Our team – Biographies
Meet the people who answer your phone calls, emails and text messages, and who then arrive at your home and farm to help care for your pets!
Dr. Tyler Stitt, DVM, MPH&TM, BSc
A Yukoner by birth, Dr. Stitt completed high school at Dover Bay Secondary School in Nanaimo, BC. He and his sister learned to ride horses under the instruction of Jennifer Payne at Pyramid Stables; it was from this that Dr. Stitt met Dr. Bettina Bobsein and gained his first exposure to equine veterinary medicine.
Following high-school, Dr. Stitt moved to Saskatoon to pursue a BSc from the University of Saskatchewan. Here, he worked with the wildlife veterinarians at the Canadian Cooperative Health Centre on projects as diverse as Chronic Wasting Disease Surveillance, West Nile Virus Surveillance, and Ranavirus in amphibians. Although Veterinary Medicine was his goal, Dr. Stitt completed an MPH&TM (Masters in Public Health and Tropical Medicine) from James Cook University in Townsville, Australia between completing his BSc and DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon. in 2008, Dr. Stitt and his family returned to Nanaimo to pursue human-animal population health research at the Centre for Coastal Health (CCH). In 2011, Dr. Stitt opened Winchelsea Veterinary Services.
Dr. Stitt has varied interests, from art and photography (and now, stop motion animations), to enjoying the outdoors and travel with his family. When the Centre for Coastal Health (CCH) closed in 2025 after nearly 30 years in operation, Dr. Stitt committed his professional time to Winchelsea Veterinary Services (WVS).
Behind the name:
DVM – Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Saskatoon SK, CA; 2008
MPH&TM – Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Townsville Qld, AU; 2004
BSc – Bachelor of Science Honors, Saskatoon SK, CA; 2002
Dr. Aziz Gappan
Dr. Gappan is a highly experienced equine reproduction veterinarian with a master’s degree from Hama University, Syria, and a Doctorate from Al-Baath University, Syria. He has over a decade of diverse experience in equine reproduction and health care from his work in Syria and Saudi Arabia. In 2023, Dr. Gappan and his family moved to Canada.
Specializing in artificial insemination and embryo transfer for Arabian horses, Dr. Gappan led advancements in equine reproductive services as the owner of Mohraty Clinic in Saudi Arabia. He is dedicated to advancing scientific knowledge in the field of equine reproductive medicine.
Dr. Gappan holds a Provisional Supervised Active license with the College of Veterinarian’s of BC (CVBC), which means he can practice veterinary medicine under the supervision of a fully licensed veterinarian. He is on the wait list to sit the Certificate of Qualification exams under the National Examining Board, which once completed will grant him opportunity to apply for full registration with the CVBC. In the meantime, Dr. Gappan is actively increasing his knowledge in small animal and agriculture practice, reflecting a dedication to comprehensive veterinary care. Outside of work, Dr. Gappan enjoys basketball, swimming, and volunteering, showcasing a commitment to personal growth and community service. With strong communication skills and a passion for innovation, he is poised to make significant contributions to both equine and small animal veterinary medicine!
Katie Violette
Katie joined the WVS team in September 2022 as a Veterinary Assistant. She enjoys the endless learning opportunities working in the field provides, and values being part of a team dedicated to high-quality patient care. Katie especially enjoys working with horses and small animals, and takes pride in providing calm, compassionate support to both patients and clients. Outside of the clinic, she spends her free time in the garden, or taking her horse, Cash, out on adventures.
