Lifting Stars Veterinary Homecare Veterinary Team

Dr. Jeff Berkshire

Veterinarian

Dr. Jeff Berkshire is originally from Bridgewater, Nova Scotia. He fell in love with Vancouver when studying for his MSc in Animal Science at the University of British Columbia. After completing his Masters in 1999, Dr. Berkshire worked in the Education Department at the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre. He then enrolled at the Atlantic Veterinary College in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island where he graduated in 2005.

Dr. Berkshire has practiced small animal veterinary medicine in both Canada and the United States since 2005. He started his career at Westminster Veterinary Group in Southern California. Five years later, he moved to North Vancouver and worked at Highlands Animal Hospital for two years, before moving to Granville Island Veterinary Hospital in 2012. Lifting Stars Veterinary Homecare opened in April 2015, and now Dr. Berkshire works exclusively as a house-call veterinarian.

Dr. Berkshire is an animal lover. He has a Percheron horse named Jethro, a Dalmatian named Lola, a Bichon mix named Squirrel, and a small pond with koi and fancy goldfish. Pictured is Jeff with his dearly missed cat named Squeak. In his free time, Dr. Berkshire enjoys spending time with his horse and dogs, gardening, traveling, exercising, eating good food, taking naps, and spending time with family and friends.

Years in practice: 19

Education: Atlantic Veterinary College, Charlottetown, PE

Dr. Berkshire’s Professional Memberships:

• Canadian Veterinary Medical Association
• College of Veterinarians of British Columbia
• International Association of Animal Hospice and Palliative Care
• Association of Pet Loss and Bereavement

Dr. Olivia Saunders

Veterinarian

Dr. Olivia 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 local small animal veterinary hospitals. Following her veterinary passion, her journey took her to Scotland, where she completed her veterinary education at the University of Edinburgh in 2018.

Dr. Olivia has practiced small animal veterinary medicine in both the United Kingdom and Canada since 2018.  She started her career at Vets4Pets in Worcester, United Kingdom. Three years later, she moved to Saskatoon and began a rotating internship in Small Animal Medicine & Surgery at the University of Saskatchewan’s Western College of Veterinary Medicine. In 2021, she moved to Vancouver and shifted her focus to dentistry leading her to undertake formal residency training at West Coast Veterinary Dental Services in Vancouver. Driven by her passion for dentistry, she successfully completed her residency training in December 2023 and is currently gearing up for board certification as a Veterinary Dentist.  Rekindling her desire to offer in-home compassionate end-of-life veterinary care, Dr. Olivia joined Lifting Stars Veterinary Homecare in December 2023.

Beyond veterinary practice, Dr. Olivia is an avid outdoor adventurer. Whether camping in the great outdoors of beautiful British Columbia or navigating the waters nearby, she finds joy in these pursuits alongside her friends, family and her loyal companion, Moose, the Hungarian Vizsla.

Years in practice: 6

Education: The University of Edinburgh’s Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Edinburgh, UK.

Dr. Olivias‘ Professional Memberships:

• British Small Animal Veterinary Association
  
• Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
  
• Canadian Veterinary Medical Association
  
• Veterinary Information Network
  
• British Columbia Veterinary Dental Association
  
• College of Veterinarians of British Columbia 

Dr. Mary Saunders

Veterinarian

Dr. Mary Saunders joined the Lifting Stars Veterinary Homecare team from Fort Langley, a small town in the Vancouver Lower Mainland. Dr. Mary was 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. Her passion and love for animals and their owners continued through her studies, and incited her interest in pursuing veterinary medicine, which ultimately led her to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. While attending WCVM, Dr. Mary studied and worked in a variety of departments including Anesthesia and Large Animal Field Service.

Since graduating in 2020, Dr. Mary has practiced small animal medicine as a locum veterinarian in several clinics in the Vancouver Lower Mainland, including the BC SPCA, Ambleside Animal Hospital, Blue Cross Pet Hospital, West End Veterinary Clinic, and Eagle Hill Animal Hospital to name a few. Motivated to follow her passion for compassionate geriatric end-of-life care and for providing pain-free quality-of-life care for pets, Dr. Mary joined Lifting Stars Veterinary Homecare in February 2024.

