About Us
Dr. Sarah Malenchak started Westhills Equine Veterinary Services in 2011 as a mobile service. In the winter of 2016, Westhills built a home base office/hospital facility just west of Stony Plain, AB. Since its start-up, Dr. Sarah has aimed to grow a team of hard-working and caring equine professionals.
Westhills EVS strives to provide compassionate and high-quality care to our equine patients and clients of Stony Plain and surrounding areas. We proudly service clients in a variety of disciplines including hunter/jumper, dressage, western performance and pleasure. Our team-based approach focuses on creating a positive work environment that encourages advancements in knowledge and education while encouraging the best possible relationship between our clients and their equine partners.
Learn more about Westhills core team of dedicated staff below. We are also fortunate to have many valuable part time and seasonal staff.
Veterinarians
Owner/Veterinarian
Dr. Sarah Malenchak
Sarah grew up on a beef and grain farm in Manitoba and has always had a passion for horses, which inspired her to pursue a career as an equine Veterinarian. She graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatchewan. After graduation, Sarah relocated to the Stony Plain area and started Westhills Equine Veterinary Services in 2011. Her goal has always been to provide quality equine veterinary care to the area with a team of dedicated and caring professionals. She has a special interest in reproduction and heads our reproduction department from April - September.
Education
WESTERN COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE SASKATCHEWAN
Graduated 2009
UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE
Certified Equine Rehabilitation Practitioner 2017
Activities & Affiliations
• AAEP member
Veterinarian
Dr. Emily Graham, VSMT, cVMA
Emily grew up riding horses on her parents acreage just outside of Spruce Grove, Alberta. She attended two years of pre-veterinary medicine at the University of Alberta before graduating from the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and joining Westhills in the Spring of 2014. Emily is a graduate of the Veterinary Chiropractor Learning Centre, a member of the College of Animal Chiropractors and a certified Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapist (VSMT). She is also a graduate of CuraCore Medical Acupuncture for Veterinarians program and is a certified Veterinary Medical Acupuncturist (cVMA). In her spare time, Emily rides dressage with her horse, Wilma.
Education
UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY FACULTY OF VETERINARY MEDICINE
Graduated 2014
VETERINARY CHIROPRACTOR LEARNING CENTRE
Graduated, 2017
CURACORE MEDICAL ACUPUNCTURE FOR VETERINARIANS
Graduated, 2018
Activities & Affiliations
• AAEP member
VETERINARIAN
Dr. Brandy Rimmer, VSMT
Brandy grew up near Lake Isle, Alberta and has been involved with horses her whole life. Brandy attended University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and joined Westhills in the Spring of 2017. Her interests include lameness and dentistry. Brandy is also a graduate of the Veterinary Chiropractor Learning Centre, a member of the College of Animal Chiropractors and a certified Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapist (VSMT). In her spare time she enjoys speding time with her family, riding and moving cattle on their ranch.
Education
UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY FACULTY OF VETERINARY MEDICINE
Graduated, 2017
VETERINARY CHIROPRACTOR LEARNING CENTRE
Graduated, 2019
Activities & Affiliations
• AAEP member
Veterinarian
Dr. Kirstin Park
Kirstin grew up on an acreage near Stony Plain before moving to Scotland for 5 years to study veterinary medicine. She graduated from Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh with a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, and joined Westhills immediately after graduation for an internship in equine medicine and reproduction. Following her internship, Kirstin moved to New Zealand to work as a locum vet during their busy summer/breeding season before returning back to Canada and the Westhills EVS team.
Kirstin has a particular fondness for emergency medicine and loves the variety that general practice provides. Her other interests include neonatal medicine, dentistry and wellness/preventative care. In her free time, Kirstin loves to travel and can often be found outdoors hiking or camping with her friends and family.
