Our Veterinarians
Dr. Leesa Gillies
Veterinarian & Clinic Owner
Dr. Gillies started her veterinary career in Mount Forest after graduating from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2001. Before veterinary school, Dr. Gillies studied physiology and pharmacology during her undergraduate and Masters of Science degrees at McMaster University. After a brief stint working in Kitchener, Dr. Gillies finally settled in Stratford at Romeo Pet Hospital in 2004. Dr. Sealey invited her to become a partner in 2006, and they worked together for 10 years to create a clinic environment that excels in service and communication to fulfill the needs of their clients and patients.
In January 2016, Dr. Gillies took on the sole ownership of Romeo Pet Hospital and was excited to have Dr. Hodge join her as owner in 2019. Dr. Gillies lives in Stratford with her husband and two children and their pets: Marie the Papillon, Sage the Golden Retriever, her cats Marvin, Alice, Astrid and Millie, and various farm animals.
Dr. Leslie Hodge
Veterinarian & Clinic Owner
Dr. Leslie Hodge started practicing veterinary medicine with the Romeo Pet Hospital team after graduating from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2006 and joined Dr. Gillies as owner in 2019. Before veterinary school in Guelph, Dr. Hodge completed her undergraduate and Master of Science degrees, focusing on osteoarthritis physiology and genetics at the University of Western Ontario.
Originally from North Bay, Dr. Hodge settled in the Stratford area with her farming husband and three young children, her trio of rescue dogs, an adorable cocker spaniel named Minnie, and her adventurous farm dogs Polaris and Pup Pup. When Dr. Hodge is not at the clinic or driving around the area on house-call visits, you can find her teaching dance, taking dance classes, or attending all the incredible performing arts events our area has to offer.
Dr. Hodge is the first Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Veterinarian in Stratford and the surrounding area. Dr. Hodge is passionate about giving our furry family members the end-of-life care they deserve. Integrative pain control, in-home euthanasia, and supporting senior pet health are all part of Romeo Pet Hospital’s palliative programs.
Dr. Cassandra Campbell
Veterinarian
Dr. Campbell graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2022 and shortly joined the team here at Romeo Pet Hospital. Before veterinary school, she completed a Bachelor of Science in Animal Biology from the University of Guelph. She has a special interest in feline medicine and is an AAFP certified cat friendly veterinarian.
Dr. Campbell lives in Stratford with her husband and four rescue cats, Freyja, Benson, Oliver and Ember. Outside work, she enjoys reading, knitting, and camping.
Dr. Patricia Nino-Esparza
Veterinarian
Dr. Patty grew up in Prince Edward Island, and from a young age, she knew she wanted to follow in her parent’s footsteps and pursue a career in veterinary medicine. She completed her undergraduate degree at Dalhousie University, Agricultural Campus and graduated from the Atlantic Veterinary College in 2022.
Eager to explore life off the island they grew up on yet seeking the small-town atmosphere they were accustomed to, she and her husband settled in Stratford after graduation. She is excited to start her career with Romeo Pet Hospital and meet Stratford’s people and pets!
Dr. Patty moved from PEI with her two cats, Jazz and Mellie. When not in the clinic, she can be found trying out the restaurants in town or snuggling on the couch with Lucy and a good book.
Dr. Tori Shouldice
Veterinarian
Dr. Tori Shouldice graduated from the University of Bristol in 2025. Prior to veterinary school, she completed a Bachelor of Animal Science and a Master of Science in canine breeding and genetics at the University of Guelph. She has worked in veterinary medicine since 2009 and began gaining experience in clinics as soon as she was able, after knowing from a young age that she wanted to become a veterinarian. Her professional interests include behaviour, breeding, and preventive medicine.
Originally from Aurora, Dr. Shouldice recently relocated to the area with her fiancé, who grew up locally and farms outside of Stratford. Outside of work, she enjoys participating in dog sports such as obedience, rally-O, sledding, and agility, and shares her home with her two English Springer Spaniels, Echo and Archer, and her cat, Binx.
Hospital Manager
Lisa
Client Care Specialist
Lisa has been with Romeo since April 2008. She completed her Veterinarian Office Administration program at Ridgetown Campus in 2008 and has happily worked with us ever since.
Lisa recently took on the new role of Hospital Manager. While she misses greeting clients and patients at the front desk, she has enjoyed her new role and its challenges.
Lisa shares her home with her husband and two spoiled Shih Tzus. In her spare time, she enjoys baking.
Veterinary Technicians
Stacey
Registered Veterinary Technician
Stacey graduated with honours from St. Clair College in Windsor in 2005 as a registered veterinary technician. She worked in the Kitchener area for 8 years and joined the Romeo Pet Hospital team in 2013.
When she is not enjoying her time at the clinic, Stacey spends quality time with her husband, Greg, and two young children. Stacey’s family includes a beautiful golden retriever named Maverick and an adorable cat, Lyla. A Leopard gecko and a hamster also keep this family on their toes.
Stacey is very passionate about every aspect of her job here at Romeo. Still, some of her favourite roles include assisting in professional dental procedures and monitoring our patients during anesthesia. She takes her surgical monitoring role very seriously for our special patients here at Romeo.
Jenna Lee
Registered Veterinary Technician
Jenna Lee graduated with honours from the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus, in 2012 and attained Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) status that same year. After joining the team in 2018, she considers Romeo her forever home. She is kept busy at home with her cat and horse.
