Small, Yet Mighty.
Our team of vets, veterinary technicians and support staff is one of the most talented teams around. They are patient, dedicated, and responsible for most of the tough jobs day in and day out. They work so hard to make a difference in the lives of the animals we serve.
We love coming to work every day and want to always feel this way about our clinic. This profession can be amazingly rewarding but it can at times be very sad, frustrating, and difficult. We really want to encourage a special kind of workplace that is supportive. Each of our highly trained staff brings a different perspective and rich experience to the table and we encourage individuality. We truly believe work/life balance is essential and strive to make it a focus for our team and it means we can be better for you as well. We also really believe that we can always get better and always be learning. We make continuing education a priority with annual conferences, seminars and learning opportunities and you may notice if you ever visit the clinic that once a week on Thursdays between 3-4 we meet for “journal club” which is an educational presentation by one of our staff members teaching the team something new. These are just some of the things that sets our team apart.
Our Veterinarians
-

James Drooker, DVM
Dr. James Drooker graduated from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Medicine in 2011- the oldest veterinary school in the world. He graduated with distinction and received two university medals. Since graduating, Dr. Drooker has worked in small animal practice in both Toronto and Montreal. Before studying veterinary medicine James finished an Honours BSc. in Marine Biology and Oceanography at Dalhousie University. James lives in P.S.C and is proud to be the first veterinary clinic in The Pointe. In his free time he enjoys reading and guitar, time with his wife and three young children. .
-

Charles Courtemanche, DVM
Dr. Charles Courtemanche is a recent graduate with the St- Hyacinthe faculty of veterinary medicine. Originally from Montreal, Charles initially pursued his academic journey at McGill University, where he studied Kinesiology.
Charles’ diverse academic background provides a solid foundation for his keen passion for surgery, namely dentistry. He is particularly fascinated by the complexities of skin health and the diagnostic challenges of clinical pathology.
-

Jeremy Courchesne, DVM
Dr. Jeremy Courchesne graduated from the Faculté de médecine vétérinaire de l’Université de Montréal in May 2025. Jeremy brings a strong foundation in small animal medicine, a collaborative mindset, and a genuine eagerness to keep learning and growing in practice .
Throughout his training, Jeremy gained hands-on experience working both in emergency medicine at the CHUV and in general practice, where he supported veterinarians with patient care, client communication, anesthesia preparation, and day-to-day clinical workflows. These roles helped shape his calm, team-oriented approach and reinforced the importance of trust, clear communication, and compassion in veterinary care.
Jeremy is deeply aligned with our clinic’s values: putting community at the heart of practice, working better together as a team, and delivering honest, respectful care tailored to each family’s needs. He is known for his empathy with clients, strong work ethic, and commitment to being just a little better every day .
Jeremy is proud to serve our diverse community and looks forward to building long-term relationships with clients and their pets.
-

Istvan Deak, DVM
Dr. Istvan Deak is an experienced veterinarian with over 20 years of clinical and professional experience. Originally from Romania, he discovered his passion for animal care on his grandparents’ farm and earned his DVM from the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine in Cluj-Napoca. He began his career in rural practice treating dairy cows, horses, and pigs.
After moving to Canada, Dr. Deak worked in preclinical research and laboratory animal medicine, including toxicology, gaining a strong foundation in precision and high standards of care. He later transitioned to companion animal medicine and has practiced in Québec for many years, including in Gatineau and Montréal. His interests include preventive care, internal medicine, and surgery, and he’s known for calm, thoughtful communication with families.
Fluent in French, English, Romanian, and Hungarian, he values teamwork and community-centered care. -

Julia Finlayson, DVM
Dr. Julia Finlayson is a veterinarian who brings a global perspective, strong communication skills, and a deep commitment to community-centered care. She earned her Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours) from the University of Queensland in Australia, an AVMA-accredited program, and holds her Certificate of Qualification through the CVMA.
Julia’s clinical training spans an unusually wide range of settings, including urban and rural practices, mixed animal medicine, shelter and low-cost community clinics, and a specialized behavioural medicine practice. These experiences shaped her belief that excellent veterinary care must be both evidence-based and adaptable — offering thoughtful, transparent options that respect each family’s circumstances, values, and resources.
She has a particular interest in preventive care, surgery, dentistry, behaviour, and the human–animal bond. Known for her calm presence and clear, compassionate explanations, Julia places a high value on trust, honesty, and collaboration — with clients and with her veterinary team. She believes that caring well for animals starts with caring well for people, including colleagues, students, and community members.
Outside the clinic, Julia is curious by nature and motivated by lifelong learning. She is fluent in both French and English, has lived and trained internationally, and brings that openness and perspective into her daily practice. She is proud to work in a clinic where community, teamwork, and growth are not just ideals, but lived values.
Administration
-

