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Meet our loving family members that will be caring for your fur baby!

Here at Cassells Animal Hospital, we have an amazing, caring team that will make you feel welcomed and comfortable just like family. We will always have you and your pet’s best interest at heart.

Every client and patient is different and we are so lucky to have a great team of Veterinarians to suit every need. Whether you just want the reassurance of being instructed on what to do, or if you want to take an active role in your pet’s care and require a lot of information, or whether you just require a little more time, reassurance, and comfort… we have the doctor for you. Our client service team knows our Doctors very well and can help match you with a doctor that best meets your needs. Call and speak to one of our client service representatives today!

Our Doctors

Dr. Melanie Eckensviller, DVM

Veterinarian

Dr. Melanie was born in New Liskeard and raised in North Bay. From a young age, she had always dreamed to be a veterinarian. Her studies lead her to the Ontario Veterinary College, where she graduated in 2009. From the time she graduated, Dr. Melanie practiced in North Bay and surrounding areas and is well known for her sensitive caring qualities. She joined the veterinary team at Cassells Animal Hospital in 2015 and has enjoyed building relationships with our amazing clientele, making each and everyone feel special and heard. Dr. Melanie has a special interest in ophthalmology, internal medicine, and ultrasound. In early 2017, she pursued special training in ultrasound. She since has worked very hard to perfect her skills, using this tool to provide a more effective and less invasive mode of diagnosis for our patients. When not wearing her Doctor's hat, Dr. Melanie is quite busy balancing family life with her husband and three children. Besides her human children, she also cares for her fur babies “Charlie”, “Holly”, and “Maple”. As a family, they enjoy the outdoors, working in their vegetable garden, and observing their backyard fauna of deer, birds, and squirrels. Dr. Melanie will quickly win you over with her sweet and friendly personality.

Dr. Janyk Laferriere, DVM

Managing Veterinarian

Dr. Janyk knew from a young age that she wanted to be a veterinarian. She pursued her studies at the University of Guelph/Ontario Veterinary College and graduated in 2006. Shortly after graduating. Being born and raised in Sturgeon Falls, both she and her husband were happy to make the move back to the north to raise their two beautiful children. Dr. Janyk joined the Cassells Animal Hospital veterinary team in September 2016 and then became Dr. Stephanie’s partner in June 2019. Dr. Janyk has a few pets, an orange and white tabby girl named Andie, and a Tortoiseshell named Rizzo – her special girl! She joined the Cassells team in September 2016, where she has continued to grow and thrive as a veterinarian. Although she loves every part of medicine, she particularly enjoys feline medicine, dermatology, internal medicine, and soft tissue surgery. Raised in a French family herself, Dr. Janyk is fluent in both French and English and is ready to communicate with you in either language. Dr. Janyk will have you smiling with her witty nature and feeling comfortable with her devotion and care she will give to your furry family. She will leave no stone unturned in an effort to solve your pet’s health issues or seek information regarding their diagnosis and how to best proceed.

Dr. Kristi Palangio, DVM

Veterinarian

Dr Kristi joined our veterinary team in November 2019. Her experience and knowledge as a seasoned veterinarian made her a great addition to our hospital. Kristi was born and raised in North Bay, leaving only to attend University where she graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2014. Her desire to become a veterinarian stemmed from a fascination of the human animal bond and a deep interest beyond just companion animal medicine, but also wildlife medicine. During her veterinary studies, Kristi participated in the Veterinarians Without Borders and travelled to Thailand for one month where she helped with the vaccination and parasite prevention programs for stray dogs and also had the opportunity to provide veterinary care to elephants at the Elephant Nature Park. After her studies, Kristi returned to Northern Ontario to practice as a small animal veterinarian. Her main interests are internal medicine and ultrasound. When not busy at work, Kristi loves spending time with her husband and daughters, and also her cat “Chandler”, and dog “Penny”. Otherwise, Kristi enjoys yoga and the outdoors playing golf or gardening. Dr. Kristi’s calm and confident personality will make you feel at ease and comfortable that your pet will receive the utmost best care!

