About Us

Dr. Brent Fawcett grew up in the Comox Valley. Today he resides on a small acreage in Mission with his wife, Stef and his two kids, Will and Grace. Dr. Brent obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in biology at the University of British Columbia. He graduated from the Atlantic Veterinary College in 2003. In 2004, Dr. Brent cofounded Agwest Veterinary Group with the goal of providing a progressive bovine and equine practice for farmers and horse owners in the Fraser Valley. He enjoys providing a wide range of veterinary services in a busy private practice, but he has a particular interest in preventative health care. Within Agwest, Dr. Brent specializes in Herd Production Medicine, Farm Business Economics and Animal Care and Welfare. In addition, Dr. Brent is a director and the current president of XLVets Canada; a network of independent Canadian veterinary practices that work together collaboratively and is also a director of Proventus Agri Solutions; a national agri-business consultancy company. In his spare time, Dr. Brent enjoys mountain biking, hiking and riding/driving his Clydesdale gelding, Laddy.

Agriculture has always been a root of inspiration in Dr. Benjamin Potvin’s life. Growing up in Kentville, Nova Scotia, Dr. Ben had the opportunity to learn from an early age the ins and outs of farming while working on his family beef farm and a neighbouring dairy farm. He attended the University of Guelph to complete both his Bachelor of Science degree as well as his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine, graduating from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2017. With a love for travel, during his years of study Dr. Ben had the opportunity to work with cattle on dairy farms in three Provinces, various regions of the United States and New Zealand. Dr. Ben joined the Agwest team in 2017. He currently sits on the National Mastitis Council and plays a significant role in XLVets Canada.

Dr. Lisa McCrea grew up in rural New Brunswick and has always had a love for dairy cattle. Today she resides on an acreage in Abbotsford with her husband, Phil Hemphill, where they enjoy raising purebred Holstein cows and heifers. In 1998, Dr. Lisa graduated from the Atlantic Veterinary College and spent the next ten years practicing in large animal clinics in Orangeville and Navan, Ontario. There, she specialized in dairy production medicine and reproduction. In 2004, Dr. Lisa completed the two year Dairy Health Management Certificate Program at the Ontario Veterinary College in Guelph. She joined the Agwest team as a veterinarian and co-owner in 2007. Currently, Dr. Lisa specializes in Advanced Reproduction technologies including Embryo Transfer and In Vitro Fertilization, Herd Production Medicine, Calf Health Management and Nutrition, Cow Comfort and Lameness. Dr. Lisa is also a director and vice-president of the Canadian Embryo Transfer Association, a director of XLVets Canada and Proventus Agri Solutions. Most recently, Dr. Lisa has been appointed as the CVMA and practicing veterinarian representative to the Animal Care Technical Committee for Dairy Farmers of Canada ProAction. In her spare time, Dr. Lisa and Phil enjoy gardening, travelling, golfing and riding motorbikes.

Steve is originally from Sydney, a small town in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. After completing pre-vet studies at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College he attended the Atlantic Veterinary College in Charlottetown, graduating with Honors in 1995. Steve has been living and working in veterinary practice in Abbotsford BC since 1995 and co-founded Agwest Veterinary Group Ltd. in 2004. Particular areas of interest include sports medicine, implementing new technology into veterinary medicine, and instructing veterinary medical acupuncture internationally. In 2019 Steve became the first Certified Lameness Locator® Practitioner in Canada, and has incorporated this skill into Agwest’s expanding lameness services. Downtime finds Steve and his wife Rachael starting to explore kayaking, traveling, and watching their sons’ professional sporting events across North America.

Dr. Lauren was born and raised in Delta where she was an active member of the equestrian community. Prior to veterinary school, she completed a Bachelor of Science at the University of British Columbia with a major in Animal Biology. Dr. Lauren graduated with great distinction from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon in June 2015. After graduation, she completed a one year internship in equine medicine and surgery where she gained invaluable skills in both specialty and general equine practice. Dr. Lauren’s main veterinary interests include reproduction, sports medicine, and field surgery.

Dr. Jackie was born and raised in Chemainus on Vancouver Island. She had a love for animals from a young age, and her passion for dairy cattle and the industry was immediate when she started working at a local dairy farm after high school. She completed her Bachelor of Science at Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo, and then headed to the prairies and graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine with her DVM in 2014. Dr. Jackie worked as a mixed animal practitioner in Sundre, Alberta before returning home to the Island to work as a large animal vet in 2016. In 2019, Agwest expanded operations and opened a satellite office on the Island. Dr. Jackie joined the team as the senior vet of Island operations. Also, in 2019, she became a Certified Embryo Transfer Veterinarian and works as the sole veterinarian performing this role on the Island. Dr. Jackie grew up being involved in multiple sports and continues to play ice hockey and rugby outside of work. When not exploring the island, Dr. Jackie and her partner Bas can also be found working on projects around their home in Shawnigan Lake.

Yvonne has lived in Abbotsford all of her life. She has been involved in the agricultural community in the Fraser Valley for over 25 years, providing management services in farm equipment, dairy parlour equipment, and now in animal health services. She has 3 grown children and is a Gramma to 3 little humans. Yvonne joined Agwest in 2006 and enjoys meeting and talking to all of our clients. Her cheerful voice is likely your first point of contact for anyone calling or coming in to the clinic. Yvonne excels at the challenging task of coordinating all of our appointments spread throughout the Fraser Valley and Cowichan Bay area on Vancouver Island. Please don’t hesitate to give her a call with any questions you may have.

