Growing up on a mixed farm near Carlyle, Janelle Wilson, developed a love for animals at an early age. By grade two she had decided to become a vet, while at the age of 12 this interest and passion was renewed when she began visiting her aunt, Dr. Cec Ruschkowski, a vet in Alberta. Wilson pursued her dream and is now working as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) at the Head for the Hills clinics.
“I always thought what my aunt was doing was so cool,” Wilson stated.
Wilson, who completed a Bachelor of Agriculture in 2008, entered the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon graduating in 2012. Throughout school her love of animals and want to pursue her dream gave her the determination to complete many years of schooling.
The entire time in school, Wilson knew what she wanted, and instead of specializing in certain animals, she focused on general practices.
“I knew I wanted to go to a rural, mixed practice, so I didn’t focus on one specific, but learned about both small and large animals,” Wilson explained.
After school Wilson found work in the southeast where she devoted a year and a half to the practice in Stoughton.
Deciding she simply wanted a change, Wilson applied for a position with Head for the Hills in Kipling, where she will mostly be based out of, though she will have responsibilities in both Carlyle and Redvers.
Wilson is most looking forward “to working with the public and educating them on the medical aspect of owning pets; passing on knowledge.”
Though she very much enjoys what she does, there are tough aspects of the job to deal with as well, the main one being consulting owners on difficult decisions concerning their pets.
Having started with Head for the Hills on Thursday, Jan. 22, Wilson is also looking forward to the team of veterinarians and technicians.
“Working alongside multiple vets, multiple staff there are lots of people to learn from,” Wilson stated. “I’ll also be moving around and seeing different things between Kipling, Carlyle, and Redvers.”
Wilson is very excited for the opportunity and is looking forward to seeing old faces and meeting new people in the clinics.
