Our Team

Dr. Steve Karner (Veterinarian/Owner)

Dr. Steve Karner is a Welland native. His interest in veterinary medicine started at a young age, going on farm calls on the weekends with his father, Dr. Paul Karner, and then he began work as a kennel assistant at thirteen. Dr. Karner graduated from the University of Guelph with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1994. Immediately after graduation, he began working with his father at Welland Animal Hospital.

He takes pride in always trying to provide the best quality veterinary services he can. He has a particular interest in veterinary dentistry and has taken numerous courses in dental extraction technique, dental radiography and professional dental cleaning. In order to keep abreast of the many changes in veterinary medicine, Dr. Karner attends approximately 80 hrs of continuing education courses and labs every year.

When he’s not healing sick animals, he enjoys spending quality time with his wife, three boys, Boxer named Beau and Chester the cat. He also enjoys flying, playing hockey, skiing, and playing golf.

Dr. Jeff Fidler (Veterinarian/Owner)

Pursuing his lifelong animal passion, Dr. Jeff Fidler attended the University of Guelph, where he obtained a BSc followed by a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1994. Gaining experience in different practices and hospitals abroad, Dr. Fidler left his post as assistant Medical Director to return home to Canada as a partner at Welland Animal Hospital in 2000, joining his classmate and friend Dr. Steve Karner.

Dr. Fidler enjoys spending time each year attending lectures, wet labs, and conferences to offer the latest advances in veterinary diagnosis and treatment to his patients, which he treats as if they were his own.

Jeff’s happiest times are with family, which includes his wife, and son, as well as a menagerie of rescued animals: Annie the Saint Bernhard, Arya, a three-legged collie mix, and Bubba, an orange tabby who thinks he’s a dog. In his spare time, Jeff enjoys running, cycling, golfing, skiing, travelling, reading and fundraising for a variety of charities.

Khristine (Practice Manager)

Khris was born and raised in Welland and now calls Beamsville home. She has helped not only generations of pets within a family, but generations of families within Welland and the Niagara region—2022 marked her 33rd year with the Welland Animal Hospital!

Khris prides herself on treating clients’ pets like her own and knows the love and care that is required for a healthy pet.

Khris goes home to her wife, two Golden Retrievers, Willow and Dockley, and two cats, Keen and Keaton.
In her time away from the clinic, she enjoys spending time with her wife and pets at the cottage, where time is also spent boating, swimming, fishing, paddling and relaxing.

Melissa (RVT)

Melissa grew up with a passion for science while knowing she wanted to make a difference in animals’ lives. She graduated from UoG Ridgetown in 2017 and has been working as a Registered Veterinary Technician since.

She is always looking for continuing education to further her experience to help pets and their owners as best as she can, her specific interests include phlebotomy, surgery, anaesthesia, and fear-free handling.

Outside of the clinic, Melissa likes to cozy up with her two dogs and three cats.

Nikki (RVT)

Forever an avid animal lover, Nikki decided to pursue a career where she could not only help animals but spend her days immersed in her passion.

Nikki started her career working with the local Humane Society, in 2019 graduated from the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus with a degree in Veterinary Technology. Nikki has been a Rabies Response Member since 2019.

When not at work, Nikki enjoys the outdoors, spending time with family and spoiling extended family pets.

Sharon (Client Care Specialist)

Sharon is a passionate supporter of all creatures four-legged and furry. With her administrative background and natural inclination to nurture and be of service, Sharon will help create a welcoming experience for you and your pet every time you step through our doors.

Tessa (Client Care Specialist)

Tessa has loved all animals since she was young, she is the go-to person in her family for animal-related questions, and she considers all her family’s pets her own.

This love of pets transfers to her work at Welland Animal Hospital, where she treats every pet that walks through the doors as if they were family. Not a pet will leave the clinic without Tessa giving them a big hug or an extra treat as they leave! Tessa is hopeful to someday be able to foster orphaned neonates again, as this is another great passion of hers.

In her spare time, Tessa is pursuing a Masters’s degree in Social Work at the University of Waterloo. She hopes to apply this education in the Veterinary field. Her spare time is also focused on cuddling her five cats.