Who Are We?

The formal purpose of the Grey Bruce Aboriginal Qimmiq Team is to partner with First Nation communities in Northern Ontario to improve community and animal welfare by assisting with sustainable humane dog population control. Spay and neuter services as well as vaccination against communicable diseases, parasite control and animal identification is provided to dogs in rural or remote communities. Our team members travel to northern communities with the necessary equipment and pharmaceuticals for a full service accredited spay neuter clinic once invited to do so. The Grey Bruce Aboriginal Qimmiq team is a volunteer driven registered charity.  

Many First Nation communities lack access to veterinary care because of geographical isolation. Lack of education and information about animal welfare contributes to the challenges that many rural communities in Northern Ontario experience, such as animal overpopulation, poor health, or aggression. Historically, in communities where there is a high incidence of human morbidity or mortality due to dog aggression, feral dogs are shot or culled, which are inhumane practices and do not solve the problem. 

GBAQT has developed a model whereby we first select communities to assist based on their need, and their willingness to address and to continue to address dog population control in a humane manner. Our model is geared to achieve our goals while remaining culturally sensitive and respectful to each community that we partner with. 

We offer education and advice for the development of companion animal care and control within the community. On each visit to the community there is a component of education offered to the school children on topics such as dog bite prevention, and basic animal care. Assistance with dog by law development and dog control is offered.  

During our time in Wabaseemoong Independent Nations this past September, we collaborated with students from the local high school. Some of our team members in the recovery station taught the students how to perform post-operative animal care. We were thrilled to see the students dedicated to providing compassionate care to the animals, and keen to help our team with clinical tasks. Our hope is to encourage community engagement with the educational component of our spay and neuter clinics. 

A team of 10-12 veterinarians, veterinary technicians and assistants travel to rural and remote communities throughout Northern Ontario to conduct veterinary care. Team members volunteer their time and expertise to promote the mission of GBAQT.

An annual visit to each community is planned until successful dog population control is achieved and there is continued community commitment to ensure our shared purpose. Further veterinary visits are made based on need for dog or animal population control as well as the support from the community and the availability of the team.

Dr. Linda Bolton graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1984. She has lived and

practiced in the Grey Bruce area ever since. Along with Dr. Sally Parks she became the owner of

Mullen Small Animal Clinic in 1993. She lives in the country with her husband, Russ, and a

plethora of dogs and pet chickens, turkeys and geese.

Dr. Bolton is the former Chair of the Awards Committee of the Ontario Veterinary Medical

Association, a past president of the Grey Bruce Veterinary Association, a retired St. John

Ambulance Therapy Dog Handler, and a newly retired coach for the Art of Veterinary Medicine

at the Ontario Veterinary College. She received the OVMA Award of Merit in 2009.

Starting in 2005, Dr. Bolton began a relationship with First Nation Communities in Northern Ontario and helped provide veterinary care in a number of remote communities. Dr. Bolton formed the Grey Bruce Aboriginal Qimmiq Team in 2012. Since then, GBAQT has grown into a large group of veterinarians, veterinary

technicians, and support team members, and became a registered charity in 2017. Dr. Bolton

devotes her spare time to working with communities interested in achieving successful dog population

control and coordinating the trips to these communities. Dr. Bolton is hoping that with collaboration between interested Aboriginal communities and groups like GBAQT, we can achieve success and sustainability with Aboriginal dog population control.

Gary has been an Respiratory Therapist for over 30 years. Became a RN next. Loves flying and building planes. Is a wonderful musician. Worked as an OR nurse and flight nurse in the U.S, and Fort MacMurray, then eventually made it to the Grey Bruce area and became a client of Linda's. Taught nursing at Georgian College and then Conestoga College, and has now retired to Port Dover. 

Erica graduated with a Masters of Biomedical Science in Applied Reproductive Biotechnologies from the Ontario Veterinary College in August of 2023. She pursued undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of Guelph with the hopes of pursuing a career in healthcare. Erica worked at a small animal clinic in Thunder Bay for many summers, and currently volunteers with numerous organizations that promote the welfare of animals and humans. She joined GBAQT's board of directors in the fall of 2023, and assisted with the spay and neuter clinic in Wabaseemoong Independent Nations this past September. Erica hopes to recruit new team members to help promote the mission of GBAQT.

Brianne is currently completing her degree in Animal Biology at the University of Guelph, hoping to continue her education to obtain a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. Brianne grew up in Northwestern Ontario and has always had a passion for improving access to veterinary care for members of remote communities. She has been on trips with GBAQT and looks forward to learning more about northern communities and collaborating with them. In her free time, Brianne loves exploring the outdoors, volunteering with Skate Canada and playing with her dog, Fergie.

Bianca is a long time animal welfare advocate who has been active in animal rescue leadership for the past decade. A multi-hyphenate at her core, Bianca founded an animal rescue charity based in Toronto, Canada, is the CEO of a Marketing and Communications consultancy and has spent over 8 years working in the veterinary medicine industry in varying capacities.

Bianca is passionate about supporting animals and the communities they're in. She is active in research and development surrounding sustainable One Health models that service both animals and people in marginalized and remote communities. Bianca has an affinity for old and sick animals. If she's not working, you can find her caring for her 14 animals on her farm.

Ana graduated from Georgian College's Veterinary Technician Program in 2013, and is a member of good standing with the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians. She also leads as Medical Director for an animal rescue charity based in Toronto, Canada. With over a decade working in a variety of settings in veterinary medicine, Ana has steered her focus towards advancing animal welfare and fostering community programs. Ana's passion lies with promoting the well-being of animals and strengthening connections between pets and owners. 

When not working, Ana enjoys cake baking/decorating, reading, and spending time with her husband and array of animals.

Sherrie joined our team in September of 2024 when she participated with our spay and neuter clinic in Wabaseemoong Independent Nations. She has been involved in the purebred dog world for over 30 years as a strong advocate and pet parent to Chinese Shar-Pei. Sherrie is knowledgeable in dog enrichment, care and maintenance. She has many years experience working alongside children, youth and Indigenous communities throughout Ontario. Sherrie can be appropriately described as a “helper” to the team as she enjoys doing anything and everything that will benefit an animal and/or their humans. 

Sherrie is most looking forward to working alongside Indigenous community members to assist with medical and hands on learning to care for their animals. When at home, Sherrie enjoys spending time with her family, attending dog shows to exhibit her own dogs and to learn about other dog breeds.

Karemna graduated from the University of Guelph with a major in Zoology and a minor in Neuroscience. She works as a veterinary assistant in neurology where she loves learning about the brain, the nervous system, and how they influence animal health. She has several years of experience as an undergraduate research assistant and veterinary assistant. 

She grew up on a farm surrounded by many animals. Since childhood, she has dreamed of becoming a veterinarian to cure animals, improve their health, and protect them. She enjoys learning new languages and using these skills to facilitate access to compassionate veterinary care. She is excited to be part of GBAQT, supporting access to veterinary services for Indigenous communities.

In her free time, Karemna enjoys reading, baking, practicing yoga, playing board games with friends and family, and spending time with her leopard gecko, Pico.