Philosophy l Services l Team

Centre Street Animal Hospital Team

Our goal is to provide the best level of services to you and your pet. To help achieve this we have a team of dedicated professionals who continuously work at keeping their knowledge up-to-date on the latest advancements in veterinary science and product technology. We then do our best to inform you of the most current preventative, therapeutic and surgical techniques available, so that together we are able to successfully treat your pets and keep them as healthy as possible.

Lead Veterinarian - Owner
Dr. Martin Slome, DVM

Dr. Martin Slome graduated from Veterinary School in Pretoria, South Africa in June 1990 and gained his first veterinary experience working in South Africa where he ran the Police Veterinary section in Durban as a veterinary medical officer as part of his mandatory military service. Following his national service he was the manager and Veterinarian in Charge of 2 Veterinary Hospitals for the next 4 years, having worked at each hospital for 2 years before immigrating to North America in February 1995. From there, Dr. Slome travelled to Florida and spent over a year working in a clinic and a veterinary dental specialty practice before moving to Toronto in March 1996, where he was employed at an animal hospital in the Bloor West Village. A year later he opened the Centre Street Animal Hospital and has never looked back. Dr Slome is fortunate enough to have a family of animal lovers since his wife, Michelle, and their 2 boys, Ethan and Adam, all fuss over their 2 cats, Princess and Radar, and their standard Schnauzer, Jenna.

Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Sarah Hansford, DVM

Dr. Hansford was born and raised in Thornhill. To expand her interest in veterinary medicine she started volunteering in veterinary clinics 15 years ago, including Centre Street Animal Hospital where she worked for many summers while attending university. Dr. Hansford completed her Bachelor of Science at the University of Guelph before graduating from the OVC (Ontario Veterinary College) at the University of Guelph with honors in 2004. She has special interest in Avian and Exotic animals and was able to spend time at Jungle Cat World, the Bowmanville Zoo, Bowmanville Exotic Animal Hospital and the Metro Toronto Zoo (including multiple appearances on the final season of zoo diaries) prior to graduation. She spent the previous 4 years since graduation at an avian and exotic animal clinic in Toronto, and has now eagerly returned to Centre Street Animal Hospital, where she hopes to continue to expand upon her knowledge and care of these special animals. She shares her home with her husband and their small family – two cats Khia and Pixie, Trooper the incredible talking budgie, and Dobby the skinny pig.

Registered Veterinary Technician
Roy Philippsohn

Roy started working for Centre Street Animal Hospital in the summer of 2005. He graduated from the veterinary technician program at Seneca College in 2005 with honors. He has had a passion for working with animals of all sizes for a long time, from cows and horses to snakes and lovebirds. He works in the veterinary emergency field as well, where the fast pace keeps him on his toes for new advancements in animal medicine. Roy counts Corn Snakes and a variety of Rodents amongst his menagerie, much to his girlfriends’ cat’s amusement. (The rodents aren’t too happy about this though!)

Vet Tech Assistant and Administrative Assistant
Paulie Sturman

Paulie Sturman has been working at Centre Street Animal Hospital as a Vet Tech Assistant since November 1st, 2007. Paulie graduated with honors from Seneca College as a dental assistant in 1989. After several years of working as a dental assistant, she has taken a great interest in caring for animals and has been able to apply many of her skills in her position at the clinic. Paulie’s 3 daughters have also enjoyed her position at the hospital as their interests in animals have definitely intensified. Paulie’s family now includes 3 cats, Candy, Lolly and Marshmallow, Betty the Bearded Dragon and the newest addition of a budgie.

Veterinarian Technician
Julia Bitan

Julia recently graduated from the Veterinary Technician program from Seneca College. She started volunteering at the Centre Street Animal Hospital at 2007 and recently she joined the team as a full time Technician. She loves working in the lab doing a wide variety of testing, such as hematology and cytology; you can always find her looking into a microscope. Her furry family currently includes Shanty and Lhasa, 2 rats; Lucy and Kasper the cats (that came with her all the way from Israel!). Outside the hospital, Julia enjoys camping, hiking, traveling the world, painting and photography.

Registered Veterinarian Technician
Lucy Hwang
Lucy decided a few years ago that graphic design was no longer a fulfilling profession for her; she took a deep breath, unclenched her left brain, and enrolled in the Veterinary Technician program at Seneca College. It was no easy feat to swing from the creative to the sciences in one grand sweep, but Lucy is proud to say, “I did it!” Now she enjoys all aspects of caring for companion animals on a daily basis, and revels in helping to foster closer bonds between people and their chosen animal friends. Lucy has her own personal clutter of 7 cats and is very pleased to join the Centre Street Animal Hospital team, where she will strive to care for all the furry and feathered friends with the love and compassion they deserve.

Receptionist
Sarah Lapointe

Sarah has worked in the animal field for approximately 5 years and joined the team at Centre Street Animal Hospital in May 2007. She attended Ridgetown College for Veterinary Medical Office Administrations and Animal Care Worker, majoring in Wildlife Rehabilitation. Sarah spends most of her time taking care of her Siamese kittens Luke and Loralie. She loves to take trips up north to go camping or hiking. She is looking forward to the day she can have her own Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever.