Calgary’s Comprehensive 24-Hour Emergency & Advanced Veterinary Hospital
At Petzoic Vet Hospital, we understand that pet emergencies don't follow a schedule. That’s why we’ve built our hospital to serve as a reliable 24-hour emergency vet clinic for Calgary and Tsuut'ina families. Whether it’s a midnight trauma or a complex surgical referral, our facility is staffed around the clock to provide immediate life-saving care.
When You Choose Us
When you choose Petzoic Vet Hospital, you are choosing a 24-hour animal hospital where innovation meets immediate action. Our commitment to your pet’s well-being is backed by a facility designed for urgent care, advanced specialty surgery, and life-saving interventions at any hour of the day or night.
Advanced Vet Technology
Tailored 24/7 Care
Teamwork
Our Values
Integrity
A cornerstone of our values, Integrity encompasses many things, including our emphasis on a positive workplace culture and respect for the responsibility entrusted to us by families in caring for their pets.
Inspire
Providing encouragement for families with solutions for their pet’s health and empowering team members to achieve their career goals at Petzoic Vet Hospital are some examples of how we choose to Inspire at our hospital.
Innovate
Whether it be access to the latest technology and therapies or our dedication to Innovate our services in new and efficient ways, innovation drives our approach to providing exceptional services.
Unlock Your Petzoic Vet Experience
Our Team
Come meet our team! We’re passionate about animal care and are excited to get to know both you and your pets, ensuring every visit to Petzoic Vet Hospital feels like you’re visiting an old friend.
Dr. Shelby Kimura
BVSc, MS, ciVCA, CHT-V
Read more about Dr. Shelby
Dr. Shelby Kimura is a native Calgarian whose career has been dedicated to advancing veterinary medicine and animal welfare through clinical practice, innovation, education, and community partnerships. She currently practices at Petzoic Vet Hospital, where her practice is limited to veterinary chiropractic, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, ferret medicine, and pain management, with companion animal rehabilitation provided through Petfinity.
Recognized for her commitment to animal welfare, Dr. Kimura was the recipient of the 2022 Dr. Carol Morgan Memorial Award, presented by the Animal Welfare Foundation of Canada to a veterinarian who has demonstrated outstanding dedication to improving the welfare of animals through leadership, advocacy, and service.
Prior to joining Petzoic Vet Hospital, Dr. Kimura owned and operated a busy 24-hour hybrid primary care and emergency veterinary hospital for a decade. During that time, she developed extensive experience in emergency medicine, soft tissue surgery, advanced wound management, and the management of complex medical cases. In her current role, she now provides mentorship and guidance to early-career veterinarians, helping expand their clinical, surgical, and decision-making skills while maintaining a high standard of patient care.
Committed to lifelong learning, Dr. Kimura has completed or is completing advanced training and certification in hyperbaric oxygen therapy, companion animal rehabilitation, veterinary chiropractic, acupuncture, myofascial therapy, veterinary food therapy, pain management, and the human–animal bond. She is also a RECOVER Certified Basic and Advanced Life Support (BLS & ALS) CPR Instructor and Rescuer.
During the pandemic, Dr. Kimura also completed a Master of Science in Veterinary Forensics through the University of Florida. She subsequently served as a teaching assistant in the program, co-taught continuing education courses in veterinary forensics through professional forums, and has presented lectures on the Link, the association between domestic violence, elder abuse, child abuse, and animal abuse.
Her commitment to animal welfare extends well beyond clinical practice. In the early 2000s, Dr. Kimura and her family founded the Ferret Rescue & Education Society (FRES), an organization that continues to operate today. As a long-time ferret owner and veterinarian, she has become one of Calgary’s most experienced resources for ferret medicine, managing complex medical conditions, emergency cases, and advanced soft tissue surgical procedures while bringing together the unique perspectives of veterinarian, rescue operator, and ferret owner.
Dr. Kimura earned a Bachelor of Science in Cellular, Molecular, and Microbial Biology with a minor in Psychology from the University of Calgary before completing her Bachelor of Veterinary Science at the University of Melbourne.
Outside of clinical practice, Dr. Kimura has served on the Board of Directors of the Calgary Academy of Veterinary Medicine since 2008 and currently serves as Treasurer. She also volunteers as a CVMA Veterinary Reservist and as a Calgary Flames Ambassador.
