Staff

Veterinarians

Dr. Jeff Dand - Owner

Jeff graduated from the Atlantic Veterinary College in 1997 and then continued on to Florida to complete his Veterinary internship. While in Florida Jeff focused on canine behavior and dermatology. Since then Jeff has operated several clinics in Calgary and Airdrie always with a priority of great client service and patient care. He now spends his time between his clinics in Calgary as well as his clinics in Victoria, BC. His three rescue pets at home are Cola (Pitbull/Lab Cross), Dexter (Brussels Griffon) & Sheriff (Domestic Longhair Cat).

** Please note that Dr. Dand is not currently taking appointments

Dr. Monica Kovacs

Dr. Monica Kovacs was born and raised in Calgary. She realized at a young age that her dream was to become a veterinarian and recently graduated from the University of Calgary’s veterinary medicine program. Dr. Kovacs has a special interest in small animals, exotic pets and wildlife medicine. She is currently the volunteer veterinarian for the Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation, a rehabilitation center for injured and orphaned wildlife. Dr. Kovacs is excited to be able to offer veterinary care to exotic pets through the Airdrie Animal Clinic.

On her days off, Dr. Kovacs likes to go hiking with her two border collies, Darwin and Duke, or cuddle with her Siamese cat, Mocha. She is also training her border collies in obedience and dog agility and is proud to say that Darwin has achieved his CKC Canine Good Neighbor Certificate

Dr. Andrea Gohm

Dr. Andrea obtained her DVM degree with distinction from the University of Calgary in 2020. She worked at a mixed-animal practice in rural Alberta before starting at Airdrie Animal Clinic in 2022. While she enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine, she is particularly interested in dentistry, soft tissue surgery, and imaging (radiology, ultrasonography), and has a soft spot for our feline patients.
In her spare time, she enjoys hiking and travelling, playing games with friends and family, and exploring new technologies like 3D printing. She currently has no pets but hopes to rescue a canine or feline hiking buddy in the near future.

Dr. Renae Zook (Currently on maternity leave)

Renae grew up in the small town of Trochu, Alberta and completed her DVM in Saskatoon at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 2016. Since graduating with her veterinary degree Renae has worked in both mixed animal and small animal practice in Saskatchewan before joining the team at Airdrie Animal Clinic. Her interests include small animal surgery (particularly dentistry) and anything related to the eyes. Renae enjoys horseback riding in the summer on her Quarter Horse Mare Spryte and can be found in the Rockies on the ski hills in the winters with her husband.

** Dr. Zook will be on maternity leave as of August 26th 2023

Dr. Sandra Bitner

Dr. Sandra grew up in Calgary, and was lucky enough to get a scholarship to study Veterinary Medicine in Grenada, West Indies. Having lived for three and a half years in the Caribbean, and surviving Hurricane Ivan that wiped the island out in 2004, she returned to Alberta where she practiced mixed animal medicine. Sandra has worked all over the province, but is now focused on small animal medicine and calls Didsbury home. Education on how to keep client's furry loved ones healthy and happy are a major focus for her now. Prior to her "late in life" career change to veterinary medicine, she worked as a senior research associate at the Foothills hospital and was involved with research in Cardiology, Neurology, Respiratory Medicine, Oncology and Organ Donation. Sandra spends down time with her husband Chris, their 4 rescue dogs, 4 pot belly pigs, 3 cats and rabbit! She looks forward to meeting you at the clinic and helping you take care of your pets.

Management

Holly Robinson

Holly was born and raised in Calgary, and grew up surrounded by animals, having everything from cats and dogs, to frogs, turtles, hamsters and bearded dragons. She has always had a love for all creatures, furry, slimy or scaly, and decided to pursue a career in the veterinary field, graduating from Bow Valley College's Veterinary assistant program in 2012. Holly started with the Airdrie Animal Clinic in March 2012 as a client care specialist, and spent a number of years leading the reception team. Holly decided to further her education, and in 2021 graduated with honors from the Business Administration program at SAIT. Upon graduation Holly began assisting with the accounting for all the Dand clinics, as well as managing the Airdrie Animal Clinic. Holly now resides in Airdrie with her husband, a ginger kitty named Simba, and a golden retriever puppy named Griswold.

