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Privately Owned
Dr. Scott Sargent
DVM, Owner
Dr. Scott Sargent grew up on a dairy farm southwest of Peterborough. He attended North Cavan Public School and Crestwood Secondary School. In his early years of high school, he travelled with his local veterinarian. One night he was asked to help with a cow that was having difficulty calving. The veterinarian performed a caesarian section on this cow, bringing a live calf into the world. That was the night Scott decided he would become a veterinarian! After graduating from high school, Scott went on to the University of Guelph, where he graduated in 1986 with a BSc. He continued his studies in veterinary medicine, graduating from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1990.
After graduation, Dr. Sargent worked in Campbellford, Stratford and Picton before moving home and marrying his wife Trish in 1999. After working in the area for 6 years, he purchased the Viceroy Homes sales office on Hwy 7 and renovated it to become Peterborough West Animal Hospital in 2006. Along with the enjoyment he receives from helping animals stay healthy on a daily basis through routine wellness examinations, Dr. Sargent has a keen interest in soft tissue surgery and digital radiography. Scott and Trish have a son named Mackenzie (Mack), who was born in 2004. They have 2 pugs named Pebbles and B.B. and 2 cats named Nacho and Nick. They live on a farm in Cavan Township, not far from the clinic, where they have a small vineyard of cold climate grapes. Scott and Trish enjoy caring for these grape vines and producing wine from them. The whole family enjoys fishing and golfing, and Mack now loves hockey.
Dr. Alexis Smith
Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Smith grew up outside of Toronto on a horse farm with her parents and one sister. She spent a good chunk of her childhood wandering around the woods on the family property, either on foot or on horseback. When Dr. Smith turned 16, she got a job working as a veterinary receptionist and assistant, which inspired her to continue her education and pursue a career as a veterinarian. The rest is history!
For school, Dr. Smith ventured overseas to attend the University of Edinburgh, where she graduated with her DVM at the young age of just 23. After returning to Canada, Dr. Smith spent some time working at a clinic in Ottawa before relocating to Peterborough to be closer to her family. She joined the Peterborough West Animal Hospital team in 2019.
Clinically, Dr. Smith’s favourite cases are those that focus on internal medicine and dermatology. She also enjoys wellness appointments, as they give her the opportunity to discuss the importance of dental care, weight management, and prevention of disease. Dr. Smith has done additional training in abdominal ultrasonography and enjoys using this non-invasive diagnostic tool.
Outside of work, Dr. Smith is a mom to two cats of her own, both of which were sickly kittens when first adopted. She is hoping to eventually add a corgi (one of her favorite breeds) to her little crew. In her spare time, Dr. Smith enjoys traveling, reading, and hiking. She also likes playing board and strategy games with friends and family.
Dr. Huda Aladdin
Associate Veterinarian
We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Huda Aladdin, DVM, to the veterinary team at Peterborough West Animal Hospital beginning in April 2026.
Dr. Aladdin earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2020 and has since developed a breadth of experience, progressing from Junior Veterinarian to Senior and Shift Lead Veterinarian. She brings strong skills in small animal diagnostics, patient assessment, and treatment, with a particular passion for client education and communication. Dr. Aladdin is also experienced in soft tissue surgery.
To support her integration into our practice and ensure the highest standards of care, Dr. Aladdin will initially work under the guidance of Dr. Scott Sargent and Dr. Alexis Smith.
We are excited to have Dr. Aladdin join our team and look forward to her providing excellent care for your pets. Please join us in welcoming her to the Peterborough West Animal Hospital family!
Dr. Niki Hogle
Associate Veterinarian
For Dr. Niki, veterinary medicine is where her love of learning, passion for helping others and commitment to animal welfare come together. While she has always loved animals, what ultimately drew her to the profession was the opportunity to alleviate suffering, build meaningful relationships and guide families through some of the most important moments in their pets’ lives.
Born and raised in Peterborough, Dr. Niki has deep roots in the community she now serves. She attended Trent University before earning her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the Ontario Veterinary College in Guelph, graduating in 2016. She began her career in general practice before moving to Toronto and eventually transitioning into emergency medicine. After the birth of her first child during the pandemic, she returned closer to home and spent nearly six years practicing at Kawartha Veterinary Emergency Clinic, where she gained extensive experience managing urgent and complex medical cases.