Professional Certifications
- Certified Hyperbaric Technologist – Veterinary (CHV-T)
- International Veterinary Chiropractic Association (IVCA)
- Cat-Friendly Veterinarian
- Human–Animal Bond Certification
- RECOVER Certified BLS & ALS (CPR) Instructor & Rescuer
- Certified Veterinary Food Therapy (CVFT, in progress)
- Certified Veterinary Acupuncture (CVA, in progress)
- Certified Small Animal Myofascial Therapist (CSMT, in progress)
Cory Pinel
DVM, DACVS-SA
Read more about Cory Pinel
Dr. Cory Pinel brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our team. He discovered his passion for small animal surgery during his clinical year at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon. After graduating in 2005, he pursued specialty training through a series of prestigious internships and residencies, culminating in his board certification in 2012. Dr. Pinel has worked in various private practices across North America, honing his skills in complex surgical procedures, including TPLO, fracture repair, surgical oncology, decompressive spinal surgery and BOAS. His dedication to small animal surgery and pain management makes him a valuable addition to Petzoic Vet Hospital.
Dr. Dezirae Leger
Veterinarian
Read more about Dr. Dezirae Leger
Returning home to Calgary after a decade of veterinary education and dedicated neurology training, Dr. Leger brings a passion for veterinary neurology and a collaborative approach to patient care.
A 2024 graduate of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, she completed a Small Animal Rotating Internship at VCA Central Victoria, followed by a Neurology Specialty Internship at Canada West Veterinary Specialists and Critical Care Hospital.
Her training in referral and academic settings included working closely with board-certified neurologists to assess and manage complex neurologic and neurosurgical cases.
Dr. Leger is also actively involved in veterinary research and has authored seven peer-reviewed publications, five of which focus specifically on veterinary neurology.
Dr. Dunya Vaghefi
Veterinarian
Read more about Dr. Dunya Vaghefi
Bio Coming Soon!
Dr. Ehab Hamed
Veterinarian
Read more about Dr. Ehab Hamed
Dr. Ehab recognized his love for animals as a child when he helped his father with raising birds, especially pigeons. He graduated in Egypt from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Cairo in 1997 and joined the Presidential Guard Equestrian Club as an Associate Veterinarian. Dr. Ehab worked with show horses for nearly two years before he became interested in the pharmaceutical and medical devices industry. He joined a world-leading pharmaceutical company and spent more than ten years moving between different management and consultancy roles, with an MBA in Marketing and Strategic Management.
Dr. Ehab worked with small animals in three different countries before moving to Canada in 2018. He completed the Animal Health Technology program at Old College in 2020 and worked as a Registered Veterinary Technologist at a number of emergency hospitals in Alberta. After earning his accreditation in 2021, Dr. Ehab worked in Edmonton and Calgary before becoming a member of our team. He has a special interest in surgery and attends professional training conferences throughout North America to further build upon his skills. He takes care of a senior Canary at home and has a special interest in birds, small animals, and horses. In his free time, Dr. Ehab likes to watch movies, play table tennis, spend time with his family, and travel. Dr. Ehab can perform examinations in Arabic.
Dr. Jeffrey Poffenroth
Veterinarian
Read more about Dr. Jeff
Bio coming soon.
Dr. Mark Rubensohn
Veterinarian
Read more about Dr. Mark
Dr. Mark Rubensohn has been caring for dogs and cats in Calgary and Okotoks for more than 30 years. Throughout his career, he has been involved in all aspects of veterinary care, including medicine, surgery, and integrative and alternative therapies for pets.
While Dr. Mark is gradually easing into retirement, his passion for veterinary medicine and the relationships he has built with pets and their families over the years have made it difficult to step away completely. He continues to share his extensive experience with our team on Saturdays, doing what he loves most: caring for pets and the people who love them.
Outside of the clinic, Dr. Mark is an avid birdwatcher and photographer and enjoys skiing and cycling.
He is delighted to be part of the Petzoic Veterinary Hospital team and looks forward to helping pets and their families every weekend.
Dr. Sanuka Weththewa
Veterinarian
Read more about Dr. Sanuka
Originally from Sri Lanka, Sanuka discovered his passion for animal care early in life, which led him to pursue a Bachelor of Veterinary Science at the University of Peradeniya. After graduating, he gained valuable experience working with both companion animals and wildlife, including time spent at the Girithale Wildlife Veterinary Hospital and in community spay/neuter programs.
His clinical experience includes small animal medicine, surgery, emergency care, and client communication. Over time, he developed a special interest in soft tissue surgery and preventive care, always aiming to make vet visits as stress-free as possible for pets and their owners.
When he’s not in the clinic, you’ll find him hiking in nature, playing rugby, or spending time with friends and family.
