veterinary medicine came to me as if I was always supposed to proceed down that path. I attended the Atlantic Veterinary College in Prince Edward Island for 4 amazing years. I graduated in 2003, and I have had the great privilege of working for the last nearly 20 years in small animal practice in Dartmouth.
I love medicine. I love being presented with mysteries that we need to solve using all of our knowledge, instincts, and problem-solving skills. Some of my favourite parts of what I do every day (other than the obvious pet snuggles) are the interactions with clients. I love teaching clients and seeing them leave the clinic with a firm understanding of everything that transpired during their visit. I believe in an open discussion in my exam room and a strong veterinary-client-patient relationship. I pride myself on team medicine, and that team not only includes the hospital staff but also pet parents. I am looking forward to new adventures at Penhorn Veterinary Hospital and to building new relationships.
Registered Veterinary Technicians
Emma Beaton, RVT
Emma grew up in British Columbia. She made the cross country move to Nova Scotia in 2017. She graduated from the Veterinary Office and Animal Care Program in 2010 and then worked as a veterinary assistant, and cross trained as a technician at a small animal veterinary clinic.
Deciding to pursue more comprehensive training, she graduated from the Animal Health Technology program at Thompson Rivers University in 2016, and then began her career as a registered veterinary technician in a general practice setting.
After moving to Nova Scotia, Emma made the leap to emergency medicine at the Metro Animal Emergency Clinic and has found a new passion for veterinary medicine. Her strengths include advocating for all her patients, caring for animals with compassion and she finds special interest in in-depth critical settings.
Though she misses her West Coast family greatly, Emma now lives happily in Musquodoboit Harbour with her East Coast family, and her pets, Kali and Cotter Pin.
Amanda Mullins, BSc (animal sciences), RVT
Amanda began her journey as a Registered Veterinary Technician in 2010, after graduating from Oulton College. Prior to this, she completed her Bachelor of Science with a major in animal sciences from Dalhousie University.
After many years in general medicine practices throughout HRM, in 2016 Amanda took the leap into emergency medicine and critical care. Alongside emergency medicine, Amanda has a strong passion for education, having taught veterinary assistant and veterinary technician students; including guest lecturing at Dalhousie University.
Special interests include emergency medicine and critical care, exotic animal nursing, animal behaviour and enhancing the human animal bond.
When she isn’t nursing a variety of species, Amanda enjoys horseback riding, obedience training with her dogs, anything true crime and long afternoon naps! She and her spouse, Jenna, own and operate Hen and Goose Pet Supply Co.
Amanda shares her love with her four dogs, two cats and a very special pony named Abigail.
Lisa Janes, RVT
Hi I’m Lisa! I am a registered veterinary technologist with 20+ years experience and a special interest in both emergency medicine and reptiles. I grew up in the Annapolis Valley of NS, and in 2001 graduated as an RVT from NSAC in Truro (now Dalhousie Agricultural College).
I knew at a young age that I wanted to work with animals. From the age of twelve I spent every available hour I had volunteering, and eventually working, at our local SPCA. When 2 large iguanas showed up for adoption at that SPCA, I realized how little education there was in the Maritimes with regards to everything reptile-related. I took it upon myself to rectify this issue (and yes, adopted those iguanas). I became the co-founder the Safe Haven Society for Reptiles and Amphibians which rescued and rehabilitated hundreds of animals in Nova Scotia from 2002-2008. My husband and I operated Little Ray’s Reptiles NS from 2010 until 2020, when the pandemic shut us down.
In my spare time, I love growing veggies. I am an active member of ARAV (Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians) and care for my 6 tortoises, 12 snakes, 11 lizards, 2 frogs, 8 arachnids, and 1 small human!
Jodi Macaleese, RVT
Jodi has been a Registered Veterinary Technician since 2011, when she graduated from the NSAC Veterinary Technician Program (now Dalhousie Agricultural College.) She has been working in emergency medicine since 2013, and has a special interest in bedside nursing, pain management, and laboratory cytology. She enjoys solving problems, working in a team, and learning new things.
Jodi appreciates the fast-paced challenges of urgent care, and is dedicated to treating all the animals (and owners) she encounters with kindness and compassion.
Jodi resides with her husband in the Annapolis Valley in the off-grid home they built together. They happily share their house with their dog Horton, their cats Mellie, Maverick, and Widget, their guinea pigs Fillis, Esme and Ogg, and a small army of carnivorous plants.
Outside of the hospital, Jodi is a busy watercolour artist, an amateur musician, an avid reader, and an enthusiastic gardener.
Krystalli Galvez, RVT
Hi ! My name is Krystalli. I’ve been a registered veterinary technician since 2020. I graduated from the University of Prince Edward Island with a Bachelor’s in Environmental Biology. Then, took the Veterinary Technology program at Dalhousie Agricultural Campus and graduated as an RVT.
I’ve been passionate about helping animals ever since I was a child. It all started when I would tag along with my dogs to their vet visits and was amazed by all the vets did. This sparked my interest to work with various vets, including a wildlife veterinarian in Belize. I have a special interest in animal nutrition, laboratory cytology, and wildlife.
I admire how urgent care can be so fast paced and I am excited to learn new things everyday. I am also dedicated to expand my registered veterinary technician skills in this fast paced environment and to show compassion to all pets and pet owners.
In my spare time, I volunteer with the Cole Harbour Heritage Farm Museum by helping to take care of their farm animals. I also enjoy watching movies and hanging out with my 2 senior cats whom I recently adopted.
Client Care Representatives
How it works.
We will be open for same day / same week appointments 7 days a week from 10am to 8pm. For an urgent appointment call 902-444-1644. If we are fully booked you may be able to drop your pet off for the day and pick them up after they’ve been seen. You can also request less urgent appointments in advance.
What kind of appointment do you need?
Benefit from our experience.
Dr. Karen Keizer and Dr. Kathy Lamey have over 35 years of emergency and critical care experience combined. Dr. Lamey started her career in emergency medicine while Dr. Keizer spent a decade in general practice before making her move to emergency care. They have worked together for many years and have very similar perspectives and ethics when it comes to the practice of veterinary medicine. Dr. Paige Marryatt has over 2 decades of experience in general practice and shares with the practice a wealth of knowledge and a heart felt compassion for her patients and clients. This team brings balance and harmony to the hospital so that clients can expect a consistency of care.