Our Team

Debbie Hawkins B.Sc. DVM. MRCVS

I was born with a stethoscope in my hand, so I am told. My father, Dr. Norman Hawkins, practiced veterinary medicine in Guelph, establishing The Guelph Animal Hospital. I have never wanted to do anything else other than to be a Veterinarian, and in particular, dealing with companion pets.

I graduated from The Ontario Veterinary College in 1991, and for a few years, worked for another veterinarian, in a very busy practice. This was wonderful experience for me, from which I learned so much.

On Monday 5th October 1998, with the assistance of Ms Susie Baker, my Business Partner and Practice Manager, we opened Hawkins Animal Hospital. We designed and built the hospital from scratch, with a lot of guidance from my father.

On our opening day we were fully booked, plus we had a few walk-in emergencies. Our biggest fear was worrying if the computer system would work on the day, and more importantly, if we could get our brains around the software. We need not have worried, as all went according to plan. We have gone from 1 Doctor, 1 Manager and 1 Veterinary Technician to 2 Doctors, 2 Technicians, 3 full time Veterinary Assistance and 4 part time Veterinary Assistants, and of course 1 Practice Manager.

Dr. Joanne Rutledge

Dr. Joanne is a transplanted Maritimer who grew up with a variety of pets and spent as much time as she could exploring the local forests on horseback and studying the local wildlife.
She did her undergraduate degree in Agriculture in Animal Science and worked at the poultry unit at Nova Scotia Agricultural College after graduating and then at a small animal hospital in Halifax before going to Veterinary school. She graduated from Atlantic Veterinary College in 1992 and worked in Halifax at a busy multi-person practice that had multiple hospitals.
Dr. Joanne and her family now reside on a Hobby farm in rural Milton and share that space with one patient house cat, a Russian Shepherd, several horses and a coop full of layer chickens. She is still passionate about horses and raising heritage breed chickens, gardening and hiking or riding in the woods when time allows.
Her focus is on client education (and being educated by the client) and always tries to advocate for the pet while being pragmatic and practical.

Judith DaCosta DVM

Kristy DesRoche DVM

Susie

As Dr. Debbie’s friend and Business Partner, I am immensely proud of the fact that we opened the practice on 5th October 1998, and that twenty years have flown by, seeming like only yesterday.
Prior to opening the practice, I worked for the UK Government, a job which took me around the World, but at the conclusion of that 30-year career, I decided to make Canada my permanent home, and have now become a proud Canadian.
Like most of the staff here at the Practice, since childhood, I have always had a strong love of all animals, both domestic and wild, and have always involved myself in supporting Animal Rescue, Adoption, and Fostering.
Since working these past twenty years as the Practice Manager, I have had the pleasure in working with so many amazing and dedicated veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants. Equally important, I have met and enjoyed long-term client relationships, with hundreds of incredibly wonderful, caring, and kind clients….. and of course, their pets!!
I sadly lost my beloved old dog “George”, a little while ago, so the photo shows my neighbour’s Yellow Labrador called “Simon”. He is the most adorable boy with super energy and a huge smile. It took a long time, from my arrival to being able to photograph him, as he had to run around the house at 100 miles an hour, with his “hedgehog” before he deigned to be photographed. We were exhausted!

Aaron McMullen

Kara Devaan

My name is Kara, and I am a veterinary assistant/technician student here at Hawkins! I love all animals, and will treat your pet just as my own. Outside of work I spend most of my time with my own two kitties and two golden retrievers, and also occasionally pet sit. My whole life is basically furry friends! Though there's nothing better than packing up the dogs, canoe and tent and going off on a woodland adventure 😁

Mackenzie Goodhall

Monique

I am the friendly face, warm smile, contagious laugh and sometimes a shoulder to cry on that people have come to know since 2001 when I started my career at Hawkins Animal Hospital. I truly love doing what I do and interacting with the great clients and patients that we have. It really doesn’t feel like “going to work” everyday. I entered into this career through my co-op placement in high school and loved working animals so much that I knew this is what I wanted to do and I have been doing it ever since.

I have had many pets in my life but currently I have 2 cats that are in charge. Oscar and Tim. Oscar is a large black cat who thinks he is a tough gut but Tim gives him a run for his money in being the boss. Tim is a brown and white tabby that was a stray that was brought in by employees that worked at Tim Hortons and found him in the parking lot – so there was no other choice but to name him Tim.

Rachel Watkinson

Originally from Parry Sound after attending the Northern College Veterinary Technician program, I then found this incredible job at Hawkins Animal Hospital. I now live here with my boyfriend and my 4 beautiful cats, Mac and Smokey, DJ and Skaara
I have always wanted to work with animals and when this opportunity came along, I couldn't say no, and I'm so glad to be here with this amazing team! for 5 years now.

Pauline