Visiting Partner Veterinarians
In addition to our in-house veterinary team, Petzoic Vet Hospital partners with a select group of independent veterinarians who bring their skills directly to our facility. These visiting veterinarians perform specific procedures or consultations while maintaining their own independent practices.
Dr. Mike Price
Veterinarian
Read more about Dr. Mike Price
Dr. Price brings over a decade of orthopedic expertise to our team, focusing on surgical diseases of the stifle, such as cranial cruciate ligament disease, elbow conditions, traumatology, fracture management, and hip and pelvis diseases. With access to in-house CT scanning, we provide customized deformity correction and precise diagnostics for complex cases.
Becky S.
Registered Veterinary Technologist
Read more about Becky
Bio coming soon!
Brandee T.
Registered Veterinary Technologist
Read more about Brandee
I was born and raised in Calgary. I started skating lessons at the age of three and continued my career in competitive figure skating throughout university. I am now a SkateCanada professional coach and continue to love teaching youth the joys of skating.
In my spare time, I like to spend time with my family including my 1-year-old son, Anthony, almost 2-year-old corgi Lillian, and 10-year-old lionhead rabbit Kovu. And if I can find a quiet minute you can typically find me cozied up with a good book.
I have always had a soft spot for animals, especially exotic species. I started working at Calgary Zoo during my undergraduate degree in zoology. Over 10 years at the zoo I was involved in education, animal care, and conservation and research. It was ultimately my fieldwork with black-tailed prairie dogs that sparked my desire to return to school and pursue a career as an RVT. With a passion for conservation and medicine, I got involved in wildlife rehabilitation and worked in mixed animal medicine upon graduation.
My favourite aspects of veterinary medicine are the wide variety of species we are able to work with and help. There are endless opportunities for learning and growth. And getting to connect with clients, and provide education, empathy, and support is another aspect I thoroughly enjoy.
Christine E.
Registered Veterinary Technologist
Read more about Christine
Christine was born and raised in Calgary but has always been a country girl at heart. From a very early age, she was drawn to animals of all shapes and sizes, and this passion only grew. She developed a keen interest in animal behaviour and health, leading her to complete a Bachelor of Science in Zoology at the University of Calgary in 2015. At the time, she had planned to pursue a degree in Veterinary Medicine, but upon completing her degree, she shifted gears and spent some time working and travelling. Her love of the outdoors, nature, and travel led her to work as a rock climbing instructor, horseback guide, and even as a cave guide in the glowworm caves of New Zealand.
Nearly a decade after completing her bachelor’s degree, she found herself back in Canada planning her next steps. She returned to school to complete her Veterinary Technology Diploma through Olds College. Christine loves the diversity of working in animal health and has found a real soft spot for exotic species. She hopes to one day use her skills and knowledge to pursue opportunities working with wildlife.
Most of Christine’s spare time is spent at the barn with her 3 horses. When not at the barn, she can often be found exploring nature, trying a new sport or activity, travelling, or cozy at home with a good book.
Ella I.
Registered Veterinary Technologist
Read more about Ella
Ella grew up on a farm south of Calgary, where her love for animals and passion for caring for them began. She was a member of the Gladys 4-H Beef Club for six years, which gave her valuable hands-on experience with livestock and strengthened her appreciation for responsible animal care. Her passion for animals and desire to make a difference in their lives led her to pursue a career as a Veterinary Technologist, with the goal of being a voice for the voiceless and advocating for the health and well-being of every patient in her care.
Ella recently graduated from Lakeland College and has been working at Petzoic Vet Hospital since. Her favourite part of being a Veterinary Technologist is watching patients recover and being able to support and care for them throughout their journey back to health.
Outside of work, Ella enjoys spending time in the mountains, camping and hiking with her husband and their two dogs, as well as being active in her community.
Kat C.
Registered Veterinary Technologist
Read more about Kat
Kristin L.
Registered Veterinary Technologist
Read more about Kristin
Kristin was born and raised in Calgary and has had a passion for animals for as long as she can remember. Her experiences in the farm world helped grow that passion and inspired her career in veterinary medicine.
A graduate of Olds College’s Veterinary Technology program, Kristin enjoys caring for animals of all sizes, from companion animals and livestock to exotic species. She is dedicated to providing compassionate care and building strong relationships with both patients and their owners.
Outside of the hospital, Kristin enjoys spending time outdoors and around the farm with her goats (Benedict and Walter), embracing every opportunity to be around animals and nature.
Mercedes P.
Registered Veterinary Technologist
Read more about Mercedes
Mercedes is one of our amazing RVTs at Petzoic Vet Hospital. She originally grew up in Cold Lake, Alberta. Mercedes’ passion for animals started at a very young age when she started riding and showing horses at her Grandma’s farm.
