Meet Your East Van Veterinary Team

Veterinarians & Founders

A smiling female healthcare professional wearing green scrubs and a stethoscope around her neck.

  • Dr. Michelle Chen is a veterinarian and co-founder at Woodland Veterinary, proudly serving the East Vancouver community she calls home.

    Her journey into veterinary medicine began at the University of British Columbia, where she earned an Honours degree in Bachelor of Science. She went on to complete her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with distinction at the University of Melbourne in 2018. Since then, she has been providing compassionate, personalised care to pets across Metro Vancouver, with special interests in general surgery and dentistry.

    Dr. Michelle is Fear Free Certified and is known for her warm, approachable style. She believes that exceptional care starts with listening and meeting pet parents where they are - fostering open, collaborative communication that helps clients feel informed, supported, and confident in their pet’s care.

    Fluent in English and Mandarin, Dr. Michelle is passionate about creating an inclusive, welcoming environment for all pet families. 

    Outside of work, you’ll find her on local trails with Blaze, her spirited Border Collie, and Dune, her gentle Golden Retriever mix, or relaxing over a good meal with family and friends.

A woman with long brown hair, wearing a green medical scrub top, a gold necklace, and a stethoscope around her neck, standing in front of a concrete wall.

  • Dr. Rebecca Burke is a veterinarian and co-founder at Woodland Veterinary. Known for her gentle, thoughtful approach, she is committed to delivering compassionate care to both pets and their people. 

    Dr. Rebecca was born and raised in Ireland. She completed her Bachelor of Science degree in her home town of Galway, followed by her degree in veterinary medicine at University College Dublin where she graduated in 2017. Dr. Rebecca is Fear Free certified and brings particular expertise in managing complex medical cases and animal behaviour.

    Her philosophy is centred on individualised, flexible care. She values open communication and takes the time to ensure pet parents feel comfortable and confident. Guided by Fear Free principles, Dr. Rebecca adapts each visit to your pet’s comfort level, working at their pace and respecting their boundaries to create a safe, positive experience.

    Dr. Rebecca is excited to create and call Woodland Veterinary her professional home - a place for collaborative compassionate care that puts patients and their families first.

    When she’s not at the clinic, she enjoys exploring the outdoors with her energetic sidekick, Watson (a Border Collie-Australian Shepherd mix), or spending time on the water kayaking with family.

Veterinary Tech

Hannah

Alex

Veterinary Assistant

Chelle

Veterinary Assistant

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions?
Take a look at the FAQs or reach out any time.

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  • Your pet is a cherished member of your family and deserves thoughtful, high-quality care. Our approach blends modern, evidence-based medicine with warmth, transparency, and respect for both pets and their people. Every visit is personalised and unrushed, with clear communication, thoughtful decision-making, and a genuine partnership in your pet’s care. 

  • We firmly believe in working with your pet, not against them. Our Fear-Free certified care team takes an adaptable, individualised approach that centers comfort and emotional well-being, allowing each visit to move at your pet’s pace. We clearly walk you through what to expect so every step feels calm and predictable.

    Are you your pet’s emotional support human? We get it. Whenever possible, we keep pets with their people and use thoughtful techniques, such as treats, praise, gentle handling, and pre-visit medications when helpful, to create a calm, reassuring experience for both of you.

    Learn more about the Fear Free approach, our Happy Visits, and our personalized Victory Visit Packages.

  • Whenever possible, we pair you with the same doctor so you and your pet can build a familiar, trusting relationship. If you have a preferred care team member, please let us know at the time of booking.

  • We are always looking for fellow pet people passionate in providing exceptional service to pets and their people. If you are interested in being a part of our care team, please reach out!

    We are accepting resumes for registered veterinary technicians, veterinary assistants, and clinic hosts.