Pet Portal
Meet the staff at Raintree Veterinary Hospital. Vet care for Comox and Courtenay pet owners.
Dr. Robin Rainford
Owner/Veterinarian
Robin graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in Guelph, Ontario in 2006. In 2007, she packed everything she owned, including her dog, Brindie and drove across the country to explore and live in the Comox Valley. Things turned out better than expected when she met her husband, Neil and his dog, Bailey and then in February 2011, they welcomed their son, Cayden.
Dr. Robin Rainford
Owner/Veterinarian
Robin graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in Guelph, Ontario in 2006. In 2007, she packed everything she owned, including her dog, Brindie and drove across the country to explore and live in the Comox Valley. Things turned out better than expected when she met her husband, Neil and his dog, Bailey and then in February 2011, they welcomed their son, Cayden.
It’s no surprise to anyone who knows Robin that she became a veterinarian. She takes great pride in her role in your pet’s individual health care needs and is dedicated to continuing education. In 2016, she graduated from the Canine Rehabilitation Institute and became a certified canine rehabilitation therapist and is passionate about post operative and neurologic patients, as well as helping geriatrics with their mobility issues.
Dr. Joan Gillies
Veterinarian
Joan has lived in the Comox Valley since 1991 and cannot imagine where else paradise could be. She is happiest when outdoors or with a fiddle in her hand. Joan and her family share their lives with her dog “Gillie” (named after Irish dancing shoes, not her!).
Dr. Joan Gillies
Veterinarian
Joan has lived in the Comox Valley since 1991 and cannot imagine where else paradise could be. She is happiest when outdoors or with a fiddle in her hand. Joan and her family share their lives with her dog “Gillie” (named after Irish dancing shoes, not her!).
Joan graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1988 and has worked in Ontario and BC. In 2013 she finished her training as a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist and truly believes this is the most important training she has had in her career because it takes medicine to a new and exciting level. 36 years into medicine, she is still thankful every day she comes to work for being lucky enough to have “best career ever”!
Dr. Alyssa Vickers
Veterinarian
Alyssa graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatchewan in 2023. She has dreamed of becoming a veterinarian since childhood and has worked in veterinary hospitals (and with Dr. Robin!) since 15 years old. Alyssa grew up surrounded by animals of many species and has always had a deep respect for the human-animal bond.
Dr. Alyssa Vickers
Veterinarian
Alyssa graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatchewan in 2023. She has dreamed of becoming a veterinarian since childhood and has worked in veterinary hospitals (and with Dr. Robin!) since 15 years old. Alyssa grew up surrounded by animals of many species and has always had a deep respect for the human-animal bond. She has a strong interest in wellness and preventive health medicine and looks forward to building lasting relationships with the clientele and patients of Raintree.
Alyssa is a born and raised resident of Vancouver Island and is very happy to be back home to stay! She lives in Campbell River with her husband, two dogs and one cat.
Erin Williams
Office Manager
Erin began working in the veterinary field in 1992, when she brought her dog, Patches in for an examination by her local veterinarian. She was offered the opportunity for after school work and since then has devoted herself to years of multiple roles in a veterinary practice and developing trusted veterinary/client/patient relationships.
Erin Williams
Office Manager
Erin began working in the veterinary field in 1992, when she brought her dog, Patches in for an examination by her local veterinarian. She was offered the opportunity for after school work and since then has devoted herself to years of multiple roles in a veterinary practice and developing trusted veterinary/client/patient relationships. She has found her work home at RainTree Veterinary Hospital and we couldn't be happier to have her as the familiar voice and smiling face that you will all get to know.
Erin lives in Cumberland and enjoys an active life with her husband Chris and two dogs Huey and Reyah.
Kristina Gansen
Registered Veterinary Technician
Kristina has been a Registered Veterinary Technician since 2001. She is passionate about animals and loves giving her time and energy to helping those in need, whether it’s providing compassion and comfort in a clinic setting, or helping lost and found animals reunite with their owners, or by volunteering with the Canadian Animal Assistance Team (CAAT) on their spay & neuter and wellness clinics both locally and abroad.
