About Us

Meet the Team

Our team is dedicated to providing exceptional care to your beloved pets. We’re passionate about providing top-notch medical care and customized treatment plans to ensure your pets live their happiest and healthiest lives and look forward to getting to know you and your pets!

Photo of the vets on our team.

  • Dr. Aimée Filion joined HVS in 2012 after graduating from OVC at the University of Guelph. In 2018 Dr. Filion purchased the clinic from founding veterinarian, Dr. Laurie Brown and settled into making Haliburton Highlands her home.

    In her spare time, Dr. Filion likes to spend time outdoors with friends and family, curling up with a good book, engaging in physical exercise or having a cuddle with her own pets.

Dr. Alex Durfy

  • Dr. Alex Durfy was born and raised in the city but from a young age aspired to settle in a rural area and become a veterinarian. In 2011, she graduated from Ontario Veterinary College and moved to Thunder Bay to begin her career. In 2022, Alex moved back to be closer to her family and after vetting a few different clinics, she joined the team at Haliburton Veterinary Services. Alex shares her home with her Lab cross Jackson, three cats and her horses. In her spare time she enjoys hiking, kayaking, camping and horse back riding.

  • Dr. Jess Patterson followed her childhood dream and graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2023. Dr. Patterson joined HVS this year after starting her career in Sturgeon Falls as a Small Animal veterinarian. In her free time you will catch Jess out on the lake soaking up the sun and playing water sports or cozying up on the couch with a good book and a hot chocolate. Jess shares her home with her adorable rabbit Apollo.

  • Following her childhood decision to become a veterinarian, Dr. Lemachko graduated from the Kharkiv Veterinary Academy in 2011. Dr. Lemachko has taken many post graduate studies in different areas of veterinary medicine and especially enjoys cytology, which is the study of cell samples to assist in the diagnosis of medical conditions. Dr. Lemachko has worked in Ukraine, Belarus and Vietnam since graduating, but made the decision to move to Canada and practice in Ontario.

    In her spare time, Dr. Lemachko likes to continue her training with research and seminars, play video games, and relax with her husband, dog and cat.

  • Dr. Laurie Brown graduated from OVC in 1982. In 1984, with encouragement from the Town Council she built this clinic and started the HVS team.

    With Dr. Brown’s dedication, professionalism and compassion the practice quickly grew to servicing thousands of clients and employing many Haliburton County animal lovers!

    In 2019, Dr. Brown officially retired, leaving the clinic in the capable and familiar hands of Dr. Aimee Filion.

    Dr. Brown is still an active member of HVS, as she can still be seen now and then, helping out when needed. Laurie has her own menagerie at home including a number of cattle, horses, cats and dogs. If any spare time she loves spending time in her historic lake house.

  • Dr. Sydney Graham has always been an avid lover of animals, all types, shapes and sizes. She graduated from the Ontario veterinary College in 2023 and began her career at HVS.

    Dr. Sydney has a special interest in exotic animal and wildlife medicine and used every spare moment in school to learn more about treating these species. She has travelled internationally to treat rhinos, cheetah, lions. birds of prey and other fantastic animals in their natural environments. Sydney shares her home with her lovable lab Phoebe and her three cats.

  • Tracey has been a client of HVS for the 20+ years she has resided in Haliburton County, and always dreamt of working at the clinic. In the summer of 2023, she joined the team as Office Manager fulfilling that dream.

    Tracey is a huge advocate of spay/neuter and tirelessly supports the rescue and rehoming of dogs that find themselves needing new owners. In fact, from 2006 – 2022 she was the President of the Canadian Dachshund Rescue.

    Tracey devotes her spare time to visiting her mom in LTC and shares her life with her two adult children and her dogs Lily and Tiny who accompany her to work most days. She can be found on the ATV trails most weekends in the summer.

  • Kellie came to HVS as an experienced RVT in 2016. She has become an asset to our team and can be found in the treatment area, exam rooms or assisting with surgeries. Kellie is a hobby farm enthusiast, and loves all things relating to growing and preserving home grown food. She shares her home with her family, her 2 dogs, Falcon and Willow as well as goats, chickens and other farm animals.

