North Yonge Veterinary Hospital: An Animal Hospital in Newmarket, ON Since 1992

Raised in Toronto, Dr. Gary Arzem has been practicing veterinary medicine for more than 25 years. His special interests and training include internal medicine, ultrasound, ophthalmology, cardiology, surgery, emergency medicine and preventative medicine. For years, his dream was to run a full-service animal hospital for pets, meeting all their veterinary healthcare needs and providing exceptional client service.

Dr. Arzem has realized that dream at North Yonge Veterinary Hospital. He strives to meet every patient’s unique needs and works hard to explain to clients every aspect of their pet’s care. He is passionate about preventative medicine as well as progressive treatment and surgery. He enjoys his relationships with his clients and loves informing them on the various details of pet health care that ensure every pet enjoys a healthy and happy life.

When he is not taking care of his patients, Dr. Arzem enjoys spending time with his family outdoors. His interests include travel, baseball and golf. He admits the music is a passion he couldn’t live without. A veterinarian who has dedicated his life to taking care of animals, he is especially proud when clients refer friends and family to his practice due to the excellent and thorough care their pets receive and the superior service his staff offers at North Yonge Veterinary Hospital.

Dr. Hansford completed her Bachelor of Science at the University of Guelph before graduating from the Ontario Veterinary College with her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2004. She has a special interest in avian and exotic animals and, before graduation, enjoyed spending time at Jungle Cat World, the Bowmanville Zoo and the Metro Toronto Zoo. Since then, she has continued to expand her knowledge base through work at various exotic hospitals.

While Dr. Hansford loves all species of animals, she has devoted extra time to studying exotic pets including rabbits, guinea pigs, skinny pigs, ferrets, hamsters, rats and other small furry pets. But in her heart, she is a cat person. Growing up surrounded by cats, she developed a particular understanding and affinity for felines. She has dedicated considerable time learning about cats, and she strives to bring them as many medical and surgical options as her canine patients.

Dr. Hansford believes the best patient care is a two-way street. She works hard to ensure all her clients feel comfortable talking honestly about their pets, and at the same time, aims to share her medical knowledge and advice as honestly and openly as possible. She loves working with a family to make sure their pet—whether it’s a tiny hamster or a huge Great Dane—enjoys a happy and fulfilling life.

Outside of work, Dr. Hansford enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons, often exploring the outdoors. Although the menagerie often changes, she currently shares her home with Pixie, her opinionated cat, a Beta fish named Isa and a corn snake named Marlowe. At home and the clinic, Dr. Hansford believes there’s nothing more important than the loving relationship between a family and their pet.

Melissa grew up in York Region and graduated from the University of Guelph with a Bachelor of Science, Honors Major in Zoology. She went on to graduate with Honors from the Veterinary Technician Program at Seneca College.

She has had extensive volunteer experience, including several veterinary hospitals, assisting Veterinarians to assess sled dogs in Haliburton, On. as well as working with veterinarians in Taipei, Taiwan with veterinary care for stray dogs. Melissa was also an Orientation volunteer at The University of Guelph for three consecutive years, assisting new university students and coordinating orientation activities.

Melissa loves helping clients and pets feel comfortable when they are at North Yonge. She is known for having a cheery and bubbly demeanour. She likes to take time with clients to thoroughly explain to them each pet’s veterinary care and treatments. She is also known around the clinic as a “techy” and helps with any technical issues that arise.

Melissa has special interests in pathology, parasitology, internal medicine, pharmacology and preventative medicine/ wellness.

Melissa has several pets, including her two guinea pigs and her dog, Tika. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, baking, painting, pottery, and watching movies. As well, Melissa can understand and speak basic Mandarin.

*Accredited by the College of Veterinarians of Ontario