Kristina Gansen
Registered Veterinary Technician
Kristina has been a Registered Veterinary Technician since 2001.
She is passionate about animals and loves giving her time and energy to helping those in need, whether it’s providing compassion and comfort in a clinic setting, or helping lost and found animals reunite with their owners, or by volunteering with the Canadian Animal Assistance Team (CAAT) on their spay & neuter and wellness clinics both locally and abroad.
Kristina and her partner grew up on Vancouver Island and after completing the Animal Health Technology program in Kamloops, moved to the Comox Valley in 2001. They share their lives and adventures with their 8 year old daughter, a Taiwanese rescue dog and a sassy tortishell kitty.
Kristina is very excited to be joining the Raintree family and we are thrilled to have her on the team!
Anila Rondeau
Registered Veterinary Technician
Anila has worked with animals for many years, starting at the age of fifteen at a boarding and grooming kennel and eventually graduating from the Animal Health Technology Programme at Lakeland College. In 2015, she had the opportunity to attend the Canine Rehabilitation Institute and became a certified canine rehabilitation assistant.
Anila Rondeau
Registered Veterinary Technician
Anila has worked with animals for many years, starting at the age of fifteen at a boarding and grooming kennel and eventually graduating from the Animal Health Technology Programme at Lakeland College. In 2015, she had the opportunity to attend the Canine Rehabilitation Institute and became a certified canine rehabilitation assistant.
Anila and her husband share their home with two border terriers and a cat. She enjoys participating in various dog sports including confirmation, obedience, barn hunt and freestyle.
Kate Graham
Registered Veterinary Technician
Growing up on a farm Kate always had a love for animals big and small. After working in mixed animal Veterinary Hospitals as an assistant from 2006 she quickly knew her calling was to be a Veterinary Technologist. In 2012, after graduating from the Animal Health Technology program at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, Kate moved to the Sunshine Coast to hone her skills working in a busy practice and participating in emergency on call shifts.
Kate Graham
Registered Veterinary Technician
Growing up on a farm Kate always had a love for animals big and small. After working in mixed animal Veterinary Hospitals as an assistant from 2006 she quickly knew her calling was to be a Veterinary Technologist. In 2012, after graduating from the Animal Health Technology program at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, Kate moved to the Sunshine Coast to hone her skills working in a busy practice and participating in emergency on call shifts. After a brief time working in Campbell River, Kate relocated to Victoria in 2017 where she worked in a small animal hospital enjoying the fast pace and the ability to gain diverse skills. In 2021 Kate left Victoria and came to the Comox Valley to be close to family and enjoy the fantastic outdoor, year-round activities available at her doorstep. Kate is joining our team and couldn't be happier to be a part of the Raintree Veterinary Hospital family and helping the animals (and people) of Comox. When not at work Kate can be found wandering (or paddling) the many beaches, trails, rivers, and lakes of the Black Creek area with her partner Tim, son Sam and magnificent standard poodle Roger, or perhaps one of her many incredible sisters who live nearby.
Danielle Caldwell
Receptionist
Danielle hails from Gatineau, Quebec. After a career as a preschool teacher, she discovered the world of veterinary medicine while volunteering at a local animal hospital. Danielle became a Registered Veterinary Technician in 2002 after graduating from The Animal Health Technology Program at Olds College in Alberta.
Danielle Caldwell
Receptionist
Danielle hails from Gatineau, Quebec. After a career as a preschool teacher, she discovered the world of veterinary medicine while volunteering at a local animal hospital. Danielle became a Registered Veterinary Technician in 2002 after graduating from The Animal Health Technology Program at Olds College in Alberta. After honing her skills for a number of years, Danielle decided to shift her focus to the Client Services side of veterinary medicine.
Danielle enjoys spending time with her husband and her 3 cats: Annie, Gracie and Tulo. She also enjoys cycling, kayaking, reading and cooking.
After a couple of years apart, she is happy to once again be working with Dr. Rainford and her team.
