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Our Veterinarians

Your pet’s emotional and physical well-being is prioritized with every visit. We put our patients first!

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Dr. Aron Bhan

Dr. Aron Bhan

Veterinarian

Dr. Bhan grew up on a farm outside of Welland, and spent most of his time raising and caring for sheep, goats, chickens, geese, and other farm animals. Simply put, caring for animals has always made Dr. Bhan happy—he knew a veterinary career was the only choice for him!

In high school, Aron enrolled in a co-operative education placement program and was placed at Main West Animal Hospital. He knew immediately it was the career for him. He attended the University of Guelph at Ontario Veterinary College to complete his studies, accepting a job at Main West in 2007. Now he’s a full-time veterinarian at the clinic.

Dr. Bhan is also a Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapist, and enjoys taking a holistic approach to veterinary medicine. He enjoys using laser therapy and natural treatment alternatives to help patients improve. Surgery is another of his passions, as it is very challenging but can have an immediate and enormous impact on a pet’s health.

Dr. Bhan’s wife Nicole is also a veterinarian. At home, they have three Golden Retrievers: Toby, Dexter, and Clifford. Between work and family, Aron enjoys playing sports, playing the drums and acoustic guitar, and singing—only in the shower, of course!


Dr. Joseph

Veterinarian

During his childhood summers in Italy, Dr. Joseph saw many local cats and dogs who were afraid of humans and couldn’t receive proper medical treatment as a result. It was then that Dr. Joseph realized he wanted to work in a profession that would truly make a difference—for him, a career in veterinary medicine was the only choice that made sense!

A native of Welland, Ontario, Dr. Joseph began volunteering in local animal clinics during his undergraduate studies at the University of Guelph. After graduating with a degree in animal biology, he was accepted into the Ontario Veterinary College, where he received his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine.

He then returned to his hometown and was thrilled to accept a position in the community he felt most comfortable in—Welland. Dr. Joseph is excited to continue his education and experience here at Main West Animal Hospital, surrounded by a fantastic team of fellow veterinarians, technicians, and support staff.

Medically, Dr. Joseph has special interests in cardiology and dermatology, and finds it particularly rewarding to alleviate allergy problems in order to better the lives of both pets and their owners. Most of all, he enjoys witnessing animals he’s treated return to their normal, happy selves.

At home, Dr. Joseph has four cats of his own: Lilly, Grizzly, Daisy, and Batman. When he isn’t tending to their needs or caring for pets here at the hospital, he enjoys watching and playing sports, reading, playing video games, and spending time with his girlfriend.


Dr. Nicole Denouden

Veterinarian

Growing up in Aurora, Ontario, Nicole spent a lot of her childhood on the farm tending to horses. She even got to help her father when some of the mares were giving birth! This set the stage for the future Dr. Denouden’s career path of choice: veterinary medicine.

Dr. Denouden completed her Bachelors of Science degree at the University of Guelph and studied veterinary medicine at Ontario Veterinary College. After graduating in 2010, she worked at a few other clinics in the Niagara region before coming to Main West in 2012. The move made sense considering Nicole’s husband, Dr. Aron Bhan, also works as a veterinarian here! Dr. Denouden says the team felt like family from the very first day.

Dental surgery is one of Dr. Denouden’s favourite aspects of the job. She’s also very interested in dermatology, especially since she owns a highly-allergic Golden retriever that has experienced many of the same challenges she treats at the clinic! Nicole also loves developing personal relationships with clients, their families, and their pets.

Along with her husband, Dr. Denouden lives with three lively Golden retrievers. No one can leave the house without looking for their shoes, because one of the dogs has certainly carried them off somewhere!

When not at work, Nicole enjoys staying active. She loves outdoor adventure sports like water skiing, wakeboarding, kiteboarding, snowboarding, white-water kayaking, cross-country skiing, and hiking.