Today, Dr. Niki brings that experience to Peterborough West Animal Hospital, where she enjoys combining high-quality medicine with strong client relationships. She has pursued continuing education in end-of-life and palliative care and is passionate about helping families navigate difficult decisions with compassion and support. She also enjoys preventative medicine, solving challenging urinary cases and working collaboratively with clients to find the best solutions for their pets.
One case from her years in emergency medicine remains especially memorable. A critically ill French Bulldog arrived needing immediate intervention. Without rapid treatment, the outcome would have been very different. Through careful medical management, medications and transfusions, Dr. Niki was able to help save the dog’s life. Watching that patient recover and seeing the relief it brought to the family reinforced why she chose this profession. It was a powerful reminder of the impact veterinary medicine can have on both animals and the people who love them.
Outside of the clinic, Dr. Niki enjoys an active family life with her husband, Sim, and their three children. Together they enjoy running, spending time outdoors and homeschooling their children. She is also actively involved in her church and remains grateful to be raising her family in the same community she has always called home.
Dr. Claire Johnston
Associate Veterinarian
Veterinary medicine is more than a career for Dr. Claire— it’s part of her family story. With both her dad and grandfather as veterinarians, she grew up with the profession woven into her life and ultimately found her own reasons for following in their footsteps. Her love of science and problem-solving naturally drew her to veterinary medicine, but the opportunity to use those skills to improve an animal’s life made the career especially meaningful. Because patients cannot explain what is wrong, she believes veterinarians must pay close attention to subtle changes, advocate for their patients and make thoughtful decisions on their behalf.
Her own dog, Chad, gave Dr. Claire an unforgettable example of the difference veterinary medicine can make. At only seven weeks old, Chad came to Peterborough West Animal Hospital with a diaphragmatic hernia and needed surgery. She had the opportunity to help her dad perform the procedure, and together they relied on hard work, determination and problem-solving to save his life. Watching Chad recover and knowing they had given him the chance to grow up stayed with her. Nearly seven years later, he remains healthy without complications.
Dr. Claire completed her Bachelor of Science at Trent University before earning her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph. During her undergraduate studies and summers in veterinary school, she also worked as an assistant at Peterborough West Animal Hospital. The role gave her valuable hands-on experience and allowed her to learn at the practice that would eventually become her professional home.
Her veterinary education also took her far beyond the classroom. During veterinary school, she spent five weeks in Thailand working with animal rescue operations and performing spays and neuters on street dogs. She also worked alongside a veterinary team caring for tigers, elephants and monkeys, giving her the opportunity to apply her developing skills in an entirely different environment.
After graduation, returning to Peterborough West Animal Hospital felt natural. Today, she especially enjoys treating painful wounds with a caring touch, performing necessary surgeries and helping families navigate difficult decisions. She finds it rewarding to follow a case from diagnosis through treatment and see a patient return to a healthier, more comfortable life.
Outside the hospital, Dr. Claire is an avid traveler. After visiting Iceland, she now has her sights set on Antarctica. Her pet family includes farm Beagles Max and Chad, cats Scribbles, Sparkplug and Maisy, and Ron, a grumpy old chameleon.
Dr. Melody Campbell
Associate Veterinarian – Virtual Appointments
Dr. Campbell has 46 years of experience in both small and large animal medicine and surgery. She currently treats predominantly small animals but does occasionally see exotics and wildlife. Over the years, Dr. Campbell has developed an interest in internal medicine, ophthalmology, dermatology, cardiology, and ultrasound.
Dr.Campbell obtained specialized ultrasound training in the United States and operated her own ultrasound service in Muskoka, Ontario for seven years. She has held several volunteer positions with the College of Veterinarians of Ontario and is currently serving on the Nova Scotia Veterinary Medical Association Workforce Shortage Group.
Dr. Campbell has been very involved in equestrian activities and does bronze sculptures in her spare time. She has a rescue horse named Valero and shares her home with two Shih Tzus: Ariel and Charlee. Dr. Campbell also has two adult daughters, two grandchildren, one grand-dog and two grand-cats.
23,458
Sloppy Kisses
19,389
Bellies Rubbed
27,193
Treats Given