Education
ROYAL (DICK) SCHOOL OF VETERINARY STUDIES EDINBURGH
Graduated, 2022
Activities & Affiliations
• AAEP member
Veterinarian
Dr. Andrea Lepoutre
Andrea is from Ecuador and first began her veterinary journey pursuing a career in Equine Health Technology. From there, she completed externships in Ohio, USA and then in Sydney, Australia as a technician which fueled her interest to continue her schooling and become a veterinarian. She graduated with a veterinary degree from Universidad San Francisco de Quito in 2015 and shortly after returned back to the USA to obtain her Certification in Equine Rehabilitation from the University of Tennessee. She then completed a year long internship at an equine hospital in Texas before returning home to run her own equine ambulatory practice. Looking to follow her passion in reproduction and with a desire to pursue more advanced medicine than what is available in Ecuador, Dr. Andrea went back to Texas for the breeding season at Brazos Stallion Station before ultimately relocating to Canada and joining the team at Westhills in early 2024. She can be found primarily in our reproduction department but also in our main clinic a few days a week. In her spare time, Andrea enjoys traveling (if that wasn’t obvious), any outdoor activities and spending time with her husband and cat.
Education
UNIVERSIDAD SAN FRANCISCO DE QUITO VETERINARY SCHOOL
Graduated, 2015
UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE
Certified Equine Rehabilitation Practitioner 2016
Veterinarian - internal medicine consultations
Dr. Carina Cooper, PhD, DACVIM-Large Animal, ANZCVS
Carina was born in France but grew up in Toronto, and first developed a love for horses as a teenager. After finishing a Bachelors, graduating from the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) and a couple of years in practice, Carina returned to the OVC to become boarded in Internal Medicine and completed a PhD. She then also received a Membership in ANZCVS for Equine Dentistry. Carina has a keen interest in cardiology, neonatology, and ophthalmology, but is devoted to constantly improving her knowledge and sharing it with the community. Dr. Cooper is available at Westhills EVS through consultations only.
Education
ONTARIO VETERINARY COLLEGE
Graduated, 2013
ONTARIO VETERINARY COLLEGE
Diplomate American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 2019
ONTARIO VETERINARY COLLEGE - PHD IN PATHOBIOLOGY
Graduated, 2020
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SCIENCES
Member - Equine Dentistry, 2022
Veterinarian - intern
Dr. Lara Paim
Lara grew up in Santa Catarina, Brazil on her family’s cattle farm. Her mom and grandma fostered her love for horses and she was riding before she could walk. As a teenager, Lara’s mare passed away and left her to care for an orphan foal, which ultimately made her fall in love with equine care and inspired her to become a veterinarian. Lara attended FURB Veterinary School in Santa Catarina immediately after high school and graduated in 2023. After graduation, Lara started to pursue her masters in Genetic Improvement, but an interest in equine general practice and an available position at our clinic led her to come pursue an internship with us instead. She has a special interest in neonatology and internal medicine.
Lara loves Canada for its snow, the food and the kind people. She is with us for a year long internship and in her spare time, she plans to explore more of Canada’s beautiful landscape.
Education
FURB - REGIONAL UNIVERSITY OF BLUMENAU VETERINARY SCHOOL
Graduated, 2023
Registered Veterinary Technologists
Registered Veterinary Technologist & TRAINING COORDINATOR
Dana Laidlaw, RVT
Dana grew up on a family acreage in the Graminia area. She has spent several years on the eventing circuit but in the last few years, has shifted her focus to developing her horsemanship skills with her young horse, Jill. She is a graduate of the NAIT Animal Health Technology program and joined the Westhills team in winter of 2015 as our office manager. With a love for developing training programs and working with new staff, Dana has since transitioned to our Training Coordinator. Dana also completed her EEBWI certification as an Equine Body Worker in 2009. In her spare time, Dana keeps busy with her two kids, husband and herd of horses at home. She can primarily be found in the office or training with new staff members.
