Meet Our Team

Veterinary medicine perfectly combines my love of “all creatures great and small,” as James Herriot so beautifully described, with my passion for science. I actually started my career in zoology, so veterinary medicine felt like a natural progression — moving from an academic admiration of animals to having a hands-on ability to improve their lives and wellbeing.

Humans are the only species that invite other animals into their homes simply because we love having them around. I find that bond incredibly special, and I love helping people get the most joy, comfort, and companionship out of their relationships with their pets.

I especially enjoy dentistry and soft tissue surgery. There’s something deeply satisfying about carefully putting all the pieces together in the best possible way to achieve the best outcome for a patient. Surgery can feel a little like arts and crafts at times — with the added reward of seeing an immediate positive impact for the pet.

Finding an incredible team to work with — although I think luck played a big role in that! Veterinary medicine is equally rewarding and challenging. The emotional highs and lows can be intense, and the demands can sometimes feel overwhelming, but I’m fortunate to work alongside people who genuinely want the very best for every pet and every client. That kind of environment is something I’m truly grateful for.

Getting to watch pets grow alongside their families is incredibly meaningful. From those first appointments, where everyone is excitedly getting to know each other, to the more difficult moments later in life when we help families navigate heartbreaking decisions — it’s a privilege to be trusted through every stage of that journey.

Do as much research as you can before bringing a pet home. Every animal has its own unique personality and needs, whether they’re a delightful mix of genetics or carefully bred for certain traits. A little preparation can prevent a lot of stress and help set everyone up for success. And one more piece of advice: pet insurance is always worth considering!

Easy — my cat, Maui! I’d get to spend the day being adored and appreciated simply for being a fluffy, gorgeous creature. The service at “Cat Hotel du Toit” is definitely five-star.

I love spending time puttering around the garden with my husband — it’s one of my favourite ways to procrastinate. I also enjoy birdwatching, travelling, playing board games, and cheering on my kids at their soccer games and swim meets.

James Herriot and his book series “All Creatures Great and Small”

What I enjoy most about veterinary medicine is helping animals while supporting the people who love them. I love the variety, teamwork, and problem-solving that comes with the profession, and it’s incredibly rewarding to make a positive difference in the lives of pets and their families.

Alternative care such as acupuncture and light therapy, dental surgery, and preventative medicine.

Led the organization and operation of a spay/neuter clinic in India, mentoring local veterinarians in surgical techniques and patient care.

Bringing mobility and comfort back to seniors through acupuncture.

You’re doing amazing — even in the tough moments. Your love for your pet means more than you know.

A spoiled house cat

Spending time outdoors with my husband, 3 kids, and dog Piper.

Grew up on a farm around animals my whole life and always wanted to do something in the field of Veterinary Medicine.

All the interesting things we get to see each day, no two days are alike, and I learn something new on every shift.

I love the diagnostic side of things, performing bloodwork and radiographs. I think it’s neat to see how the outside symptoms correspond to what we see on the inside.

I didn’t do well during my practicum in school. My professors didn’t think I would last more than a year in the profession and now I am 26 years in and managing a hospital.

Watching a very ill or painful animal coming in and being able to help them and seeing them walk out the door purring or wagging their tails again and the look of joy on their owner’s face.

Put aside a little bit of money every month for emergencies for your pet. Bills can add up fast and it makes things even more stressful if you’re not financially prepared.

I would be a house cat and can just lay in the sun with no expectations or responsibilities!

I enjoy camping with my family, doing Pilates, taking hip-hop dance lessons and kayaking.

I have wanted to help animals since I was very young. My mom raised many puppies and kittens and I have been hooked ever since

You never know what species or situation you will encounter on a given day

Anesthesia and raising neonatal kittens is my passion.

I have been in this field for over 17 years which is quite rare, as it is such a demanding career.

Reviving a pet from cardiac arrest then seeing them fully recover and get go home with their owner.

Pet ownership is a choice, but it is rewarding, plan ahead for the future, nobody expects their pet to get sick or injured but it happens!

I would be a puffin because you can fly, walk AND swim! Although I do hate the cold…

fishing and camping keep me sane when i am not at work

My passion for animal medicine and helping their humans

Sharing my experience with our clients and their pets. Always learning new skills and ideas.

Behaviour, cytology, nutrition, pharmacology

Completing the Mobilizing RVT’s program. As well as 26 years working as an RVT and still passionate about medicine

When a client appreciates our commitment to their pet

Ask questions.

Albatross: absolute freedom

Camping with my family, paddle board and kayaking, hiking/ walking with my dog Ellie Mae. We also travel and love live music

I’ve always had a strong love for animals and grew up having pets my entire life. In high school, I worked at a dog kennel, and that experience really showed me how much I enjoy caring for animals and being part of their wellbeing. That’s when I started looking into veterinary careers more seriously and discovered Registered Veterinary Technologists.