Our Hospital and Client Care Team

Lou-Anne

Client Service Representative

Lou–Anne joined our team in April 2021. Many of you likely already know Lou-Anne through her years of dedication as owner of the Bay Restaurant and then the Ultimate Dawg House as both a companion animal boarding kennel and training facility or from her years of volunteer work at Best Friends Animal Society (Dog Town) and/or her involvement with the All-Heart Pet Rescue. Lou-Anne is a self-taught dog groomer and trainer who has had the pleasure to also train with well-known dog trainer Cesar Millan at his Dog psychology centre. Her expertise, experience, and even just her calm energy when handling your pets has made a world of difference in our canine patients especially when Mom and Dad can’t be with them. On her spare time, Lou-Anne loves to spend time with friends and their dogs by the fire, in the pool, or just walking the nature trails. She is a doggy Mother of three: Raven, Twix, and Willow.

Jaydee

Client Service Representative

Daughter of Dr. Stephanie Marquette, Jaydee has been part of the Cassells Animal Hospital team for a long time. Initially helping after school with cleaning duties every day, she spent a lot of time listening, learning and experiencing the day to day of working in our hospital. She was more than well prepared to jump into the position of client service representative when the position became available. On her spare time, she enjoys cycling, going for drives, and travelling to new places; she especially loves Alberta. Jaydee is also a very talented photographer and enjoys capturing people in their element; some of her favorite things to photograph are rodeos & country scenes, first responders, and doing family photography.

Megan

Client Service Representative

Megan is one of our fun-loving gals that will greet you on the telephone or when you first walk into our hospital. After a short search for that perfect job, Megan joined our team so she could blend her love of helping people with her love of animals. Her warm and happy personality makes her a great addition to our CSR team! Initially going to school to become a makeup artist, she continues to practice her makeup artistry skills whenever the opportunity arises. When not at work, Megan enjoys listening to music, engaging in creative projects, spending time with family, watching sunsets, and snuggling with her 2 feline roommates Chip and Belle.

Sadie

Client Service Representative

Bio coming soon...

Mickayla

Client Service Representative

Bio coming soon...

Our Registered Veterinary Technicians

Brandy

Registered Veterinary Technician

Brandy joined our hospital in 2018. Growing up with the desire to work with animals, Brandy attended St-Clair College and received her diploma as a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) in 2005. She has worked as a RVT for more than a decade in Southern Ontario. She brings a lot of skills and extensive work experience to our team. Brandy’s calm and confident personality is also valuable in those tough and high-stress situations. Originally from a small town in South-Western Ontario, Brandy and her husband relocated to North Bay and are now raising their adorable son. Of course we can’t forget an honorable mention of Brandy’s original babies of the furry kind dogs “Cody” and “Brewer” who she loves so much. In her spare time, she enjoys walking the dogs, going to the cottage, and spending time with family and friends. “Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains un-awakened.” – Anatole France

Laurie

Registered Veterinary Technician

Laurie joined our registered veterinary technician (RVT) team in 2023. Her years of experience and her wonderful personality made her a perfect addition to our already amazing treatment team! Armed with a significant love and compassion for animals and their pet parents, Laurie always looks to make every experience a positive one. This also extends to her team and co-workers. Laurie is a proud pet parent to “Foucault”, “Simon” and “Jubilex”, all Domestic Shorthairs. She also has “Tootsie”, a miniature Australian Shepherd cross. In her spare time, Laurie loves the quiet life reading and crocheting, but she has been known to dance it up at Zumba and belt it out at Karaoke.

Kierra

Registered Veterinary Technician

Kierra joined our registered veterinary technician (RVT) team after graduating from the RVT program in 2023. We love the heart, passion, and curiosity that she brings to work every day. The decision to seek a career in veterinary medicine was fueled by her experience with a special furry family member named “Lucky” who was born with many congenital defects. However, thanks to the veterinary team and through the love, devotion of her Mom in helping this little life, Lucky has been able to live a great life. Outside of work, Kierra enjoys relaxing activities such as painting, reading, and spending quality time with her eight family dogs.

AJ

Registered Veterinary Technician

AJ joined our registered veterinary technician (RVT) team in 2023. He brings a sense of calmness, a wealth of experience, and true passion for the care of our furry friends. After graduating from Algonquin College in Ottawa as a Registered Veterinary Technician in 2011, he first began his career as an RVT working in Timmins and then moved to North Bay where he worked in his field for many years. When not working, AJ enjoys a quiet life at home with his wife, son and their three cats: Kero, Eleanor, and Butters.