About | Colborne Street Pet Hospital

Our Team

Dr. Joanne Olinyk was born and raised in Montreal. In 1978 she moved to Guelph to pursue her dream of becoming a veterinarian. She obtained a Bachelor of Science from the University of Guelph in 1981 and went on to do her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. After graduating in 1984, she worked in Nobleton for 3 years, then spent the next 3 years doing locum work around the province before settling down in Orillia. She has cultivated an interest in Feline Medicine and has been a long term member of the American Association of Feline Practitioners.

Joanne and her partner Paul have a large family of 5 cats and 2 dogs that keep them busy (see pictures in the gallery below). In her off time, she plays adventure games, reads fantasy and science fiction, and is an avid gardener. She has finished 4 levels of jazz dance exams and still is a regular participant at the Mariposa Dance Company. Salsa dancing is a new passion, and she is branching out into Ballroom territory.

Paul Nowosiadly is our office manager. He is a trained chef but left the industry in the 1990s to work at London Life. He joined our practice in 1997, helping with the business side of things at the clinic. In 1999, he achieved certification in Veterinary Hospital Management through St. Lawrence College. He and Joanne share their love for pets and Paul regularly hikes with the dogs, Arlo and Phoebe, on the many trails around Orillia. He is an consummate golfer, fisherman and outdoors man. He spends his downtime watching sports, especially football and hockey.

Jen Oliver joined the team at the Colborne Street Pet Hospital in June 2016. Since the time I could walk the fields to bring the cows in and while growing up, loving the various breeds of dogs my family owned, I knew animals were my passion. I graduated in 1998 from the Veterinary Technician program at Seneca College and started my career with the University of Toronto where I remained for many years and began raising Weimaraners. Once the kids arrived my husband and I moved north and began working in a local veterinary clinic. I am active within the pure-bred dog community (running shows, education and fundraising) and have been a member with the Canadian Kennel Club for over 20 years. I currently live with Ginger a Wire-Haired Dachshund, a adorable Doberman named Floyd and Trooper the cat who keeps us all in check!

Rebecca Dawson, RVT joined the team initially as a student in 2017 to fulfill her field placements for the Veterinary Technician program. She has since graduated the program in 2018, from Georgian College. She has lived in Orillia in entire life, where she has grown up surrounded by many pets, making her decision to enter Veterinary medicine an easy choice. Rebecca and her family currently have 2 dogs, 7 cats, 2 of which are Sphynxs and 2 Lizards. In her spare time, she enjoys anything art related, but has special interest in painting pictures. Around the clinic, you can always find her wearing her funky socks.