Outside of veterinary work, Dr. Mary enjoys hiking the West Coast mountains, baking bread and promptly eating it, and finding excuses to get into any body of water. She enjoys spending time with her friend’s animals and hopes to someday have a fluffy companion of her own.

Years in practice: 3

Education: The University of British Columbia,
The Western College of Veterinary Medicine (University of Saskatchewan)

Dr. Saunders’ Professional Memberships:

• Canadian Veterinary Medical Association
• Society of BC Veterinarians Chapter
• College of Veterinarians of British Columbia
• International Association of Animal Hospice and Palliative Care

Katy Agnew

Executive Assistant

Katy Agnew joined Lifting Stars Veterinary Homecare in 2023 as Dr Jeff’s Executive Assistant. In 2013, she made the life-changing decision to relocate from the United Kingdom to Canada, and she hasn’t regretted it for a moment. Canada has truly become her forever home. In 2018, Katy began her journey in veterinary care when she completed her Technician Assistant Diploma with honors from Granville College’s Veterinary Technician Assistant Program. Since then, she has taught that same veterinary technician assistant program and currently locums at clinics in Vancouver. Katy works with Lifting Stars Veterinary Homecare as Dr. Jeff’s executive assistant and the creative mind behind our website content and social media presence. Katy has a passion for senior pets and is dedicated to client satisfaction and education, where she always puts the well-being of every furry friend and their owners first. Beyond her professional commitments, Katy enjoys exploring the breathtaking landscapes of beautiful British Columbia and crafting culinary marvels in the kitchen.

Years in Practice: 6

Education: Granville College Veterinary Technician Assistant Program

Professional memberships:

• International Association of Animal Hospice and Palliative Care
• Fear Free Certified 2024,
• Certified End of Life Animal Care 2022,
• Graduate of Granville College
• Veterinary Technician Assistant Diploma,
• Graduate with honors, March 2018.

Elizabeth Guidroz

Reception Team Manager

Elizabeth Guidroz works as the Reception Team Manager for Lifting Stars Veterinary Homecare at DVMCenter in Oakdale, Minnesota. Elizabeth works remotely and is from a suburb outside of Minneapolis/St. Paul in Minnesota. She had several dogs growing up, and always knew that she wanted to work in the veterinary field. Elizabeth received 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 new found passion for working with senior pets and end-of-life care. In 2017, Elizabeth became the Reception Team Manager at Lifting Stars Veterinary Homecare. Elizabeth plays a pivotal role at Lifting Stars by using her decade of animal care experience, compassionate heart and exceptional organization and communication skills to train and supervise our team of receptionists in responding to our client’s calls, inquiries and on-line visit request forms. In her free time, Elizageth enjoys all things related to true crime as well as music, painting, and travel.

Years in practice: 10

Education: University of Wisconsin- River Falls, Argosy University

Professional Memberships:
Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association
International Association of Animal Hospice and Palliative Care

Rachel Lawrence

Administrative Assistant

Rachel Lawrence joined the Lifting Stars Veterinary Homecare team as an Administrative Assistant in July 2022. Rachel works remotely and joins us from Gombe State, Nigeria. Rachel grew up in Gombe State, where she spent a huge part of her life in the culturally diverse and beautiful landscape of Northern Nigeria. In 2020, she graduated from Michael Okpara University of Agriculture as a student of the College of Veterinary Medicine. In 2021, she began her career as a Veterinary Assistant at Pantami Veterinary clinic in Gombe. Seeking new opportunities and experiences, Rachel joined the Lifting Stars team in July 2022. Her dedication and support in responding to emails, completing administrative and organizational tasks, assisting with scheduling and helping with our social media platforms have proven invaluable as a valued team member of Lifting Stars. Rachel’s journey from a veterinary assistant in Gombe, Nigeria, to her current role reflects her passion for compassionate client and animal care and her exceptional organizational excellence. In her free time, Rachel enjoys gardening, baking, reading works of fiction and enjoying time with her family and friends.

Years in practice: 2 years

Education: College of veterinary medicine, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria.

Professional Memberships: Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association; International Association of Animal Hospice and Palliative Care