Dr. Travis Foster (DVM)

Veterinarian

Travis grew up in rural Saskatchewan, helping his family with the cows, dogs, and cats on the farm. Travis began his career as a Veterinarian when he graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 2001. He started working in mixed animal medicine, and after three years decided to focus on small animal medicine as this became his passion. Travis has been caring for cats and dogs in the Edmonton area for the past 18 years and was an active Veterinarian at the Riverbend Veterinary Clinic until he started his own clinic in the community of MacTaggart. As a pet owner himself, Travis understands pets are a part of the family and looks forward to providing exceptional veterinary care to you and your furry friends.

Michelle Foster (B.SC. ENCS, P.AG.)

HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR

Michelle’s experience with animals goes back to her childhood, riding horses, bringing home stray dogs, cats, birds, frogs, you name it! She has a B.Sc. in Environmental Sciences, with a major in Wildlife Rehabilitation. She has 16 years experience working in the veterinary industry, and has volunteered for many years for the Wildlife Rehabilitation Society of Edmonton. Michelle is excited to meet your furry little critters and their families!

Lainie Thordarson

REGISTERED ANIMAL HEALTH TECHNOLOGIST

With both parents from farming backgrounds, she was exposed to animals all her life thus grew her love for animals. Growing up she had a dog, rabbit, guinea pig and when she was 11 yrs old she got to bring home a kitten from Grandma’s farm whom she named Misty. This started her love for cats. In her last year of high school she got to work at Parkland Veterinary Services and was able to go on calls with the Veterinarians to the various farms in the area. Later that year in 1985, she was accepted to the Animal Health Program at NAIT. During her first semester at NAIT she applied for a job at the Delton Veterinary Hospital where she worked for two years, here she learned to work with birds, both domestic and wild. After NAIT her next job was at the Lessard Veterinary Clinic where she worked for five years. Riverbend Veterinary Clinic was her next stop where she worked for almost 28 years. During that time was when she was fortunate to work with Dr. Foster for 8 years and when asked to join the team at the Mactaggart Veterinary Clinic, Lainie jumped at the chance to work with Dr. Foster again. Lainie splits her time between her family, her farm raising her cows, sheep and chickens, working at the Vet clinic, caring for lots of kitties at her cat boarding business Calico Hills Kitty Lodge where she says she will retire to care for and pet kitties all day.

Mandy Lin

Registered Animal Health Technologist

Mandy discovered her passion for animals at a young age and had always wanted to pursue a career working with animals. Originally from Richmond, B.C, Mandy moved to Alberta to pursue education in animal sciences. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Health at the University of Alberta and completed the Animal Health Technology program at NAIT. Mandy shares her home with 2 furry companions, cats named Blue and Chad.

Leah Hoffmann

Registered Animal Health Technologist

Leah grew up in Edmonton and has always had a keen interest in animals. She graduated from the Animal Health Technician program at NAIT in 2012. After graduation she went to South Africa for a month where she volunteered working with Veterinarians in an animal conservation. Prior to joining the MacTaggart team, Leah worked at a busy small animal practice. Leah loves to travel, but when she’s home you can find her baking or hanging out with her hubby and their pups Ali and Maverick.

We’re always working to build a strong, passionate, and communicative team, and we believe that Leah will fit right in with us.

Taylor Wiltermuth

Registered Animal Health Technologist

Born and raised in Edmonton, Taylor developed a passion for taking care of her family pets early in life. These included a few hamsters, four dogs, and even a Russian tortoise. Her love for them came so naturally that she made the decision to turn that passion into a career. She graduated from Nait in 2019 as a Veterinary Medical Assistant and began working at a veterinary clinic in south Edmonton. After working in administration, Taylor decided that she wanted to be more hands on within the veterinary community. Enrolling in the Animal Health Technology program at Lakeland College, she graduated with honors in April 2022. She completed her practicum at the MacTaggart Veterinary Clinic, where she happily agreed to join the team. When she’s not working, Taylor can be found spending time with her two dogs, Bentley and Cooper. She’s also the first to volunteer to look after her sister’s dog Kevin when needed.

Julianne Landals (B.A.)