From there, her love of animals led her to pursue a career in the animal industry, where she discovered the Veterinary Technology Program at Lakeland College in Vermilion, AB. Mercedes graduated from Lakeland College in the spring of 2019.
After college, Mercedes left home and moved to Southern Alberta to start her new career in the animal health field. She has been working full-time in various mixed/general practice clinics since May 2019 and started her new career at Petzoic in April 2026. Her special interests include: bandaging (she’s a pro!), nutrition, and companion animal pain management with a new love of exotics – she’s still learning.
Mercedes lives with her fiancé, Scott, and their two kitties, Phil and Willy, who always keep them on their toes! In her downtime, Mercedes can be found cooking new recipes on her smoker or binge-watching scary movies. Fun fact: Mercedes represented Team Alberta at Pony Club National Dressage Finals in 2015 and placed third in Canada.
Mikayla R.
Registered Veterinary Technologist
Read more about Mikayla
Bio Coming Soon!
Sabina P.
Registered Veterinary Technologist, CHT-V
Read more about Sabina
Sabina has worked in the veterinary field in both Alberta and BC for the past 7 years. She completed her Bachelor of Science with a Major in Animal Biology at Thompson Rivers University and is currently pursuing her dream of becoming a vet tech. She holds certifications in Fear Free Handling, Recovery CPR, Laser Therapy and Veterinary Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. When she’s not lending a helping hand at the hospital, you can find Sabina exploring the great outdoors, hiking and camping with her one-eyed pitbull, Rocky, or getting lost in the pages of a captivating book. With Sabina by your pet’s side, rest assured they’ll receive top-notch care and plenty of tail-wagging adventures!
Savanna D.
Registered Veterinary Technologist
Read more about Savanna
Savanna is a dedicated Licensed Veterinary Technologist with a special interest in anesthesia and surgery. She is passionate about providing compassionate, high-quality care to every patient and helping pets feel as comfortable and safe as possible throughout their hospital experience.
With experience in surgical, anesthetic care and emergency medicine. Savanna has developed a strong appreciation for the importance of attention to detail, patient monitoring, and teamwork in veterinary medicine. She has completed additional training in veterinary anesthesia and holds ALS and BLS certifications.
Outside of work, Savanna enjoys spending time with her own dogs and making the most of life with her four-legged companions.
Dharla M.
Veterinary Assistant
Read more about Dharla
Bio Coming Soon!
Matt B.
Veterinary Assistant
Read more about Matt
Matt was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta. He completed his undergraduate degree at Mount Royal University before beginning his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Calgary in 2024. Throughout his training, Matt has gained experience in various areas of veterinary medicine, including specialty practice and population medicine.
Matt has a particular interest in emergency and critical care and is eager to continue expanding his clinical knowledge and skills. Outside of veterinary medicine, he enjoys exercising, reading, and spending time outdoors.
Nina P.
Veterinary Assistant
Read more about Nina
Thane H.
Veterinary Assistant
Read more about Thane
Hello, my name is Thane, and I was born and raised in the small town of Oyen, Alberta. Having grown up in rural Alberta, I was fortunate enough to work with and care for animals throughout my childhood. As such, a career in veterinary medicine is something I have been working towards since graduating high school. I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Saskatchewan (USASK) in 2024 with a Bachelor of Science with distinction in Agriculture, majoring in animal science. During my time at USASK, I was fortunate to participate in research pertaining to feeding strategies for lactating dairy cows, more specifically, the effects of fibrolytic enzymes on feed intake, average daily gain, rumen pH, milk composition, nutrient digestibility, gross energy, and digestible energy.
Progressing to 2025, I was fortunate enough to be accepted into the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine program, intending to graduate with the Class of 2029. As for future goals and aspirations, I do hope to complete a Master of Science as well as progress down the veterinary specialty route, as small animal surgery and cardiology are two of my primary interest areas. Specific to my experiences in the industry, I have been lucky enough to work and volunteer in small animal emergency, mixed animal, and small animal specific practices over the last 7 years.
In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my dog Titus, weightlifting, reading classic literature (specifically Fyodor Dostoevsky and or Leo Tolstoy), and various martial arts.
Alex N.
Technologist Assistant
Read more about Alex
Alex is happiest when she’s learning something new, spending time outdoors, or hanging out with her animals. After nearly 10 years working as a Tech Assistant, she still loves helping pets and their people and enjoys meeting the many different personalities that come through the clinic each day.
