Our Staff
From the front desk, to the exam room, to on-farm calls - our friendly, professional staff is here to serve you

Veterinarians

Collin was born on a beautiful day in May, with Apple trees blooming unseasonably early, perhaps a blessed omen for this new addition to the world.
He spent his youth foraging in forests, learning to hunt squirrels and rabbits to survive, emerging into young adulthood with 2 surviving brothers (from an original 19 siblings). This sense of adventure and survival led him soon far from home and experiencing life to the fullest. He spent time as a mercenary in various theaters of war before shifting to a more peaceful period of quite reflection in a buddist monestary in Thailand. From there he ventured into Papau New Guinea where after a near death experience on a spit above an open fire, he returned home to seek new challenges closer to home. First landing in Ottawa he began driving a taxi cab but after a torrid affair with a prime ministers wife he migrated further west, stopping in Manitoba to help fill sand bags for the rising Red river where he met a traveling salesman selling zip ties. He proved an excellent salesman and soon had acquired millions in earning. He took that money and invested his money a company called Enron hoping to build on his wealth but in turn lost it all. As he survived on the streets of Winnipeg he befriended a cat named Biscuit and a dog named Wiggles that fanned in interest in helping animals. Through contacts in the underground mob scene he was able to acquire fake university credentials and after a brilliant interview managed to land a seat at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine. He thrived in this environment of 80% women and ended up siring 7 children in the process. Once graduating with the highest marks ever seen at the school he turned down multiple offers at prestigious universities across the world to take on a position at a humble mixed animal practice in Westlock.

Dr. Jake Murphy has been practicing since 2013. His main interests lie in large animal medicine and bovine reproduction, but if you ask the staff he is the resident cat doctor. Dr. Murphy now spends most of his clinic time doing embryo work and is CETA certified to export embryos anywhere in the world. When he's not working he's just as busy chasing behind his 4 small children.

Robert has been practicing since 2008, after graduating from WVCM and joined the team at WVC in February of 2012. He enjoys practicing large animal medicine with his main interest being cattle & swine. When he is not practicing medicine, Robert enjoys spending time with his wife, Jolene, and his three children. Fun Fact: he also has a passion for aviation and is a pilot!

Patty has been practicing at the Westlock Veterinary Center since 2013. She grew up just outside of Ponoka on a beef farm and attended the Western College of Veterinary Medicine. At work, her main areas of interest are in small animal surgery, dentistry and ophthalmology. At home her 2 young children, husband, crazy yellow Lab and 2 lazy house cats keep her entertained and on her toes!

Dr. Tannis Jackson grew up outside Calgary and earned her DVM from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 2000. She started her career after graduation at the Westlock Vet Center and liked it so much she never left! Her focus is on small animal medicine and surgery with a special interest in orthopedics. Dr. Jackson became a partner in the practice in 2008 as the practice was transitioning into a new 10000 square foot mixed animal facility. She is proud to have been a part of this small town rural clinic growing into the thriving 12 doctor practice that it is today. When not practicing veterinary medicine, she enjoys spending time gardening, working around the acreage, golfing and kayaking.

Dr. Reagan Cheshire joined WVC in June of 2011. She has an interest in both small and large animal medicine with special interest in small animal ultrasound and sheep/goat medicine.
Associate Veterinarians

Dr. Brenden Hilgartner grew up on a mixed grain and beef farm in the Camrose area, this is where he developed his interest in both large and small animal medicine. Outside of work you will find him running or biking around town or headed to the mountains for a hike.

Meet Dr. Melissa Morey. She grew up in Calgary where she was an active Equine 4-H member and rode multiple disciplines, including roping, reining, dressage, hunter jumping...you name it! Melissa started her career at WVC in 2022 upon graduating from UCVM and soon after she married a local dairy farmer. Melissa's pride and joy is her small herd of Purebred Speckle Parks. When she is not here at the clinic you will find her tending to them and working at the dairy. Her special interests are beef embryo work (where she has been getting lots of practice with Dr. Murphy & DBK Genetics), as well as most things equine. We are happy to have Dr. Morey here as a Mixed Animal Veterinarian!

Cali has been practicing since 2015, but may be a familiar face to many, having grown up in the area. Often found in the footsteps of her veterinary parents, Dr. Roy Lewis and Dr. Carol Shwetz, Cali is no stranger to veterinary medicine and the Westlock Veterinary Center family. Cali now practices full time in British Columbia but graces us with her presence a few times of year to see her chiropractic patients. She practices both in small and large animal veterinary medicine, but has special interest in equine care. In her free time, Cali can be found riding her horses, hiking or paddle boarding with her dog, and partaking in all things outdoors.

Megan graduated from the University of Calgary in 2015 and joined the WVC team in November of 2020. She has an interest in both large and small animal medicine, with a special interest in pathology. When she’s not working, Megan enjoys spending time with her family and mixed-breed dog, Beaker.

Jolene graduated from WCVM in 2008 and joined the WVC team part-time in 2012. Jolene’s 3 children keep her busy on the days she is not here at the clinic! Since having children, Jolene has focused her interest in small animal medicine, even though she is very much looking forward to having a small herd of cattle at home. In addition to her cows, she also has a Labrador retriever, Skye, and 3 cats.