Rhubarb

Rhubarb joined the AAC family in March 2022 after being rescued by our wonderful friends at Cochrane Humane Society. She lost the tips of her ears and a portion of her tail to frost bite prior to being rescued, but Rhubarb is now living the good life, and gets absolutely spoiled on the daily by our amazing staff and clients. You can usually find her lounging in her corner of reception or basking in any sunbeam she can find in the clinic. Rhubarb loves her bum scratches and will pretty much be your best friend if you show her an ounce of love. She also never turns down a good treat- We have learnt to keep a close eye on her waistline!

Stop by anytime to meet Rhubarb, she is always open to making new friends!

Registered Veterinary Technologists

Paige

Paige graduated from the Animal Health Technologist program at Lakeland College in 2015. She spent the first 6 years of her career working emergency medicine but has recently switched to general practice. Paige has a special interest in pet nutrition and emergency care. Outside of work Paige enjoys reading, watching hockey, and spending time with her dog Freya and cat Baloo.

Alex

Alex was Born and raised in Calgary, Alberta and grew up with a passion for animals from a very young age. Her fond early childhood memories are of helping strays find their forever homes, and walking the neighborhood dogs at every opportunity she could find. As an adolescent, Alex worked closely with horses while participating many community passion projects through 4H. These hobbies later evolved into a career interest within the veterinary medicine industry. Alex later graduated Olds college in 2014 with her animal health technology diploma and has since worked in a variety of clinics, including emergency medicine where she developed an interest in surgery and internal medicine. She currently owns 2 cats, Ruffles and Bear , a horse named Talon and recently adopted a dog named Sirius from AARCS! Alex spend her spare time horseback riding in the mountains, hiking and spending time with her partner.

Jennifer

Bio Coming Soon!

Veterinary Assistants & Client Care Specialists

Wendy

Wendy graduated with a DVM degree from the University of the Philippines, worked as a veterinary nurse in California for 2 years and then practiced as a licensed veterinarian and as a consultant for a kennel that bred and trained sniffer and guard dogs in Metro Manila until her family moved to Calgary in 2005. She started to work with Dr. Dand in May of that year at the Crowfoot Veterinary Hospital then moved to the Airdrie Animal Clinic in 2011. She has been using her veterinary knowledge and experience to assist the doctors and nurses care for patients and assist clients with their needs to make their experience at the clinic informative, efficient and pleasant. Wendy is also responsible for the inventory needed to keep the clinic running smoothly, and would love to hear if clients are happy with the food or prescribed products they have purchased through the clinic, or if clients have heard of new products that may benefit other patients. Sadly, Elaine(the former clinic cat) has passed away, but she adopted Kori, a black and white DMH from the Calgary Humane Society, who likes to play fetch with her mice toys.

Sheree

Sheree is a transplant from Saskatchewan. She has several years of experience in the client care area and has a love for animals. She and her Jack Russell “Terrorist”, Bentley, have made their home in Airdrie to be close to kids and grandchildren. Spare time is spent with family and interests include reading, cooking & baking, crocheting and listening to music.

Teagan

Teagan is originally from a small town in BC and made the move to Airdrie with her husband and two kitties in the summer of 2022. She has loved animals from a young age and her mother often tells a story of her being pushed in a stroller when she was a baby and all the neighbourhood cats would come out and follow her. While definitely a cat person she is also excited to gain more experience with exotic animals. When not at work she enjoys hunting for treasures at antique stores, catching the latest movie with her husband and spending quality time with friends and family.

Melanie

Melanie grew up in Okotoks and has been enjoying living in Airdrie since she moved here in 2022. She has had always had a passion and love for animals of all shapes, sizes and species! She graduated from the Veterinary Assistant program in 2012 and has enjoyed learning all that veterinary medicine has to offer. Melanie has experience working ER and in general practice and always ensures the animals are comfortable and happy. You can catch Melanie spending time with her boyfriend, 2 dogs and bearded dragon when she's not at work.

Mackenzie

Mackenzie was born in Langley, British Columbia but raised in Airdrie, Alberta. Her love for animals has grown over years and she has had pets her whole life. She has been working at Airdrie Animal Clinic since graduating high school and is still exploring her options for post secondary education. In the mean time, Mackenzie loves being at the clinic but she also loves being at home with her dogs Finnagin, Oakley, Bear and her 2 cats, Blu and Oliver. She is grateful to be able to help animals, learn from others every single day, and can’t wait for what the future brings her.

Jodie