Meet Our Team

Dr. Ken Gummeson studied Animal Biology at the University of British Columbia, before completing his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 1997. He lived in the lower mainland before moving to Kamloops in 1998, and worked at Valleyview Veterinary Clinic until 2001. He then spent over a decade at Kamloops Veterinary Clinic practicing both small and large animal medicine. Following this he worked for two years as an Interim Registrar for the BC College of Veterinarians, and as a locum veterinarian around British Columbia. He opened Aberdeen Veterinary Hospital with Dr. Diane McKelvey in January of 2015, in a newly renovated building in Aberdeen Court, equipped with state-of-the-art technology and facilities. Ken and Diane wanted to open a clinic that offered quality veterinary medicine at reasonable prices for canines, felines, and exotic animals, that would forge lasting relationships with clients in the Kamloops area. Over the last 24 years of his career, Ken has explored a special interest in diagnosing lameness disorders and performing non-elective orthopaedic surgery. Ken is experienced with canine reproduction, and performs artificial insemination and caesarian sections. Ken also enjoys dentistry and endocrinology. However, what Ken enjoys most about practicing veterinary medicine at Aberdeen is following clients and their animals over many years, and working with his amazing staff every day. In his free time, Ken loves to be outdoors, and goes camping, canoeing, and hiking with his wife and their dogs.

Dr. Diane McKelvey completed her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 1980, and then practiced in California and Ontario. She is also a diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners - Feline (DABVP-Feline). She has taught in veterinary technician programs in Ontario and Kamloops, and was an associate professor at the South Australia School of Veterinary Medicine in Adelaide, Australia. She has been practicing in Kamloops since 1994, and wrote the examination for board-certification in feline medicine in 2003. Her favourite aspects of feline medicine include ultrasound, and meeting new clients and their pets. For fun, Diane spends her spare time learning Spanish, meditating, back-packing, running, and gardening. She lives in Kamloops with her husband Sam and her cats, and she has two sons. Diane thinks Aberdeen Veterinary Hospital is the best place she has ever worked!

Dr. Rebecca Campbell began her veterinary career after completing the TRU Animal Health Technology program, along with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Biology. After working as a veterinary technician for several years, Rebecca was accepted to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine and graduated with her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2012. Her special interests include dermatology, surgery and dentistry, and she brings an unrivalled compassion and empathy to the Aberdeen team. Dr. Campbell makes herself available to do in home euthanasia, something she views as an offered simple kindness for many people and their pets during a difficult time. Dr. Campbell spends winters skiing with her family and snow-shoeing with her dogs, and in the warmer months she mountain bikes and hikes. She has also thoroughly enjoyed learning the art of bee keeping over the last 5 years, and now manages eight hives at her home.

Dr. Sarah Gale grew up in a veterinary-oriented household, literally; her father’s large animal clinic was on their home property. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Biology at Concordia University College of Alberta in 2013. She then graduated with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Calgary in 2018. She practiced in both Jasper and Valemount before joining the Aberdeen team in May of 2021. Sarah loves working with cats, and wishes to pursue a board-certification in feline medicine, following in Dr. Diane McKelvey’s footsteps. Other interests include dentistry, ultrasound, palliative care, chronic pain management, and animal behaviour. In her free time, Sarah goes hiking, horse-back riding, paints, sings, and plays board games. She also loves photography, and explores the relationship between people, our animals, and our landscapes. She enjoys a good cup of coffee with her husband and her cats Ayala and Janey.

Dr. Zoe Walter is a 2022 graduate from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and is looking forward to building her career as a small animal practitioner and surgeon at Aberdeen Veterinary Hospital. Dr. Walter goal for the future is to earn a board-certification in feline medicine, as well as a certification in rehabilitation medicine. Dr. Walter brings an unparalleled energy to Aberdeen, matched only by the antics of her grey tabby Dumpy (lovingly named for the dumpster she was found inside during Zoe’s first year of study).

Dr. MacLellan is a 2014 graduate from the Atlantic Veterinary College in Prince Edward Island. After graduation Dr. MacLellan spent six years practising in Prince George, BC before moving to Kamloops. Dr. MacLellan has a particular interest in surgery and has mastered several complicated soft tissue surgeries in her career. She is loving the outdoor recreation available in Kamloops and travels around BC with her partner and two dogs, Renly and Fern. She also shares her home with two senior cats, Kiki and Miko.

Shana graduated from the Animal Health Technology program at TRU in 1998, and spent her early career working at a few small animal clinics in the Kamloops area. She joined the Aberdeen team in 2016, and has never looked back. Shana loves radiology, surgery, and rodent patients, and is certified in basic and advanced life support through the RECOVER program. Shana frequents Kenna Cartwright park with her energetic Australian Shepherd Marty.

Chris completed a Bachelor of Science at TRU in 2013, studying Animal Biology. He then worked at the Kamloops SPCA helping animals find new homes, before he completed the Animal Health Technology program at TRU in 2018. Chris joined the Aberdeen team shortly after. Chris’ favourite aspects of his work are feline medicine, surgery, and dentistry, and he always has an excellent joke at the ready. With his wife Tawnee, Chris is a new father to his daughter Logan, and has a houseful with his four cats Rupert, Pierre, Wolfie, and Machida. Chris loves hockey, snowboarding, and disc golf and exploring many of Kamloops’ craft breweries.

Marnie completed a Bachelor of Arts in Art History at the University of Victoria, but then followed her passion for animals and completed the Animal Health Technology Program at TRU in 2016. She got valuable acute and emergency care experience as an RVT at an emergency practice in Kelowna, before joining the Aberdeen team in January of 2021. Marnie has a passion for feline medicine and emergency and critical care medicine. She loves to hike, camp, and canoe with her partner and their coon hound Copper and two cats, Magpie and Finch.

