Our group consist of dedicated professionals, each bringing their unique expertise and passion to the field of veterinary cardiology. We have two of only 25 board-certified specialists in veterinary cardiology in Canada. Our mission is to advance veterinary medicine through cutting-edge research, exceptional clinical practice, and comprehensive education. Meet the esteemed members of our team who are committed to improving the health and well-being of companion animals.
Contents
Faculty
Dr. Sonja Fonfara
Associate Professor – DVM, Dr med vet, PhD, Docent, PGCertHE, CertVC, Diplomate ECVIM (Cardiology)
Dr. Sonja Fonfara is a board-certified specialist in companion animal cardiology from the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. She graduated from the University of Veterinary Medicine in Hannover and subsequently obtained a doctoral thesis in Veterinary Pathology at the Jestus Liebig University of Giessen. Following several years in a first opinion practice, where she discovered her passion for cardiology, Dr. Fonfara initially pursued a postdoctoral research project in marine mammal immunology at the GKSS Research Centre and the University of Kiel.
She moved to the UK to undertake an internship and a residency in veterinary cardiology at the Small Animal Teaching Hospital at the University of Liverpool. Her academic journey includes roles as a lecturer and senior lecturer at the Universities of Liverpool and Bristol, earning a PhD, and receiving a docent in Small Animal Cardiology at the University of Helsinki. Dr. Fonfara joined the University of Guelph’s team in February 2016. Dr Fonfara’s commitment to veterinary cardiology and her dedication to feline health is indicated by her position as Chair in Feline Health.
Research Interests
Dr. Fonfara’s primary research interest is cardiac remodelling, particularly the influence of sex, age, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy on the hearts of cats.
She collaborates closely with Dr. Caswell, Department of Pathobiology at the OVC, Dr. Kipar, Institute of Veterinary Pathology, and Dr. Baron Toaldo, Small Animal Hospital, both University of Zurich. Further collaborations include Dr. Powell, Department of Psychology, Dr. Li, School of Engineering, both the University of Guelph and Dr. Casamian Sorrosal from the University of Valencia.
Ongoing Research Projects
Dr. Fonfara’s research is supported by NSERC and OVC Pet Trust, and includes the following projects:
- MicroRNA profiles as determinants of clinical and pathological outcomes in feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (supported by NSERC and OVC Pet Trust; collaboration with the University of Zurich)
- The influence of age, sex, and HCM on myocardial gene activation, cardiac structure and function in cats (supported by NSERC and OVC Pet Trust; collaboration with the University of Zurich)
- Novel circulating markers for feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (supported by OVC Pet Trust)
- Pathogenesis of feline cardiomyopathies (collaboration with the University of Zurich)
- The influence of diabetes mellitus on the cardiovascular system (DVSc project of Dr Urbanschitz)
- Cardiac function in seat turtles (DVSc project of Dr Yan; collaboration with the University of Valencia)
Dr. Fonfara is committed to advancing the knowledge of cardiac diseases in companion animals through her extensive research work.
Dr. Shari Raheb
Assistant Professor – BSc, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology)
Dr. Shari Raheb graduated from the University of Guelph with a BSc in Biology and then went on to complete her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island. After an internship at OVC, followed by a DVSc and clinical residency in Cardiology, Shari became board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) in Cardiology in 2019. In 2020, Dr. Raheb joined OVC as an Assistant Professor teaching veterinary Cardiology to DVM students. Dr. Raheb’’s research interests are canine and feline cardiomyopathies, and the use of cardiac biomarkers and advanced echocardiographic techniques in veterinary medicine.
Cardiology Residents
Dr. James Yan
BSc, DVM
Dr. James Yan obtained his BSc in Biology from the University of British Columbia in 2017 and his DVM from the University of Saskatchewan (Western College of Veterinary Medicine) in 2021. Following a rotating internship at the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) from 2021-2022, Dr. Yan began his residency at OVC in 2022. His research interests include cardiac assessments of wildlife and zoological species, with his current research focusing on the cardiac assessment of Loggerhead sea turtles with decompression sickness following accidental fisheries bycatch in the Mediterranean Sea.
Dr. Tobias Urbanschitz
DVM
Dr. Tobias Urbanschitz earned his veterinary degree from the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna, Austria, graduating in 2017. He is currently completing his doctoral degree at the same university. Dr. Urbanschitz has worked in private practice in Austria and Germany and completed a specialty internship in internal medicine at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna. He joined the OVC in August 2023 as a resident. His previous research focused on endocrine diseases in small animals, with his doctoral thesis examining diabetes mellitus in dogs. At OVC, his current research investigates the effects of diabetes mellitus on the cardiovascular system.
Veterinary Technician
Deborah A. Kingston
RVT
From her earliest years, Deborah has always loved caring for animals so there was never any doubt that she would one day work with dogs and cats, all beloved family pets. Deborah graduated from St. Clair College with a diploma in Veterinary Technician and subsequently passed the Professional Exam to become a Registered Veterinary Technician. Her career as an RVT has spanned private practice in both small and large animal care and emergency medicine. Before employment with the University of Guelph, Deborah worked with the Cardiovascular Group at Toronto General Hospital and Sick Kids, working in the development of endoluminal grafts in humans for coronary bypass and arterial aneurisms. At the Ontario Veterinary College, her roles have included specialized positions in radiology, clinical studies, oncology, and currently cardiology. In her leisure time, Debbie enjoys activities with her three-year-old chocolate Labrador, Phoebe, including obedience training, rally, tricks classes, and agility. She also plays acoustic guitar, hikes, travels, cycles, and spends time with her family.
Research Students
Dr. Verena Peres de Thomaz
DVM
Dr. Verena Peres de Thomaz graduated with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University Anhembi Morumbi, Brazil, in 2009. She further specialized in Anesthesiology at the University of Jaguariuna, Brazil, in 2014, and in Echocardiography at Ecos Ensino, Brazil, in 2022. Dr. Thomaz is currently researching the contribution of left ventricular strain in identifying cardiac dysfunction in dogs consuming pulse-inclusive grain-free diets. Her interests lie in advanced echocardiography techniques.
Ritu Verma
BSc, MS
Ritu Verma holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Science and a Master’s degree in Science. She is currently a Ph.D. student in the Department of Pathobiology, where she is researching the influence of age and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy on gene transcription and miRNA profiles in feline hearts. In her free time, Ritu enjoys reading, dancing, and biking.
Megan Allan
BSc
Megan Allan holds a BSc in Biochemistry and is currently pursuing an MSc in Clinical Studies. Her research focuses on studying the effect of age and sex on healthy feline myocardial gene expression.
Arghavan Tajoddini
PharmD
Arghavan Tajoddini attended Tehran University of Medical sciences in Doctor of pharmacy degree and now is in her final year of bachelor in science in animal biology with a minor in nutrition. Arghavan is involved in a research project focused on improving communication with pet owners regarding the cardiovascular health of their pets. She has a keen intrest in small animal surgery, oncology, public health, and cardiology. She spends her free time swimming, hiking, skiing, or playing the piano.