What I enjoy most about working in veterinary medicine is being able to help keep pets healthy and support sick or injured animals as they recover. It’s very rewarding to be part of their care and healing process. I also really value seeing the relief and happiness in owners when their pets are doing better, knowing I played a role in helping their family member feel well again.

I’m most interested in surgery, anesthesia, dental procedures, and in-hospital treatments because they require a lot of focus and hands-on patient care in the moment. I also really enjoy seeing patients improve and be well enough to go home healthy.

I’m proud that I started my career in emergency medicine right out of college, as it gave me a strong foundation and a lot of knowledge that I continue to use. I’m also proud that I was able to return to Blackfalds Veterinary Clinic after my practicum, since I really enjoyed my experience and the team here. Coming back has been especially meaningful because it’s such a positive and supportive place to work

The most rewarding moments for me are when I see a patient recover and go home healthy after being sick or injured. It’s really fulfilling to know I played a part in their care, and to see the relief and happiness from the owners when their pet is doing well.

My advice would be to take advantage of puppy classes, as they really help with early training and socialization. I’d also say to enjoy every moment with your pet, because the time goes by so quickly.

I would choose to be a dog so I could experience how they see and interact with the world. I think it would be really interesting to understand their perspective, and it would also just be fun to be my dog for a day.

I enjoy relaxing in my yard with my dog, spending time with my friends, family, and boyfriend, and trying out new hobbies.

Growing up on a farm

The animals and the awesome people I work with!

Behaviour and X-ray

Being comfortable with anesthesia and challenging behaviour animals.

Teaching

Call any time with questions!

Goat, they live their best life every day.

Spending time with my daughter and our animals on our farm.

My first memories are of loving animals and wanting to be a vet when I grew up. When I was older, I learned of the vet tech program and knew I wanted to pursue that.

I love the large variety of tasks and skills that I perform every day. It stays interesting and while I do the same things continuously, no day is the same as the one before so it never feels boring. Having a large technical skill set and putting those skills to use is also very fulfilling.

I enjoy phlebotomy, diagnostics and learning about exotic species.

I think it would be the career itself. I took time off to raise my kids which was very rewarding but after such a long break away, I wasn’t sure if I’d ever practice vet medicine again. But I was able to find my way back to being a tech and I am very thankful for this career.

Probably winning over the trust of a nervous patient or just performing tech skills in general.

Do your research and make sure the pet you want fits into your lifestyle. Be prepared on what it will take to care for the pet’s wellbeing. And bring it into the clinic for “happy visits” so it will learn to love coming for cuddles and treats!

A bird so I could fly around and see the earth below me. (I solo skydived once and it was the most peaceful experience I’ve ever had, gliding through the air and viewing the scenery below me.)

Camping, reading, diy projects, art, gardening, family movie nights, rest & relaxation!

I decided to take the veterinary reception program at Olds and during that program I realized I wanted to be more “behind the scenes” focusing on the science and hands on aspect of vet med.

Leaning new things everyday and not knowing what to expect when I walk into work!

Behavioural cases! Learning about psychology especially in animals is very fascinating to me. I have also come to love working emergency or critical cases.

Expanding my knowledge when it comes to canine behaviour and training, and being able to advocate for dogs experiencing fear anxiety and stress.

Reuniting animals back with their owners after they have been at the clinic for the day for a procedure or diagnostics! You really get to see the pet light up when they see their owners.

Research research research! Talk to local veterinarians and inquire about costs and common health issues with your desired breed. Start a savings account for pet emergencies! Also, training is one of the best things you can do to strengthen the bond with your animal!

I’ve always been fascinated with the ocean, so I think being a shark would be very cool.

Dirtbiking, riding motorcycles, paddleboarding, and exploring the outdoors with my dogs!

Honestly it just fell into my lap. I was 26 and looking to do something different. I love animals and have always been passionate about them so I decided to give vet world a try, and here I am 18 years later 🙂

I love being able to help people care for their fur babies and I also love snuggles from cute puppies and kittens.

I really enjoy microbiology: I was a practicing technician in Nova Scotia before I moved to Alberta. I absolutely loved being in the lab!

I’m very proud of the fact that I’ve done this job for as long as I have- but the compassion I have for animals and people is my greatest accomplishment.

It’s rewarding for me when I can be there for clients as they’re going through their toughest days. I pride myself on knowing the clients and patients so they feel like they’re visiting family, rather than a vet hospital.

