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Meet the Veterinarians
Veterinarian & Practice Owner
Dr. Allison Bartel
​Dr. Allison Bartel was raised on a mixed farm south of Jansen, SK. Her love of animals, especially the larger ones, lead her to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. She graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 2005. Upon graduating, Allison and her husband Shawn, moved to southern Saskatchewan, where she practiced for 2 years. In January 2008, when the opportunity presented to purchase the clinic at home she didn't hesitate. Allison and her husband Shawn have three children: Cade, Kaylin and Mesa. They have some commercial cows and horses on the farm as well. Between the kids, their activities and the clinic, there isn't a lot of spare time but she does enjoy traveling, family and camping.
Veterinarian
Dr. Amy McLaren
Dr. Amy McLaren grew up on a mixed farm northwest of Nokomis, SK. Her rural upbringing inspired her love of animals, both large and small, and she decided to pursue a career in animal agriculture. She completed a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Saskatchewan in 2004 and graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 2009. After graduation, coming home to work at Watrous Animal Hospital was a natural fit. She loves the diversity of rural mixed animal practice and is passionate about beef cattle and companion animals. Amy and her husband Chris have three children: Tyson, Kylie, and Connor as well as a dog and two cats. In her spare time, Amy enjoys volunteering in the community, gardening, baking, playing piano, and spending time with her family and friends.
Veterinarian
Dr. Courtney Orsen
Dr. Courtney Orsen grew up on a mixed farm northeast of Hanley, SK. Her love for animals and science was inspired by growing up on the farm, and that love grew throughout her post-secondary education. Courtney studied Agriculture at the University of Saskatchewan and then continued on to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, where she graduated from in 2021.
During the summer of 2020, Courtney worked under the SVMA’s Veterinary Preceptorship Program at Watrous Animal Hospital. Her favourite part was the team atmosphere, location, and the diversity of being in a mixed animal practice. Upon graduating from the WCVM in 2021, Courtney had accepted a full-time Veterinarian position with us!
Courtney and her husband Joel have a dog and cat, Violet and Millie. In her spare time, Courtney enjoys sports, gardening, camping, helping out at the farm, and spending time with family and friends.
Veterinarian
Dr. Elaine Bird
Dr. Elaine Bird was raised on a mixed farm south of Lethbridge, AB. Her passion for all creatures large and small was evident from a very young age. She completed a Bachelor of Science in Animal Bioscience in 2018 followed by a Masters degree in Sustainable Environmental Management in 2020 from the University of Saskatchewan prior admission to veterinary school. She graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 2024.
During her final summer of veterinary school Elaine worked with the team at Watrous Animal Hospital. Despite being a little ways from home, Elaine felt a part of the team and decided to come back as a veterinarian after graduation. She and her fiancé,
Dalton, have a Great Dane named Theodore and 3 cats named Thistle, Bartok, and Ricochet. When away from the clinic, Elaine enjoys baking and spending time with family and friends. She is looking forward to working with you and meeting all of your furry family members!
Meet The Team
RVT & Practice Manager
Holly Couture
Holly was raised on a mixed farm outside of Kyle, Sask. She graduated from the SIAST Veterinary Technology program in 2009. She has been working with Watrous Animal Hospital since December 2010 where she started as a Vet Tech and then moved on to become Practice Manager. Holly lives on an acreage outside of Young with her husband, son, daughter, their dogs, horses and cats. Her hobbies include anything with horses, spending time with friends and family, and camping.
RVT
Chalsey
Diment
Chalsey grew up locally here in Watrous. She attended Saskatchewan Polytechnic in Saskatoon graduating in 2020. Her first job landed her in Regina for three years working with exotics and small animals, however she knew she always wanted to be back in a small town. She has since moved back and now lives with her boyfriend Zach, cats Roy and Rooster, and new to the family their puppy Rocket ! She enjoys spending her free time with friends and family, and will take any opportunity to take a nap with her furry friends.
RVT
Tami-Lynn Lehr
Tami-Lynn grew up on a mixed farm outside of Drake, SK. Growing up on the farm helped develop her love of animals both large and small. From working with the cattle, riding horses and spending time with the farm dogs and cats she knew she wanted to pursue a career working with animals. She attended Olds College in Olds, AB and received her Veterinary Medical Receptionist certificate in 2010 and her Animal Health Technology diploma in 2012. She has been working at Watrous Animal Hospital since she graduated, and she really enjoys working in a rural mixed animal practice. Tami-Lynn and her husband Steven have three children: Tristan, Talia, and Taylor. Plus, their dogs and house cats! They run a mixed farm operation with a variety of animals including; beef cattle, horses, sheep, pigs, chickens, and barn cats. In her spare time, Tami-Lynn enjoys spending time with family, working with all the animals on the farm, riding horses, gardening, reading and playing piano.
RVT
Shelby Thimm
Shelby grew up on an acreage near Humboldt, SK where her family had a variety of pets. From this she knew that she always wanted to work with animals. She first attended the UofS and obtained her degree in Animal Bioscience in 2016. Shelby wanted to be able to do more for animals, so she attended SaskPolytechnic and obtained her diploma in Veterinary Technology in 2019. She started that following summer at Watrous Animal Hospital and has enjoyed it ever since. Shelby now lives in Watrous with her fiancè Joe and their two cats Calyspo and Sarge. She enjoys spending time with family and being outdoors camping, snowmobiling and gardening.
RVT
Emma
Chamberlain
Emma
Veterinary Assistant
Jolene Watson
Jolene was raised on a beef ranch between Eston and Elrose Saskatchewan. The Watson ranch was one of the last horse ran ranches in the area and Jolene loved helping drive cattle and anything else that had to do with riding horses. Jolene has always had a deep love of animals and when the opportunity came up to work at Watrous Animal Hospital, she jumped at the chance to be around animals daily. Jolene has been part of the Watrous Animal Hospital team since June of 2023. She has 2 cats, Frannie & Linda and currently lives in Watrous. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
Client Service Representative
Kandice Watson
Kandice grew up on a farm outside of Elrose, SK. She moved to Watrous with her husband and 4 kids in 2020, after living in Rosetown for 17 years where she was a stay-at-home mom and daycare provider. Kandice has been with us since April 2021, and says she loves all parts of her job at Watrous Animal Hospital, but her favourite aspects are building relationships with her co -workers, getting to talk to clients and their pets, and learning about all the different parts of a vet clinic.
In her spare time, Kandice loves crafting, painting, and spending time outdoors with her friends and family.
Client Service Representative
Melissa
Buhler
Melissa grew up on a hobby farm just outside of Aberdeen, SK with all the animals she and her sisters could sneak on the farm without Dad noticing. She grew up an active 4H member and horses have been a big part of her life from a very young age. In 2019, Melissa successfully completed an equine therapy course in Barriere, BC, and has been running her own equine therapy business for 5 years and counting. Melissa, her husband Andrew, and their daughter Jordie recently moved to a perfect little acreage north of Young. With a busy toddler, free time is hard to come by, but time spent in the saddle on trail rides or playing with her family is what makes her happy.