Dr. Debbie Hoffele

Dr. Debbie Hoffele

Veterinarian

Dr. Hoffele grew up in a small town in Ontario spending time at her grandparents’ farm. At a young age, she knew that she wanted to become a veterinarian. Dr. Hoffele graduated from the University in Guelph in 1988 and has had a long career starting in Hamilton, Ontario, moving to Nova Scotia and now back to Welland. She started an animal hospital in Hamilton and worked in several clinics in Nova Scotia. Dr. Hoffele was also able to work with a wildlife rehabilitation centre and some of the most unusual animals she treated there were a seal and a pelican!

Dr. Hoffele currently enjoys working part-time at Main West Animal Hospital. She has 2 boys whom are home schooled, and involved in gymnastics, robotics, and lots of other things! Dr. Hoffele and her husband enjoy travelling; and recently spent a year visiting 16 countries.


Dr. Erin Hamaba

Dr. Erin Hamaba

Veterinarian

Dr. Erin Hamaba’s childhood cat was her best friend in the world growing up. When her beloved pet passed away, Dr. Hamaba vowed to help other animals in whatever way she could. That’s why she decided to become a veterinarian! Now, she’s able to help pets and their owners on a daily basis as a part of the Main West Animal Hospital team.

Dr. Hamaba is originally from Scarborough and began her veterinary career as a Veterinary Assistant. She graduated from Seneca College in May of 2012 as a Registered Veterinary Technician, then moved to Toronto to launch her animal-care journey. In 2015, she moved to St. Kitts in the Caribbean to attend Ross University’s School of Veterinary Medicine and become a licensed veterinarian. Next, she completed her year of clinical studies at Purdue University in Indiana before moving to the Niagara Falls area.

Dr. Hamaba completed her externship right here at Main West Animal Hospital. She was more than happy to accept a job offer after her externship hours were completed! Dr. Hamaba particularly likes dentistry work and soft-tissue surgery, but her favorite aspect of her job is seeing patients and pet parents go home happy after they’re feeling better.

In her free time, Dr. Hamaba loves curling up with a good book or watching her favorite movies. She shares her life with four cats, two of which were foster failures from St. Kitts. They hate the cold weather so much that they often try to jump into the dryer while Dr. Hamaba is doing laundry!


Dr. Olivia Mazzorato

Dr. Olivia Mazzorato

Veterinarian

Dr. Olivia Mazzorato has adored the company of pets ever since she was a little girl, but she started to fall in love with the science and medicine behind veterinary care during her high school and university years. When she secured a part-time job as a Kennel Attendant, it sealed her fate—Dr. Mazzorato knew that she was destined to work with animals professionally! Now, she’s proud to care for pets on a daily basis as a member of the veterinary team here at Main West Animal Hospital.

Dr. Mazzorato hails from Burlington, Ontario and earned her undergraduate degree in life sciences from McMaster University in 2014. She started volunteering at a local veterinary hospital and was hired on a short time later, and then started volunteering at an equine referral hospital and at the Bat Lap at McMaster University, where she cared for the school’s colony of brown bats.

A year after finishing completing her undergraduate degree, Dr. Mazzorato gained acceptance to Ontario Veterinary College. She graduated in 2020 and immediately started working at Main West Animal Hospital, having completed a one-week placement during her final year of veterinary schooling. She knew that it was the perfect place to launch her career as a veterinarian! Dr. Mazzorato brings with her special interests in preventative medicine, neurology, and internal medicine.

Dr. Mazzorato’s interests outside of veterinary medicine include hiking, playing the guitar, playing hockey, baking, and traveling. She’s been to South Africa and Namibia with Global Vets and even took part in a rhinoceros anti-poaching project on the Ithala Game Reserve in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal. Dr. Mazzorato also lived on a boat in the Peruvian Amazon for two months! At home, she shares her life with one pet: a Bernese Mountain Dog mix rescued from a high-kill shelter in North Carolina who spends most of his time relaxing on one of his many beds around the house.


