Our Veterinarians
Dr. Allison Doherty
Allison grew up locally in Brooklin. Before vet school, Allison spent her time working with racehorses and competing with her mare, Teddy. She graduated in 2011 from the Ontario Veterinary College in Guelph. She has worked at PPVS since graduation, and joined on as an owner in 2016. Allison lives in Sonya with her family and a collection of animals. Besides horseback riding, Allison enjoys gardening, baking, snowboarding, and playing hockey in her free time.
Dr. Brent McLaughlin
Brent grew up on a mixed livestock farm near Port Perry, Ontario, and was actively involved in 4H clubs. From the earliest memories, his desire was to become a country veterinarian, and he travelled around with local vets for most of his early life. He graduated from Ontario Veterinary College in 1993. After 5 years in mixed and large animal practice in southwestern Ontario, Brent joined Cannington Veterinary Services in 1998.
Brent has developed a special interest in Equine Dentistry, but enjoys the variety of medical and surgical cases that large animal practice provides. Brent is married to Dr. Sue Talbot, and they are blessed with 2 daughters. Brent enjoys spending time with his family and actively volunteering in pastoral ministry.
Dr. Erin Branigan
Erin grew up in Cambridge, ON as well as overseas in Indonesia. She graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2015. Prior to veterinary school, Erin evented up to the preliminary level competing in both the US and Canada. After graduating, Erin spent a year completing an internship at an equine clinic and referral centre in Wisconsin and then went to work at Port Perry Veterinary Services. When not working with animals, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, getting outdoors, playing sports of all kinds, and travelling.
Dr. Rachel Shanahan
Rachel grew up in the Stouffville area before attending the University of Guelph and graduating in 2007 from Ontario Veterinary College. She worked in a mixed animal practice in the Kawartha Lakes area for a year before going to work at Port Perry Veterinary Services. In 2012, Rachel joined on as a practice owner. She gained her certification in Animal Chiropractic in 2014 and offers that to both equine and bovine clients. For fun, Rachel enjoys playing hockey, baseball, horseback riding and hanging with her two kids.
Dr. Rod Schell
Rod graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1977. After several years in mixed animal veterinary practice, he started Cannington Veterinary Services in 1995 as a solo large animal practitioner. For the first few years, it was a family operation with his wife, Deb, and daughters, Denna and Riley, looking after the office reception. He enjoys the challenges of all aspects of large animal practice, but especially dairy medicine and surgery.
Rod and Deb (who may still occasionally be found working around the office) have four adult children and 14 grandchildren.
Dr Rod is now looking forward to transitioning into retirement, with some continuing part-time work in the practice.
In his spare time, Rod enjoys woodworking, renovating his home and cottage, and just spending time at the cottage with his family.
