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Our Veterinarians 

Dr. Emilia Vieira 

Dr. Vieira completed her veterinary degree at the Universidade de Cuiabá, Brazil in 2005. She spent her first year working in a microbiology lab, as a veterinarian in small animal practice and as a quality control officer in animal production food safety. The following year, she moved to the Gold Coast, Australia to learn English and expand her career in shelter medicine at the Animal Welfare League. 

In 2010, she relocated to Canada and completed the VSTEP program at the University of Guelph. Dr. Vieira worked alongside Dr. Staples for 6 years, learning and sowing into the Staples community. In 2016, Dr. Vieira became the owner of Staples Animal Hospital and has been the heart of the Staples team ever since.

In her professional career, Dr. Vieira is passionate about ophthalmology and internal medicine. Outside of the office, she shares her life with her husband, and two daughters who keep her busy! She enjoys going on walks with Bella, her shih-tzu, working-out, rowing and playing volley-ball. If you couldn’t guess from her previous travels, she loves exploring new countries and cultures!

Dr. Lilia Wang

Dr. Wang began her journey in veterinary medicine at the University Julio de Mesquita Filho in Jaboticabal, Brazil. After graduating in 2000, Dr. Wang started her career at Vetmasters Veterinary Clinic in São Paulo, Brazil where she worked exclusively with cats for 12 years. In 2012, with the opportunity to move to Montreal, Quebec, Dr. Wang stepped into a new role as Clinical Research Coordinator in Cardiac Electrophysiology at the McGill University Health Center (MUHC). 
 
After several years in research, her love for clinical care brought her to complete a mentorship under Dr. Vieira at Staples Animal Hospital while she fulfilled her Canadian veterinary certifications. In December 2020, Dr. Wang officially joined the practice and has been a tremendous addition to the team. Dr. Wang is a certified Cat Friendly Veterinarian with the Feline Veterinary Medical Association, and is a Fear Free Certified Practitioner. She is currently studying to pursue the American Feline Board Certification to become a Board Certified Feline Specialist.
 
Dr. Wang shares her home with her two beloved feline companions, Pipoca and Fuba. She is a world traveller, fluent in English, French and Portuguese!

Dr. Colin DuPlessis

After completing his veterinary degree at The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh, Scotland, Dr. DuPlessis returned to his hometown of London, Ontario to begin his career in veterinary medicine.


Since joining the practice in 2021, Dr. DuPlessis has become a valued member of the team. He has a strong interest in surgery and dentistry, and a special place in his heart for large and often misunderstood dogs.


Dr. DuPlessis is a Fear Free Certified Practitioner.



Outside of the clinic, he enjoys spending time outdoors year-round and lacing up his skates for a game of hockey when the weather turns cold. At home, he shares life with his cat Lincoln — a "foster fail" who's found his forever spot.


Dr. Michelle Barboza

In 2005, Dr. Barboza graduated with a degree in veterinary medicine from the University of Santo Amaro (UNISA). She developed her passion for veterinary ophthalmology through internships and mentoring at a veterinary hospital in Brazil.
 
She obtained a Master of Science with an emphasis in veterinary ophthalmology in 2010 from the University of Sao Paulo (FMVZ-USP). In 2015, she completed her Doctorate in ophthalmology through the ophthalmology department at the same university. During her studies, Dr. Barboza worked exclusively in veterinary ophthalmology at renowned hospitals in Sao Paulo, where she performed ocular ultrasounds and various medical and surgical interventions. Dr. Barboza is primarily interested in ocular surface diseases, cornea, and retina. 
 
Dr. Barboza is a member of the International Society of Veterinary Ophthalmology (ISVO). In 2023, she completed a Basic Science Course in Veterinary and Comparative Ophthalmology from the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) hosted by UC Davis to pursue her veterinary ophthalmology board certificate overseas.

Our Team 

Our Customer Care Team 

Our customer care team are the friendly faces you will meet when you visit us at Staples Animal Hospital. From co-op students who have graduated into permanent roles, to our skilled veterinary assistants and office administrators, our customer care team is made up of diverse professionals all passionate about animal care.

Our customer service representatives play an integral role to the proper functioning of the clinic, often stepping into patient care and completing general housekeeping duties. We are grateful to the customer care team for creating a safe and welcoming environment to all our clients and their furry companions.  

Our Veterinary Technicians

Our veterinary technician team is made up of six Veterinary Technicians, each bringing a unique skill set and years of experience to the Staples family. 


Their clinical education and practical experience offer a great deal to the hospital setting. From performing blood draws to monitoring and assisting in surgical anesthetics, from completing radiographs to cytology and laboratory testing. Technicians are further trained in nutrition and weight management, prevention and control of zoonotic disease, animal behaviour and training, breeding and neonatal care, as well as, intensive and emergency care. We are fortunate to have a well-rounded team of technicians who are strong animal advocates in the Staples community.