Meet Our Team

Michael Lavroff Biography:

I was born in Turkey, raised in the Netherlands (where I met my wife as a toddler) and immigrated to Canada when I was 14 years old. I wanted to be a veterinarian from the age of about 12 because it always intrigued me how someone could determine what was wrong with an animal and then turn around and fix the problem! It always seemed to me to be a great way to use your hands and mind in a creative and constructive way. I graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon, SK in 1985 at the tender age of 23. My first job was in Langley where I spent 3 ½ years working with small animals, farm animals, and horses. This gave me a broad range of experience from which I still draw on a regular basis. In 1989, my family and I moved to Kelowna where, initially, I worked with horses as well as small animals. The small animal clinic at that time was called Central Valley Veterinary Clinic. After our family started to grow, it became apparent that, if I were going to have any kind of family life, I would have to discontinue trying to do the horse practice as well. Consequently, I chose to sell my interest in the horse practice and started concentrating on the small animals in 1992. In December of 1998, the practice moved from the old Springfield Rd. location to the (then) brand new Petcetera Store on Harvey Avenue. The name of the clinic was changed to "Vetcetera Pet Hospital, Kelowna, owned and operated by Central Valley Veterinary Clinic, Inc.". We kept the Central Valley designation so as not to lose our identity completely within the Petcetera conglomerate. The years at Petcetera had their ups and downs. On the upside, due to the central and high-profile location, the practice more than doubled its clientele during those years; on the downside, we totally outgrew our space the last few years to the point where we gradually all suffered from "crowding stress". The decision to move the practice became easy in the end since, for all the staff's mental well being, we just had to have more space! With no exception, we are all very excited about the move to North Glenmore. The area is a very beautiful part of Kelowna with lots of growth. We have gone back to the name "Central Valley Veterinary" but have changed the designation to "Hospital" instead of "Clinic" to reflect the larger size and scope of the practice. The hospital is more than twice the size of our Petcetera location and I've been able to design it all myself. We have windows, a park next door and some personal space as well! For me, personally, it's like coming home as my family has resided in the area for the last 16 years so it's got a real "homey" feel to it. I expect all the staff and clients to be very happy. On a personal level, life is very full and exciting. Last year, my wife Janine and I had a surprise new arrival in our family-a new baby girl by the name of Naomi! We are having a blast with her! Never the less, between the toddler, three teenagers (Alex, Olivia, and Robyn) and the new practice opening, it's been an extremely busy year! Unfortunately, we lost both our lovely Golden Retrievers to cancer during the past year as well. Hopefully 2007 will be a year to re-balance, enjoy my family and enjoy the new practice. Finally, it is my goal for this veterinary hospital that your pets and their people will be treated as God would have us treat them, with dignity and compassion. We want to treat your pet as a valued family member and help you take the best possible care of it. At the same time, we all want to enjoy ourselves while we're doing that! Look forward to seeing you and your best friend the next time you need us! Dr. Michael Lavroff, founder of Central Valley Veterinary Hospital Inc.

Kathy Rasmussen Biography:

I grew up on a small hobby farm in Lyndyn, Washington, just south the B.C. border. Throughout my childhood we had a wide variety of pets and livestock, giving me lots of opportunity to play and work outside. By the time I was in second grade, I remember knowing I wanted to be a veterinarian. After high school I spent four years at Dordt College, an excellent small liberal arts college in Sioux Center, Iowa. There I received my biology degree and lots of great life experience and perspective on what my life might be about. I also spent may hours voluteering with a group of local vets-- a requirement before applying to vet school. That practice dealt primarily with feedlots but also some hog and dairy farms. During my senior year spring break, the student work project I went on worked at an inner city mission in Chicago. While there I met John Gerrits, the seminary intern (originally from Nova Scotia) who was coordinating these job projects. Thus began a four year long distance relationship as he finished his final year of seminary and then began work in a church in rural eastern Ontario, and I entered vet school. From 1988-1992 I attended Washington State University Veterinary College in Pullman. The summer after I graduated John and I were married and I moved to Eastern Ontario to join him. I began working in a small animal clinic in Morrisburg and spent the next six years there. During that time we enjoyed the small community atmosphere, the incredible history of that area along the St. Lawrence River, and being 45 minutes south of Ottawa and all that had to offer. Our son, Caleb was born during that time as well. In 1998 we moved to Kelowna after John accepted a call to a church here. During our time in Kelowna we have also had a daughter, Kevlyn. Our pet population now stands at a dog named "Cassie," a cat named "Yahoo," and several various fish. Our hobbies generally involve camping, hiking and being outside in our garden/yard as much as possible. Since being in Kelowna, I have had the priviledge of working with Dr.Mike Lavroff and "the gang." My "work family" has been constantly supportive and encouraging, challenging me to grow and learn. It's wonderful working in such a team environment. I'm so glad to have the opportunity to be part of the lives of our patients and their families.

Geri Reimer Biography:

I grew up on a farm in Vernon, B.C. I was very involved in the equestrian side of the farm and showed my horses in the hunter jumper side of things throughout Washington, B.C. and Alberta. I continued riding through out my education. First moving myself and my horse to Vancouver where I started my degree in agriculture  at UBC. I was then accepted to Veterinary medicine.
I then made the long trip out to Saskatchewan with my horse at the time (Riley). In 1994 I got my degree in Veterinary medicine from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan. I then moved on to a one year internship specializing in Equine medicine and surgery. Following this I moved back home to Kelowna where I joined a mixed companion animal and equine practice. I practiced there for 5 years then decided to move out on my own and start my own practice. I continued along this path and discovered my love and interest in small animal surgery and diagnostic ultrasound.
I continued to increase my knowledge in these areas then decided to join the team at Fairfield Animal Hospital so I could concentrate on my special interests and skills. In addition to Veterinary Medicine I have a love for physical activity and nutrition.  I enjoy running, biking, swimming and body building. I also enjoy relaxing by doing gardening and landscaping. A new recent interest of mine is developing my skills in photography.
For the last 2 years I have been doing veterinary locum work in the Okanagan and lower mainland but miss the regular clients and ability to follow up on my cases. I also missed the team approach to veterinary medicine.  I am excited to join the team at Central Valley Veterinary Hospital. I am excited to continue providing my skills of diagnostic ultrasound to clients and am very excited to be part of a team again. I look forward to meeting all of you soon.