Hannah Rice, Practice Manager
With a career spanning over a decade in veterinary care, Hannah started working with animals as a teenager and moved through most clinic operations (kennel attendant, tech aid, surgical assistant, reception) to management. Her resume also includes shelter and rescue responder work.
In 2016, Hannah took on the role of manager at Pointe Vet, where she has been able to flex her multitasking skills. Outside of work, she shares her home with her partner and a menagerie of animals. She is deeply passionate about animal health and welfare and is not just a manager but a compassionate advocate for both pets and their owners.
-

Tina Amend, Admin / AHT
Having graduated as a veterinary technician in 2013, Tina found her home at Pointe Vet shortly after it opened. Since then, her daily role at the clinic has evolved. On any given day, you might find her donning different hats – in scrubs as a technician, managing the front desk, diving into administrative tasks, and even troubleshooting as our in-house IT technician.
Working in an independent practice like Pointe Vet allows her to focus on what really matters – your pets. It's not just a job; it's a passion project.
Outside of work you'll likely find Tina on her bike, on the way to a microbrewery, or watching sports (Go PWHL Montreal!)
-

Vanessa Carter, Customer Support Representative
Vanessa is our senior receptionist and head of orders and inventory. She has also lived in Pointe st Charles her whole life so she may still be a familiar face to many of our clients. With a background in theatre and pastry making, Vanessa's organizational and problem solving skills help make our administration team run smoothly.
Technicians
-

Isabelle Kennedy, CAHT
Isabelle brings over 15 years of experience in veterinary medicine to our team. She has worked in some of Montreal’s busiest and most reputable clinics, with a special interest in surgery and anesthesia. At Pointe Vet, Isabelle leads our team of technicians and oversees the surgical department, where her expertise and calm leadership are invaluable.
Deeply passionate about both animals and medicine, Isabelle is a natural mentor—always eager to share knowledge and support the growth of her colleagues. Her dedication, compassion, and clinical skill make her an essential part of our hospital.
At home, Isabelle shares her life with her partner Daniel and their beloved pets: Oliver, Bear, Rosie, Runty, Milton, and Ember, their sweet Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the clinic’s unofficial zootherapy ambassador. -

Molly Lanthier, AHT
Molly knew from an early age that she wanted to work with animals in some capacity. She started by volunteering, then eventually being hired, at the SPCA during her studies in Vanier’s Animal Health program. She left shelter work a year before completing her studies and has worked as an animal health technician since graduation in 2013.
-

Miles Massicotte, AHT
Recognizable by his heart shaped glasses and espresso scrubs, Miles transferred from arts and literature to veterinary sciences and joined us during his second year in the Vanier Veterinary Technician program. He spends his free time knitting, ice skating and steel model building.
-

Stefanie Wosnitza, AHT
Bio coming soon.
Technician Assistants
-

Taylor Travis, AHT Student
Currently in her final year of veterinary technician school, Taylor has been passionate about animals since childhood—a love passed down from her mom. She began volunteering at a veterinary clinic during the pandemic and quickly fell in love with the field, inspiring her to pursue it as a career. As a dedicated tech assistant, she brings care, curiosity, and a calm presence to every shift. At home, she’s a proud cat lady to three beloved companions: Hendrix, Frangipane, and Maureen.
-

Stephanie, Technician Assistant
With many years of experience working with wildlife, zoo animals, and in clinical settings, Steph brings a unique depth of knowledge and instinct to the team. Known for her quiet and calm presence, she has an extraordinary ability to handle even the most challenging patients with gentleness and confidence. Whether she's working behind the scenes or directly with your pets, Steph's fearless approach and steady hand make her an invaluable part of the clinic.
-

Scotia Sharpe, Technician Assistant
After earning a degree in Liberal Arts, Social Justice & Citizenship, and Philosophy, Scotia found her way into the pet industry through a neighbourhood boutique known for its focus on nutrition and care. Now part of the Pointe Vet team, she brings thoughtfulness, empathy, and a strong sense of organization to her role as a vet tech assistant — and to every interaction with your pets.
When she’s not at the clinic, you’ll probably find her chasing the sun with a book in hand, checking out local microbreweries, or hanging out with her chaotic orange tabby, Ru Paul.