Our Bellevue Team

Dr. Shelagh Hislop has been a part of Bellevue since 1992 after her Biochemistry degree at the U. of Calgary, then veterinary degree, with distinction, from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon. Her love for animals, people, and science are what called her to veterinary medicine as a career. Her special interest areas are dentistry and soft tissue surgery, and she loves opportunities to learn about new treatments and techniques. Shelagh has an everchanging array of 4-legged family members, and keeps trying to teach herself piano. Also, she runs (slowly), reads, and tries to grow food.

Dr. Jeff Dahl started working with us in May 2000 immediately after his graduation from Western College of Veterinary Medicine. Jeff originates from the Victoria area and was glad to return to the Island from his veterinary training in Saskatoon where he obtained extra experience while working 2 summers in the department of radiology. We're sure he was born with veterinary medicine in his genes because both of his parents were veterinarians too! Jeff works full time in the clinic while he and his wife, Denise, are raising two young boys, 2 cats (Margaret and Maisy), and Lily the Labrador.

Dr. Natacha Lesage started her work with us in March 2006. She graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon in 2002. Prior to her work here, she had practiced veterinary medicine in Oregon and also in England, as she and her husband traveled in Europe. Dr. Lesage has a very gentle nature and thus has a calming influence on our four-legged patients and their owners. Natacha is in the clinic 3 days/week, while she and her husband, David, are raising two boys, and their canine child, Rocky.

Dr. Jessica Paravicini has been working with us since 2020.  She grew up in Qualicum Beach and attended Vancouver Island University where she completed a degree in Biology. She then moved to Saskatoon to attend the Western College of Veterinary Medicine and graduated with great distinction. She returned to Vancouver Island to practice at a small animal hospital in Port Alberni before coming to our team at Bellevue. Dr. Paravicini is a compassionate person who strives to provide high quality medicine to her patients. Her interests include preventative medicine and dentistry. When not at work she spends time with her husband, her 2 young children, her dog and horse. If there is any spare time, she enjoys gardening, reading and horseback riding.

Jen is a Registered Veterinary Technologist (RVT). She graduated from Olds College in 2002, and has been a valuable part of our patient care team ever since. Jen was born & raised in Oceanside, and now has kids of her own growing up in our beautiful community. She loves to camp & hike, especially with family, and her young labrador, Nova.

Gwyneth, a Registered Veterinary Technologist (RVT), graduated from the Animal Health Technology course at Thompson Rivers University in 1995. She spent most of the following 20 years working with marine mammals and exotics as a technologist and trainer. Many of those years were at the Vancouver Aquarium, but also included 3 years at a facility (Fjord & Baelt Centre) in a small town in Denmark. Gwyneth met her husband, a Research Biologist, while working at the Aquarium. They married in 2007 and were thrilled to welcome sons over the following years. Gwyneth joined the Bellevue team in July 2015 and we are thrilled she is working with us, and small (land) animals again!

Alexandra joined our team in November 2019. She started at our front desk, but now assists everywhere in the clinic! She has always been very fond of animals and has future plans to further her skills and abilities in this field. She currently shares her home with two large mixed breed Labradors and two domestic short haired
cats. Alexandra spends most of her free time outdoors adventuring Vancouver Island by either hiking or 4×4. She enjoys the beautiful place we live and plans to see as much as she can.

Krisie is from Alberta and is one of our vet assistants, who also helps at the reception desk as well. She joined our team in 2023.  She loves all animals, especially dogs, and is a fur momma to a staffy named “ Boss”, and a border heeler named “Woodzy”.  In her spare time  she enjoys adventuring around this amazing island, that she is happy to now call home.

 Kelsey has been working as an assistant to our RVTs & vets since May 2023. Prior to that she was working mainly in pet grooming and dog training. In her free time she enjoys camping, hiking, and having fires with her boyfriend, friends, and Mexican rescue puppy, Maya. She loves animals and is very excited to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.

Maggie joined our reception/assistant team in April of 2023. She was born and raised on Vancouver Island and shares her home with her two dogs and two cats. Maggie has always had a passion for helping animals and plans to further her education in this field. When she is not at work, she enjoys hiking, camping, off roading and traveling.

Stew joined the Bellevue team in the fall of 2021.  Since then, he’s been helping manage ordering, receiving, and inventory. He loves music, the Calgary Flames, walking in the forest, and spending time with family (especially his 2 daughters).