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.
Dr. Allison Rousselle
Dr. Allison received her veterinary degree from the University of Glasgow in 2013 and began working with Claire Place the following year. Her dedication to providing exceptional end of life care grew exponentially from there. She has completed certifications in euthanasia, hospice and palliative care, and is also proficient in acupuncture and herbal medicine. Throughout her career, Dr. Allison has maintained a passion for helping pet owners navigate the challenging end of life stage for their pets and coping with the grief that inevitably follows. As a certified hospice and palliative care veterinarian, she is thrilled to be able to offer her expertise to pets and their families in the comfort of home. Dr. Allison grew up in Ottawa, and when not at work can usually be found at the yoga studio, spending time with her son, James, or wrangling her own pets – Clifford, Beatrix and Bruce.
Grace Hooper, RVT
Grace grew up in the Ottawa area, and became a Registered Veterinary Technician after graduating from Algonquin College in 2019. She has since worked in general practice, but found her calling in hospice, palliative, and end of life care. Grace joined the Claire Place team in 2021 after her family dog passed away, and wanted to help other families through the end of life process for their pets in the most peaceful way. She most enjoys seeing the special bonds that pets and their people share. Grace is in the process of earning her certification in Canine Rehabilitation, and looks forward to applying her knowledge to palliative care patients. She currently has a dog and two senior cats of her own.