Our Team

Drs. Rob and Elaine Klemmensen graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 1991 and spent the first 6 years of their veterinary career in rural, mixed animal practice in Alberta. In 1997 the opportunity to purchase their own practice, specialize in companion animals and move to the beautiful West Kootenay region presented itself and they have never looked back. Both Dr. Rob and Dr. Elaine enjoy forming long term relationships with their clients and strive to providing complete and compassionate care to their patients throughout the different stages of their lives.

In addition to being passionate about their veterinary practice, Drs. Rob and Elaine are equally passionate about their family and hobbies outside the practice. They have two children James and Hannah and the entire family enjoys skiing (alpine and cross-country), kayaking, hiking, backpacking and camping. Both doctors are also motorcycle enthusiasts and love to travel. They also share their lives and home with a fun loving Cairn Terrier named Maisy and two cats, Marlin and Nigel.

Originally from Saskatchewan, Leanne Sackney graduated from WCVM in 1993. She spent her first seven years as a veterinarian working in Ontario before moving to the West Kootenays in 2000. Leanne, her partner Phil and step-daughter Kluane share their home with three cats (Squishy, Sparkles and Ruby Poo Shoes), two dogs, (Alu and Mango), three horses (Murray, Blue and Toby) and four hives of honeybees.

Leanne looks forward to getting to know the clients and pets at West Kootenay Animal Hospital. Her approach is to treat her patients as family. When not at the clinic, Leanne enjoys hiking, mountain biking, horse riding and beekeeping.

Sanaya grew up in Fruitvale. She graduated from Olds College in 2008 as an Animal Health Technologist. She worked at West Kootenay Animal hospital as a kennel assistant when she was in high school and is now employed as AHT. In the winter time Sanaya can be found watching hockey and cheering on her favourite team (Vancouver Canucks) and in the summer time playing slo-pitch. She has a crazy cat, Shiva, and goofy black lab, Lady. She loves meeting all the different dogs and cats and giving them the best care possible to make them feel more comfortable.

Kebrina graduated from Fairview College in 2005. Kebrina enjoys travelling. She is originally from Northern BC and now lives in Trail with her husband Steven, their 5 year old yellow lab Lily-Mae and crazy little kitten, Rosa.

Jennifer, her husband Greg and son Josh, moved to the Kootenay's from Alberta in 1995. Her extended family consists of a lazy Shih Tzu cross dog named Cody, a bouncy puppy named Chloe and a cat named Daisy. Outside of the clinic she enjoys camping in the summer and watching hockey in the winter. Jennifer joined the West Kootenay Animal Hospital team in 1997, as a receptionist. She feels her most important duty is making sure all the patients and their owners are treated with compassion and care.

Brenda has been a veterinary receptionist since 2004. She was born and raised in Fruitvale where she lives with her husband Garth and their three daughters. She has two devoted dogs, Aysha and Rocky. Brenda is usually found cheering on her girls at their many sports. She enjoys camping and spending time with her family.