Our team
Practice Owner, Companion Animal & Equine Veterinarian
Paula Dupuy DVM, CCRV
Dr. Paula grew up right here in Flamborough, Ontario. At a young age her family moved to a farm in Valens and bought their first horse. Since then she cannot remember a life without horses. Paula graduated from Hillfield-Strathallan College in 1984 and began her post-secondary education at McGill University. She then transferred to the University of Guelph completing a Bachelor of Science degree in 1988 and received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1992.
Dr. Paula's greatest professional accomplishment is the building of Troy Veterinary Services, which has now grown into Troy Equine Services and Troy Animal Hospital. Her goal was always to provide personalized compassionate care and she believes staying true to this practice model has been the key to our success. She feels that the veterinarians and support staff that have joined the team, who have been committed to this same mission, have made this practice much greater than she could ever have done on her own. Outside of work Paula approaches other aspects of life with the same enthusiasm. As a wife and mother, she is dedicated to her family and enjoys boating, music, and of course, horses during any extra time that she may have! Paula is a long time member of the Wellington-Waterloo Hunt Club and mid-life she realized a lifelong dream and took up the sport of eventing. She has had some great success with her crossbred stallion Madhatter and enjoys every moment of training and competing in this very intense sport.
Equine Veterinarian
Stephanie Whalen, DVM
Dr. Stephanie Whalen grew up near Belleville, Ontario on a small hobby farm where she learned to ride and drive her horses. These were fond memories that turned into a passion for equine care. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Bio-Medical Sciences at the University of Guelph in 2009. Stephanie went on to attend the Ontario Veterinary College, graduating in 2013. She then completed an equine internship at Waller Equine Hospital in Texas, USA. There she was exposed to all aspects of equine medicine including emergency care, general and referral surgery, preventive care, dentistry, lameness, and reproduction. She has a special interest in ophthalmology cases. When Stephanie is not at the clinic or on the road she most enjoys spending time with her family to recharge, either cooking, gardening, or hiking.
Equine Veterinarian
Cristina Lopez de Arbina, DVM
Dr. Cristina grew up in San Sebastian, a small coastal town in the North of Spain. She began riding horses at 7 years old and was show jumping by the age of 12. Later she stopped riding to focus on her career goals and once she was in veterinary school, realized equine medicine was her calling. In 2014 Cristina graduated from the veterinary school Alfonso X el Sabio University in Madrid. She went on to complete a Postgraduate Diploma in Equine Medicine by 2016, with a special interest in gastrointestinal pathology in neonatal foals. Cristina has accomplished many equine internships in Spain and France, as well as externships at equine hospitals in England. She believes the most important lesson of her career thus far has been learning to adapt and thrive in different working environments, using new approaches to assist in the way she practices. Cristina hopes to one day go back to riding horses and eventually owning one. She loves to travel to exotic destinations, but at home she spends her time outdoors hiking, running and camping, or hanging with her rescue cats, Asha, Awesome, and Amiri.
Equine Veterinarian
Olivia Cotnam, DVM
Olivia grew up in Carleton Place, Ontario. Starting life with a big orange cat by her side, Olivia has loved animals from the start! She began riding as a child and was able to explore local dressage, hunter, and hunter paces with her beloved horse, Siesta. During her undergraduate degree in Marine and Freshwater Biology at the University of Guelph, she was lucky to work with animals of all kinds, from orphaned raccoons, to turtles, to non-releasable raptors, to sea urchins. Throughout these experiences, her love of horses shone through. Bringing Siesta to live with her in Guelph reconnected Olivia to the horse world and inspired her to become an equine veterinarian. After graduating from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2024, Olivia completed an internship in Calgary, Alberta at Burwash Equine Services. There, she grew her knowledge and skills in general and referral equine practice from podiatry to emergency medicine to neonatology. Olivia especially loves ophthalmology and expanding her skills in lameness diagnosis and treatment. When she’s not working, Olivia enjoys spending time with her partner, their cats, Echo and Flora, and her horse, Siesta, as well as hiking, birding, cooking, and catching up with her friends.
Equine Veterinary Assistant
Hunter Laskowski
Hunter grew up in Burlington, Ontario and spent lots of time at her grandparents’ farm in Puslinch. She was born into the horse world, and found herself spending lots of time in the saddle as a child, which eventually led to her getting her own pony, Sonic. Hunter attended M. M. Robinson High School graduating with honours in 2021. After high school she has taken on several personal sales horses, riding client horses, as well as running her small gourmet horse treat business, Spoiled Dapples. Hunter later gained professional experience at a barn in Waterloo spearheading the training and sales of horses in their program. Outside of the clinic, you can find her and Sonic training for horse shows or goofing around. In addition to showing, Hunter has a passion for foxhunting and is a long-time member and Whipper-In for the Wellington-Waterloo Hunt Club. Outside of the barn she enjoys hiking and spending time with her dogs, Fairy and Sam.
Equine Veterinary Technician
Taylor Price, RVT
Taylor was born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario and developed an interest in horses at a very young age during the classic ‘birthday party pony ride’. She began taking lessons at a local barn at only 6 years old. This love for horses grew until she decided to pursue her Veterinary Technician Diploma after achieving a Bachelor of Arts from Wilfrid Laurier University. Taylor graduated from the University of Guelph, Ridgetown campus with her Veterinary Technician Diploma in 2019 and became a registered Veterinary Technician March 2020. She went on to complete a 6 week externship in Lexington, Kentucky at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital. She shadowed an incredible team of veterinarians and technicians with a heavy focus on reproduction, where she learned how to work with foals, and this became one of her favourite parts of the job. Taylor currently rides English with a background of riding and showing hunters, however she would love to try something new and start learning more western style disciplines! Taylor also hopes to one day rescue a horse in need. When Taylor is not in the clinic or on the road she is spending time with her American Bulldog, Dash or trying new restaurants, especially during patio season!
Equine Veterinary Technician
Brooke Hunter
Brooke grew up right here in Troy, Ontario! Her family has bred and raised halter showed Belgians ever since she could remember and Brooke had no doubt that horses would be her passion too. She began her professional equine career journey right here at Troy Equine Services in 2022, where she completed a high-school coop. From there she attended the University of Guelph: Ridgetown Campus, achieving her Veterinary Technician diploma as of June 2025. During her time at Ridgetown, Brooke developed a strong passion for the surgery and the skill of anesthesia while completing an internship at King Animal Hospital.
Outside of the practice you can find Brooke spending time with her cat, Chinchilla, working her own Belgian colt, Quinn, and working on her creative outlet by drawing, reading, travelling and riding!
Practice Manager
Madeleine Ehlert
Madeleine grew up right around the corner from our clinic, in Sheffield, Ontario. From a very young age she completely adored all the horses in the neighbouring pastures, and committed to her love of the 4-legged animal by completing a Bachelor of Bio-Resource Management, Equine Major at the University of Guelph. Madeleine’s one true passion is improving the reach and access to education in the Equine Industry. She does her best to keep updated with current research, new findings, and taking extra courses and certifications in the equine world. Away from the clinic, you can find her going on hikes with her dogs, or daydreaming about all the new and exciting places she will travel!