Rick Axelson, DVM

Veterinarian/Owner

Dr. Rick Axelson graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1987. He apprenticed with his father, Dr. Dean Axelson, founder of The Links Road Animal & Bird Clinic (1973) until he purchased the hospital in January 1996. Rick grew up in Toronto and still lives in north Toronto with his daughter and cat. He has been surrounded by animals of all shapes and sizes his entire life but has a special passion for birds and exotic species…(more)

Evan Mavromatis, DVM

Veterinarian/Owner

Dr. Evan Mavromatis attended the University of Guelph where he completed a B.Sc. prior to being admitted into the Ontario Veterinary College. Evan graduated from OVC in 1999, joining The Links Road Animal & Bird Clinic that same year. He has always had a special interest in exotic animals, having worked at the Toronto Zoo through most of his university career, as well as having owned many of the species to which he now dedicates his care…(more)

Hanadie Nur, DVM

Veterinarian

Dr. Hanadie Nur graduated from Edinburgh University in Scotland in 2003. She worked in England before moving to Canada and joining our clinic family in February 2005. She’s a member of the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association, Association of Avian Veterinarians, Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians, Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians and the College of Veterinarians of Ontario…(more)

Mel Vaughan, DVM

Veterinarian

Dr. Melanie Vaughan joined our clinic family in 2020 shortly after graduating from the University of the West Indies School of Veterinary Medicine in Trinidad. Mel also has her B.Sc. in Zoology from the University of Guelph and is a member of the Caribbean Veterinary Medical Association…(more)

Becky Mott, DVM

Veterinarian

We are extending a warm welcome to our newest veterinarian, Dr. Becky Mott, who has travelled “across the pond” to join our clinic family! Becky graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in London, England in 2019, having previously completed a BSc in Zoology. She spent the next four years working in small animal and exotic species practices in the East of England, treating everything from dogs and cats, to pet reptiles, birds, small mammals, wildlife, and the occasional zoo animal!…(more)

Dahlia

Veterinary Technician

Dahlia has been with our Toronto hospital since 1989, including the six-year hiatus she took to start her own family. As a veterinary technician, she assists in animal treatment, surgery, diagnostic radiology, specimen sampling, lab preparation and testing plus the care of our exotic patients. She also operates the in-house laboratory diagnostic equipment. Her time off is shared with her husband, two children, cockatiel Lord Greystoke, two crested geckos Krista and Crusher, and dog Bandit.

Elga

Registered Veterinary Technician

Elga is a registered veterinary technician (R.V.T.) who has been with The Links Road Animal & Bird Clinic since 1988. Her busy day in our hospital includes assisting in animal treatments and surgery, performing X-rays, and obtaining specimen sampling. She takes pride in ensuring that all of our unique exotic patients are as comfortable and relaxed as possible during their hospital stay. Elga is also responsible in overseeing the care and comfort of all of our boarding companions.
Amanda

Veterinary Technician

Amanda graduated from Seneca College’s Veterinary Technician program in 2021, and soon thereafter joined our clinic family in May. She has always had a strong affinity to rabbits, having grown up with them, igniting the flame to pursue a career in exotic medicine. She is eager to be kept on her toes, trying and learning new things about the variety of animals who fly, crawl, slither, and hop through our doors everyday. Amanda studied photography in university, which still plays an active role in her life, even integrating animals as her subjects from time to time. When she isn’t caring for our patients, she is either out enjoying a meal with friends, walking a trail, or at home with her two rabbits Opino and Clover.
Kate

Office Manager / Reception

Exotic animals have been a life-long passion for Kate. After receiving her bachelor’s degree in psychology, Kate decided to live her dream of working with exotic animals by joining our clinic family as a full-time veterinary assistant and receptionist. Kate handles customer service relations for the clinic such as answering phone calls and e-mails. She also assists our veterinarians with patients when needed. At home, Kate and her family enjoy the company of a rambunctious Jack Russell Terrier named Theo; three rabbits named Ruby, Rosie, and Little Bear; a guinea pig named Jasper; a chatty cockatiel named Cooper; a senior quaker parakeet named Chubby; four crested geckos named Mango, Peach, Banana, and Strawberry; and a Bauer’s chameleon gecko named Dill.

Caitlin

Reception

Caitlin has been a member of our clinic family since 2012. Her days at our clinic are always busy and never boring. She assists our doctors and veterinary technicians in appointments and with treatments. She enjoys working with her colleagues and feels like she has learned a lot from them. Caitlin also ensures our clinic is well-stocked with the supplies we need and that our clinic is clean and sanitized. She is always ready for whatever the day may bring! At home Caitlin has two budgies, Kanye and Keek. They love flying laps around her apartment and narrowly dodging her head for fun. She has recently adopted a senior cat named Mushroom, whose hobbies are demanding cuddles and napping in inconvenient places.

Marika

Reception

Marika is one of the newer members of our clinic family, joining us in 2021. She has always had an affinity for animals and loves the opportunity to meet clients and patients while working reception. While growing up, Marika has always had variety of pets in her family – including cats, fish, rats and chinchillas. She currently spends her time outside the clinic creating art and hanging out with her chinchilla Trixie.

Clare

Reception

Clare has always had a passion for animals and has an interest in pursuing a career in the veterinary field. She loves learning about all of the animals that come to our clinic. During her free time, Clare enjoys volunteering at the Toronto Wildlife Centre as well as hanging out with her pets and friends.

Danica

Veterinary Assistant

Animals have always had a special place in Danica’s heart. While she did not grow up with pets, Danica spent much of her time reading about animals and dreaming of helping them one day as a veterinarian. Now, as a veterinary assistant, Danica is one step closer to her dream. She enjoys learning about the ins and outs of exotic animal care, as well as cuddling with the many furry, feathered, and scaly friends that make their way through the clinic each day. In her spare time, Danica loves to read, eat delicious food, and hang out with her adorable corn snake, Baby Belle.

Janet

Veterinary Assistant

Janet graduated with her B.Sc. from McMaster University in 2022 with hopes to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. She spends her time at the clinic caring for our boarding animals and assisting the doctors and veterinary technicians as needed. Outside of work, she enjoys drawing, playing piano and relaxing with her senior cats, Alice and Danny. She resists the urge to bring more pets home every day.

Natasha

Veterinary Assistant

With a deep love for animals, it should come as no surprise that Natasha is currently in her third year of studying zoology at the University of Guelph. She credits her life-long fascination with animals to always being surrounded by them; whether it be farm, domestic or exotic. Natasha says her favourite animal changes every few months and currently the grey wolf tops her list! Natasha wants to dedicate her life to helping animals and aspires to becoming a veterinarian. She is a recent addition to our clinic family and says she learns so much every day while working alongside our doctors and veterinary technicians. In her free time, Natasha enjoys spending time with her dog Romeo, reading or working on any project she can get her hands on as she is rarely found sitting still.

Pam

Veterinary Assistant

Our veterinary assistant Pam is a graduate of Sheridan College’s Animal Care Program and she has her sights set on continuing her studies with the goal of earning her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Pam joined our clinic family in September 2020. She assists our doctors and veterinary technicians during appointments, helping them with procedures and patient care. Outside of the work she does for our clinic, Pam takes care of a most unusual quartet who are a part of her family – her turtle Oogway and her three chickens, Sugar, Isabel and Jasmine.
Rachel

Veterinary Assistant

Rachel has always been interested in exotic animals and would love to pursue a career in this field. She assists our doctors and technicians with treatments during appointments, and takes care of the boarding animals. During her free time, she enjoys traveling to different countries to experience all kinds of cultures.