Jenna Lee is very close to her friends and family and loves that her sister is also an RVT. The thing that Jenna Lee enjoys most about her job is that it is ever-changing, and she gets to see and be part of the special animal-human bond. She has taken a special interest in our Hospice and Palliative care service and is always looking to improve this experience for both the pet and the families.
– “People do not pick their pet. Animals choose their Human.”
Megan
Registered Veterinary Technician
Megan joins Romeo Pet Hospital family as a Registered Veterinary Technician, and she couldn’t be happier to be a part of the team. Megan graduated from the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus in 2015 and gained her RVT status that summer. Megan has lived in many places growing up, including Texas and Abu Dhabi (UAE). She has always known she wanted to work with animals and completed a Bachelor of Science in Animal Biology at the University of Guelph before attending college in Ridgetown.
Megan has now settled in Stratford with her husband Luke, her dog Sadie, and her cat Jessie. When she’s not busy caring for your pets, Megan loves camping, country music, and spending time with friends and family. Megan, of course loves all dogs and cats, but Golden Retrievers hold a special place in her heart.
Grace
Registered Veterinary Technician
Grace graduated in 2021 from the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus. After a 6-week externship program, they have joined the Romeo Pet Hospital team. Owner of 3 cats: Audrey, Ruth Poppy, and a Red-eared Slider named Sammy. In their spare time, Grace enjoys gardening, caring for house plants, and learning about different animals. They want to expand their knowledge of palliative care and nutrition here at Romeo and are excited to do so.
Laura
Registered Veterinary Technician
Laura graduated from the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus in 2019. After gaining several years of experience in the field, she joined Romeo in 2025.
Laura brings a compassionate and thoughtful approach to every patient she cares for. She especially appreciates how our clinic involves clients in the decision-making process, working together to create the best possible plan for each pet and their family. Laura also enjoys providing calm, one-on-one care through her mobile pet services, Polished Paws.
When she’s not in the clinic, you’ll likely find Laura outdoors with her family, enjoying time together or curled up with a good book. At home, her crew includes her husband, two children, Lucy the dog, and three cats — Aslan, Bevon, and Bella — who keep life busy and full of love.
Veterinary Assistants
Krystal
Veterinary Assistant
Krystal started at Romeo Pet Hospital in March of 2005 after completing her Veterinary Medical Office Administration certificate at the University of Guelph- Ridgetown Campus. After spending a year and 8 months with us, she moved to Alberta to gain life experience, where she worked as a pen rider caring for cattle in a feedlot. After a year, she returned to Romeo Pet Hospital as our Receptionist.
Krystal has recently changed positions at the clinic: you will now find her assisting our doctors and RVTs. She is passionate about the health and well-being of all pets and their relationship with their people. She strives to help our clients with weight management and behaviour concerns.
Shari
Veterinary Assistant
Shari is a graduate of Animal Care from Sheridan College. Shari was with Romeo Pet Hospital when we opened in 1997. She happily returned to Romeo Pet Hospital in 2017 after leaving to raise her wonderful 3 children.
Shari works alongside the doctors, technicians, and support staff assisting wherever and whenever needed. Shari’s expertise shows that she is always there to lend a helping hand when she is helping clients and their pets. She enjoys the interaction with our amazing clients and their beloved pets. She enjoys this job because the days are never the same, and it is exciting with all the new pets we get to meet, especially our pocket pets.
When she is not enjoying her time at work, she is happily spending time with her family. Shari also loves her walks with her family and their dog Leia. Shari also has Cuddles the bearded dragon and Chomper the leopard gecko.
Client Care Specialists
Ashton
Client Care Specialist
Ashton has been a part of the Romeo Pet Hospital team since August 2012 after graduating from the Veterinary Medical Office Administration program at Ridgetown Campus in 2011.
A great work ethic and willingness to work with the team make her such a vital part of Romeo. Ashton primarily works at the reception desk and spends a lot of time helping in the treatment area, where she has valuable skills in working with patients. She uses her vast knowledge of animals and her ability to communicate with owners to make the Romeo Pet Hospital experience a special one.
Ashton spends her spare time with her 2 dogs and enjoys rock climbing.
Keirstin
Client Care Specialist
Keirstin is a graduate of Sheridan College’s Animal Care Program. She moved from Guelph in June 2022 after working as a Veterinary Assistant for two years and also ran her own grooming business called Kiki’s Clips and Cuts. Keirstin knew from a young age that she always wanted to be working with and surrounded by animals. She has ridden horses since the age of 11, and in her free time, she enjoys adventuring the outdoors, spending time with her cat Miah and doing any type of art.
At Romeo Pet Hospital, Keirstin gets to work with everyone from Doctors to Technicians and gets to bond with all the lovely clients and pets that come into Romeo Pet Hospital. She loves working here because of all the amazing opportunities that she has come across, plus her amazing co-workers.
Alexa
Client Care Specialist
Alexa joined our team in August 2025 and is one of our friendly receptionists. She went to school for agriculture and veterinary assisting and enjoys helping clients while being part of a positive, supportive team dedicated to caring for pets. She especially loves working in an environment where everyone works together to make a difference for animals and their families.
Outside of work, you’ll find Alexa milking cows, playing hockey, riding horses, or spending time with family and friends. She has four loving pets at home—a dog named Cosmo and three cats: Phoebe, Frannie, and CJ.