We are thrilled to welcome Sherry Nelson to the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society family! Sherry stepped into her role as the new Provincial Operations Manager of Clinical Services on July 2, bringing with her a wealth of experience and a passion for animals.
With 25 years of experience in veterinary operations, Sherry has worked alongside exceptional hospital teams, managing all aspects of animal hospital operations for some of Canada’s largest corporate entities. Her roles have ranged from onboarding new hospitals to recruiting veterinarians and technicians, with a primary focus on building leadership in the veterinary field and helping hospitals and individuals thrive.
As the Provincial Operations Manager of Clinical Services, Sherry will leverage her expertise in veterinary care services, resource management, and operational excellence. She will provide direction and leadership for all Ontario SPCA veterinary clinics, mobile clinics, and MASH-style clinic programming, serving communities across Ontario.
We had the pleasure of interviewing Sherry to explore her journey from early inspirations to her new role with the Ontario SPCA, and to learn more about what drives her ongoing commitment to animal welfare.
When did you decide that you wanted to work with animals, and what inspired this?
I have always been an animal lover. In high school, when I was deciding where to go to college, I discovered the vet tech program. It seemed like the perfect marriage between science and working with animals. That summer, I volunteered at a local vet hospital, cleaning kennels and walking dogs. In that moment, I knew this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
You just recently began your new role as Provincial Operations Manager of Clinical Services. What led to and inspired you to make this change to join the Ontario SPCA in this role?
I have always looked for ways to give back to the animal community. I know it’s not an easy job, so I have worked with rescues, shelters, and charities in any capacity I could to support their efforts.
This role was the perfect fit for my skill set. I get to meaningfully contribute to the health and well-being of animals! Could there be a better role?
Could you please provide a brief overview of your new role?
In this new role, I will work closely with the teams at Ontario SPCA clinics across the province, bringing them guidance, support, unity, and alignment. I will be able to share best practices, work on operational excellence, and help with some of their unique day-to-day challenges.
What are you most looking forward to doing/achieving in your new role?
I am mostly looking forward to supporting the teams to enable them to do the extremely important work that they do. DVMs, RVTs, and the rest of the teams are always excited to embrace changes that help them perform their roles to the best of their abilities. I’m also looking forward to a lot of cute photo ops, success stories, and most of all, cuddles with our patients.
Do you have any furry family members?
I absolutely do! I have an adorable French Bulldog, Dexter, who is nine years old, and two rescue kittens, George and Gary, who just celebrated their first birthday. Sadly, this year we lost our guinea pig, Wasabi (another rescue), and my favorite cat (don’t tell George and Gary!), Jaspurr. He was one of a kind, the best cat I have ever had, and is missed every day.
Why would you encourage others to get involved with and/or support the Ontario SPCA?
The Ontario SPCA is a wonderful way to be involved in your local community. It is more than the “big” stories you hear every now and then. Our teams face difficult situations daily and always go above and beyond, not only to support animals in need but also to support the people who live with pets through various community services. Sadly, within our society, the number of animals and community members that need the Ontario SPCA’s support is only growing. I highly encourage any animal lover to support this wonderful charity that has been a staple in the communities it serves for over 150 years!
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
In my spare time, I love being on or in the water – swimming, spending time at the beach, paddleboarding, and traveling to warm places near the ocean during the winter months. I am also a long-standing Leafs and Jays fan and love to watch and attend sporting events. My daughter is big into horseback riding, so I do spend quite a lot of time at the barn as well!
Sherry’s journey from a passionate young animal lover to a dedicated professional in veterinary operations is truly inspiring. Her extensive experience and commitment to animal welfare make her the perfect fit for her new role. We congratulate Sherry and welcome her to the Ontario SPCA family, confident that her leadership will brighten the future for the animals in our care.
Join the Ontario SPCA team
Are you interested in joining our team? The Ontario SPCA has a wide variety of employment opportunities supporting animal well-being across Ontario. Visit our employment page to see current job opportunities.
The post Meet Sherry Nelson, the new Provincial Operations Manager of Clinical Services at the Ontario SPCA appeared first on Ontario SPCA and Humane Society.
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