Our Team
Marco Veenis, D.V.M.
Marco studied veterinary medicine and graduated with distinction at Utrecht University in Holland. Utrecht is one of Europe’s largest Veterinary Medicine Colleges and is fully accredited with the American and Canadian Veterinary Medical Associations. He practiced small animal medicine for nine years in the Netherlands before moving to Canada with his wife Liesbeth, daughter Marthe and son Luuk. In 2002, Marco and Liesbeth purchased Okanagan Veterinary Hospital. They have built the practice to become a full service small animal hospital with a strong surgical component. The hospital just completed an expansion and major renovation in 2008.
An avid outdoor enthusiast, Marco can often be found hiking through the woods with his dog Goochem. His cats Pluis and Lucky have gracefully allowed him to share their home with his family.
Tannis McCarthy, D.V.M 
Tannis completed her Bachelor of Science from the University of Calgary with a major in Cellular, Molecular, and Microbial Biology in 2000 and completed her DVM at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. After graduation she began practicing at both an emergency clinic and a general practice clinic in the Okanagan Valley and gained extensive knowledge in emergency medicine and internal medicine with a particular interest in ophthalmology.
Tannis can often be found on the numerous sports fields around the city where she plays both Soccer and Ultimate frisbee. Her home life includes her husband Andrew, close family, friends and two wonderful dogs: Bailey and Jerry.
Irene Mul, D.V.M.
Irene studied veterinary medicine at the Utrecht University in the Netherlands. She graduated in 2005, where she worked as a locum veterinarian in Holland and volunteered in clinics in Venezuela and Aruba. Ready for a new adventure, in 2007, Irene moved to British Columbia to practice veterinary medicine. Irene has a special interest in internal surgery and ultrasonography. During her work experience, she has developed extensive knowledge and love of pocket pets, especially rabbits and rodents.
Irene lives in Westbank with her partner Peirre and their dog Ali and cat Sammy. When she is not working, she likes to participate in outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, camping, skiing, snowshoeing and dancing. She is looking forward to meeting you and your pets.
Liesbeth Snikkers, Office Manager
Liesbeth is our woman behind the scenes. She does most of the inevitable paperwork that comes with owning a small business and keeps everything running smoothly.
She is married to Marco and shares his love for the outdoors. She loves to go camping and likes to spend time with her family.
Kelly, Registered Animal Health Technician
Kelly joined Okanagan Veterinary Hospital in 2005 after several years working for the Winnipeg Humane Society and various veterinary clinics including a vet hospital in Melbourne, Australia. She is a graduate of Thompson Rivers University. In addition to her love for animals, Kelly enjoys hiking, painting, playing music and spending time with her cat, Willy.
Cheryl, Registered Animal Health Technician 
Cheryl began her career in pet care as a volunteer at the Alberta Society for Injured Birds of Prey. She trained as an Animal Health Technologist at the NAIT in Edmonton. She spent five years working at an emergency veterinary hospital prior to joining our team in January, 2008. She has become proficient in radiology and is especially adept with our canine patients. She has an infectious smile, upbeat personality and changing hair colors. She spends most of her time upfront to greet our clients and answer their questions.
Cheryl is a car buff and loves to dance. She is often spotted with her two dogs, Ginger and Shelby in their Jeep heading for the mud!
Congratulations on completion of the Dental component of the Royal Canin Nutritional Counselors Program!
Rachel, Registered Animal Health Technician
Rachel’s experiences with stray dogs in Taiwan encouraged her to start a career as an Animal Health Technician. She rescued 8 dogs and brought 2 dogs back with her to Kelowna.
Rachel graduated in 2008 from Thompson Rivers University.
Her experience includes work at small animal clinics and Canada West Specialists and Critical Care Hospital in Vancouver. Rachel has a special interest in canine behavior and can often be found trying to coax nervous patients out of their shells.
Her hobbies are swimming, hiking, camping and spending time with her dogs Sadie and Bear.
Congratulations on completion of the Mobility component of the Royal Canin Nutritional Counselors Program!
CONGRATULATIONS on the birth of their new baby girl, Madeline Marie!!