Dr. Roy Lewis gradated from WCVM in 1981 & was a partner here at WVC until 2013. His passion as a large animal practitioner for many years, mainly in bovines, brought out his interests in preventative medicine, fertility in bulls and cows as well as animal welfare. He has written numerus producer articles you will see in many magazines including, The Cattlemen and The Western Producer. Roy also teaches and examines the Veterinary students at the University of Calgary. He spends time doing some locum work for us here at WVC as well as semen freezing.

Dr. Megan Dick graduated from the University of Calgary in 2020. She grew up on an acreage outside of Athabasca. Megan is enjoying the diversity of mixed practice and has interests in dairy herd health, equine medicine, emergency medicine, and surgery of any kind. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her cats: “Bug”, a Sphynx, and “Fig”, a Cornish Rex. Some of her other interests include riding her horses, playing slo-pitch, and travelling.

Sven has been practicing since 2013 with an interest in equine medicine and reproduction.
Animal Health Technologists


Cassandra grew up on a farm near Breton AB where she enjoyed being involved in rural life and took part in 4-H for many years. She graduated from Lakeland College in 2020 and started at WVC in November of 2020. Her interests in the clinic are pet dentals and medical cases. In her free time she enjoys herding various animals with her two border collies Lexi and Finn.

Jess grew up in Northern BC on her parents cattle ranch. She graduated as a tech in 2016 from GPPC Fairview. After moving back home and working in a busy mixed animal practice for 5 1/2 years she moved to Sturgeon County at joined us at WVC in November 2021. Her favorite things as an RVT are large animal surgery and anesthesia. Jess has two horses, Sage & Q, a cat, Auz, and an Axolotl, Axol. She enjoys spending as much time outside as possible, riding her horses, quadding or snowmobiling.

Alana grew up in Edmonton but now lives in the Thorhild area with her horses, dog, cats and various pocket pets. She graduated from NAIT in 2013 with Andrea. She joined the WVC team in April 2016. In her spare time, you will find her caring for her motley crew, riding, baking and drawing.


Jenessa did her practicum with us and we hired her on shortly after in June of 2017. She has just graduated from the RVT program and we are happy to have her here with us full time now.
Jenessa grew up outside of Barrhead and now lives right in Westlock. In her spare time she enjoys her horses, reading & camping.



Hannah graduated from Lakeland in 2021 and started here at the clinic with us right after. Just like many others here, she loves cows, hiking, reading and is an avid sketcher. She grew up near Athabasca on a mixed grain and cattle farm. Fun fact: she went to Wisconsin on a Soccer scholarship.




Harley is from Fawcett where she raises and trains registered Quarter Horses. You can find her out in the arena barrel racing and team roping. She also has a Chihauhau named “Yager”. She is a Lakeland graduate of 2012 and joined WVC in November of 2012. Her interests are in Equine Rehab and alternative therapies.

Karissa started at WVC in OCtober of 2020. She lives in Dapp, where she raises and barrel races Quarter Horses. When she isn’t with her horses you will find her in the great outdoors cross country skiing. he grew up in Edson and started her RVT career at the local clinic there after graduating from Lakeland in 2006. After travelling for a few months, in 2009 she made her way to the Westlock area and worked in Barrhead. In 2013 she took a bit of a hiatus from the veterinary field she couldn’t be happier to be back!
Customer Service

Ericka lives near Barrhead and joined WVC staff in March as a certified Vet Medical Assistant. She has three dogs, Penelope, Cliff and Oscar. Two horses, Tex and Patty. Erika enjoys horseback riding, the mountains, and doing many other outdoor activities with friends, family, and her animals.



Nicole has been with WVC as a receptionist since October 2019 and is a great addition to our team!She grew up on a mixed cattle and grain farm in Clyde and has worked in Westlock since graduating. Her joys in life are petting cows, and travelling. We will be sure to be extra nice to her as she’s a black belt in tae-kwon-do and likes to bake cookies.

Carolyn is married with 3 girls, 1 boy and many, many pets! She grew up on a mixed farm in the Manola area. She is certified in Equine Management. She has been a horse breeder/trainer for 15 years and has worked with a professional dog trainer for 7 years. Carolyn enjoys horseback riding, dog training & agility, quading, sledding, and being with her family.


She has three cats; Jake, Tiger and Max. We are very happy to have them all join our WVC family.
Office Staff

Amy joined the WVC team in 2016 as the Media and Marketing Manager. Her and her husband Cody, along with their 3 children, manage Excel Ranches a purebred cattle operation just outside of Westlock. At the moment she isn’t sure what she likes to do in her spare time, as she’s not sure she has any.

Hey there, I'm Mango! Living at the clinic was a life made for me. Although it took me some time to convince the people here of that. I may only have one eye but I'm always checking things out, especially if you leave unattended chicken nuggets on the counter. Finders Keepers is my motto, and these people never learn, but they still love me. I'm always up for an adventure whether its running past aggressive dogs or doing my business while everyone is eating lunch. I certainly keep the staff here entertained, and I like to think of myself of the king of WVC.