Dr. Natalie Chow

Dr. Natalie Chow

Veterinarian

As a pet owner herself, Dr. Natalie Chow recognizes the many difficult choices in the road of pet parenthood and the overwhelming amount of information that’s out there. She’s always wanted to help guide others through hard choices and serve as a trusted resource for animal owners. That’s why she decided to become a veterinarian! Dr. Chow is proud to serve as a member of the veterinary team here at Main West Animal Hospital.

Dr. Chow was born in Macao, China before immigrating to Canada with her parents at the age of four. She’s been in Markham ever since! She was only 12 years old when she started helping at a local pet store, and later secured a co-op position at a local vet clinic for four months to get her first real taste of veterinary medicine. Next, Dr. Chow volunteered at another hospital for three years and served in various research positions while completing her collegiate education.

During her final year of veterinary school, Dr. Chow interned at Main West Animal Hospital and fell in love with the clinic, staff, and clients. After helping at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency as a veterinarian at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, she was happy to start full-time here at the hospital in September of 2020. Medically, Dr. Chow is interested in helping chubby pets lose their excess pounds, and she’s also fond of scrubbing in for surgical procedures.

When she’s not at work, Dr. Chow loves reading great books and playing Magic the Gathering. She even placed in the top three contestants in a local tournament recently! Dr. Chow also loves to dote on her own pets at home. She has a dog, Miley, who is the best cuddler, as well as two cats: Biscuit, the grumpy old man of the house, and the rambunctious Loki.


Dr. Jen Kishbaugh

Dr. Jen Kishbaugh

Veterinarian

Dr. Jen Kishbaugh grew up in Cheektowaga, New York, where her family kept everything from dogs, birds, and rabbits to hamsters, gerbils, fish, and even a snake. In fact, it was the hours spent learning about and caring for her very first pet, a hamster named Critter, that convinced Dr. Kishbaugh to become a veterinarian! Her passion hasn’t quit. She couldn’t be happier to help pet owners and their adorable animal companions here at Main West Animal Hospital. 

During her undergraduate studies, Dr. Kishbaugh volunteered at the Aquarium of Niagara and also worked at a local small-animal and exotic veterinary clinic. Next, she moved to the Caribbean to attend veterinary school at Ross University in St. Kitts, and completed her clinical training at Cornell University before starting an internship on Long Island. Dr. Kishbaugh worked in several specialty, emergency, and critical care facilities after her schooling, volunteering with local wildlife rehabilitators on Long Island in her spare time, before moving to Washington, D.C. There, she joined the Smithsonian’s Global Health team to focus on emerging infectious diseases. 

Dr. Kishbaugh became a research consultant, specializing in transfusion medicine and researching transfusion applications for zoo species, and still helps animals in that role. Currently, she’s working to meet the transfusion needs of elephant calves suffering from a highly fatal disease known as elephant endotheliotropic herpesviruses, or EEHV. 

Dr. Kishbaugh joined the Main West Animal Hospital family in May of 2020 and couldn’t be happier to use her extensive background experience and skill set to help the area’s pets. She has a special interest in pocket pets and exotic medicine and the unique challenges they present. She’s also still passionate about wildlife rehabilitation—nothing beats helping an animal return to the wild in a safe manner. Dr. Kishbaugh has worked on Asian and African elephants, the Southern White Rhino, the Leatherback sea turtle, and the Nile crocodile! 

When she’s not helping pets, Dr. Kishbaugh likes gardening, biking, kayaking, swimming, and hiking with her family. She’s also fond of knitting, crocheting, baking, and reading. She and her husband have a young daughter, and the family shares their home with three cats: Trixie, Popeye, and Thackary Binx. 


