NIGEL BASS, BSc, DVM, MRCVS
Nigel qualified from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 1993, having earned a degree in biology from the University of Victoria. He was in mixed practice in Quesnel for two years and then moved to Calgary. Nigel and Jenni were married in 1996 (a vet school romance) and for two years Nigel worked at Calgary North Veterinary Hospital, a 25 veterinarian hospital. In 1997, Nigel and Jenni moved to England with all their savings and five suitcases. Having spent the savings, Nigel began work in a small animal hospital in Gloucester, England, where he was head of the Small Animal Medicine Department. In September 2000, Nigel and Jenni returned to Victoria, with seven suitcases, 1/3 of a shipping container, two children, a parrot and four tortoises. Nigel’s interests include canine reproduction and orthopaedic and soft tissue surgery. His favorite part of the job, however is being paid to play with puppies.
BRAD MCKELL, DVM
Though born and raised in small town Saskatchewan, Dr. Brad McKell has always had an affinity for the West Coast. After graduating from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 2016 he left the prairies to pursue a veterinary career on the Island. A long, dreary, and wet winter in Campbell River was enough to entice him to greener pastures and he has now found a home at Sidney Animal Hospital. Brad has experience in most fields of small animal medicine but particularly enjoys dentistry, radiology, and ophthalmology. When not at the office Brad spends his time playing hockey, watching movies, or yelling at referees on tv when the Roughriders lose a game. He may also be found gallivanting on the beach with friends and family of both the two and four legged variety.
CATHIE HAY
Cathie has been the Lab Tech at the Sidney Animal Hospital since 1981. During that time she has had the honour of working with many great Veterinarians. She enjoys all aspects of her job but her particular interests include digital radiology, surgery, microscopic lab work with a very special interest in reproductive cases. Cathie is the owner of Truline Kennels. She breeds and trains Golden Retrievers. Cathie also is the owner of Rainbow Ridge Ranch where she raises Black Welsh Mountain sheep. She has found lambing season is almost as exciting as Christmas!
RACHELE RICKETTS, BSc, RVT
Rachele grew up in Calgary, AB where she completed her Bachelor of Science in Zoology at the University of Calgary before moving to Vancouver Island to be closer to the ocean. After working as a veterinary receptionist and volunteering at a wildlife rehab centre, she decided to go back to school to become a veterinary technician. She graduated from the AHT program at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops in June 2014, and joined the team at the Sidney Animal Hospital as a new graduate. She is now a registered vet tech and especially enjoys surgery, anesthesia and dentistry. She has two fur kids of her own, a sweet shepherd cross named Sierra, and a talkative brown tabby named Naavi. In her free time Rachele enjoys baking, exploring the beauty of Vancouver Island, and traveling the world.
KIM BEARE, BSc, DVM
Kim graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in Guelph in 2004, after having completed a degree in animal biology from the University of British Columbia. She was quick to move back to British Columbia after graduation and began practicing as a mixed animal veterinarian in Sooke. Kim started working at the Sidney Animal Hospital in 2007. She enjoys treating both our canine and feline patients. At home, Kim has three sons, two cats and a lab cross. in her spare time she enjoys training for triathlons, hiking and windsurfing.
MADDY FRIESEN, DVM
Maddy began her veterinary career at the Sidney Animal Hospital in 2017 after graduating. While a recent grad, she has always held a fascination for animal husbandry, beginning with raising Monarch butterflies and various reptiles from her childhood home in Winnipeg. After toiling her high school years at a pet store, she received her Bachelor’s in biology at the University of Winnipeg and joined the veterinary medicine program at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine. Several prairie winters convinced her to move to Vancouver Island, where she resides with her husky Indy and cat Marley. She has a particular interest in ophthalmology and anesthesiology. When not at work, she enjoys playing soccer, hiking, and cheering for the Jets.
LINDA KOBLEY
Linda is our office manager and has been organizing the Sidney Animal Hospital since 1995. She also works as a receptionist and does some occasional nursing. When not at work Linda enjoys cooking, and spending time with her family, as well as her Labradors, parrot and cat.
KELLY WESTERN
Kelly joined the Sidney Animal Hospital Team in the summer of 2008; as of June 2013 she is now our assistant manager. She enjoys spending time with all the animals in the clinic, as well as her own miniature dachshund named ‘Bebe’, who is full of kisses as well as energy! She spends most of her spare time enjoying the outdoors, travelling and spending time with friends and family.
ALI NIELSEN
Ali joined the Sidney Animal Hospital reception staff in the winter of 2012. She came to us with a few previous years working in the veterinary field. She loves all animals especially her little Chihuahua mix “Lily”. She enjoys traveling the world, and spends most of her spare time outdoors.
KATIE GILMORE
Katie joined the Sidney Animal Hospital staff in the summer of 2014. She keeps busy with her horse, chickens and two dogs, enjoying the best of BC, camping and dirt biking. Katie has taken the Vet Assistant program and is working towards becoming a registered Animal Health Technician in the future.
BRITTANY HANEY
Brittany joined the Sidney Animal Hospital in the fall of 2016. She has always had a pet as far back as she can remember everything from bunnies to dogs to horses. She keeps busy with her little girl at home. They enjoy going swimming, hiking, and exploring the West Coast.