Dig In! to Animal Care & Vet Adventures
Alumni All-Access | Oct. 18 | 12 to 1 p.m., MT
Online (Zoom)
Have you ever wondered, “Why is my dog doing that?” or, “Do I really need to feed my cat premium food?” Our team of expert vets is ready to dig into all your burning questions, from the basics of pet health care to how to go about launching an exciting career with animals. And, who knows, you might even hear some thrilling tales along the way!
Make sure you ask Dr. Doug what it’s like to sedate and transport tigers in the dark as flood waters encroach, or ask Dr. Katherine what a night in the emergency clinic is like. Are you fascinated by veterinary practices across the globe, from Bangkok to New York City, and from Paris to Myanmar? Dr. Scott can share all about it. Or, if you’re brave, ask Dr. Dayna about the strangest thing she’s ever seen!
Dr. Doug Whiteside (he/him)
Associate professor, UCalgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
A strong advocate for animal welfare, teaching, and conservation, Dr. Doug Whiteside, DVM, DVSc, started his career in rural mixed-animal practice before moving to zoological medicine in Kentucky and Toronto. He eventually laid roots in Calgary where he spends his time as head veterinarian and senior manager at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo. When he’s not busy at the zoo, you’ll find him at his “other” full-time job, teaching the next generation of vets at UCVM.
Dr. Katherine Sparkman (she/her)
Veterinarian, Alpine Vet Clinic
Upon graduation from UCVM's first graduating class, Dr. Sparkman, DVM’12, launched into a decade-long career in small-animal general practice in northwest Calgary. From preventive care to major surgeries and everything in between, she is a "jill-of-all-trades". After establishing her family, she moved into emergency medicine to learn new skills. She can now be found at Alpine Vet Clinic.
Dr. Dayna Goldsmith (she/her)
Instructor, UCalgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Dayna Goldsmith, BSc’10, DVM’13, is a veterinary anatomic pathologist. She studied anatomic pathology at the University of California, Davis and became a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists in 2016. Now, she works in the Diagnostic Services Unit at UCVM and serves as the Alberta regional director for the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (CWHC). A true expert in her field, Dr. Dayna is known for her ability to diagnose a wide range of diseases by uncovering the causes of their illnesses. When she's not investigating complex cases, she dedicates her time to teaching the next generation of veterinarians at UCVM.
Dr. Scott Zaari (he/him)
Director, Veterinarians Without Borders
Dr. Scott Zaari, DVM’13, has a passion for animal health that knows no borders! Dr. Scott's adventures in veterinary medicine have taken him from developing training programs with the World Organisation for Animal Health to leading animal health initiatives as the chief veterinary officer in Manitoba. Now, as the director of Veterinarians Without Borders for the U.S. and Canada, he's on a mission to bring veterinary care and emergency response to underserved communities across North America.
Dr. Rebecca Archer (she/her)
Associate dean of curriculum and associate professor (teaching) of small animal medicine, UCalgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Rebecca Archer, BSc’03, DVM, has her Bachelor of Science in primatology and went on to complete her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Ross University in 2007. She joined UCVM in 2015 and takes great pleasure in helping teach the next generation of veterinarians who enter the program. Dr. Archer has cats (one of which you might recognize!) and a dog and practises small-animal medicine in-clinic, engaging in all aspects of primary care including wellness and vaccine appointments, emergency care, dentistry, medicine, and soft tissue and orthopedic surgery. In her spare time (hah!), she is pursuing a PhD in medical education.
About Dig In!
The UCalgary Alumni Dig In! series lets you dig in to timely and compelling topics. Join us for unique and interactive discussions examining current events, issues and trends.
Alumni programs are made possible through the generous support of UCalgary Alumni Association Partners TD Insurance and Manulife.