Meet our dedicated team of veterinary professionals, committed to providing exceptional care for your beloved pets. With diverse expertise and a shared passion for animals, we strive to ensure the health and well-being of every patient entrusted to our care. Get to know the faces behind the compassionate service you and your furry companions receive at our clinic.
Doctors of Veterinary Medicine
Barb Deter, DVM
Dr. Barb Deter obtained her degree in Veterinary Medicine from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1991. Since then Barb has cared for companion animals in Guelph and surrounding area. She is known for her balanced, compassionate approach to small animal health care, her skills as a surgeon and her interest in incorporating effective complementary practices. Barb is certified by the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society. She opened Southgate Animal Hospital in 2010 to provide clients with the personal service and veterinary care that make this profession so rewarding. Outside of the clinic Barb enjoys spending time with her husband Scott and their three children R.J, Catie and Cole. Some of Barb’s hobbies include running, skiing and participating in water sports. Their Foxhound/Pointer cross Axel can be found frequently snoozing in the lunch room at the clinic.
Shanna Clinch, DVM
Dr. Shanna graduated from the Atlantic Veterinary College, PEI, in 2001. She has worked at some wonderful clinics in Nova Scotia and Alberta and is so glad to hang her hat in Guelph and be part of the Southgate team. She brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience. Having to work in rural locations allowed her to perform a lot of procedures that would normally have been sent to referral practices. Together Barb, Shanna and Mel make a great team to ensure you get the best patient and client care. They treat their patients like their own and your pet can be guaranteed to get a special treat during their exam. Her particular interests include Chinese medicine/acupuncture, dermatology, surgery, dentistry and puppy snuggling. She has completed an IVAS acupuncture/Chinese medicine course10 years ago in Texas and is fully certified. She has also taken numerous herb courses to further her interest in alternative medicine. Shanna’s family includes two miniature schnauzer puppies, Max & Ruby and two Sphynx cats named Bourbon and Scarlett, who now rule the house. When she and her husband aren’t chauffeuring their two boys to various activities, Shanna can be found reading, working out or traveling with her family.
Melanie Gagnon, DVM
Dr. Mel grew up in Cambridge, ON, graduated from the OVC in 2011 and spent her first 10 years in practice as a mixed animal veterinarian. Treating a variety of animals from dogs, cats, farm animals to zoo animals and exotic pets, means that Mel is always up for a challenge.
She joined the Southgate team in 2021, and purchased the practice in 2023. She is passionate about helping pets with anxiety and behaviour challenges have a positive experience at the vet clinic. She enjoys getting to know her clients, scrubbing into a good surgery, and working through complex medical cases.
She is also certified in Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy, which is analogous to chiropractic adjustments when performed by a human Chiropractor.
Mel lives with her partner, Ryan, a bully mix named Crushie, and a Labrador Retriever Benny. In her spare time, you’ll be sure to find Mel either dog training or riding her fun-loving Clydesdale-cross horse, Charlotte, out on the trails.
Veterinary Technicians
Nikki, VT
Nikki graduated from the Animal Care Program at Sheridan College in 1995 and has been working as a veterinary technician since. Nikki is very efficient in all aspects of animal nursing, but has a special interest in surgical monitoring/ assisting and lab work. When Nikki is not working, she is spending time with her two boys Kobe and Kaden and their cavachon Scruffy! Nikki is a calming influence around the clinic especially during emergency situations.
Kelly, RVT
Kelly joined the Southgate Animal Hospital team in June of 2012. Kelly graduated from the Georgian College Veterinary Technician program (2011) with honors and has achieved her registered status. Kelly enjoys hands-on procedures such as IV catheter placement, blood collection, assisting with ultrasounds and other diagnostic procedures. When Kelly is not working she is spending time with her husband Colin, son Charlie and cuddling with her senior cat Ziggy. Kelly loves spending time outside and can often be found walking her rescue Beagle Dottie and bird watching at the Arboretum.
Sam, RVT
Sam graduated from the University of Guelph in 2012 with a degree in Animal Biology. She then pursued her love of animals and completed the Veterinary Technician program at Sheridan College in 2015, and achieved her registered status. Sam first came to Southgate for her school placements and continued into a full time technician position in 2016. Sam enjoys helping perform diagnostic procedures such as x-rays and lab work as well as helping with our surgical and hospitalized patients. When she is not in the clinic, she can be seen out hiking with her partner Curtis and Golden Retriever mix Chloe, or cuddling with her senior cat Ralph.
Sam is expected to go on maternity leave in July, but will be back afterwards!
Lindsay, RVT
Lindsay graduated from Ridgetown college Veterinary Technology program in 2024, and quickly achieved her registration status. Lindsay has many interest but some of her favourites are dental cleanings, helping with x-rays/ultrasounds, and surgical monitoring. When she is not in the clinic, Lindsay enjoys spending time on her parents farm helping taking care of sheep and chickens. She also enjoys hiking, camping, horseback riding and spending time with her puppy Frieda.
Receptionists
Lily, Receptionist/Assistant
Lily has been with Southgate Animal Hospital since her high school placement in July of 2020. She is currently in the class of 2025 Animal Biology program at the University of Guelph and plans on applying to OVC to pursue her passion of Veterinary Medicine. Since Lily is currently busy in school, she is only here at the clinic a couple of times a week, but loves to come in more often during her summer break. When Lily is not studying or working at the clinic she enjoys spending time with her rescue cat, Patrick, and her ten chickens! Lily also spends her time horseback riding, cheering on the University of Guelph cheer team, and volunteering with the OVC Foal Watch team.
Daniela, Receptionist/Assistant
Daniela graduated from the University of Guelph in 2021 with an Honours degree in Animal Science. She joined the team at Southgate Animal Hospital in 2022 after volunteering at the clinic throughout her time in university.
She has a particular interest in client care as well as animal health, nutrition and well-being. You will commonly see her up at the front desk or behind the scenes assisting around the clinic.
Daniela lives with her boyfriend, Lawrence, and when she is not working she loves to spend her time traveling, at the barn/horse shows riding her horse, Pherson, or can be found cuddled up with her cat, Ollie, and two Cockapoos, Darcy and Finn!
Allie, Receptionist/Assistant
Allie was born and raised in Fergus, ON and graduated from Ridgetown College in 2022 with a Certificate in the Veterinary Assistant program. She joined the Southgate team in October 2022 and has a particular interest in client/patient comfort. You will commonly see Allie up at the front desk with a smile on her face or around the clinic making sure all of our patients are happy.
When Allie is not at work, she spends her time around her family’s farm caring for the horses and miniature ponies or can be found snuggled up with her rescue dog, Goldy, her dog, Bella and her rescue cat, Dinah!
Melanie, Receptionist/Assistant
Melanie graduated from her Masters at the University of Guelph in September 2023. Since 2015 she has been working at the Ontario Veterinary College as a weekend lab technician, and joined the Southgate team in October of 2023. She can often be found at the front desk, working to uphold excellent client care, or assisting around the clinic where she can.
When not working, Melanie can be found enjoying the outdoors, hiking or camping, or spending time at the apartment she shares with her boyfriend, Scott. She enjoys afternoons spent with her parents’ dog Cooper, but is looking forward to bringing a kitten of her own home soon!