Shelley, Registered Animal Health Technician 
Shelley graduated from Olds College in Alberta in 1995. She did her practicum at a clinic specializing in exotics/caged pets which led to her hobby of fostering orphaned and injured birds. Since her return to Kelowna she has worked in both small and large animal clinics. She loves nursing and the special bonds we get to form with client's pets both big and small. Shelley loves hiking with her dog Bean, a happy go lucky Border Terrier and watching Thomas Magnum (her cat) being carried around aimlessly by her young kids. Hobbies include; camping, volleyball, gardening and playtime with her kids. In the clinic she is renowned for her infectious laughter.
Congratulations on completion of the Mobility and Maturity components of the Royal Canin Nutritional Counselors Program!
Betty, Registered Animal Health Technician
Betty graduated from SIAST in Saskatoon
in 1975. She has worked in most areas of veterinary medicine in the last 35 years including; lab services, mixed practice hospitals,
administration and companion animal medicine since moving to the Okanagan from the
prairies 21 years ago. Betty has a
special interest in Physio Therapy and rehabilitation but also has a soft spot
for geriatric cats. At home she has a
wee dog named “ Paco” and two cats that rule the roost. In her spare time she likes to garden, spend
time with her grand-daughter, and hunt for old tractors with her partner Eric. Betty brings a wealth of experience to our hospital along with infinite patience to answer all of our questions.
CONGRATULATIONS to Betty for completing her first leg from The Animal Rehab Division of The Canadian Physiotherapy Association!! Great Work!
Laurie, Ward Nurse
Laurie began her career in 1997
working with animals that needed boarding and kenneling. She has been
with Okanagan Veterinary Hospital since its inception. She treats all
of the pets she works with as if they are her own and her commitment to
their well-being has made her an invaluable member of our team. Laurie enjoys reading gardening, embroidery and spending time with her kids.
Lacey, Receptionist. 
Lacey is the face of our clinic and brings almost 10 yrs. experience in office administration, both in and out of the veterinary field. In the summer you can find her and her husband at the baseball field or camping with their bull Terrier, Billie. In the winter she’s on the volleyball court or at home by the woodstove with one or all three of her cats.
Lacey is currently on maternity leave.....CONGRATULATIONS on her new little girl Jasper Elaine!! Lacey will be back in February 2012...See you soon.
Julia, Receptionist
Julia is our cheerful part time receptionist. She is currently working on her degree at UBCO hoping to get into veterinary college in the fall. Julia loves the outdoors and her bright, happy personality keeps us all smiling.
Julia is working towards finishing her Bachelor of Science and get accepted into veterinary college next year. She is still working the occasional Saturday for us too! Good luck Julia!
Geri, Receptionist
Geri welcomes clients out front with her smile and great sense of humor. She enjoys spending time with her kids, human and furry. She has two friendly little terriers, Diva and Terra a.k.a. L.B.D (little brown dog). Geri came to Okanagan Veterinary Hospital with Dr. Veenis in 2002. Geri began her career with horses and then worked at a small animal practice. After a period working in finance she once again heard the 'call of the wild' and returned to us. She enjoys all outdoor activities especially hiking, skiing and boating. If you know Geri you know that good things sometimes come in a small package.
Emilie, Receptionist
Emilie is one of our part time receptionists. She brings with her 12 years of business administration as well as 6 years of breeding and exhibiting purebred dogs. She enjoys spending time with her 'herd' of Chihuahuas and may be seen at the local all breed dog shows. Emilie's calm, quiet demeanor is an asset in assisting clients with the many stresses of veterinary visits.
Linda, Receptionist
Linda is our newest face in reception. She has lived in the Kelowna area for 35 years and worked in human medicine nursing and as a health care manager. We welcome Linda's enthusiastic, cheery personality to our front end. She will greet you on Mondays and looks forward to getting to know you and your furry family members.
Goochem, Chief of Security
Goochem was destined for a show career because of his rugged good looks. Unfortunately certain parts of his anatomy never made it to their proper destination and his breeder had to abandon her plans.
He has been with our clinic since its inception and has volunteered as a blood donor on many occasions to save the life of a fellow canine in need.
Goochem enjoys attention and cookies of any kind and can be seen romping through the woods of the Okanagan on his days off. He has been known to frequent the Spotted Spa for a day of leisure and helps to keep an eye on things there as well.