Meet the Team

Born in Saskatchewan and raised in the Sherwood Park area, Leslie-Anne Smith’s love for animals began with her time in Gymkhana and 4-H, eventually making her way into Pony Club and Eventing, as well as the Hunter/Jumper world. Leslie-Anne took the longer path to becoming a veterinarian, receiving dual degrees in Microbiology & Immunology and Archaeology before attending the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon. She graduated in 2008 and started her veterinary career as a mixed animal practitioner. After many escapades working with horses, alpacas and goats, Leslie-Anne now focuses on veterinary care for cats and dogs.

Leslie-Anne is very earnest about the significance of the pet-human bond. She is passionate about providing the best veterinary medicine possible by educating her clients on the ins and outs of their pet’s health. While both laughter and tears are part of being a veterinarian, Leslie-Anne would never change the choice she made in Grade 2, when her teacher asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up.

When not taking care of other people’s fur families, Leslie-Anne enjoys spending time with her husband and their kitty kids (Gimli and Ori), who are SPCA specials. She and her husband love to travel, adventuring through New Zealand, Italy, Peru and the beautiful trails of Jasper National Park. One of Leslie-Anne’s much-loved travel destinations is Mexico, where she has gone scuba diving with her favourite animal in the world—the sea turtle.

Born and raised in Edmonton, Dr. Strong has always been passionate about animals. His love of animals started with his three childhood cats, Chloe, Ninja and Sarge, which taught him about the close bonds that people can have with their companions. He went to the University of Alberta for Animal Agriculture, where he developed an interest in the complex interactions between animals, people and their environments. Subsequently, he was admitted to the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine from which he graduated in June 2025. 

Dr. Strong has a keen interest in chronic pain management, anesthesia, internal medicine and dentistry. He is dedicated to learning and developing his knowledge and skills so that he can offer the best quality care possible. Additionally, he has an interest in exotics (small mammals and pocket pets) and wildlife medicine, and hopes to eventually offer services for these wonderful creatures. 

When he is not working, you can find him trying new cafes and restaurants, cooking for his loved ones, playing video games with friends, and birding (his favourite wild bird is the Rose-breasted Grosbeak). 

He has two cats, Stevie and Purrcy, who occupy his life with their crazy antics and shenanigans.

Born and raised in rural Strathcona County, Dana McGowan has always had a passion for animals, which inevitably led her to a career in veterinary medicine. She has been working as a registered veterinary technician in the Edmonton area since 2001 and has called Sherwood Park home for more than 25 years. Dana shares her home in Emerald Hills with two hairless Sphynx cats, two dogs, two former teenagers and her husband Mike.

Dana is enthusiastic about all aspects of veterinary care, with a special interest in anaesthesia and dentistry. She prides herself on keeping pace with the latest in veterinary medicine and is frequently advancing her skills through continuing education. Dana is enthusiastic about sharing her experience and knowledge with clients to help enhance patient care.

Emily grew up in St. Albert where her love for animals became a lifelong passion that led to her dream career. After high school, Emily graduated with honours from the Animal Health Technology program at NAIT in 2014. She is very excited to have joined the team at Emerald Hills Veterinary Clinic as a Registered Veterinary Technician.

Emily is a strong advocate for animal wellness and believes in finding forever homes for even the most disadvantaged animals. She volunteers and fosters for IWARS where she can fulfill her passion for rehabilitation and caring for special needs cats. Not surprisingly her cat Erik is an amputee and foster fail, living his best life with Emily.

When not at work, Emily enjoys spending time with her animal family. She has one dog, Teddy (Greyhound), as well as two cats, Willie and Erik.

Bridget is a Registered Veterinary Technologist whose journey into veterinary medicine started after adopting her first dog. That experience sparked a deep appreciation for the human–animal bond and inspired her to pursue a career dedicated to animal care. She graduated with honours from a Veterinary Assisting program in 2022 before continuing on to graduate from the Veterinary Technology program at Lakeland College in 2025.

With experience in both ER and general practice settings, Bridget is known for her calm, thoughtful approach. She has a special interest in emergency and critical care, anesthesia and is passionate about creating low-stress, fear-free experiences for patients and their families. Based in Edmonton, Bridget values teamwork, and providing attentive, high-quality care to every patient she works with.

When not at the clinic, she enjoys reading, exploring local breweries with her husband, Colin, and spending time with their two dachshunds, Dexter and Addie; tripod kitten, Isosceles; and senior kitty, Bella.

Maddie is the newest addition to the Emerald Hills family! She is a Registered Veterinary Technologist who graduated from Grande Prairie Regional College in 2021. Maddie has experience across several areas of veterinary medicine, including rehabilitation and emergency practice. While she loved the fast pace, challenge, and intensity of emergency medicine, she found that general practice is a better fit for her lifestyle. At the clinic, you’ll find her bouncing between reception and back-of-house, helping out the team where she can.

At home, Maddie has five (yes—five!) large dogs and a wonderful husband who happily supports all of her big dreams. In her spare time, Maddie enjoys reading, bouncing between ever-changing hobbies, and runs her own RVT business, providing in home tech appointments — Tails to Toes!

Born in Alberta and raised in hunting/fishing camps, Jo Anne began her love for animals of all shapes and forms. Once it was time for school to start, the sunny Okanagan became home where Jo Anne started to ride horses and compete in gymkhanas. Alberta became home once again where she raised her two daughters as well as breeding and raising horses. Needing a career change, Jo Anne went back to school (2021) and graduated with honours as a Veterinary Medical Assistant.

Currently, the pets in Jo Anne's life includes two horses - Candy and Penelope; and two dogs - Scooby and JoJoe. In her spare time, Jo Anne and the love of her life like to spend their time with their pets, watching hockey and spending many hours on the golf course.

After graduation from high school Jen went into the Veterinary Administration Assistant program offered through NAIT and graduated in 2008. Once completing the program, she took a sharp turn career wise when the opportunity arose to work security at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. Jen has spent the last decade working within Protective Services for Alberta Health Services.

Since having kids, Jen decided it was time for a switch up in careers and returned to her passion of working with animals. Jen lives in Edmonton with her husband, 2 children and 2 fur babies (Gizmo and Olive).