Meet the RCVM@OVC team.

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RCVM@OVC team in action

Dr. Natasha Janke, PhD, Post-Doctoral Fellow

Dr. Natasha Janke’s research interests are driven by a desire to understand how social interactions in veterinary medicine impact outcomes. Natasha seeks to understand processes that can be used to tailor experiences to meet the individual needs of clients. 

Natasha completed her MSc in epidemiology after receiving her BSc in Biological Sciences from the University of Guelph. She then completed her PhD in epidemiology (OVC 2021), where she explored information exchange and decision-making within veterinary appointments. Following her PhD, Natasha examined the impact of a 15-month in-practice communication training intervention, as a post-doctoral fellow at Colorado State University. 

Natasha returned to the OVC and joined the RCVM@OVC team in the summer of 2022. She is applying quantitative and qualitative research methods to explore team-based veterinary medicine, as she collaborates with VCA Canada. 

Natasha enjoys cooking and activities that involve spending time outdoors, including hiking, paddleboarding, camping, and playing soccer. (Return to top)

Dr. Kat Sutherland, PhD, Post-Doctoral Fellow

Kat’s research interests are motivated by wanting to understand how relationships in veterinary medicine impact pet owners’ uptake of and adherence to nutritional and weight management recommendations, and how veterinary-client communication can be enhanced to improve the quality of life for pets with excess weight. 

Kat completed both her BSc in Animal Biology and her MSc in Animal Nutrition at the University of Guelph. Her PhD research (OVC 2022) explored pet weight-related communication in small animal veterinary practice, with emphasis on obesity-specific communication. 

Currently, Kat is involved in the development of an educational intervention study for veterinary professionals that is focused on the prevention and treatment of obesity in dogs and cats, as well as how to best communicate about obesity and weight management with pet owners. 

Outside of work you are likely to find Kat on a pool deck, reading, or spending time with her partner and their cats. (Return to top)

Rosalie Fortin-Choquette, MA, PhD Candidate

With the desire to bridge the gap between humanities and sciences, Rosalie’s research interests combine her background in social sciences and epidemiology, and aim to understand the relationship between diverse communication modalities, relationship building and accessible care.

Rosalie earned her Master of Arts degree at the University of Guelph in the School of Literature and Languages in 2019, where her research focused on the evolution of various forms of communication through social media. This led to an interest in clinical communication and ICTs (information and communication technology) and inspired her to pursue her education in the field of epidemiology. As a PhD candidate in the lab, her research currently aims to identify the perceived barriers and the potential benefits associated with the implementation of virtual care platforms in the veterinary profession.

Outside her studies, Rosalie enjoys spending time outside with her two dogs and two cats, and the horses she takes care of. She is greatly involved in the equestrian scene and you can often see her at a horse show on the weekends. (Return to top)

Catherine Groves, MSc, PhD Candidate

Having fulfilled multiple roles in animal care and veterinary clinic settings, including that of pet owner, Catherine is fascinated by the relationship-centred aspects of veterinary medicine.

Catherine completed both her BScH in Biomedical Science and MSc in Epidemiology at the University of Guelph. During her MSc, her work focused on exploring the prevalence and nature of cost conversations in companion animal practice. Her studies led her to an interest in how the value and importance of veterinary care is communicated with veterinary clients, including explanations of the explicit benefit this care provides to the patient.

Catherine is currently working on understanding pet parent preferences in decision-making in terms of the care their pets receive and the communication surrounding features of care, like the value of care.

Outside of her studies, Catherine’s involvement in various local animal rescues and community outreach programs, alongside her friends and partner, fuels her research interests and purpose in the field. In the evenings, Catherine can be found reading with any number of animals on her lap. (Return to top)

Dr. Lea Nogueira Borden, DVM, MSc, PhD Student

A desire to explore the inter-relationship between human and animal health represents a common theme running through Lea’s diverse research background. Specifically, she has pursued a special interest in understanding the relationships, communication and environments that support this mutual well-being.

Lea completed both her DVM (2002) and her MSc in Epidemiology (2007) at the Ontario Veterinary College. During her MSc, Lea investigated veterinarian-client communication around end-of-life decision making. Over the course of her veterinary career, Lea has worked in a variety of settings, including small animal practice, academia, government, and community outreach.

As a PhD student, Lea is currently exploring the area of team-based veterinary care, including opportunities to support veterinary team effectiveness and well-being.

Outside of work, Lea enjoys outdoor adventures of all kinds, and spending time with her husband, three children, and various furry family members. (Return to top)

Dr. Kirsten Blokland, PhD, Research Staff

In all the research Kirsten has conducted, one of the threads that has held particular interest for her has been the various relationship-centred factors involved in the phenomena she has studied.