Dr. Matt McBride

Dr. Matt McBride

Veterinarian

One summer while working on a project car, Dr. Matt found himself picking up parts at a Standardbred farm. After speaking with the farmers about their horses, he was invited to spend the summer at the horseracing track to learn more about the industry. From there, Dr. Matt’s experiences with animals continued, from working as a stable farmhand, to working as a veterinary assistant at both small and large animal clinics, to working at zoos, dairy and pig barns. Today, he is happy to be working in private practice, helping the many clients and patients of Main West Animal Hospital.

After completing his undergraduate degree at the University of Guelph in 2017, Dr. Matt went on to pursue a master’s degree in swine health and epidemiology at the Ontario Veterinary College in Guelph. From there, he was accepted into the DVM program at OVC. After several years living in Guelph, Dr. Matt moved to Niagara region to officially start his career in veterinary medicine. Clinically, he has a particular interest in helping geriatric and diabetic patients, as they have a special place in his heart.

At home, Dr. Matt and his partner are pet parents to a feisty and mischievous bunny named Oliver, who has free range of the house, has been trained to spin for treats, and will do just about anything to get his paws on a fresh banana snack.

In his free time, Dr. Matt is a hobby mechanic, and has spent the past decade restoring his Japanese sports car from the ground up. He also enjoys going to the gym and participating in aquatic activities, including swimming and scuba diving.


Dr. Rajinder Singh

Dr. Rajinder Singh

Veterinarian

Growing up in a small town in India, Dr. Raj witnessed his mother constantly helping stray dogs. As a child, he would accompany these needy pets while they received medical care and would participate in nursing them back to health. During his school days, Dr. Raj’s family rescued a stray female and her six young puppies, all of whom were malnourished, and flea infested. Within four weeks, the puppies grew well enough to be adopted out to loving families. It was just one of many experiences that inspired Dr. Raj to pursue a career in the veterinary field.

Dr. Raj began his journey at a mixed animal practice in India, where he worked for 13 years. Shortly thereafter, he relocated with his family to Canada in pursuit of a better quality of life. Upon completing his licensing exams, Dr. Raj began practicing as a small animal veterinarian. Professionally, his special interests include internal medicine and endocrinology. While searching for a good hospital in the Welland area, Dr. Raj came across Main West Animal Hospital, and officially joined the team in August of 2022.

Outside of the clinic, Dr. Raj and his wife have two daughters (one of whom plans to follow in her dad’s footsteps), and a very smart Golden Retriever named Murphy, who loves greeting people with a smile and lots of kisses. In his spare time, Dr. Raj enjoys hiking and trekking with his cousin. He is also an avid chess and Badminton player and enjoys watching Toronto Raptors games. One fun fact about Dr. Raj is that he is an identical twin. He and his brother often played tricks on people who couldn’t tell them apart.


Dr. Dickie

Dr. Dickie

Veterinarian

Dr. Jessica grew up in the greater Toronto area but spent her summers in Parry Sound Ontario where she developed a love for the outdoors, the water, and all critters big and small. She was especially fond of her childhood dog, who triggered her passion for animals at a very young age. This, coupled with a fascination with science and medicine, made a career in the veterinary field the perfect fit!

After high school, Dr. Jessica attended the University of Ottawa where she earned her undergraduate degree in biomedical sciences. During this time, she volunteered at a local animal clinic and loved the experience so much, she decided to continue her education at the Ontario Veterinary college to achieve her degree in veterinary medicine. Clinically, Dr. Jessica has a special interest in surgery and emergency medicine, both of which keep her on her toes and allow her to provide relief to pets in need.

Outside of the clinic, Dr. Jessica lives with her partner, their two rescue mutts – Lilly and Fern – and their two rescue cats – Frank and Tig. In her spare time, Dr. Jessica enjoys hiking with the dogs, camping, cooking, and traveling.

23,458 sloppy kisses

23,458

Sloppy Kisses

19,389 bellies rubbed

19,389

Bellies Rubbed

27, 193 treats given

27,193

Treats Given