Dr. Sysel joined Martin Downs Animal Hospital in October 2018.

She graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College (the oldest veterinary school in North America and ranked as one of the top 10 veterinary schools in the world) with Honors in 1991. She completed a one year internship at the Atlantic Veterinary College, followed by a 3 year surgical residency at Virginia Tech.

In 2015, the American Humane Association presented Dr. Sysel with the Hero Veterinarian Award during a red carpet gala at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. That same year, Dr. Sysel was invited to speak before the United States Congress to encourage continued funding for cancer research.

In 2016, Dr. Sysel was presented with the Woman of Excellence Award in Science, Medicine and Technology by Canada’s May Court Society.

Dr. Sysel’s special interests include oncology, senior pet care and pain management, and she is certified in stem cell therapy.

In her spare time, Dr. Sysel volunteers with the Bauer Research Foundation to advance the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and other diseases in pets. She is a Founding Member of the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens, and she is always expanding her own plant collection.

She has 2 rescued pets: Buddy – a 19.5 year old Lynx Point Snowshoe Siamese cat Chloe – a 4 year old Seal Point Snowshoe Siamese cat