  • Cassidy is a 2018 graduate from St Lawrence College. The staff at HVS was happy to have her join the team in March of 2021 as an RVT. Cassidy’s positive energy and enthusiasm shines through in all areas of technician duties, however she is especially well versed in anesthesia. She enjoys being outdoors, but equally enjoys a good movie and a glass of wine. Cassidy is a newlywed, and now shares her home with her husband.

  • Shayla is an RVT, graduating from the St. Clair College RVT program. She joined our team in 2020. Shayla enjoys utilizing her skills in venipuncture, x-ray and has a passion for dog training and breeding. Outside of work, she can be found on her property on her ATV, snowmobile or horse. Shayla shares her home in Minden with her husband and many animals and pets.

  • Madison graduated in 2018 from Northern College. She has been with HVS for many years though first as a high school co-op student, then as a summer employee. Madison loves good food, working out, spending time with her growing family and pets.

  • Storm graduated from the Veterinary Technician program at Georgian College in 2022, and achieved registered status in early 2023. After completing her placement at another clinic, she was welcomed to the HVS team. Storm’s warm and welcoming personality makes her a favourite with pets and clients alike. Storm was born and raised in Haliburton and currently shares her home with her beloved dachshund puppy, Mylo

Courtney sits outside with a black cat.

  • Courtney attended St. Lawrence College to complete the veterinary technology program.  She graduated and received her registered status in 2016.  Courtney splits her time between human medicine and working with the team at HVS as an RVT.  Courtney shares her home with her husband, dog Loki and cat Elliott Moose.  When she has down time she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, playing boardgames and enjoying the great outdoors.

Cassandra sits outside with her dog.

  • Cassandra graduated from Northern College in 2019 and immediately started her career in veterinary medicine.  Not long after graduating, Cassandra earned her registered status.  In the Fall of 2023 she moved to the Haliburton area with her husband, several dogs, cats and pet chickens.   When not working you can usually find Cassandra outdoors with her pets, enjoying all the Haliburton Highlands has to offer. 

  • Heather joined HVS in 2013. She is one of the first faces that you see when you enter the clinic. Her friendly smile and cheerful greeting will instantly make you feel welcome. Heather shares her home in Minden with her husband and two young children. Any spare time is spent participating in many community events. Heather enjoys playing softball when opportunity permits.

  • Lynn joined the HVS team in 2011. After working at another clinic for many years, Lynn felt most at home here. Dedicating her week to the clinic, she is the brightest smile you will be welcomed with when you walk through the front doors. Filled with compassion, empathy and a sense of humour, Lynn ensures both the client’s and the pet’s needs are met. In her off hours, Lynn enjoys tinkering around the house, spending time at the cottage , adventuring outdoors and has a passion for old cars.

Jaylin sites outside hugging her dog.

  • Jaylin was born and raised in Haliburton. Before she finished highschool she was already working in the trades.  Always an animal lover, Jaylin decided to follow her heart and join HVS in 2024. On her days off you can find her racing dirt bikes with her longtime boyfriend, welding in the shop, in the gym working out or playing sports. Her dog Denby, and her cats; Duncan and Potato enjoy her company outside playing or when she curls up with a good book.

  • Evonne is an AHT who started at the clinic in 2012. She has 2 beautiful children who take up the majority of her time. Evonne also has 2 dogs, who each land at one end of the size scale, Twister who is a chihuahua mix, and Thor who is a great dane, mastiff cross. Evonne can be found hustling all around the clinic doing anything and everything that needs done.

  • Michelle came to us from a human medical facility in the summer of 2018. Michelle is well known around the community for her contributions as a photographer at the horse pulling competitions. She spends most of her spare time working on her photography or relaxing with family and friends. Michelle loves a good laugh and of course her Australian shepherd, Ranger!

Join our team

If you are interested in joining our group of caring and dedicated veterinary professionals, please submit your resume and we will keep it on file.

Open positions that we are actively recruiting for will be posted here as they become available.