Kirsten completed her PhD in Psychology at the University of Toronto and the Hospital for Sick Children, focusing on the parent-child relationship and emotional development. Thereafter, she remained with the Hospital for Sick Children for the next 20 years as the clinical research project manager for several large studies involving parents and children.

Kirsten is delighted to have joined the RCVM@OVC team in late 2021, and is enjoying the challenge of applying her knowledge of relationship-centred phenomena to the context of veterinary medicine, supporting the activities of the team in a variety of ways.

Outside of work time, Kirsten enjoys spending time with her family (including their Havanese dog), teaching yoga, and singing classical music with a choir. (Return to top)

Radhika Gandhi, BSc, MSc Student, Research Assistant (part-time)

A common theme in Radhika’s research interests includes understanding the different ways in which stakeholder involvement can influence outcomes of interest. Specifically, Radhika is interested in learning more about the role relationship-building can play on pet health, and on strengthening the veterinary field. 

Radhika completed her BSc in Biology at the University of Western Ontario and is currently working towards her MSc in Epidemiology and Collaborative Specialization of One Health at the University of Guelph. Radhika has previous experience working as a research assistant at the London Health Sciences Centre. For her MSc, Radhika’s research focuses on working with students to identify innovative pedagogical strategies that can help strengthen One Health and climate change education in institutes of higher education.  As a Research Assistant with the RCVM@OVC team, Radhika is working on a study that draws on the lived experience of veterinary professionals, with the goal of contributing to what we know about how to support retention within veterinary medicine.

During her free time, Radhika enjoys going on hikes, playing basketball, and spending time with her family and friends.  (Return to top)

Renu Dinesh, BASc, Research Assistant (part-time)

Renu is passionate about exploring the role of effective communication between veterinary professionals and pet owners in order to improve access to veterinary care and promote positive animal health outcomes.

Renu completed a BASc in Psychology and Biology at the University of Guelph. In the near future, Renu intends to begin a Masters in Epidemiology and Collaborative Specialization in One Health, also at the University of Guelph. Renu began to work with the RCVM@OVC team as a summer student in 2023, working on a study that draws on the lived experience of veterinary professionals, with the goal of contributing to what we know about how to support retention within veterinary medicine; Renu is currently continuing with this project as a Research Assistant.

Renu cherishes spending quality time with loved ones, including a German Shepherd and a quarter Husky mixed dog. When not engrossed in reading and drawing, Renu leads an active lifestyle by engaging in sports, working out, and swimming. (Return to top)

Dr. Erin Phillips, BSc, DVM, DVSc, ACVIM-SAIM (in progress), PhD Student

Erin is interested in improving the relationship between clients and veterinarians so that animals can be better treated and veterinarians can have greater job satisfaction.

Erin completed a BSc in Animal Biology at the University of Guelph, and a DVM and DVSc at the Ontario Veterinary College.  Erin’s DVSc focused on rivaroxaban use in dogs with thrombosis, and was supervised by Dr. Shauna Blois. Erin is currently awaiting board certification as a specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine (having finished a residency in August 2023), and is excited to be working toward a PhD in the RCVM@OVC lab. Erin’s PhD is co-supervised by Dr. Jason Coe and Dr. Shauna Blois, and focuses on expanding what is known about a clinical practice referred to as the Talking Physical Exam and ways in which this practice can optimize clinical communication between veterinary professionals and clients.

Erin enjoys horseback riding, spending time with her three cats, and hanging out with her husband (newly married!). (Return to top)

Basima Rashid, BASc, MSc Student

Basima is interested in the practical and social interactions occurring within the veterinary field. These interests and her passion for veterinary medicine drew her to the RCVM@OVC research program.

Basima completed her BASc at the University of Guelph, where she specialized in Biology and Philosophy. During her undergraduate degree, Basima completed a research project on octopus intelligence and a case study on the Wolverine population in Boreal Alberta.  As an MSc student in the RCVM@OVC lab, Basima is currently focusing on veterinary communication.

Outside of her research work, Basima worked at the African Lion Safari, where she handled and trained various exotic species including bats, pythons, armadillos, sloths, and even macaws. (Return to top)

Abby Partington, BASc, MSc Student

Abby is passionate about improving the accessibility of information in order to help pet parents give their pets the highest quality of care. Abby believes that sharing veterinary expertise in a caring and effective way can help pet owners to better understand the complexities of their animals’ health. 

Abby completed a BASc at the University of Guelph, where she specialized in English and Biology. In her current role as an MSc Student with the RCVM@OVC team, she is excited to be studying communication involving weight management in pets. 

Outside of work, Abby enjoys reading, cooking, and solving puzzles, all with the help of her cat! (Return to top)

“Veterinary medicine is a team sport.”
Dr. Jason Coe, DVM, PhD