OFFICE MANAGER

Julianne’s career in animal health began at 16 when she volunteered at a veterinary clinic as a kennel tech. She then worked full time as a veterinary office assistant, where she first worked with Dr. Foster, and continued working in clinics as she completed her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Alberta. In 2007, she began work as a report editor at a dog-friendly office and continued to work there for 10 years. After taking some time off from work to raise two children and a fur baby, Julianne is excited to be back working with Dr. Foster and the great team at MacTaggart Veterinary Clinic!

Kathleen Chichak

Social Media/website manager

It was Kathleen’s love of animals that had her make the change from being an executive assistant in the oil and gas industry, 15 years ago, to customer service representative in the Veterinarian industry. She lives in Beaumont with her husband and their 4 animals. Kathleen also volunteers with Northern Alberta Pet Therapy.

Sonja Bialobzyski

Client Services

Sonja has loved animals for as long as she can remember. She didn’t have many animals growing up, but that didn’t stop her from loving any animal that came along her path! Sonja started volunteering in veterinary clinics when she was 16 and was a wildlife rescue intern for WILDNorth in 2019. Sonja is currently working to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Animal Health from the University of Alberta. She is pursuing her dream of becoming a veterinarian, where she can give the proper care and love to every animal that needs it. In her downtime, Sonja loves baking, drawing, and enjoying nature in any way she can – especially if it involves her dog, Nova!

Elyse Embury

Client Services

I have always loved all animals and grew up with a dog at home. My Husband and I at one point had 2 dogs (one was a foster for a local rescue), 2 cats, 3 snakes, 2 tortoises and a gecko at the same time. To say we are animal people is an understatement. We have worked with a local animal rescue for several years fostering dogs and working to fundraise for them and really enjoyed it! When I got the opportunity to work at this wonderful vet clinic it was like a dream come true for me and I look forward to seeing our clients and their pets everyday 🙂

Tania Auger

Client Services

Tania has always loved animals, but it was her curiosity of the ins and outs of how a veterinary clinic works, that lead her to her current position with MacTaggart Veterinary Clinic. She graduated from Robertson College with a diploma in Veterinary Office/Technician Assistant in 2020. Tania is eager to learn about various conditions, that can affect pets, and the treatments required to the road to recovery. While working at her previous clinic her quick thinking played a major role in saving a dog that went into cardiac arrest.

When she’s not helping our clients, their pets, and her coworkers, you will find her spending her free time with her son. He loves to hear her play guitar and sing to him almost as much as she enjoys her time with him.

We’re fortunate to have Tania as part of the MacTaggart Veterinary Family.

Carolina Lovato-Facey

Client Services

Carolina grew up primarily in Edmonton, Alberta- but also spent many of her childhood years living in Quito, Ecuador embracing her Latina background.

She has always loved animals since she was little. Not only is she a valued member or our MacTaggart team, but she also works at the Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society where she pursues her passions within animal rescue and animal welfare.

Carolina owns three guinea pigs (2 of them being skinny pigs), a hedgehog, and a dog! She adores meeting and working with clients and making our animal patients feel comfortable at the clinic.

We couldn’t be happier to have Carolina as a member of our MacTaggart Veterinary Family.

Hanna Gresty

Client Services

Hanna has a passion for helping animals and fell in love with her first kitten at a young age. She loves chatting with clients about their fur babies just as much as she loves talking about her own two cats. Between spending time riding horses and catching barn cats; Hanna has completed a Pharmacy Technician Program, and a Veterinary Assistant Program. She also volunteers at animal shelters helping people find their new family members.  Hanna loves to read, play the piano, travel, and is working on a book she wants to publish!

We are thrilled to have Hanna as a member of our MacTaggart Veterinary Family.

Emily Lowen

Client Services

Emily grew up on a cattle ranch in Northern Alberta surrounded by dogs, cats, miniature horses, rabbits, and of course cows. She has volunteered in numerous veterinary clinics with both large and small animals. Currently she is working towards a degree in Animal Health at the University of Alberta with the goal of becoming a veterinarian. In her free time Emily enjoys traveling, rock climbing, and spending time with her pets.

We couldn’t be happier to have Emily as a member of our MacTaggart Veterinary Family.