Dr. Jeff Berkshire is originally from Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, but he fell in love with Vancouver while studying for his master’s degree in animal science at the University of British Columbia. After completing his MSc in 1999, Dr. Jeff worked in the education department at the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre. In 2005, he completed his veterinary studies at the Atlantic Veterinary College in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

After he graduated, Dr. Jeff began practicing small animal veterinary medicine in both Canada and the United States, starting at the Westminster Veterinary Group in Southern California. Five years later, he returned to Vancouver to work first at Highlands Animal Hospital and later at the Granville Island Veterinary Hospital. In 2015, he launched Lifting Stars Veterinary Homecare to provide compassionate palliative mobile veterinarian services across the Lower Mainland.

Dr. Jeff has loved animals his entire life. Today, he has three Percheron horses, named Jethro, Ivan, and Dawson; a Dalmatian named Lola; a Bichon mix named Squirrel; and a small pond with fancy goldfish. Pictured is Dr. Jeff with his dearly missed cat, named Squeak. In his free time, Dr. Jeff enjoys gardening, travelling, exercising, eating good food, taking naps, and, of course, spending time with his horses and dogs, as well as with his partner, family, and friends.

Education: Atlantic Veterinary College, Charlottetown, PE

Professional Memberships:

College of Veterinarians of British Columbia

Canadian Veterinarian Medical Association (CVMA)

International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care

Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement

Dr. Olivia Saunders is from Oakville in southern Ontario, where her early years were spent immersed in the world of show horses and gaining valuable experience working in small animal veterinary hospitals. Following her veterinary passion, she travelled to Scotland, where she completed her veterinary education at the University of Edinburgh in 2018.

Dr. Olivia has since practiced small animal veterinary medicine in both the United Kingdom and in Canada. She started her career at Vets4Pets in Worcester in the UK, and three years later, she returned to Canada to begin a rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the University of Saskatchewan’s Western College of Veterinary Medicine. In 2021, she moved to Vancouver and began to focus on veterinary dentistry, undertaking formal residency training at West Coast Veterinary Dental Services, which she completed in 2023, the same year she joined Lifting Stars Pet Homecare. Currently, Dr. Olivia is preparing for her board certification as a Veterinary Dentist.

Dr. Olivia is an avid outdoor adventurer and enjoys camping and paddling in the great outdoors of beautiful British Columbia with her family and friends. Her loyal companion in her adventures is her beloved Hungarian vizsla, Moose.

Education: The University of Edinburgh’s Royal School of Veterinary Studies     , Edinburgh, UK

Professional Memberships:

British Columbia Dental Association

College of Veterinarians of British Columbia

Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons

Canadian Veterinarian Medical Association (CVMA)

International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care

Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement

Dr. Mary Saunders was first inspired to become a veterinarian after completing a marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation internship while studying for her undergraduate degree in applied animal biology at the University of British Columbia. That passion for helping animals eventually led her to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. During and after her degree, she studied and worked in various veterinary departments, including anesthesia and large animal field service.

After graduating in 2020, Dr. Mary began practicing small animal medicine as a locum veterinarian in several clinics in the greater Vancouver area. Following a desire to provide compassionate end-of-life and quality-of-life care for pets, Dr. Mary joined Lifting Stars Veterinary Homecare in 2024.

Dr. Mary enjoys hiking the West Coast mountains, baking (and eating!) bread, finding excuses to get into any body of water, and spending lots of time with her friends and their animal companions.

Education: The University of British Columbia, Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan

Professional Memberships:

College of Veterinarians of British Columbia

Canadian Veterinarian Medical Association (CVMA)

International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care

CVMA – SBCV Chapter

Dr. Victoria Donovan was raised in Whitby, Ontario, as the daughter of a companion animal veterinarian. From a young age, Dr. Victoria was taught to care for and respect all creatures. She completed her undergraduate and master’s degrees in neuroscience at Queen’s University in Ontario, then pursued her passion for veterinary medicine at the Ontario Veterinary College, where she graduated in 2022.

