Our Staff

Meet the Gang


Dr. Ingrid Rozema, DVM

Dr. Ingrid Rozema loves her job!  Since she was a young girl growing up in a small farming community she knew she wanted to become a veterinarian!She graduated from WCVM (Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon, SK) in 1996 and started her career as a mixed animal practitioner in Cremona, AB.  She married in 1998 and moved to the Edmonton area where she branched out, working in small animal emergency and gaining experience in small animal medicine.  In 2001 she moved to Black Diamond, and two years later decided to take the plunge, and opened her own practice with the help of her good friend and AHT, Tara Cydeyko.

What Ingrid loves most about her work life is the relationships that she can build with her clients and their pets  Often veterinarians are a part of emotional and difficult situations and when there is a personal connection, this interaction is more meaningful and open. She believes that at Eastern Slopes Veterinary Services, everyone and every-paw is family!


Dr. Jordan Holt, DVM

Dr. Jordan Holt grew up in Medicine Hat.  He moved to Calgary where he completed his degree in Veterinary Medicine and graduated with the UCVM class of 2012.  Since then he has been practising general Mixed Animal Veterinary Medicine in the area and now resides in Black Diamond.  Dr Holt joined ESVS team in 2017. Dr Holt primary focuses on large animal medicine and enjoys travelling around Southern Alberta to clients property to provide veterinary care. In his spare time, Jordan enjoys camping with his family and running the trails out West with his dog.

 

 


Dr. Bruce Rodger, DVM

This is Dr. Rodger’s second tour at Eastern Slopes Veterinary Services! In the early days of the practice, Dr. Bruce covered for Dr. Rozema during maternity leaves and other times when needed over the years. Dr. Rodger is well known in the Foothills area and has been practising Veterinary medicine since 1985. Dr. Rodger is also certified in Veterinary Acupuncture.

Dr. Rodger is looking forward to returning to a smaller and more personal community style practice once again. Bruce and his wife Pamela are also known for the wonderful Standard Poodles they breed and Pamela’s beautiful porcelain pottery and mosaic tables. In his spare time, he plays in a world beat fusion band, Scruffyfish, and tends his acreage in Bragg Creek. Stop on by and meet Dr. Bruce Rodger – his experience and personality will make you feel right at home!


Dr. Jennifer Girard, DVM

Dr. Girard grew up in Alberta, spending most of her life in Calgary. She then lived the island life completing her BSc in Biology and Psychology at the University of Victoria in 2014. Jen returned to Alberta to attend veterinary school. Throughout the program she enjoyed spending time volunteering in spay/neuter clinics in Mexico, and travelling to the US to complete equine internships. She graduated from the University of Calgary in 2020. Despite the challenges of moving cross-border (and continent) during a global pandemic, Jen relocated to Florida shortly after graduation. She completed an intensive one-year internship program at the Equine Medical Centre of Ocala where she developed a variety of skills in all things equine medicine and surgery. She then followed her heart back to where she calls home- southern Alberta. In her spare time, she enjoys adventuring in the mountains, picking up heavy objects and putting them back down, or relaxing with her loved ones.


Dr. Heath MacLeod, DVM

Bio & picture coming soon!

 


Tara, Animal Health Technologist

Tara grew up on a farm in South Eastern Alberta and from a young age was taught the importance of the care and respect that animals require. Tara was actively involved in 4-H Beef for most of her youth and enjoyed countless hours on horseback. Tara graduated from Fairview College in 2000 and has been an active member of the AAAHT ever since. After graduation Tara relocated to Okotoks and hasn’t left. She joined up with Dr. Rozema in 2003 to start up Eastern Slopes. Tara loves her work and feels very fortunate to be able to work with such amazing clients, pets and colleagues. She feels that client communication is very important and essential in providing the best care for her patients. She believes there is no such thing as a “stupid question.”

 


Candace, Animal Health Technologist

Candace graduated in 2002 from Fairview College with an Animal Health Technology diploma.  For the past 10 years she has been working at an emergency practice and in June 2014 she joined the Eastern Slopes Veterinary Service Team!  Candace lives with her husband and son on a ranch east of Black Diamond and run a cow/calf operation.  In her spare time she enjoys body building, anything involving the outdoors and spending time with family and friends.

 

 


Nicole, Animal Health Technologist

Nicole graduated in 2004 from Lakeland College in Vermillion with an Animal Health Technology diploma.  Nicole started with us in 2018 doing large animal calls. Since February, she joined us full-time in clinic, assisting us with small and large animal service. She currently lives on a cow/calf ranch outside of Turner Valley. In her spare time she enjoys hiking, camping and horse back riding.


Katie, Animal Health Technologist

Bio & picture coming soon!


Tabi , Animal Health Technologist

Bio & picture coming soon!


Laurie, Veterinary Medical Receptionist

Laurie made the move to the Foothills in 2013 to be closer to the Mountains. Laurie joined the Eastern Slopes team in 2015. With her experience as a Veterinary Laboratory Technician along with years of Professional Customer Service, Laurie will always make you feel welcome when you come through the door.  Laurie has had many pets including a Shih-Tzu, Shetland Sheep Dog, Bull Mastiff and Standard Poodle – all at the same time! A few of Laurie’s hobbies include spending time in her garden as well as hiking, camping, fishing and canoeing.

 

 


Kari, Veterinary Medical Receptionist

Kari joined our dynamic team in the summer of 2017.  Her previous Medical Office Unit Co-coordinator experience in the Health Industry also included
Large Animal Practices and Guidelines.  Client care is top priority to Kari who has years of Professional Customer Service experience to offer.  Kari has a teenage Son – which keeps her busy, and is pictured here with her Son’s puppy “Piper”.  Kari is from Calgary, has lived in the North West Territories and now resides in Okotoks.  Kari’s passions include spending time with her Son, camping and riding in the mountains.

 

 


Rylie, Veterinary Medical Receptionist

Bio & picture coming soon!


Heather, Veterinary Assistant

Bio & picture coming soon!


Courtney, Veterinary Assistant

Born and raised in Calgary, she moved to the country side and now lives on an acreage East of Black Diamond. Courtney was fortunate to have grown up riding and camping every weekend with her family which has developed into a deep love for the outdoors and animals. Courtney has been in the veterinary field for over 10 years. In her spare time, she has joined Black Diamond Fire Department as a volunteer as well she enjoys exploring the outdoors with her Golden Retriever, Chevy.

 

 


Kimberlee, Veterinary Assistant

Kimberlee joined ESVS team in August 2022. Originally from BC, Kimberlee and her family moved here 10+ years ago. When she is not at the clinic, she is being a mom and running her kids to and from hockey. In the summer, she loves to go out west and explore Alberta’s backyard with her horse, Beau. She has a variety of animals. Including a mini donkey, and 2 Highland cows named Ginger and Kyle.

 

 

 


Taylor, Veterinary Assistant

Taylor started working with ESVS in 2020. Taylor has always called Southern Alberta home despite travelling around the province to compete in horse competitions, rodeos and in the Calgary Stampede.  We are excited for Taylor as she graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Commerce business degree in December 2021. After falling in love with a mixed animal practice, Taylor has been accepted into a veterinary technologist program. In her spare time, Taylor enjoys riding her horses, and going to BC to visit her friends and family.

 

 


George

Hello – My name is George! I was looking for a home and stopped in here for a short while.  Well, we all got along so well, that I decided to make Eastern Slopes my permanent address and never left!  You can find me lounging around the reception area waiting to greet you with my entrancing eyes! Can’t wait to see you so you can tell me how magnificent I am!