Meet Our Caring and Compassionate Veterinary Health Care Team!

Marnie Edwards

Dr. Marnie Edwards was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon in 1987 and moved to Leduc, Alberta where she practiced for three years in a mixed animal practice. In 1990 she moved to Nanaimo and practiced as an associate Veterinarian until 2004 when she purchased Benson View Veterinary Hospital with Dr. Summa.

Marnie has a special interest in dermatology, endocrinology, and soft tissue surgery.

Marnie and her husband, Malcolm, have three children, a senior mixed breed rescue “Cedar”, and an energetic Australian Shepherd “Quincy”. In her spare time, Marnie enjoys horseback riding, swimming, going to the gym, and a good relaxing yoga class!

Anne-Lii Summa

Dr. Anne-Lii Summa is a co-owner of Benson View Veterinary Hospital. Dr. Summa graduated from the University of Guelph’s Ontario Veterinary College in 1988. After graduation, she went on to complete an Internship in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery at Cornell University’s New York State College of Veterinary Medicine. She moved to British Columbia in 1989 where she practiced as an associate Veterinarian in Nanaimo for fifteen years before purchasing Benson View Veterinary Hospital in 2004.

Dr. Summa has three children, Hannah, Chloe and Lukas, and two step-children, Aliza and Callum. She lives with her husband Thomas, their two dogs, Sully, a Standard Poodle and Lobo, a Mexican rescue, and their cat Shadow. Dr. Summa and is an avid mountain biker, hiker, skier, and cyclist. Dr. Summa is proud of her Estonian heritage and also enjoys making traditional Estonian foods, reading, and music. Professionally, she has a special interest in surgery and ophthalmology.

Jill

Jill is a Registered Veterinary Technologist, graduating from Cariboo College in Kamloops, B.C.

She has been an invaluable member of the Benson View team for over twenty years and has a special interest in cytology. She also has a keen interest in equine behaviour and natural horsemanship.

Jill has several horses and is owner/operator of Win-Ryt Farm and Forge (winrytfarm.com) with her husband, Mark, who is a certified journeyman farrier (AFA). Jill is also a certified riding instructor with her English (jumping) Level 4, Western Level 4, and Trail Level 1 (CHA). Jill and Mark share their lives with their niece and nephew, two dogs and a cat.

Natasha

Natasha was born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario and completed the Veterinary Technician program at Georgian College in 2019. Shortly after, she successfully passed the Veterinary Technician National Exam.

Natasha began work in January 2019 doing her practical training in Barrie, Ontario and continued there after graduation, until moving to Nanaimo to join our team at Benson View in November 2019.

Although she currently hasn’t any pets at home, she fulfills her need for animal connection in working with her animal patients every day. In her time off she enjoys painting, hiking and exploring new places.

Lisa

Lisa joined the Benson View Team as our receptionist in February 2022. She is from Ocala, Florida and has always had a passion for dogs. In Lisa’s spare time she enjoys training her German Shepherd Falka in competitive in dogs sports.  Her other family pets include Sammie the cat, and Rosco the dog. Aside from her passion of dog training, she enjoys camping and boating on lake Cowichan with her son and her husband. She believes Vancouver Island is truly one of the most beautiful places to live in Canada, and feels fortunate to call this home.

Taylor

Taylor joined the Benson View team in 2016 shortly after moving to Nanaimo from Sooke where she grew up. In her spare time, Taylor enjoys camping, kayaking, and doing yard work. Taylor has always loved spending time with animals and currently lives in Nanoose Bay with her partner Brandon and their two dogs Gator and Flynn.

Shayla

Shayla started with the Benson View family in August of 2018. She currently enjoys a quiet life in Nanaimo with her fiance and their two sweet kitties, “Westley” and “Kwyn”. Life as they know it will soon change when a new furry family member, a Siberian Husky, joins them soon! Shayla grew up on Vancouver Island and loves life here. She enjoys spending her time reading, camping, and exploring this beautiful Island we live on. Her favorite place in the world is the Ocean.

Kimberly

Kim was born in Hope, B.C. and raised in Chamiss Bay and Nanaimo. She knew from a very young age she wanted to work with animals. With 16 years in customer service and a love for meeting new people, it seemed a natural fit to become a welcoming receptionist at Benson View in February 2019. When she is not at work, Kim enjoys spending time with her family and baking.

Stephanie

Stephanie was born and raised on Vancouver Island.
Over the years, she had become so committed to helping animals and their owners that she decided to pursue an education in the veterinary field.
In 2018, she graduated from the Veterinary Hospital Assistant program in Kelowna. Following graduation she moved to Vancouver to work in a veterinary hospital where she could apply her skills. After  just over 2 years she decided she was ready to return to island life.

Stephanie has a tuxedo cat named Domino, whom she loves to spend time with.
His hobbies are her hobbies. Whether it’s watching movies, painting, or playing music and video games, he’s always right there with her!

Constance

Constance was born and raised on Vancouver Island. Ever since she could remember, she has wanted to work with animals. Constance graduated from Vancouver Island University’s Animal Care Aid Program in 2021 and plans to continue her education in the veterinary field in the future.

Constance has grown up around animals her whole life, from farm animals to barn cats, dogs, snakes and pocket pets. Currently Constance lives with her fiancé, two cats Tesla and Idol, their ball python Naga and her sister’s dog Phoebe who she shares custody with. You can find Constance on days off out hiking with the dogs or curled up reading on the couch with her cats.

Cheryl

Cheryl joined Benson View as our bookkeeper in 2015. Born and raised on Vancouver Island, she has always loved animals and over the years has had a variety of animals including birds, hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, turtles and even a tarantula! She currently has two cats named Scottie and Sticker.

In her spare time, Cheryl enjoys golfing, curling, going for walks, camping, and travelling.