Dr. Mangita Gunson
Part-Time Veterinarian
Dr. Gita Gunson is is an associate of Virden Animal Hospital. Gita grew up near Stony Plain, AB and developed a passion for animals alongside her father who was a wildlife biologist. She graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 2010 and started practicing small animal medicine in Saskatchewan before her move to Virden in 2012. Her primary focus is on companion animal medicine and surgery but she has a special interest in small animal ultrasound.
Gita lives with her husband, Joe King, their sons, Rally and Cash, and daughter Summer, on a farm just outside of Virden where they have a public riding arena and board horses (Kings Crossing). Their family also consists of a three legged dog, farm kitties and chickens.
Dr. Georgia-Rae Maxwell
Georgia-Rae Maxwell grew up on an acreage North of Rivers with her older sister Charley. She is the daughter of two teachers and the granddaughter of four teachers. Her parents were both active coaches of various sports in the community. Her family moved to Forrest in 2010 where she was highly involved in the Elton athletics programs. She attended The University of Winnipeg for her pre-veterinarian studies while finishing her Grade 10 Piano before she went to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine. She received her veterinary degree in 2024 and immediately joined the VAH team. She plans to work with both small animals and food animals. She currently lives in Virden with her two dogs, Ruhn and Kona and her two cats, Mia and Blaze. Her hobbies include reading, baking, piano, and hiking. She enjoys hanging out with her Niece and playing/coaching volleyball, basketball, and soccer.
Dr. Roger Richard
Veterinarian (retired 2022)
Dr. Roger Richard was raised in a military family stationed throughout western Canada. His father retired after 25 years of service in 1974 to a mixed farm, in Crawford Park area, south of Riding Mountain National Park. Roger graduated from WCVM in 1989. He worked in Pilot Mound after college before coming to the Virden Animal Hospital in 1991.
Roger married Carla Jasper in 1994 and lives west of Virden with their 3 daughters; Adrienne, Leah and Avery. Much of their free time revolves around their daughter’s sporting events including volleyball, basketball, fastball and hockey. Together they run a 90 head commercial cow-calf herd. They enjoy working their herd on horseback. Roger has been in all facets of mixed animal practice over the years including food animal, equine and companion animal. With the addition of the current staff of veterinarians, Roger has been able to focus on his main interest, beef production.
Despite Roger’s retirement he can still be found working part time out of Virden Animal Hospital’s newly acquired satellite clinic, Shoal Lake Veterinary Clinic.
Deanne Peters
Receptionist
Deanne grew up in small town Martensville, SK. She moved to Manitoba 18 years ago. Grew up swimming in ponds, catching frogs and horseback riding. She is a mother of 3 boys, live on an acreage just outside of Oak River with her boyfriend and youngest son along with their 3 dogs and 17 barn cats. She enjoys hiking , quadding and fishing.