Dr. Dirk deGraaf

Dirk decided to enter veterinary medicine during the 1980’s after a 12 year career as a biologist which took him all over Canada. He completed his veterinary education at the Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, and joined Nanton Veterinary Clinic in 1991. He has been co-owner since 1993. He enjoys the diversity of mixed animal practice and has special interests in surgery (including orthopedics) and small animal dentistry. Another special interest is dealing with emergency and trauma cases including dealing with injured wildlife; he provides first treatment to several hawks and owls every year before sending them on to rehabilitation.

Dr. Kaitlyn Matters

Dr. Kaitlyn Matters grew up in Vermilion Alberta on her parents small farm. Her love of animals started at an early age and she knew that one day she wanted to be a veterinarian. Kaitlyn graduated from the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in 2015. She spent her first two years working in Claresholm before joining the team at the Nanton Veterinary Clinic as a part time Veterinarian. Kaitlyn enjoys the variety that mixed animal practice has to offer as no two days are the same.

Dr. Michael Rhodes

Mike was born and raised in the Brant area. He graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon in 1980. Mike has practiced in Nanton for over 30 years and has co-owned the practice since 1993. He enjoys mixed veterinary practice, with special interest in equine dentistry and bovine herd health. Mike lives in Nanton with his wife Sandy.

Dr. Shannon Wesley

Dr. Shannon Wesley grew up in Claresholm, AB on her parents ranch west of town.  She decided to enter veterinary medicine after a 15 year career as a Registered Veterinary Technologist, including a 7 years as a Canadian Food Inspection Agency Meat Inspector at Cargill Foods in High River.  Shannon graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon in 2019.  She recently joined our team at the Nanton Veterinary Clinic as a new graduate Veterinarian.  Shannon enjoys the diversity of mixed animal practice and has a special interest in surgery including orthopedics.

Dr. Stephen deGraaf

Stephen grew up around the Nanton Vet Clinic since elementary school. An agriculture degree from the University of Alberta was followed by graduation from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon in 2009. For the first five years after vet school, Stephen worked at a mixed animal veterinary clinic in Innisfail before returning home in 2014.  He has now bought into the clinic. He enjoys the mixed challenges of mixed practice: particularly enjoying bovine cases, and dentistry both equine and small animal. Outside of work he is active as a Scout leader and enjoys many outdoor pursuits such as hiking and camping, though much spare time in recent years has been dedicated to his participation in the Innisfail Legion Pipe. At home his cat Nata may be found sitting on his lap or begging for more food, unless the bagpipes come out, at which point she cannot be found.  He also has a dog Sam and a cat Oreo, who desipte their “outdoor” status, spend most of their time in the back entry.

Sheila

Sheila has returned to the vet clinic after a 9 year break to stretch her wings. She currently resides in Stavely with her daughter Mya, and 2 dogs Pepper and Happy. Sheila has returned to our team as a full time Technician.

Bridgit

Bridgit graduated from NAIT’s technician program in 2014.  Having grown up with animals becoming a RVT has been the dream job. She currently has four dogs – 3 of which were acquired through work, a cat  – also adopted from work, and a snake  – not acquired through work.

In her free time Bridgit helps her parents on their acreage where she spends time riding her horse and doing general chores, or is at home sewing or watching movies with her fiancé and critters.

Sara

Born and raised in Okotoks, Sara has always wanted to work with animals: she has worked in clinics from a young age, and recently graduated from the Tech program at Olds. She feels that mixed animal practice has always been where she belongs, as she loves the variety of patients and cases that it brings.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and her dog. She is often found snacking at any time of day. She is very excited to join the Nanton Vet Clinic team!

Debbie

Debbie grew up on a farm in Nanton and graduated from L.C.C. in 1984 with a diploma in secretarial sciences. She has been a part of the team at the clinic since 1991, so has seen lots of changes in the clinic, one of them being our new purpose built clinic. She appreciates being a part of the clinic’s growth over the years, and has learned a lot of useful things and met many wonderful clients and their animals. Debbie lives in Nanton with her daughter Kayla.

Heidi

Heidi is a wife and mother of 2 amazing teenagers who has worked at the Nanton Vet Clinic for 8 years. She recently moved into a vet/ tech assistant position that shes very excited about. Heidi lives with Her family on a small acreage with Her 3 cats, 2 dogs and 2 senior horses. Her hobbies include playing her guitar and reading. Heidi also spends her free time volunteering. She sits on the board for Nanton Animal Protection Society here in town. She’s also the Patient advisor for the South Health Campus ICU/CCU centered care board. Heidi has big dreams of going to Hawaii one day.

Maria

Maria joined our team as receptionist in April 2021. She comes to us with many years of experience in both the veterinary field and the transportation industry.

She has a love of cats, dogs, and horses.  She has raised her family in the foothills region and has a farm outside of Aldersyde.

Jenn

Jenn grew up with her family in High River before moving with her husband and 2 small boys to their acreage just outside of Cayley. She has always had a love for animals so has a full house hold of fur babies including 2 indoor cats, multiple barn cats, 3 large farm dogs and 4 horses. Jenn has joined our team as a part time receptionist.

Burnie ~2010 – 2012 – 2020

Burnie was a long time clinic cat, who retired Christmas 2017.  He was feeling lonely after Nylas passing, and when he went home with Heidi for a week over Christmas, the decision was made. That is he made the decision. For his final years he enjoyed being able to roam in the country and not having to live in a kennel at night. Burnie originally came to us through the Nanton Animal Protection Society after the fire of 2012. He became part of our family very quickly. We missed having him around, but are extremely  happy that he enjoyed his final years.

Dash 1993 – 2011

Dash was our long beloved clinic cat. When she was a tiny kitten she was brought in by a RCMP officer, and he had to pull apart the dash of his cruiser in order to get her out, thus giving her name. She grew up as a clinic cat and was well loved for many years. She is missed by all.

Nyla ~2001-2017

Nyla came to us in the summer of 2014. She was having some health problems and not doing well at NAPS. After an adjustment period to life at the clinic Nyla thrived for several years before new health problems emerged. At first we could keep her healthy with medication, but eventually there was nothing more we could do for her. She is missed as Debbie’s back warmer.