Jessica graduated from the Animal Health Technology program at TRU in 2014, and has gained experience working as an RVT at a few practices in British Columbia. She started with Aberdeen in 2020 and has brought her bright disposition and passion for efficiency to the table. Jessica’s favourite aspects of her work involves working in small canine medicine and medical appointments. Jessica loves to explore new BC breweries with her husband Dave and their dog Maverick.

Shelby first completed a business degree, and subsequently graduated from the Animal Health Technology program at TRU in 2020, and joined the Aberdeen team shortly afterwards. Shelby’s favourite parts of a veterinary technician’s work are dentistry and fear-free practice methods. She is also passionate about behavioural interventions in cats and dogs. Shelby spends her spare time snowboarding, hiking, kayaking, gardening and keeping company with her husband and her Malamute/Border Collie Jenny and her cat Nora.

Britney grew up in northern Alberta and graduated from GPRC as a registered veterinary technician in 2017. Britney started her career in veterinary medicine at a clinic in Kamloops before coming on board with Aberdeen in 2021. Britney loves all facets of vet medicine, but has a particular affinity for felines. In her spare time, Britney likes to be outdoors and camp and hike with her partner and her pooch Eleanor. She loves getting lots of kitty cuddle time with her cats Eunice, Gordon and Mortimer.

Kayleigh hails from the United Kingdom, and in 2018 she graduated with a Bsc in Veterinary Nursing from Middlesex University in London. Kayleigh immigrated to BC in 2020 and worked in the veterinary field at a different clinic before settling with Aberdeen Veterinary Hospital. Kayleigh strives to deliver the best in veterinary care to all of her patients and has a special interest in anaesthesia and emergency medicine. Like many of her coworkers at Aberdeen Vet, Kayleigh likes to frequent the outdoors and in the summertime, enjoys a good hike and skiing in the winter months.

Kassandra is our newest addition to our team of Registered Veterinary Technicians. She joined the
hospital staff after graduation from the Thompson Rivers University technicians program in 2022.
Kassandra originates from Vancouver Island and came to Kamloops to attend the TRU program and
decided that she wanted to stay here. Kassandra enjoys mountain biking, skiing and surfing and many
other outdoor activities that are offered in the area. Kassandra’s adopted her cat, Ocho, from the tech
program and has a love for all kinds of animals. We hope that Kassandra becomes a long time member
of the Aberdeen Veterinary Hospital Team.

Nina has dedicated 27 years to working within the realm of veterinary medicine. In 1995, she started as a receptionist for Kamloops Veterinary Clinic, and over time became office manager for Kamloops Large Animal Veterinary Clinic. In 2019, Nina made the leap from large animal medicine management to small, becoming Practice Manager at Aberdeen Veterinary Hospital. With compassion and wisdom earned from experience, Nina has an open door policy and always ensures her hardworking team has everything they need to succeed. She loves working with clients to optimize their experience. Nina lives with her husband on a small farm managing a herd of Speckle Park cattle, along with their border collie Kit and wicked, shiny, black cat Alberta.

Amy is a registered veterinary technician who graduated from the Animal Health Technology program at TRU in 2000. She is also a member of the Canadian Association for Laboratory Animal Science. She has had a very diverse career as a veterinary technologist, having previously worked in an exotics practice, several research facilities, and a high volume spay/neuter clinic. She has also taught as a sessional instructor at the TRU AHT program. As a technician, her primary interests are anesthesia and dentistry. She also enjoys the challenge of working with a wide variety of species. She recently went back to school to study business administration at TRU, and is currently working as the bookkeeper for Aberdeen. In her spare time she can be found pursuing a wide variety of outdoor activities such as skiing, snowmobiling, camping, canoeing, gardening, and hiking with her two dogs.

Lyle is originally from South Africa, and came to Canada via England. Her passion for veterinary medicine began at an emergency practice, and she brought her knowledge and experience as part of the first team at Aberdeen Veterinary Hospital in 2014. Lyle loves interacting with her coworkers and clients who love animals as much as she does. In her free time, Lyle cares for her beloved flock of chickens and her cat Domino, and spending time enjoying the outdoors with her husband.

Julia is originally from North Vancouver, but moved to Kamloops in 2018 and started with Aberdeen in 2019. Julia ran her own dog training academy for five years, and also professionally judged agility competitions. She has been in the veterinary industry for over a decade. Julia enjoys working with animals and her amazing team. Julia also loves to go hiking with her son and her German Shepherds Morgan and Reign and Nanook.

Kamloops born mother of four, Kim has extensive experience in veterinary medicine, having worked as a veterinary assistant at a few small animal and exotic hospitals in BC. She started working as a receptionist at Aberdeen in 2020, and her favourite part of the job is working with people, and seeing all the dogs come through the door. Kim loves to hike and camp with her family and her Boston Terrier George, and cheers her kids on at all their sporting activities.

Alicia has lived in Kamloops for the past 12 years, starting her career with animals in pet retail management, and then moving on to working with animal rescues. She began as a receptionist at a veterinary clinic in 2018, and joined Aberdeen in 2020. Alicia loves being an advocate for pets and for clients to get the medical care they need, and enjoys seeing the many facets of healthcare that veterinarians can provide. Alicia loves to explore the outdoors in Kamloops with dog Bosley, and spends time with her family and her cat Daphne.

Natasha graduated from South Kamloops Secondary School in 2020, and is working towards enrolling in the Animal Health Technology program at TRU to become a registered veterinary technician. Natasha’s favourite part of being a veterinary assistant at Aberdeen is assisting with procedures and laboratory work, and she has a passion for learning and gaining technical experience. In her spare time, Natasha loves being outdoors, reading, or spending time with her family and their Rottweiler Kona.