Dr. Laura Pratola

Through her years as a veterinarian—and as a devoted pet parent herself—Dr. Pratola has dedicated her career to making the end-of-life transition as smooth and stress-free as possible for pets and their families.

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A proud Waterloo native, Dr. Pratola has loved animals big and small for as long as she can remember. Her passion truly blossomed during her undergraduate studies in Animal Science at the University of Guelph, and deepened further while earning her veterinary degree at the University of Glasgow. These experiences gave her the opportunity to learn how to care for a wide range of animals, from horses and cattle to cats, dogs, and other small companions.

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For the past 16 years, Dr. Pratola has focused her work on the animals closest to her heart—cats and dogs. Drawing on both her professional and personal experiences, she has made it her mission to provide compassionate care during all stages of life, including the most difficult ones. While home veterinary care isn’t always suitable for every situation, Dr. Pratola believes that providing care in a pet’s familiar environment can greatly reduce stress and anxiety. She strives to offer this comfort not only for routine appointments but also during those tender end-of-life moments.

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Dr. Pratola began her veterinary career in two small animal clinics near her alma mater, the University of Guelph, where she quickly learned the day-to-day rhythm of clinic life and developed a deep appreciation for the role veterinarians play as advocates for animals who cannot speak for themselves. After gaining this foundational experience, she attended the University of Glasgow, where she mastered the science and medicine behind keeping animals healthy and pain-free.

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While studying and later working abroad, Dr. Pratola found ways to combine her love of animals with her passion for travel—volunteering with animal welfare organizations in India, Nepal, and Costa Rica, among others. After graduation, she completed a 12-month internship at Fitzpatrick Referrals in England (known to many as “The Supervet”), before spending several years practicing in sunny Bermuda. In 2015, she returned home to Canada, working as a locum veterinarian throughout the Greater Toronto Area before finally settling back in her hometown of Kitchener-Waterloo.

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Today, Dr. Pratola lives with her husband, her 2 beautiful daughters and their beloved furry family—one Bermuda rescue cat and two gentle dogs—who keep life lively and full of love. When she’s not caring for her patients, she enjoys exploring Ontario’s scenic trails with her dogs and family.