Staff
Veterinarians
Dr Renee Scott
Dr. Scott is the current Medical Director of Animals First Clinic and 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. Dr. Scott joined Animals First team September 2013. Her dogs Harley and Rip are often in clinic with her, running the office and keeping everyone happy. When they aren’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, and has become one of our full-time veterinarians. Dr. Dhakal has a special interest in orthopedics and has gone to Colorado to take additional courses to be able to provide this service to our clients.
Dr Khizar Matloob
Dr Matloob joined the Animals First Team in February 2023. He graduated from the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences in Lahore-Pakistan in 2016, and then gained a teaching position at the UVAS for Small Animal Clinician and Surgery in January 2019. He also held an associate position at one of the top ranking small animal clinics in Pakistan from June 2016 to January 2023, and then proceeded to a referral position. Dr. Matloob has a special interest in surgery and orthopedics. Since moving to Canada, he has proved to be a wonderful asset to the clinic and eager to learn new procedures, while teaching us what he knows too!
Dr Markus Barth
Dr Barth 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. He has been practicing for 27 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. Barth is no longer full time in the clinic, but comes back every month or so to perform orthopedic surgeries!
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. Anje has also completed additional courses to be able to do wellness vaccine appointments for our clients! She has 3 dogs – Jasper, Tucker and Gryffin.
Jelicia E
Jelicia graduated in 2018 from Fairview and joined Animals First after graduation. They are 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 6 cats; William, Harper, Wendy, Boots, Pippin and Donnie.
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.
Cassie G
Cassie began with Animals First in September 2019 as a receptionist, but had since gone back to NAIT to complete the AHT program. Cassie has re-joined the clinic as a fully-fledged RVT! She has an Anatolian Shepherd named Odin, and a few cats named Rizzo, Nomad, Spice and Gizmo.
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!
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 a Dachshund named Marli.
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.