Our Veterinarians

Dr. Gwen Mowbray-Cashen

Greetings, I’m Dr. Gwen Mowbray-Cashen, born and raised in Truro, NS and veterinarian and owner of Truro Vet since 1990. I grew up in a veterinary hospital with both my parents being veterinarians. I started working as a kennel cleaner when I was 12 years old and gradually learned new skills to help animals.

I like all aspects of veterinary medicine. I especially like providing dental care. I find the difference a healthy mouth makes to an animal’s well being is amazing. In most recent years, I have become very interested in helping pet care givers understand how much anxiety can erode an animal’s quality of life. To extend this interest to our entire Truro Veterinary team, we have trained our team in low stress handling methods which help make your pet’s visit less stressful.

Most recently, my own painful health issues have led me on a journey to improve pain management for our patients. Having learned more about managing pain, we added laser therapy to our services which have proven to be a very effective means of pain control.

My very full life contains my husband, Chris, our children, Tara and Quinn, our corgi dog, Louis, our two cats: Himmy and Rocket. Recently, our human children have flown the nest so in an effort to refill the nest, Chris and I have 4 lovely laying chickens (Lavender, Lilac , Marigold and Hollyhawk) that keep us quite entertained.

At work, I love to see people connect with their pets and hearing stories people share about the animals in their lives. At home, I enjoy gardening, walking/running/biking with Annie and Louis and reading and writing. I like watching the animals in my life learn new things and engage in their environment. But what I love most about helping animals is learning new things about life from them. The lessons I gain always ground me and remind me what is really important in life.

Dr. Melissa Aucoin

Originally from Gander, NL, Dr. Melissa earned her Animal Science degree in 1999 and went on to graduate from the Atlantic Veterinary College in 2004. She began her career in mixed animal practice, gaining experience before joining the Truro Vet team in 2008. In 2018, she became a proud partner in the locally owned practice.

Dr. Melissa enjoys surgery and dentistry, but what she values most is the strong relationships she builds with pets and their families. One of her favourite moments is seeing pets reunited with their people after a hospital stay.

At home, Dr. Melissa has a busy life with her husband, their son, twin daughters, a mischievous dog named Josie, four cats and a flock of laying hens. Outside of work, she enjoys family time, skiing and gardening.

Dr. Melissa is proud to be a part of the dedicated team at Truro Vet and is committed to providing compassionate community-focused care.

Dr. Alana Mason

Hello, I’m Dr.Alana Mason. I have had a strong love for animals since a young age. I grew up in rural Nova Scotia caring for, riding and showing horses. I went on to graduate from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College and then obtained my veterinary degree from the Atlantic Veterinary Collage in 2004. I started my veterinary career in mixed practice (large and small animals) but changed my focus to companion animals early on. I enjoy all aspects of practice including medicine, surgery and ultrasound. It brings new challenges every day. I started working at Truro Veterinary Hospital in 2020. I love the strong focus the clinic places on providing very high standards of care for our patients while striving to keep the experience as low stress as possible.

Outside of work I spend most of my time with my family. My husband Steven and I have 3 children, John, Lydia and Natalie. We are a hockey family and spend lots of time at the rinks. My other interests include skiing and camping. We love our pets as well and have a Golden Retriever named Minnie and a cat named Spider.

Dr. Hannah Thompson B Sc., DVM

Dr. Hannah graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2021 and has been dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive care ever since. Her journey in veterinary medicine began in 2014 at the Dalhousie Agricultural Campus, where she also volunteered at Truro Veterinary Hospital—laying early roots in the very community she’s now proud to call home again.

After four years of practice in Northwestern Ontario, Dr. Hannah returned to Truro, drawn by a strong sense of connection both professionally and personally. She brings with her a wealth of experience, especially in orthopedic and soft tissue surgery. With a keen eye for detail and a love of problem-solving, she’s passionate about helping animals regain their mobility and comfort. She takes a holistic approach to veterinary care, always considering each patient’s physical, emotional, and behavioral well-being.

Dr. Hannah is currently pursuing certification as a Veterinary Pain Practitioner, further strengthening her commitment to supporting animals through surgery, recovery, and beyond. She also has a special interest in feline medicine, particularly chronic disease management and low-stress handling—skills honed by the daily lessons she learns from her own three cats: Luna, Cayenne, and Murder Mitt-tens.

Outside the clinic, Dr. Hannah shares her life with three lively dogs—Axl, Bumper, and Fender—who fuel her interest in behavior, pain management, and emotional wellness. Whether hiking, camping, or training with her dogs, she finds joy in building connection through activity and play. In her downtime, she enjoys playing piano and practicing yoga, both of which help her stay grounded and present for the patients and people she serves.