Our Team
Our team of experienced professionals is passionate about equine health and strives to deliver the best possible treatment to our patients and their humans.
Dr. Damita Hansen, DVM, VSMT, CVA
Dr. Hansen was born and raised in the beautiful Annapolis Valley. She was horse crazy from a young age, moving through the Pony Club to achieve her HA and finding a special interest in eventing. After graduating from the Atlantic Veterinary College in 2017, Dr. Hansen completed an internship at a large equine specialty clinic in Virginia, Blue Ridge Equine Clinic. Following this, Dr. Hansen was eager to return home. She has a special interest in preventative medicine, especially dental care. In 2020 she achieved her chiropractic certification, and in 2024 she achieved her acupuncture certification. In her downtime you can find her enjoying a glass of wine with her husband, our own Dr. Chris White, or riding her mare, Maisie. Keep a look out for Dr. Hansen's loyal truck companion, her poodle Midge, on their travels!
Dr. Kristen Pyke, DVM
Dr. Pyke was born and raised in PEI, where she grew up riding on the beach. Dr. Pyke graduated from the Atlantic Veterinary College in 2020. After graduation, she completed a 1 year internship in Langley, BC at Paton & Martin Veterinary Services. She then returned to the Maritimes where she has practiced as an equine vet in Nova Scotia since. When off duty, she enjoys barrel racing with her own horses, skiing, and spending time with her family. She has a special interest in performance horse medicine, lameness and diagnostic imaging. Dr. Pyke currently resides in Aylesford with her significant other, dogs Bo and Daisy, and horses Demi and Comet.
Dr. Chris White, DVM, ISELP Certified
Dr. White was born and raised in Central Maine. After dealing with his horse’s extensive lameness growing up, he knew he wanted to help other people with their lame horses, backyard or competition, as well. As a child he loved competing, and that flame has been reignited by helping his patients compete at their best! Dr. White attended the Atlantic Veterinary College, and completed a year-long internship at Equine Clinic at Oakencroft in Upstate New York. He returned to Southern Maine and joined TNT Equine, until he immigrated to Canada in 2021. He is married to Dr. Damita Hansen and they currently reside in Sheffield Mills. Dr. White enjoys equine ultrasonography and imaging, karaoke bars, and the wineries of the Annapolis Valley. He is a serving committee member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), and is a certified member of the International Society of Equine Locomotor Pathology (ISELP).
Kaelee Keddy, Registered Veterinary Technician
Kaelee was born and raised in the Annapolis Valley, as an active member of Canadian Pony Club achieving her B2 level and representing NS in many national events. Kaelee graduated from the Veterinarian Technician program at Dalhousie Agricultural College in 2021 and started working in small animal and emergency medicine before making the switch to Equine medicine. In her free time she enjoys riding any horse that’s offered to her and helping out on her family’s dairy farm.
Kaelee resides in Kingston with her significant other, three labs and current horses Molly and Marco.
Breanna Shearer, Veterinary Assistant
Bree was born and raised in the Annapolis Valley. Between working on her small family farm and competing in many different 4H Livestock projects as a child, she developed a deep love for all animals big and small. After completing an 18 month Veterinary Assistant program in 2021 Bree had the chance to work with horses and has never looked back. In her free time she enjoys hiking with her dogs, reading or improving her own riding skills at her favourite lesson barn.
Kira Coleman, Veterinary Assistant
Kira has always had a passion for animals, with horses holding a special place in her heart. She spent many years in Pony Club, riding to the C1 level and has been working in horse care and an equine breeding farm since she was 12 years old. Working in equine veterinary medicine allows her to combine that passion with helping care for the horses in our community. You’ll often find Kira assisting our doctors during appointments and farm calls, helping with treatments, holding horses for exams and procedures, and keeping things running smoothly for both our patients and their owners.
Allison Hennigar, Office Manager
Born and raised in Brookfield, Nova Scotia, Allison discovered her passion for horses at an early age while taking riding lessons at a local stable and through her involvement with the Brookfield 4-H Club and the Colchester Pony Club. She grew up riding and competing in the hunter ring, spending countless hours in the barn and at horse shows. At 17, she travelled to New Zealand to earn a nationally recognized NZQA Level 4 qualification in Equine Sporthorse Management, gaining invaluable hands-on experience in breeding, sport horse care, and stable operations along the way.
Returning to Canada, Allison attended the University of Guelph, where she earned a Bachelor of Bio-Resource Management with a minor in Equine Management. She later became a Registered Veterinary Technician, working in clinic, and shelter medicine before transitioning into accounting and bookkeeping.
While her career has taken her in several directions, horses have remained a constant throughout. Allison is happy to be back working in the equine industry, where she can combine her passion for horses with her veterinary and administrative experience to support both clients and the Valley Equine Clinic team.