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 were excited to have Dr. Hodge join her as owner in 2019. Dr. Gillies lives in Stratford with her husband and 2 children and their pets: Marie the Papillon, Sage the Golden Retriever, her cats Marvin, Alice, Astrid and Millie, their rats, Fred, George and Mr. Gray, and various farm animals.
Dr. Leslie Hodge
Veterinarian & Clinic Owner
Dr. Leslie Hodge started practicing veterinary medicine with the Romeo Pet Hospital team after she graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2006, and has joined Dr. Gillies as owner in 2019. Before veterinary school in Guelph, Dr. Hodge completed her undergraduate and Masters of Science degrees, focusing on osteoarthritis’s 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 Chloe 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 taking in 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. Emily Wagler
Veterinarian
Dr. Wagler started off her veterinary career, graduating and moving to Chatham in 2005, while her husband completed his Teaching degree, and then moved back into the Stratford area in 2006. Before veterinary school, she grew up in Port Elgin on Lake Huron and then completed her Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Guelph. For several years after graduating, she did locum relief work at various local clinics, including the London Veterinary Emergency Clinic, to broaden her experiences and level of care.
Dr. Wagler excitedly joined and settled in with Romeo’s team vision in 2014, offering excellent service and communication to the Stratford area regarding veterinary care for pets and their families. Since 2017, she has also enjoyed working alongside the City of Stratford to offer veterinary care for the Queen’s swans gifted to our beautiful city.
Dr. Wagler lives near Stratford on a small hobby farm with her husband and four boys and their beloved Cavalier Spaniels and several farm animals.
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. Her special interests include soft tissue surgery, emergency medicine and feline medicine, and she is an AAFP certified cat-friendly veterinarian.
Dr. Campbell moved to Stratford with her fiancé and four rescue cats, Freyja, Benson, Oliver and Ember and is excited to become a part of this wonderful community. Outside work, she enjoys reading, painting, fibre arts, camping and hiking.
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 to meet the people and pets of Stratford!
Dr. Patty moved from PEI with her two cats, Jazz and Mellie, and Boxer, Lucy. 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.
Veterinary Technicians
Jenna Lee
Registered Veterinary Technician
Jenna Lee graduated in 2012 with honours from the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus and attained Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) status that same year. After joining the team in 2018, she considers Romeo her forever home. At home, she is kept busy with 3 cats, a snake, and a horse.
Jenna Lee is very close to her husband, friends, family and loves the fact 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 animal-human bond, which is so special. 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.”
Stacey
Registered Veterinary Technician
Stacey graduated in 2005 with honours from St. Clair College in Windsor as a registered veterinary technician. She worked in the Kitchener area for 8 years and then joined the Romeo Pet Hospital team in 2013.
When she is not enjoying her time at the clinic, Stacey is spending quality time with her husband, Greg and her two young children. Stacey’s family is complete with a beautiful golden retriever named Maverick and two adorable cats, Lola and 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.
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.
Michelle Demelo
Registered Veterinary Technician
We are excited to welcome Michelle, Registered Veterinary Technician, to our Romeo family. With many years of veterinary technician experience, Michelle has joined our team to continue the professional and compassionate care to our patients and their families. Michelle graduated from University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus in 2014 with her RVT status.
Outside of the clinic, Michelle spends her time with her husband, her two growing boys and a Labrador Retriever named Remington. Michelle’s other interests include sewing, horseback riding, raising chickens, and of course, spending quality time with her family.
Grace
Registered Veterinary Technician
Grace graduated in 2021 from the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus. After her 6-week externship program for school, she has now joined the Romeo Pet Hospital team. She spends her time with her 3 cats Audrey, Ruth and Poppy… as well as her Red-eared Slider Samson, and her Russian Dwarf hamster named Mort.
In her spare time Grace enjoys gardening, caring for her house plants and learning new things about different animals. Grace would like to expand her knowledge in hospice and palliative care here at Romeo and is excited to do so.
Ryan Blair
Registered Veterinary Technician
Ryan has always had a fondness and passion for animals, but the rescue of his Shepherd-mix dog Misty drove him to a career and education in animal health.
Graduating with distinction from the Veterinary Technology program at the University of Guelph’s Ridgetown Campus, Ryan enjoyed his time working with the small and large animals on campus.
While not aiding his furry friends at Romeo Pet Hospital, Ryan enjoys reading books/comics, watching movies, playing video games and taking Misty on one of her several walks.
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 Toklo. Shari also has Cuddles the bearded dragon and Chomper the leopard gecko.
Alyssa
Veterinary Assistant
Alyssa has been a part of the Romeo Pet Hospital Team since 2014. She started as a high school co-op student and joined the team shortly after. She graduated with honours from Dalhousie University with a degree in Bioveterinary Science and a certificate in Animal Welfare. She took some time to study abroad in Australia last year where she got to handle some unique species, including koalas and kangaroos. Alyssa also milks cows when she isn’t at the clinic and enjoys working with animals larger than the ones we find at Romeo Pet Hospital. She is currently attending the Ontario Veterinary College and join the veterinarians here at Romeo Pet Hospital.
Alyssa has a 3-legged cat named Manny and has spent many years opening her heart and home to foster kittens for the SPCA. Her favourite jobs at the clinic include assisting with surgery and joining Dr. Hodge on house calls. Her smiling face can be seen at the clinic, where she can help you with many services the clinic has to offer.
Keirstin
Veterinary Assistant
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.
Client Care Specialists
Lisa
Client Care Specialist
Lisa has been with Romeo Pet Hospital for 12 years now. She completed her Veterinarian Medical Office Administration program at Ridgetown Campus in 2008 and has been happily with us ever since.
As a vital part of the Romeo team, her smiling face is always ready to greet you at the front door and is always the first person to help solve a problem. Her organizational skills are put to good use as she keeps track of our Wellness Plans that we offer at Romeo.
Lisa shares her home with 2 dogs and her beloved cat that she rescued. Lisa looks forward to spending the next 12 years, helping Romeo grow and be there for our patients and clients.
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.