Shortly after graduating, Dr. Victoria moved to British Columbia and began her career at South Burnaby Veterinary Hospital. In 2024, she joined Lifting Stars Veterinary Homecare, where feels honoured to connect with families and provide veterinary care for the pets they love. In addition to her role at Lifting Stars, Dr. Victoria offers telehealth consultations and works as a locum veterinarian in several general practice hospitals across the Lower Mainland. Her philosophy is “treat each pet as your own,” a principle that guides her in delivering compassionate, informed care.

Dr. Victoria finds joy in spending time with her rescue dog, a black shepherd cross named Manny. She loves hiking, golfing, playing hockey, downhill skiing, and playing ultimate frisbee. She cherishes the time she spends in nature and with her fiancé, her dog, and all of her loved ones.

Education: Queen’s University, Ontario Veterinary College

Professional Memberships:

College of Veterinarians of British Columbia

Canadian Veterinarian Medical Association (CVMA)

International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care

CVMA – SBCV Chapter

Elizabeth Guidroz lives in Oakdale, a town near Minneapolis/St. Paul in Minnesota, where she works remotely as the reception team manager for Lifting Stars Veterinary Homecare. Her family had several dogs when she was growing up, and her love for animals led her to earning her bachelor’s degree in animal science with an emphasis in veterinary technology from the University of Wisconsin–River Falls and Argosy University. She began her career at a small one-doctor general practice and became certified in Companion Laser Therapy for Small Animals. This became a catalyst for Elizabeth’s passion for working with senior pets and being part of a team that provides excellent end-of-life care.

In 2017, Elizabeth joined Lifting Stars Veterinary Homecare. Her compassionate heart, exceptional organizational skills, and long experience in the field of animal care make her a pivotal member of our team, a skilled supervisor for our receptionist staff, and an important communication resource for our clients.

In her free time, Elizabeth enjoys true crime podcasts and TV shows, as well as music and painting.

Education: University of Wisconsin- River Falls, Argosy University

Professional Memberships:

International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care

Katy Agnew grew up in the United Kingdom, and in 2013 she made the life-changing decision to relocate across the Atlantic and make Canada her permanent home – a move she has never regretted. Katy began her journey in veterinary care when she completed her Technician Assistant Diploma with honours from Granville College’s Veterinary Technician Assistant Program. She has since taught that same veterinary technician assistant program and currently locums at clinics in Vancouver.

In 2023, Katy joined Lifting Stars Veterinary Homecare as Dr. Jeff Berkshire’s executive assistant. She is also the creative mind behind our blog and our social media feeds. In her work, she always prioritizes the well-being of our clients and their furry friends. She is certified in the Fear Free Pets program as well as in End of Life Animal Care.

In her spare time, Katy enjoys exploring the breathtaking landscapes of beautiful British Columbia and crafting culinary marvels in the kitchen.

Education: Granville College Veterinary Technician Assistant Program

Professional Memberships:

International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care

Rachel Lawrence has spent much of her life in the culturally diverse and beautiful landscape of Northern Nigeria, and now lives in Gombe State in the country’s northeast, where she works remotely as an administrative assistant for Lifting Stars Veterinary Homecare.

Rachel began her career as a veterinary assistant at Pantami Veterinary Clinic in Gombe in 2021, after graduating from Michael Okpara University of Agriculture as a student of the College of Veterinary Medicine. She joined the Lifting Stars team in 2022, and now provides us with the benefit of her deep commitment to compassionate client and animal care and her passion for organizational excellence. Rachel’s dedication and support in communicating with clients, assisting with our social media feeds, and keeping everyone and everything at Lifting Stars organized has made her an invaluable part of our team.

In her free time, Rachel enjoys gardening, baking, reading fiction, and spending time with her family and friends.

Education: College of Veterinary Medicine, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria.

Professional Memberships:
Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association

International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care