Our Team

Dr. Honda graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1992 and completed a combined medical and surgical Internship at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 1993. She practiced as an associate veterinarian in Burlington for 15 years before she and her husband, Brian designed, built and opened Southside Pet Hospital in 2008. Sixteen Mile Veterinary Clinic was then opened in January 2016. Dr. Honda and her husband are proud parents of three sons: Jack, Ben and Joe, and their family is completed by Hana, the Doberman, and Bo, the Labradoodle. Dr. Honda enjoys regular Pilates, yoga and paddle boarding at the cottage and is forever trying to improve her golf game.

Dr. Hughes graduated from McMaster University in 2001 with a Honours Bachelor of Science and from the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph in 2005. She practiced in Hamilton and Burlington before joining the Southside team in 2009. In 2015, Tracy and her husband, Blair, welcomed their daughter, Rory. Their family is completed by their two cats, Coco, a Burmese and Huggybear, a British Shorthair.

Originally from Mexico, Dr. Vélez has always felt a passion for nature and animals, which made him decide to become a veterinarian. Dr Vélez obtained his DVM degree from the National Autonomous University of Mexico in 2013. While still in school, he had the chance to travel within Mexico and other countries where he was involved in projects like sea turtles and whale shark monitoring in the Mexican shores all the way to wildlife research, medicine and rehabilitation in Chile and United States. Shortly after graduation, he and his wife, Sophie, with their two dogs, Lumba, a Rhodesian Ridgeback, and Mezcal, a Labrador mix, decided to move to Denver, Colorado, where he practiced veterinary medicine for over four years before deciding to make a move to Canada in 2019. His special interests are internal medicine, preventative medicine and imaging, such as ultrasound. In his time off, he enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, camping across Ontario, traveling around Canada and abroad as well as watching the Spanish soccer league.

Jennifer has been with the Southside team since its opening. She graduated from Sheridan College with an Animal Care Certificate in 2003, followed by the Veterinary Technician program at Northern College in 2005. She achieved her RVT status in 2006. When she is not at work, Jennifer spends her time at home with her husband and two daughters, together with their two Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers, Maddie and Lacey. In her spare time, Jennifer curls and plays soccer.

Ashlee joined the Southside team in 2014. She is a 2010 graduate of the Veterinary Technician program at St. Clair College. She and her husband, Brennan, are proud parents to Marv, a handsome Great Dane, Randy, a yellow-sided Green-cheeked Conure, and Normy, a Timneh African Grey. When not at work, Ashlee enjoys spending time with family and friends.

Michelle is a Veterinary Technician who has been a part of the Southside team since 2011. After her graduation from Northern College’s Veterinary Technician program in 2001, Michelle has worked in humane, laboratory, and clinic settings. Michelle has a special interest in Anesthesia, Surgery and Dentistry. She has also worked with many different exotic species over her career. Michelle shares her heart and her home with her husband, two sons, and their rescue dog, Nova. In her personal time, she enjoys walking on nature trails, running, SUP boarding and spending family time "glamping" at her seasonal trailer.

Julia joined the Southside team as a co-op student when she entered the Veterinary Technician program at Sheridan College in 2011. Upon graduation in 2013, she obtained her full Registered Veterinary Technician status and joined our team full-time. Julia is the proud owner of her German Shepherd, Ombra, and her horse, Naughty. In her spare time, she enjoys riding Naughty and hiking with Ombra.

Jaimi joined the Southside team in 2016. She graduated from Northern College in 2011 from the Vet Assistant and Animal Grooming program. She is the proud parent of her two Shelties, Harley and Jake, and several cats. Outside of work, Jaimi loves hiking with her dogs and spending time with her husband and baby.

Yadira joined the Southside team in 2022. Her love and passion for animals has finally made her gravitate to work in an industry she has always loved and admired. She brings over 30 years of administrative and customer service experience, assisting in providing the attention and care our clients and patients have grown accustomed to. Over the last four years, Yadira has occasionally fostered cats through a local rescue group and will continue to open her home to animals that need love and care. She currently shares her home with her husband, Alan, adult daughter, Victoria, their miniature Poodle, Lenny Lyric, and seal point Siamese cat, Petra Love. Outside of work, Yadira enjoys spending time with friends and family, and has a passion for food, travel and yoga.

Kim joined the Southside team in 2021. She graduated from Sheridan College’s Animal Care program with high honours in 2007 and has been working with animals ever since. In her spare time, Kim enjoys reading, various arts and crafts and spending time with her corn snake, Sammy.

Marie is originally from Mauritius Island and joined the Southside family in January 2021. She graduated from Sheridan College’s Animal Care program in 2020. Marie is the proud owner of two parakeets, Coco and Sky, and a Cinnamon Conure named Bobo. In her free time, Marie loves to practice kickboxing and play video games.

After completing the Animal Care program at Sheridan College, Jennifer joined Southside in 2022. She has always had a big heart for animals of all shapes and sizes. While growing up, she had many pets ranging from cats and dogs to hamsters, guinea pigs and even several domestic rats. With family originating from the rural Napanee area, she was lucky enough to be introduced to horseback riding and has taken part in both western and English riding at different times in her life.

Joining the Southside team in 2022, Kayla graduated from the Animal Care Program at Sheridan College in 2019. She has a lot of experience working with animals including kennels, doggy daycares and pet stores. Kayla has a 3-year old Black Lab/Red Heeler mix, Ellie, and a tabby cat, Cali. When she isn’t at work, Kayla spends time with family and friends and is also involved with 4-H where she shows jersey cows.

Ashley graduated from Ridgetown College in the Animal Medical Administration program in 2006 and has been working in other clinics before joining the Southside team in 2022. She and her husband, Martin, are proud parents to two young girls and two rescue cats, Laverne and Shirley. In her spare time, Ashley loves to read and plays competitive dodgeball.

Emilie is currently an undergraduate student, studying at McMaster University to complete her Honours Bachelor of Applied Science in Human Behaviour. She first started as a volunteer at Southside in 2013 and has stayed part of the team while continuing her studies. She is also the proud owner of a lovely cat named Poppy.

RIP. Forever loved by the Southside Team.