Meet the Team
DR. SUSAN THOMPSON, B.Sc.. D.M.V., Dip. Surg.
Originally from England, Dr. Thompson moved to Canada in 1967. She obtained her B.Sc. and D.V.M. by 1978 and then completed a three year residency programme in surgery (Dip. Surg.) at the Ontario Veterinary College. The following years were spent in research at the University of Toronto, with time off to start a family. Since 1989 Dr. Thompson has devoted her time to private practice in the South Fraser area of British Columbia, with particular interests in feline medicine and surgery.
Dr. Thompson is a member of the following associations:
- American Association of Feline Practitioners
- Cornell Feline Health Center
- Canadian Veterinary Medical Association
- College of Veterinarians of British Columbia
- Canadian Association Veterinary Dermatology
JIM THOMPSON, Hon B.Sc. (HK), Physiology post grad. - Practice Manager
Following his graduation from the University of Guelph in Human Kinetics, he entered the Masters program in Human Physiology at the Ontario Veterinary College. This was followed by 18 years in the Canadian pharmaceutical business. In 1995 Jim and Dr. Thompson decided to open Cats at Home in order to offer feline healthcare for residents in the South Fraser area, particularily Surrrey, White Rock and Langley. By 2000 our hospital doors opened to allow us a more comprehensive program of care for our patients.
LESLIE JONES - Veterinary Receptionist
After many years working in the banking world, Leslie chose a new career path. She enrolled and graduated from Vancouver Career College in Victoria as a Veterinary Office Assistant in April of 2006. Leslie worked in a mixed practice in Victoria prior to moving to the lowermainland and joined the Cats at Home team in January of 2008. Leslie and her family share their home with ten cats and three dogs.
TARA SCHNEIDER - Veterinary Assistant
Tara always knew she would work in the field of Veterinary Care. She has been with Cats at Home since 2005 graduating from Granville Business College (2001). Her position with us allows Tara to utilize her previous customer service experience, education and love of animals to contribute to the well-being of our cat patients. She has two cats, James and Babe both of whom she loves dearly. Tara also took some time off to start her family and she now has a great daughter, Kyra who is their joy in life.
ROSEMARIE CREES - Veterinary Assistant
Rosemarie graduated from West Coast College in March of 2008 as a Veterinary Assistant and immediately after, joined our team. She has one dog, Kiya, and one cat, Vada, both of whom she loves very much but now live with her parents. Rosemarie adopted Blu last year as one of a litter of rescue kittens that Leslie raised.
JAMIE PONGRAĆZ - Veterinary Receptionist
Jamie was born and raised in the Langley area. She has always wanted to work with animals and has four cats of her own: Casper, Missy, Emma and Jersey. She graduated as a Veterinary Assistant from West Coast College in 2010. Jamie likes to spend her spare time with her best friends and family and also enjoys going camping and fishing when she can get away.
KAYLA BUHLER - Kennel Assistant
Kayla was born in a small town near Sao Paulo, Brazil. She is currently a third-year university student studying biology with the hopes of becoming a veterinarian in the near future. Her background includes clinical experience along with international experience working with big cats in South Africa. She has one dog, an adorable Cocker Spaniel named Goldie.
NICHOLAS - Crime Scene Instigator (CSI)
Nicholas is one of our resident cats and is also a blood donor. He is the most mischevious feline in the hospital. He knows exactly what the rules are and does his very best to break them.
Due to problems with inappropriate urinating, Nicholas came to live at Cats at Home. He had developed a strong independent personality and was not willing to listen to our advice. Eventually we were able to modify his habits through consistant behaviour modificaton, as well as by removing a large crystal stone that had formed in his bladder. Born in April 2005, Nic is now considered a permanent resident.
PEKOE - Chief Feline Greeter (CFG)
Pekoe has a long history with Dr. Thompson and Cats at Home. Born in 1999, Pekoe came to us as a rescued kitten. He had extensive damage due to crystalluria and Dr. Thompson had to perform a Perineal Urethrostomy (changing his anatomy into that resembling female parts). Unfortunately, Pekoe decided inappropriate urinating would be his hallmark (so to speak).
In 2009, it was suggested that we enter Pekoe into the Cloverdale Cat Show for fun and to advertise our hosptial. To our amazement, Pekoe began winning ribbons. In only two shows, Pekoe qualified for a Triple Grand Master. Just this past August (2011) Pekoe again attended the cat show after undergoing cancer surgery and treatment, and won again! He achieved his next level of notoriety, Quadruple Grand Master.
Click here to read more about Pekoe's life story.
Click here to watch Pekoe's story on an episode of CMT's "Pet Heroes".