Outside of work, Alex and her wife run a landscaping company together, and she enjoys exploring the mountains and spending time with her dogs, cat, family, and friends. She believes that kindness, curiosity, and a good sense of humour can go a long way.
Faith W.
Technologist Assistant
Read more about Faith
My name is Faith. I graduated from the Bow Valley College Veterinary Office Assistant program last year and have been working in emergency veterinary medicine ever since. I have always had a strong bond with animals and a deep passion for their care and well-being. Working in emergency medicine has strengthened my love for this field and my drive to continue learning and growing in my career.
I take great pride in advocating for animals who cannot speak for themselves and ensuring they receive the compassion, care, and support they deserve. Animal welfare is something I care deeply about, and I am passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of both animals and their families.
Isabella R.
Technologist Assistant
Read more about Isabella
Isabella is a dedicated Veterinary Technician Assistant who graduated from NAIT as a Vet Medical Assistant. She recently moved to Calgary to pursue her passion in Vet Medicine, after living in Sherwood Park and Edmonton for most of her life. Since she was very young, she loved animals and working with them. She is super passionate about both small animal care and Equine care. Isabella aims to show each and every animal under her care the love and attention that they deserve. She has volunteered with Zoe’s Animal Rescue and had her own pet-sitting/ dog walking business in Edmonton. She is an avid horseback rider. Isabella has done show jumping, barrel racing and western and English flatwork.
Whenever Isabella isn’t working, she enjoys her time camping, hiking and international travel with her boyfriend. She also loves spending time with her friends and family!
Renée C.
Technologist Assistant
Read more about Renée
Renee is a Veterinary Technician Assistant with a background in Veterinary Medicine from Brazil and a passion for feline care. She recently moved to Calgary, Alberta, and has experience supporting veterinary teams in patient care, hospitalization, radiology, sample collection, and clinical procedures.
She is particularly passionate about Cat Friendly handling and enjoys making veterinary visits less stressful for feline patients. While cats will always have a special place in her heart, she promises to give the same love and dedication to dogs and every animal she meets!
Rashed R.
Technologist Assistant
Read more about Rashed
Bio Coming Soon!
Taylor O.
Technologist Assistant
Read more about Taylor
Taylor is a Veterinary Technologist Assistant who recently graduated from Bow Valley College. Growing up with dogs and cats, she developed a special love for animals from an early age and knew she wanted to pursue a career where she could make a difference in their lives. With 3+ years of experience in animal daycare, boarding and pet sitting, Taylor has had the opportunity to care for a variety of pets, from fluffy to scaly! She loves getting to know each pet’s unique personality and is passionate about helping patients feel safe, cared for and loved during their time with us at Petzoic.
When Taylor isn’t at work, you can find her spending time with her own 2 dogs and cat, hanging out with her friends and family, or picking up a new hobby to keep herself busy. She’s always happy to meet a new furry friend and is excited to keep growing my experience in veterinary medicine and make sure every patient who comes to see us is cared for and loved a little extra when they need it most!
Yevheniia L.
Technologist Assistant
Read more about Yevheniia
My name is Yevheniia, and I am a Veterinary Technician Assistant with over five years of experience in the veterinary field. I recently joined the clinic, but my passion for animal care has been part of my life for many years. I work most often with dogs, and I also have experience caring for birds and reptiles.
Danae B.
Veterinary Medical Receptionist
Read more about Danae
Danae (she/her) has been contributing to the veterinary industry since 2016 after graduating with honours from her VMR/TA program. Danae carries experience in emergency, exotic and small animal practice. Growing up, she has owned many animals, including dogs, cats, rodents, reptiles and birds. She is dedicated to patient health and client education. Her compassionate nature complements her professionalism and her personal approach with animals and with clients.
Danae is passionate about high standards of animal care, while providing effective and educational communication between animal owners, their pets and those who work to care for them. She is enthusiastic about working in the animal care field and is endlessly passionate about animal welfare.
Danae and her family share 3 dogs – Odi (Boston terrier x Chihuahua), Birdie (Dalmatian), Artie (Australian Shepherd x German Shepherd) and 3 cats – Neco (DLH), Malo (DMH) and Oliver (Manx). When not at the clinic, Danae enjoys being with her family, reading and creating.
Valentina C.
Veterinary Medical Receptionist
Read more about Valentina
Bio Coming Soon!
Join Our Team and Transform Lives
You entered the veterinary medicine field with the understanding that some days may pose challenges. You're determined to work at a hospital where the workplace culture makes those moments easier to navigate and where you can positively impact your team, your patients and their families. Imagine your impact at Petzoic Vet Hospital now.