Dr. Mark Cole
Dr. Jory Bocknek Dr. Derek Clark
Dr Cole is the founding Vet of Abbotsford Animal Hospital and Referral Center in Aurora.
He has always been fascinated with the intricacies of the body-so much so that as a young child, he stayed up late reading Time Life books with a flash-light under the covers! Mark developed an interest in animals at an early age and was able to keep many different kinds of creatures as a child while growing up in Ingersoll in southwestern Ontario. He enjoyed raising racing pigeons, pheasants, rabbits, and puppies. In grade six he recalls deciding he wanted to be a Veterinarian and started to focus on that goal, beginning with getting better grades in school!.
During his high school years, he was fortunate enough to work on a dairy farm, a pig breeding farm and at a turkey production research company. He was captain of the intercollegiate football, soccer and basketball teams as well a President of the Student Council.
After high school, he entered the University of Guelph and was then accepted to Vet school in 1979. He graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College with honours in 1983 and then travelled to the U. K. where he became a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. He first practised in Agincourt, Ontario at a surgical referral practice where he honed his skills in medicine and surgery- especially Orthopedics.
In 1987, he moved to Aurora, initially living above the clinic he established on Yonge St. Later, with the assistance of his partners, a new larger practice facility was constructed at 14958 Yonge St.
Dr. Cole has lived in York Region for over 25 years, currently living with his wife and 2 daughters on a rural property- out in the woods. Mark has 5 dogs, Ollie, Molly, Polly and 2 pups named Holly and Hot Tamale! 6 cats round out the entourage of furry family members at the Cole household.
Dr Cole's personal interests include singing and acting. Marcus (his stage name) starred in several Aurora Community Theatre productions such as "Camelot" and "Cabaret", winning an acting award from the community theatre association. Later he performed in professional theatre, the longest running one was "Murder at the Howard Johnson's". He has a keen interest in renewable energy and succeeded in erecting the first wind turbine in Aurora in 2003 at the new Vet clinic location.
Dr Bocknek joined Dr Cole in 1994 and became a partner in 1996.
Dr Bocknek was born and raised in Toronto. In grade 3 he was diagnosed with dyslexia and dysgraphia. His parents were told by educators to take him out of school as he would never get past grade 6. Needless to say his parents did not agree. They encouraged him to follow his interests regardless of what others thought and find his own ways to reach his goals. This path led him into the swimming pool and subsequently to a love of the ocean. In the summers he would work on his parent’s farm in the Hockley Valley. Taking care of the animals there and dogging the heels of the local vets planted the seeds of what would eventually become his life’s work.
After high school Dr Bocknek attended the University of California in Santa Cruz where he studied marine biology. While spending time on the bottom of the ocean during his kelp forest ecology class, it became clear that even though he loved the ocean, his passion was animal medicine. He graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1993.
Dr. Bocknek now lives in Newmarket with his wife and their 4 children, their “little” wolf hound William, their personality laden golden retriever Chloe, and several tanks filled with fish. When spare time presents itself he likes to run, cook, scuba dive and practice martial arts. The family spends their winter skiing/snowboarding.
Dr. Bocknek’s interests lie in ophthalmology, ultrasound, behaviour, and physical rehabilitation with a focus on long term pain relief with fewer medications.
Dr. Clark joined Abbotsford in 2000 as an associate, and in 2003 became a practicing partner. Hailing from Pontypool, Ontario, Dr. Clark enjoyed a childhood with supportive parents and many opportunities to cultivate a deep appreciation for the interconnectedness of life. Derek has always been inspired to be a support to others in need, so much so, that on his eighteenth birthday he joined the Manvers Volunteer Fire Department and began training as a Volunteer Firefighter. Throughout his early years he worked with a wide range of animals including : ferrets, rabbits, dogs, cats, hamsters, Guinea pigs, horses, and cattle. During his time working as student at Lindsay Animal Clinic he came to appreciate the profound benefits that people enjoy by having a pet to share their lives with. In fact, he saw that within our society there are many who only have a pet to provide them with a sense of being valued and loved. Having seen this, he committed himself to becoming a veterinarian to support the important bond between pets and their human companions. Dr. Clark attended the University of Guelph in the Bachelor of Science program and was accepted into the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program prior to completing his B.Sc. When Dr Clark graduated in 1998 he received the Small Animal Surgery Award for his graduating class. Dr. Clark is currently a member of the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management. Presently, Dr. Clark lives with his lovely wife and two daughters in Scarborough. They share their lives with three cats, Daphne, Lacey and Rosie. Dr. Clark’s personal interests include meditation, playing his fiddle and sailing on Lake Ontario with his family. For over 12 years Dr. Clark was an avid crew member on some of the most successful race sailboats on Lake Ontario. His veterinary special interests include: compassionate care and pain management, soft tissue and orthopaedic surgery, cancer treatment, endoscopy, internal medicine and abdominal ultrasonography.
More Bio's coming soon...