Our Veterinarian:
Dr. Kathleen O'Connor, DVM
After high school graduation, Dr.O'Connor left Canada, worked for a year in Bermuda and studied languages in France and Germany. In Munich, Germany she worked for a number of years in the corporate sector before entering Veterinary Medicine studies at the University of Munich. After graduation she returned to Canada where she completed a three-year post-graduate degree in Radiology at the Ontario Veterinary College. After four years on the teaching faculty at OVC, Dr.O'Connor opened a small animal clinic where she practiced for eighteen years before selling it to devote her time to cats exclusively.
In 2002 wanting to serve cats and their people, Dr. O'Connor opened the Cat Hospital of Burlington.
Dr.O'Connor is currently owned by five cats -- Topper, Raisin, Buddy, Cole and Jack.
Our Hospital Manager
Cathy Burggraf
Even as a young child, cats followed Cathy around. This childhood connection transformed itself into a lifetime devoted to cats and their care.
Cathy met Dr.O'Connor when the doctor was donating her veterinary services to the cats of the Burlington Animal Shelter. Recognizing all of the wonderful talents Cathy had to offer, Dr.O'Connor enlisted her help - first at her practice in Carlisle and eventually at the Cat Hospital as manager.
In addition to her innumerable duties Cathy performs as our Hospital Manager, she is also our resident 'cat whisperer'. With her uncanny ability to sense the subtle and ever-shifting moods of our patients, she has the power to gently soothe even the most fractious of our guests.
Cathy maintains her home for the comfort of an assortment of cats - most of whom wandered into her life during her time at the Animal Shelter - as well as a Bouvier des Flandres named Max.
Our Registered Veterinary Technician:
Melanie Leavey
Mel graduated from Seneca College in 1997 from the Veterinary Technology program. She spent the first years post-graduation working in Large Animal Medicine - specifically horses - at the Ontario Veterinary College and then the thoroughbred racing industry. She left the veterinary profession for a few years to start a family and then returned to the thoroughbred breeding industry. After an enjoyable time serving broodmares and their foals, she decided to leave large animal medicine and turn her attention toward smaller patients.
Quite by chance, Mel found herself at the Cat Hospital in April 2007 and has never looked back. She feels that cats are simply amazing creatures and has developed a deep respect and admiration for them.
Mel shares her busy life with her husband and two wonderful children. They share their home with Oscar - a miniature dacshund and two Jack Russell Terriers - Tyler and Emma. The entire household is ruled in supreme benevolence by three delightful cats - Snowbell, Malcolm and Simba.