Education
NAIT ANIMAL HEALTH TECHNOLOGY
Graduated, 1996
Registered Veterinary Technologist & executive of Marketing and Public relations
Amy Burden, RVT, EEBWI
Amy grew up in the Stony Plain area and has been involved with horses since she was young, spending 12+ years competing on the hunter/jumper circuit before “switching sides” and spending her college years riding with a trainer of reining horses. Amy is a graduate of the NAIT Animal Health Technology program and is also EEBWI certified as an Equine Body Worker, working alongside our veterinarians as part of your horses care team in massage therapy. In her spare time, she enjoys camping, traveling and spending time with her family, friends and two dogs. Amy joined Westhills in the spring of 2017 after completing her practicum with us. She primarily stays in clinic and can most often be found either working on her role in marketing or caring for hospitalized patients, assisting with emergencies or completing tech appointments.
Education
NAIT ANIMAL HEALTH TECHNOLOGY
Graduated, 2017
EQUINOLOGY EQUINE BODY WORKER CERTIFICATION I
Certified, 2020
Registered Veterinary Technologist
Megan Clifton, RVT
Megan grew up on a 500 head cattle ranch in the Okanagan, where her family vacations were moving cattle on horseback and having mountain picnics as a lunch break. She started team roping at the age of 12 which inspired her to upgrade from their ranch horses and purchase her first rope horse. Megan attended Thompson Rivers University Animal Health Technology Program and graduated in 2013. From there, she continued to work on her Family’s Ranch and in a Mixed Animal practice in Penticton, BC. In December 2016, she relocated to Spruce Grove, Alberta to pursue a career as a Pharmaceutical Rep for Cattle and Equine. After starting her family here in Alberta, Megan decided to get back into clinical practice and joined the team at Westhills in 2022, where she works with us in clinic as our hospital technician, and with our recipient mare herd during the reproduction season.
Education
THOMPSON RIVERS UNIVERSITY ANIMAL HEALTH TECHNOLOGY
Graduated, 2013
Registered Veterinary Technologist
Mikaila Dunbar, RVT
Mikaila grew up in a small town in southern Saskatchewan and has always had a passion for the care of animals - specifically horses. She pursued her Veterinary Technologist schooling at Olds College and graduated in 2021. Since then, she has gained experience in small and large animal clinics but has more recently chosen to focus on equine care, joining the team at Westhills in the fall of 2023. She has a special interest in equine radiology and dentistry and in her spare time enjoys hiking, skiing, fishing and riding. In the clinic, Mikaila can primarily be found working alongside Dr. Kirstin or Dr. Sarah.
Education
OLDS COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE & TECH - ANIMAL HEALTH TECHNOLOGY
Graduated, 2019
Registered Veterinary Technologist
Caitlin Shumborski, RVT
Caitlin grew up in the Seba Beach area where a love of horses was fostered by her mom at an early age. She started riding endurance in 2014 and currenlty owns and competes with her 2 arabians geldings, Arlo and Beamer. Caitlin is a 2024 graduate of the NAIT Animal Health Technology program and completed her practicum at an equine surgical center. Once upon a time, Caitlin was barn staff here at Westhills when we quickly convinced her that she should pursue tech school. In a true full circle moment, she re-joined Westhills as an RVT in the summer of 2024 upon graduating from school and can now primarily be found alongside Dr. Emily. Caitlin has a special interest in sports medicine and emergency medicine and in her spare time enjoys hiking with her dog, Anna.
Education
NAIT ANIMAL HEALTH TECHNOLOGY
Graduated, 2024
Veterinary Medical Assistants
Veterinary Assistant
Maxine Beach
Max grew up in the Edmonton area and found a passion for horses when she started riding lessons at 12 years old. From there she spent her years competing in the hunter/jumper world and eventually gaining her coaching certification. Even though she loves teaching, Max has always had a love for the medical side of the equine world and joined the team at Westhills in early 2023, with plans to attend school to become a Veterinary Technologist in the near future. In her spare time, Max enjoys riding as well as numerous outdoor activites. In the clinic, Max can primarily be found alongside Dr. Emily and Caitlin.
