Staff
Veterinarians
Dr Markus Barth
Dr Barth is the Medical Director of Animals First Clinic and graduated from Leipzig University in Germany in 1996. Dr Barth also completed externships at the Ontario Veterinary College in Guelph, Iowa State University and Oregon State University. Dr Barth has been practicing for 22 years, and has helped the sled dogs in the Iditarod races for 10 years. He has a labradoodle named Bourbon and a cat named Moses.
Dr Renee Scott
Graduated from Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 2004. Since graduating Dr Scott has worked 2 years at a mixed animal practice in New Zealand, 1 year at mixed animal practice in Pincher Creek, 4 years in Emergency and Critical Care clinic in Calgary, and 2 years at a small animal practice in Calgary. “Along this journey I have acquired a Kangal named Stryder and three horses named Annie, Jesse and Trigger.” Dr. Scott joined Animals First team September 2013. Her dog Harley is often in clinic with her, running the office and keeping everyone happy. When he isn’t on the sheep farm helping Dr Scott with baby lambs, that is!
Dr Subash Dhakal
Dr Dhakal, from Nepal, graduated from Bombay Veterinary College in 2014. He worked in a laboratory in Nepal for 2 years before coming to Canada in 2017 and doing his Masters Degree in Animal Science. He joined the Animals First team in October 2020. He is our newest full-time veterinarian and we are looking forward to see what great things he will do!
Animal Health Technologists
Animals First Clinic is comprised of veterinary technologists who are graduates of an accredited Veterinary Technical College and are members in good standing of the Alberta Association of Animal Health Technologists.
Tara M
Tara graduated from Fairview in 2012 as a Animal Health Technologist. Tara went to college for other careers in the past, but her love for animals made her choose this path! She is currently in school to become a paramedic, and has two orange cats called Harry and Lloyd.
Dana J
Animal Health Technologist that graduated in 2008 from Fairview College with honors. She currently resides outside of Grande Prairie with four cats (Figaro, Frankie, Beans and a three legged cat named Popcorn), Gus the pitbull, and bees!
Deserae N
Animal Health Technologist that graduated from Fairview College in 2001. She is very involved in soccer, and constantly works with training her pets. Deserae has two cats named Oreo and Peanut, and a husky mix named Luna.
Anje P
Anje joined Animals First Clinic in 2014 upon graduation from Olds College. Anje grew up in Utah USA, and has been a park ranger, worked with big cats, and is a National Champion Swimmer. She has 3 dogs – Jasper, Tucker and Gryffin.
Jelicia E
Jelicia graduated in 2018 from Fairview and joined Animals First after graduation. She is currently an active member in the local 577 Air Cadet squadron and has a special interest in reptiles. Jelicia has two dogs, Libby and Ace, two cats named Cheeto and Mazda, snakes, fish and ducks!
Emily G
Emily graduated from Fairview in 2014, and joined Animals First shortly afterwards. She left to go to New Brunswick in 2016 to work in a 24 hour emergency clinic, and returned to us in March of 2020. Emily is our resident CABB liason, working with them and running blood drives. She has two cats at home; Alastair and Leroy, and a pitbull named Blue.
Mackenzie S
Mackenzie graduated from Maritime Business College in Nova Scotia in 2017. She came to us in September 2020 and is our cat whisperer. She has 5 cats; William, Harper, Wendy, Boots and Pippin.
Tanner U
Tanner graduated from GPRC Fairview in 2021, did her practicum with us and stayed since. Tanner is an ambassador with the Alberta Provincial Parks. She has three cats, Sven, Tony and Vader, and a big Saint Bernard named Farley.
Administrative and Clinic Assistants
Shyla F
Shyla came onto the AFC team in April 2022. Shyla is very involved in the rodeo scene, helping horses and riders on the track. She has a hound named Mya, and 53 miniature horses!
Cassie G
Cassie began with Animals First in September 2019. Cassie is currently attending the veterinary technologist program at NAIT, and has come back for the summer while she waits for her second year. She has an Anatolian Shepherd named Odin, and a few cats named Rizzo, Nomad, Spice and Gizmo.
Lynda B
Lynda joined Animals First in October 2019. Lynda is well known in the Grande Prairie community for her love of all animals and particularly the Australian Shepard. Lynda had her own puppy training school of which she supported pet owners to socialize and train their new puppy’s to be well behaved. She has two Aussies at home – Maggie and Missy, and two Dachshunds – Marli and Venus.
Courtney E
Courtney joined us in July 2021. She was an active member in the local 4-H community and has lots of experience with horses. She has two horses at home named Chickary and Lily, and a dog named River.
Practice Manager
Lisa Nesbitt
Practice Manager of Animals First Clinic. Lisa graduated from SIAST – Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology in 2000. Lisa was our first employee and is a great asset to the team. Lisa has two cats, Chico, Nina, and one dog named Kaiser.