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.
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. Alyssa Coulombe
Alyssa grew up in Edmonton and began riding horses at a young age through Pony Club and 4H before pursuing show jumping as her primary discipline. She received her undergraduate degree in companion and performance animals and graduated with her veterinary degree from the University of Calgary in 2016. After graduation, she completed a 6-month internship at an equine practice in Alberta, followed by a year-long internship at an equine referral hospital in California. She then practiced at an equine hospital in Oregon for a couple years before returning to Alberta and joining the Westhills team in early 2020. When not at work, Alyssa enjoys spending time with her animals at home and riding her current horse, Pearl.
Education
UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY FACULTY OF VETERINARY MEDICINE
Graduated, 2016
Activities & Affiliations
• AAEP member
Veterinarian
Dr. Andrea LePoutre
Bio Coming Soon.
Education
UNIVERSIDAD SAN FRANCISCO DE QUITO VETERINARY SCHOOL
Graduated, 2015
UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE
Certified Equine Rehabilitation Practitioner 2016
Veterinarian
Dr. Stéphanie Léger
Stephanie grew up on the south shore of Montreal, Quebec and attended Veterinary School at the Université de Montréal. She first sat on a horse at 3 years old and has been riding seriously since she was 8 years old. Stephanie owns a 6 year old Warmblood back home that she competes with in Show Jumping, however while in Alberta she has been enjoying learning the western discipline. She also owns a rescue dog named Rocket Racoon. Stephanie has a keen interest in sports medicine and would also like to add an alternative therapy certification like VSMT or Acupuncture to her resume in the future. Stephanie completed a year long internship with us before joining on as an associate veterinarian. Dr. Stephanie would like to eventually return home to Quebec but for now is enjoying her time in Alberta.
Education
UNIVERSITY OF MONTREAL FACULTY OF VETERINARY MEDICINE
Graduated, 2023
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
Registered Veterinary Technologists
Registered Veterinary Technologist/Office manager
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. 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.
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 a few 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. These days, Amy prefers to stay in clinic and can primarily be found in the office or assisting with hospital patients.
Education
NAIT ANIMAL HEALTH TECHNOLOGY
Graduated, 2017
EQUINOLOGY EQUINE BODY WORKER CERTIFICATION
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 part time in the clinic during the winter 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 in her spare time enjoys hiking, skiing, fishing and riding. In the clinic, Mikaila can primarily be found working alongside Dr. Alyssa.
Education
OLDS COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE & TECH ANIMAL HEALTH TECHNOLOGY
Graduated, 2019
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 and 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.
veterinary assistant
Chloe Vainqueur
Chloe grew up in Ontario but recently 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. Chloe joined the team here at Westhills in spring of 2023. In the clinic, Chloe can primarily be found alongside Dr. Brandy.
Support Staff
reproduction coordinator
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.
client care 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 - reproduction
Kayla Orchard
Kayla grew up in the Okanagan, B.C. and has spent most of her life competing in hunter/jumpers. Her interest in vet medicine was developed at a young age during her years in pony club. With Kayla’s many years in the horse industry, she understands how stressful it can be when your equine companion is unwell and strives to provide everyone with a welcoming and understanding first contact in those situations.
Kayla has an undergraduate degree in Business Management and Psychology and is also an Equine Canada certified coach. Kayla lives on her family farm in Parkland County and runs a small lesson, training and breeding program. She is a lover of all animals and has filled her farm with her horses, donkeys and chickens. When not at the clinic or spending time in her own barn, Kayla loves to read, bake, and go camping.
Client Care - Main Clinic
Erica Koster
Bio coming soon.