veterinary assistant
Chloe Vainqueur
Chloe grew up in Ontario but moved to Alberta to pursue her passion of working with horses. She started riding when she was 10 years old and from there began competing on the hunter/jumper circuits for several years. She graduated from the University of Guelph from the Bachelor of Bio-Resource Management program with a major in Equine Management. In her free time, she enjoys discovering hiking trails in Alberta and spending time with cats at the humane society. Her ultimate goal is to become a Veterinarian. Chloe joined the team here at Westhills in spring of 2023 and can primarily be found alongside Dr. Kirstin.
reproduction coordinator/veterinary assistant
Justine Brown
Justine grew up by Rocky Mountain House on her grandparents farm and has had a passion for cows and horses since she was born. She started riding alongside her dad at the community pasture when she was 3 years old, so her interest in equine health and management started at a young age. With a degree in business under her belt and after many years working in an office setting, she decided to follow her passion and joined the team at Westhills in fall of 2022 as our barn manager. Upon working alongside our team, Justine realized she really enjoyed the medical side of things and paired with her attention to detail and knack for customer serice, Justine has since transitioned into the role of Reproduction Coordinator. When she’s not at the clinic, Justine can be found riding and roping with her husband and two children, either on their family ranch or at the community pasture her husband manages. When at the clinic, Justine can be found in our reproduction department all summer, and assisting alongside Dr. Sarah in the winter.
Management
Practice manager
Kenzie Leggett
Kenzie grew up in Cayley, Alberta on her family farm. She began riding at a young age and competed in high level showjumping for most of her teenage years. Kenzie has a large passion for Veterinary Medicine and Animal Welfare. She came to us with alot of small animal emergency and management experience and is excited to now combine her passion for Vet Med with her passion for horses. When she’s not at the clinic, Kenzie can be found spending time with her friends, her husband and her small zoo of animals.
human resources coordinator
Lise Plamondon
Lise grew up in Stony Plain, AB and is the only WEVS Team Member with no equine history to report! She joined WEVS in August of 2023 and has been exclusively focused on the humans of Westhills.
A business management graduate with a major in accounting, Lise started her career in downtown Edmonton working for KPMG. From there she transitioned into an operations management role with a mid-sized manufacturer for nine years and a non-profit for thirteen years. It was in these environments where Lise developed a love for human resources and health, safety, and wellness and studied HR management at McMasters University and became a Qualified Health and Safety Officer (QHSO) with AASP.
Lise and her husband are parents to two adult children and a Pyrenees-Collie cross named Nala. When not working for Westhills, Lise enjoys time spent on her acreage and in the Alberta and BC outdoors. She compensates for long hours of screen time with tactile hobbies including drawing, watercolour painting, scrappy journaling and making miniature things.
Support Staff
client care representative lead - main clinic
Jaylene Janzen
Jaylene grew up on her family’s acreage just outside of Devon and was always around horses. She joined 4H as soon as she was old enough and started competing in Endurance at the age of 8. She has now been a part of the sport for over 20 years; attending NAJYRC in Kentucky in 2012 and qualifying for WEG in 2018 with a homebred Arabian named Sakic. Jaylene graduated from MacEwan University in 2021 from the Hearing Aid Practitioner program. Since then, she has fallen in love with working in the veterinary field, starting first at a small animal clinic and then following her passion of equine and joining Westhills in early 2023. It has been the perfect fit for Jaylene who enjoys caring for both people and animals. In her spare time, Jaylene loves adventuring with her family and friends as well as spending time with her horses.
Client care representative - main clinic
Madison Elder
Madison grew up on her family’s acreage out by Falun and has had a passion for animals since she was little. While growing up her family was always traveling with the Dorchester’s on the WPCA circuit. Her first horse was an ex-outriding horse given to her family by Dallas Dorchester. She has had many horses since then and was involved with gymkhana for many years.
She started her career in veterinary medicine in 2022 within a small animal clinic. Her love and interest in horses is what has driven her to become a part of the Westhills team in 2023.
When not at the clinic Madison enjoys spending time on the farm and being with her family and friends.
patient/facility care representative - barn coordinator
Kimberly Smith
Bio coming soon.
patient/facility care representative - barn staff
Marissa Yeoman
Bio coming soon.