Stefanie joined the team at Agwest Veterinary Group in July of 2015. As Inventory Lead she cares for all of the veterinarian’s needs for medications, supplies and specialized equipment required for surgeries and complicated procedures. Stefanie has spent most of her life living in the Fraser Valley on a small hobby farm with her husband, where they care for their horses, goats, chickens and dogs. Before joining Agwest, Stefanie was a commercial truck driver for many years. In her spare time, Stefanie enjoys spending time with her horses and family.

Paige grew up in Abbotsford on her family's beef hobby farm. She attended Lakeland College in Vermilion, Alberta where she obtained her Animal Science Technology diploma. Paige joined the Agwest team in June of 2018. She enjoys assisting our vets and clients with preventative health measures for their calves. She was actively involved in the 4-H program in the Abbotsford 4-H Beef Club for 11 years. Paige has excelled at many Junior beef shows and has worked at major cattle shows throughout Western Canada. She continues to assist her dad, mom and sister on their family farm where they raise commercial steer and heifer prospects.

Emma has lived in Port Coquitlam all her life. She currently attends the University of the Fraser Valley in Abbotsford, where she is majoring in biology and working towards her Bachelor of Science. Emma’s goal is to be accepted into vet school and be a vet herself one day. When she gets some time away from studying she likes to spend her free time riding and show jumping.

All the staff pets are special, but these 3 make the team because they will greet you at the clinic door."CC' our clinic-cat, hit the jackpot a few years ago when she was abandoned at our back door. Between her heated window-bed, Christmas sweater, and eating, she is "filling-out" her role very well."Maisie", with all due respect to other K-9s, is probably the smartest dog you will meet. Dr. Ben's co-pilot on some days, and herder of the other 2 when she's in-clinic. Ask for some tricks when you come in, or teach her a new one in ~30 seconds. Just no laser pointers!"Molly"  is the senior of the group. While she won't win any math contests, she makes up for it in cuteness and companionship.

Shannon was born and raised in the Cowichan Valley and still resides there today with her husband of 24 years and her two sons. Growing up she spent a lot of time at her Uncle’s large dairy farm in Chemainus. In July 2019, Agwest expanded to a second location on Vancouver Island and Shannon joined the team as a Veterinary Assistant that October. She has been an amazing addition to the team. In her spare time, Shannon likes to curl, play ball, spend time on the water and quading in the mountains.

Jenna was born in Matsqui flats and currently resides with her husband and two cats in Mission. Jenna joined the Agwest team in December 2019. With 5 years previous experience in veterinary clinics, Jenna quickly took to her role at Agwest; she is a natural at customer service and a great fit with her teammates. In her free time, Jenna enjoys kickboxing, gardening and working on home renovations.

Theresa “Tess” Coolidge grew up on a small hobby farm in Port Coquitlam, BC where she enjoyed horse-back riding and playing with her pygmy goats. Today she resides in Maple Ridge with her husband, 3 children and the family pets. Tess joined Agwest in March 2020 to oversee the day to day operations of our busy office. Her many years of experience in leadership and business improvement has made her a valuable addition to the Agwest team. In her spare time, you will find Tess taking her dog for walks, painting or enjoying her kids’ ball hockey and soccer games.

Jenny is a born and raised 'weird horse girl'. She grew up on her family's hobby farm in Yarrow and has always had a special affinity for horses. In 2017, Jenny graduated from Kheiron College of Equine Therapy with her Diploma and title of 'Equine Performance Therapist'. You may recognize her previously from a well-known tack shop in Abbotsford where she enjoyed serving the Lower Mainland's Equestrian Community. Jenny has since found her calling at Agwest, assisting the Veterinarians on the road and in-clinic. In her spare time, she enjoys being at the barn with her horses or at home with her two dogs. Jenny exhibits a strong passion for the fine arts, creating equine-themed paintings and drawings.

Emma grew up in Chilliwack and still resides there today. She has experience as a barn assistant, equestrian vaulting coach and in customer service. Emma is a registered artistic gymnastics coach and is on the RCMP National Advisory Committee. With the wide variety in her skillsets, she has made an awesome addition to the Agwest team. In her spare time, Emma loves horseback riding.

Dr. Peter Watson was born and raised in Metchosin, a small rural community about 50 minutes from Victoria on Vancouver Island. From an early age Dr. Watson developed a passion for working with livestock from working on neighbouring farms. He completed his Bachelor of Science at the University of Victoria and then headed to Saskatchewan and the Western College of Veterinary Medicine to complete his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2019. He spent his first year of practice in mixed animal practice working with a wide variety of animals including sheep, goats, beef and dairy cows, horses, production and pet swine, poultry and dogs and cats. He loves treating all creatures big and small and excitedly joined the Agwest team in 2020. He has a special interest in small ruminants and helped create the Canadian Small Ruminant Veterinarians group in 2020. In his spare time, Dr. Watson likes to hike with his girlfriend and their dog, play hockey and woodwork.

Shae grew up on a farm in rural Ontario with her many animals including a pig, 3 horses and 2 dogs. With her strong love of animals Shae knew she would pursue a career in Veterinary Medicine. In 2019 Shae graduated from Seneca College in Ontario with a Veterinary Technician Diploma. To start her career Shae moved out to BC in April of 2019 and moved to the Sunshine Coast. She is now making the switch into Large Animal Medicine and moving to Mission with her 2 cats Rousey and Verlander.