Our Core Team
Dr. Lianna Titcombe
Dr. Lianna is the founder and owner of Claire Place Veterinary Hospice, one of the first practices in Canada devoted to end-of-life care for companion animals. After 20 years in the field, Dr. Lianna has retired from clinical practice to focus on education. On the subject of animal hospice and palliative care she is an author, speaker, educator, and mentor. She is past president of the International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care and is still active with their international committee. In an effort to improve animal welfare more universally, Dr. Lianna participates in volunteer missions to provide veterinary care to underserviced communities both locally and in developing countries. A large focus of her career has been the care of all the people involved in the end-of-life stage for companion animals. Dr. Lianna has been the director of the Pet Loss Support Group of Ottawa for over 20 years and, as a certified yoga instructor, is now offering grief retreats to people living with loss. Recognizing that her true passion is the art of gentle euthanasia, Dr. Lianna joined the Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy (CAETA) in 2021 as the international director and instructor. Her goal is to expand the CAETA vision to a global scale, ever approaching the ultimate mission: to ensure that all animals, including humans, have the peaceful death that they deserve.
Dr. Dorothy Kitchen
Dr. Kitchen grew up in North Gower, breeding and raising Old Engish Sheepdogs with her family. She graduated with distinction from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2002 and began practicing in Northern Ontario. She moved back to Ottawa to raise her children near her family. Dr Dorothy’s main interests in clinical practice have shifted to rehabilitation, palliative medicine and end of life care. She obtained her CCRT designation from the Canine Rehabilitiation Institute in 2016 and started working with Claire Place the same year. She is now working exclusively with Claire Place and focusing on providing pets and their families gentle and dignified end of life care. Dr. Dorothy is continuing her training with Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy to ensure the highest quality end of life experience for pets and their families.
Karen, VA
Office Manager
Karen was born and raised in Ottawa and began her career in the veterinary field as a teenage kennel student working in emergency and critical care. She has been a veterinary assistant since 2005, with the last 10 years devoted to end-of-life care for companion animals. She appreciates the special nature of hospice care in looking after both the pets and their people, in the comfort of their own home. With a decade of experience with Claire Place, Karen is now leading our teams of veterinarians, technicians, and client service representatives. If you have a question, Karen has the answer!
Torrie
Client Service Representative
Torrie was born and raised in the Ottawa area and enjoys spending time at home with her family: husband Brian, spicy little girl Mackenzie, dog Koodo, and cat Cheeto. She loves creating knitted masterpieces and beating her husband in video games. Torrie joined our team in 2021, bringing her positive attitude and eternal optimism to the Claire Place family. She is proud to be part of the Fear Free movement, in providing an end-of-life service that allows pets to be at home with loved ones, comfortable and peaceful in their final moments.