Meet Our Team
Click on each of our highly qualified professional to read his / her profile.
Feedback is always appreciated. If you would like to thank or compliment a staff member, or if you have suggestions or concerns, please feel free to let us know. Occasionally, we will make your comments public on our web site. If you would prefer that your comments be kept private, please request so in your post.
Doctors on Staff
Dr. Michele Dawe
BSc, DVM
Dr. Michele Dawe
BSc, DVM
Dr. Dawe was born in St. John’s and also lived in Codroy Valley for a few years. She graduated from the Atlantic Veterinary College in 1993 and then went to work in Ontario. She moved back to St. John’s in 2012 to practice Veterinary Medicine at home.
Dr. Dawe enjoys the variety of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery with both cats and dogs. When she isn’t working she enjoys knitting, baking, gardening and spending time with her daughter and her furry companion Casey.
Dr. Colleen Simms
DVM
Dr. Colleen Simms
DVM
Dr. Simms was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia and in 1991 was part of the second ever class to graduate from the Atlantic Veterinary College. She came to St. John’s right after graduating, planning on staying for only a couple of years – but she fell in love with Newfoundland and has never left! Dr. Simms became co-owner of St. John’s Veterinary Hospital, with Dr. Martin, in 1994.
Dr. Simms shares her home with a happy family of three kids, two dogs, and six cats. At work her interests include internal medicine, with an emphasis on critical care, reproduction and the human-pet bond. Along with cats and dogs, Dr. Simms also enjoys treating smaller mammals such as rabbits and ferrets. Dr. Simms believes in the importance of a good work-life balance, and outside of her veterinary career she has a passion for fitness and is an instructor at GoodLife for a variety of their group exercise classes.
Dr. Jens Martin
BSc, DVM
Dr. Jens Martin
BSc, DVM
Dr. Martin was born in Enfield, England and grew up in Zambia, Africa before immigrating to Canada in 1976. He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at Memorial University before attending the Atlantic Veterinary College, getting his DVM in 1993. Upon graduation he began work at St. John's Veterinary Hospital, and in 1994 he and Dr. Simms took over ownership. He has a particular interest in soft tissue surgery, dentistry and internal medicine.
Dr. Martin’s family includes his wife Shirley, a beautiful daughter, two cats, a much pampered dog, and a couple of guinea pigs. Away from the hospital he enjoys travelling, and being active with golfing and skiing.
Nursing
Team
Front Desk
Team
Management
& Support Staff
Karen Domino
Practice Manager
Karen Domino
Practice Manager
Karen was born in Gander, NL and was raised in St. John’s. Karen joined St. Johns Veterinary Hospital in 1998 as a part-time receptionist and graduated to inventory manager shortly after. Karen returned to school to pursue a business diploma with College of the North Atlantic (CNA) while working part-time and then returned in 2008 full-time as our practice manager.
Karen wears many hats at the hospital and is very proud of the work that is done at the hospital by the talented team of doctors and support staff.
Karen’s family includes her husband Pat, step-daughter, a dog and a cat. When she isn’t working she enjoys walking with her dog and spending time with her family.
Michelle Gosse
Inventory Manager
Michelle Gosse
Inventory Manager
Michelle originates from St John’s, and has been working with us since 1998. She has recently made the shift from veterinary assistant working directly in patient care, to helping out more behind the scenes with Karen as an administrative assistant.
A devoted pet-mum to a number of cats and dogs, Michelle was drawn to the veterinary industry because of her love of animals. When not at work making sure your pets are getting the best care possible, she enjoys spending time with friends and family.
Dana Tracey
Front Desk Supervisor
Dana Tracey
Front Desk Supervisor
Dana is from St John’s, and loves working with animals and the people that care for them. She’s been with St John’s Veterinary Hospital since 2007, and outside of work she spends much of her time looking after strays in her neighbourhood.
Dana’s big heart has opened her home to several cats and rats – and we’re sure she’d take in every stray she met if only she had the room!
Simon
Clinic Cat
Simon
Clinic Cat
Simon joined the St John’s Veterinary Hospital family in 2014, after several unsuccessful attempts to find a home through a local rescue group. Simon is our staff lounge monitor, our doctor’s office chair warmer, and Karen’s direct supervisor. He likes spinning chairs and Box Mountains, and must sit in on all meetings.
Simon’s client relation skills are lacking (he is downright rude to patients!), so he is rarely seen downstairs – but he is an important part of the team, and not much gets done upstairs without him! (Otherwise he complains, loudly).