Our Veterinarians

• Dr.Helen C. Douglas
• Dr. Lea Button
• Dr. Caroline Niegos

Helen Douglas is a native of Nova Scotia, but was raised in Ottawa. She graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College (Guelph) in 1978. Helen worked at Valley Vet from 1979 to 1986 for Dr. John Stinson, doing farm practice as well horses and small animals. During this time she bred Dobermans and Siamese cats as well as participating in local dog obedience trials. Dr. Douglas became a Lanark fan in the 80's, attending many auctions, building a log home and barn and travelling the back roads extensively,often to pull a foal or calf on a stormy night. Helen has always participated in horse breeding and showing and rode with the Ottawa Valley Hunt Club for 5 years. She left here in 1986 to pursue special training in equine medicine, first in England and then in Toronto. Subsequently Dr. Douglas had a horse and small animal practice in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia for six years. After a brief time in B.C. doing locum work she returned to purchase the practice from Dr. Stinson. Many previous clients are still with Valley Vet and even a few of her previous patients! Helen has endeavored to provide both clients and patients at Valley Vet with caring and personalized service and to move the practice continually forward. We have added extensive equipment since 1995, in order to improve the level of medicine we can offer our dog,cat and and equine patients. Dr. Douglas recently studied acupuncture with the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society and now offers this treatment option for all three species we care for. She breeds Canadian Sport Horses, rides, swims,gardens and goes boating in her spare time.

Lea Button is originally from Sioux Lookout, Ontario, in the northwest of the province. She graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College (Guelph) in 2004. After graduation Lea came to the Ottawa area to pursue equine practice in Embrun. There for two years, she worked with Standardbred race horses and did a great deal of equine reproduction. Lea was looking to expand her small animal knowledge and skills and is happy to have found a great mix of dog, cat and horse patients here at Valley Veterinary Clinic. Lea has undertaken specialized training in equine dentistry and this as well as reproduction are her special interests. Lea is fluent in French and enjoys travel in her time outside of work. She was lucky to spend several months in Chile while a student, working on veterinary relief projects with horses as well as llamas and alpacas. Lea also does agility with her Labrador "Blue" and is looking forward to getting to know the patients, their owners, and settling into her new home in 'the valley'.