Linda Jacobson, BVSc MMedVet PhD – President and Treasurer

Linda received her veterinary degree in Pretoria, South Africa, in 1986 and subsequently completed a residency in small animal internal medicine and a PhD on the pathophysiology of virulent canine babesiosis. She completed the University of Florida Online Graduate Certificate in Shelter Medicine in 2015She served on the CVO Practice Advisory and Standard of Care Panels, and is a member of the editorial board of Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery and the new journal, Journal of Shelter Medicine and Community Animal Health. She joined the Toronto Humane Society in 2010, where she is currently Senior Manager: Shelter Medicine Advancement.

 Shelley Hutchings, DVM – Vice-President

Shelley graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2002 and worked full time in small animal practice until 2008.   In 2006 she began working part time for the Ottawa Humane Society, and developed a keen interest in shelter medicine.   In 2008, she joined the Ottawa Humane Society on a full time basis, and is now the Chief Veterinarian for this large progressive shelter.   She has overseen the accreditation of the Ottawa Humane Society Animal Clinic, as well as the Ottawa Humane Society Mobile Spay Neuter Services mobile community program.

 Esther Attard, DVM – Director at Large

Esther graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1991.  She started her career as an equine practitioner, operating an equine mobile practice and even owned her own small animal clinic before deciding that shelter medicine and surgery was her passion!  Esther has worked in animal shelters for over 20 years and appreciates the daily challenges and rewards!  Currently she is Chief Veterinarian at Toronto Animal Services.  Her favorite things are family (wonderful husband, two lovely daughters and a shelter dog of course!), horses and travelling.

Stephanie Black, DVM – Continuing Education

Stephanie graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2007. She worked in both general and emergency practice until she discovered her love of shelter medicine. She has extensive shelter experience, having worked for the Toronto Humane Society, Toronto Animal Services and her own mobile practice providing services to local animal shelters. She is now the Chief Veterinary Officer for the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society. She also loves education. She has taught the veterinary technician and veterinary assistant students at Seneca College. Always continuing to learn herself, she graduated from the University of Florida with a Masters in Shelter Medicine as well as Graduate Certificate in Veterinary Forensics. She enjoys bringing her love of sheltering and education together with her role at the OSMA.

Tracy Satchell, DVM, MS – Secretary

Tracy graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2010 and developed her medical and surgical skills in general practice for four years.  In 2015, she co-founded a Humane Alliance-partnered high-volume spay/neuter clinic in London Ontario, and worked as the primary surgeon, performing an average of 35 procedures per day.  Tracy completed a Graduate Certificate in Shelter Medicine in 2015 and went on to achieve a  Master of Science in Veterinary Medical Sciences with a concentration in Shelter Medicine in 2018, through the University of Florida.  She now works for the City of London as a shelter veterinarian at the municipal shelter and companion animal hospital.  Her passions include stress reduction in the shelter environment and feline population control through TNR and accessible spay/neuter.

Board Committees

Communications: Esther Attard, Linda Jacobson, Hanna Booth, Tracy Satchell

Continuing Education:  Steph Black

Marketing and Fundraising:

Membership Services: Shelley Hutchings

Special Projects: Hanna Booth (chair), Shelley Hutchings