Suzie Bacon
Receptionist
Suzie relocated to the island a few years ago from a small town in the Rockies where she spent many years doing wildlife conservation work and adventuring with her beloved Husky rescue. With past receptionist experience and a background in wildlife conservation, she has always cared for the well-being of all animals: wild or tame, big or small.
Suzie Bacon
Receptionist
Suzie relocated to the island a few years ago from a small town in the Rockies where she spent many years doing wildlife conservation work and adventuring with her beloved Husky rescue. With past receptionist experience and a background in wildlife conservation, she has always cared for the well-being of all animals: wild or tame, big or small. Her friendly demeanor and sense of humor makes her easy to interact with and she is always curious to learn more about the world of veterinary care.
Suzie enjoys an outdoorsy lifestyle around the ocean and the mountains in the Comox Valley and is looking forward to getting to know the Raintree Veterinary Hospital family!
Michelle Stewart
Veterinary Assistant
Michelle graduated from the Animal Care Aide Program at North Island College in 2003 and began working in a variety of roles within the field of veterinary medicine so she has a wealth of knowledge to be able to better assist our clients.
Michelle Stewart
Veterinary Assistant
Michelle graduated from the Animal Care Aide Program at North Island College in 2003 and began working in a variety of roles within the field of veterinary medicine so she has a wealth of knowledge to be able to better assist our clients.
She grew up riding horses in the Comox Valley and currently resides in Campbell River where she can be found riding her horse Moose, spending time with her family, cuddling her new cat Pickle and working in her garden.
We are thrilled to have her bright smile on the team.
Nikki McMurray
Veterinary Assistant
Born and raised in the Comox Valley, I have always enjoyed the ocean and all our beautiful waterways in the valley. You will catch me at the beaches and lakes going for a snorkel and photographing the underwater wildlife. From a young age, I have always had a passion for animal care, fostering kittens with my family and volunteering as a cat socializer at the SPCA in my youth.
Nikki McMurray
Veterinary Assistant
Born and raised in the Comox Valley, I have always enjoyed the ocean and all our beautiful waterways in the valley. You will catch me at the beaches and lakes going for a snorkel and photographing the underwater wildlife. From a young age, I have always had a passion for animal care, fostering kittens with my family and volunteering as a cat socializer at the SPCA in my youth. At 15 years old I got my first job as a kennel aid in a local veterinary clinic. It was at that moment I knew assisting in caring for animals at a veterinary hospital was where I wanted to be. In my free time I enjoy playing card games with my friends and family, camping with my partner and tending to my 3 aquariums as well as spending time with our cats, the newest addition being my new kitten Mr. Hats. I’m currently enrolled at North Island College taking the animal care aid course and I’m loving every moment of it. I look forward to continuing my education and career in the veterinary industry and being part of the amazing RainTree team.
Everett Cross
Hospital Assistant
Everett is in grade 12 at Mark R Isfeld Secondary and has lived in the Comox Valley his whole life. Everett has wanted to become a veterinarian since he was young, and plans on going to Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatchewan after his undergraduate education.
Everett Cross
Hospital Assistant
Everett is in grade 12 at Mark R Isfeld Secondary and has lived in the Comox Valley his whole life. Everett has wanted to become a veterinarian since he was young, and plans on going to Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatchewan after his undergraduate education.
In his spare time, Everett enjoys skiing and biking. He is the youngest in a family of five with a cat named Jill.
Magnet
Our Family Pup and RainTree Mascot
Magnet is a Phantom Bernadoodle and was born August 21, 2020 and came home to be with his furever family on October 14th at 7 weeks old. Every day is a new adventure with Magnet and he fills us to the brim with love and amusement. Magnet is the eternal optimist whose official job description includes putting smiles on people's faces and increasing team cohesion with his silly antics.
Magnet
Our Family Pup and RainTree Mascot
Magnet is a Phantom Bernadoodle and was born August 21, 2020 and came home to be with his furever family on October 14th at 7 weeks old. Every day is a new adventure with Magnet and he fills us to the brim with love and amusement. Magnet is the eternal optimist whose official job description includes putting smiles on people's faces and increasing team cohesion with his silly antics.
