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 weekends with his father (Dr. Paul Karner) and then starting as a kennel assistant at the age of 13. After graduating from Centennial High School in 1988 he proceeded to the University of Guelph where he graduated with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1994. Immediately after graduation he began working with his father at the Welland Animal Hospital.

Dr. Karner takes pride in always trying to provide the best quality veterinary service he can. 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. He has attended workshops on external skeletal fixation, anterior cruciate repair (securos & arthrex courses), medial luxating patella repair, total ear canal ablation.

Dr. Karner has a special interest in veterinary dentistry, and has taken numerous courses in dental extraction technique, dental radiography and professional dental cleaning.

Steve is married and has three boys. He enjoys playing hockey, coaching minor hockey, skiing, and playing golf. He has a sweet dog named “Sophie” who is a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel and two cats named Chester & George.

Dr. Jeff Fidler (Veterinarian/Owner)

Dr Jeff Fidler pursued his life long animal passion by attending the University of Guelph where he obtained a BSc followed by a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1994. He then completed an intensive 1 year internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the Animal Medical Center (AMC) in Manhattan NY. Following his internship, Dr Fidler worked at a large multidisciplined practice on Long Island NY. He left his post as assistant Medical Director to return to his home in 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 so he can offer the lastest advances in veterinary diagnosis and treatment to his patients, which he treats as if they were his own.

Some of Jeff’s happiest times are with family which include his wife “Chris” and son as well as a menagerie of rescued animals -“Emma” a Saint Bernard, “Arya” a collie mix, and 3 cats – “Jack” and “Jill”and “Bubba”. In his spare time Jeff enjoys cycling, golfing, skiing, coaching soccer, reading, movies and fundraising for a variety of charities.

Khris (Office Coordinator)

Khris has been a part of our veterinary health care team since 1989. She began as an animal care assistant and worked her way up to her present position as Office Co-Ordinator. Khris has a special interest in animal behavior. She has attended numerous continuing education courses on canine and feline behavior. Khris particularly enjoys seeing your puppy or kitten develop into a well adjusted family member.

Khris enjoys spending time with her two Golden Retrievers, Willsbury and Trenton up North boating on the Trent-Severn Waterway . In her spare time , Khris played competitive hockey for 30 years, then transitioned into reffing co-ed and women’s hockey in 1999.

Khris is always available to help answer your questions or concerns regarding your pets.