Please always remember that having pets is the same as having children. They require love, attention, exercise and sometimes care you don’t always expect. So you need to financially plan for your pets as well!

I would be a cat, because they can be spicy. Plus they eat and sleep all day and seem to always get what they want lol

I enjoy reading, working on my novel, going to the gym and spending time with my nieces, nephew. Sister and fur nephew 🙂

I’ve always had a strong affinity for animals, and during high school I began exploring careers in veterinary medicine after meeting with a guidance counsellor about post-graduation plans. My original goal was to become an Animal Health Technician, but after learning about the Veterinary Medical Receptionist program at Olds College, I decided to start there with the intention of eventually working my way toward the technician side of the field. Along the way, life presented a few roadblocks and my path shifted. After spending nearly 9 years in veterinary medicine, I realized that my passion was actually in client care and communication. I’ve come to truly enjoy being the front face of a veterinary hospital — the relationships that come with working in small animal general practice. Building long-term connections with clients and their pets is incredibly rewarding, and there’s something special about recognizing clients by their voice when they call and knowing the bond and trust that has been built over time.

No two days are ever the same, and I love being part of a team that works together to provide the best care possible.

Nutrition and client education are areas I’m especially passionate about. I enjoy helping owners better understand how nutrition can impact their pet’s overall health and quality of life.

Having been part of the BVH Family since 2018, I’m proud of how much confidence and experience I’ve gained since starting in veterinary medicine, and also the trust I’ve built with clients.

The most rewarding moments for me are when we meet a client and patient for the first time and create a genuinely positive experience from start to finish. When the client feels heard, supported, and confident in their pet’s care after a thorough visit with the doctor, it’s incredibly fulfilling. I also find it very rewarding when clients tell me I’ve helped put their mind at ease or made a stressful situation feel more manageable. Building trust and creating lasting relationships with both clients and patients is one of the most meaningful parts of my job.

1) Be patient with yourself and your pet. Learning together is part of the experience. 2) Never be afraid to ask questions! Believe me when I say there is no such thing as a silly question when it comes to your pet’s health. Our team is here to support you in any way we can.

A bear! Peaceful most of the time, loves snacks, naps, and being outdoors.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my partner Justin and my son Wyatt, gardening, camping, reading, and enjoying the outdoors whenever I can.

I’ve always loved animals, but what truly inspired me to work in veterinary medicine was realizing how rewarding it is to help care for them and support the people who love them.

What I enjoy most about working in veterinary medicine, especially in reception, is being a calming and supportive presence for owners during stressful or emotional situations. I love being able to care for people just as much as the animals by helping them feel heard, comfortable, and supported. Creating a welcoming environment and building trusting relationships with owners is one of the most rewarding parts of the job for me.

Surgery is one of the most interesting aspects for me, understating the body of so many different breeds, sizes and shapes of animals is so cool!

I’m most proud of becoming someone owners can rely on for kindness, support, and reassurance during both exciting and difficult moments with their pets.

The most rewarding moments are when owners trust me enough to open up about what they’re going through with their pet, and I’m able to help make their experience feel a little less overwhelming. Building those relationships and connections is incredibly meaningful to me

Never feel like you’ll be judged. We’re always here to help you and your pet, no matter the situation. Whether it’s a question you think is silly, something you don’t understand, or your pet getting themselves into a bit of chaos again, our goal is always to support you and your pet with kindness, compassion, and care.

Manatee! I would love to just sleep and float around and eat some seaweed snacks.

I love reading, camping, hanging out with my 3 cats and traveling!

I honestly can’t point to one specific moment that inspired me. I’ve just always been drawn to animals and veterinary medicine for as long as I can remember, and it naturally became the path I wanted to pursue.

Helping animals and creating meaningful relationships with clients.

I enjoy following complex procedures and surgeries.

My biggest accomplishment has been gaining confidence in myself and my skills. When I started, a lot of things felt intimidating, and now I’m able to handle situations I never thought I could.

Seeing people leave with a smile on their face thanking us for all we do.

Do your research! Make sure you’re getting the right pet for your family and lifestyle.

I would be my cat Huey because he’s spoiled and lazy but still loved while not doing a whole lot of anything.

When I’m not at the clinic I will either be at the gym or hanging out with my husband and kids.

I’ve always had a natural connection with animals, and they tend to feel comfortable around me. I’ve also always had a deep love and compassion for them.

Direct patient impact & connection

Immediate care for critical illness or injury

All the knowledge and learning experiences I’ve gained

Grateful clients and seeing their sick pet healed and happy

If you are looking at getting a dog, look into their breed and learn about some of their medical conditions that may be common.

An eagle so I can fly to any destination and see our world from a new perspective

Cooking, camping, spending time with friends & family