Veterinarians
Dr. Jeff Dand- Owner
Jeff graduated from the Atlantic Veterinary College in 1997 and then continued on to Florida to complete a veterinary internship. While in Florida, Jeff focused on canine behavior and dermatology as he had a special interest in these areas which he still does to this day. Jeff is an experienced veterinarian dedicated to helping animal lovers and their pets strengthen their relationship, health, and quality of life together. A vision fueled by his love for his three rescue pets, Rocco, a Lab mix, Coco a Great Pyrenees mix, and Bandit, a domestic longhair cat with 2 different colored eyes.
Throughout his career, Jeff observed key principles in animal care and discovered a passion for business that led to him building his own vet clinics and pet resorts. It’s Jeff’s sense of humor, contagious energy, and aptitude for business and behavior that has been key in the success of his clinics. Jeff is at the heart of helping each of our teams practice gold standard medicine and be a trusted cornerstone in our community!
Throughout his career, Jeff observed key principles in animal care and discovered a passion for business that led to him building his own vet clinics and pet resorts. It’s Jeff’s sense of humor, contagious energy, and aptitude for business and behavior that has been key in the success of his clinics. Jeff is at the heart of helping each of our teams practice gold standard medicine and be a trusted cornerstone in our community!
Dr. Chavonne Bertamini - Medical Director
Dr. Chavonne Bertamini grew up in Calgary, Alberta where she gained a passion for veterinary medicine through volunteering and growing up with her family pets. She received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Calgary; afterward, she traveled for a year before heading back to school and completing her DVM at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in Basseterre, St. Kitts in 2018. She then completed a small animal rotating internship at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon in 2019.
Dr. Bertamini enjoys spending time at the dog park, going to the gym, and finding new restaurant’s. In her free time, Dr. Bertamini keeps busy with her very loveable Golden Retriever.
Dr. Bertamini enjoys spending time at the dog park, going to the gym, and finding new restaurant’s. In her free time, Dr. Bertamini keeps busy with her very loveable Golden Retriever.
Management Team
Nicole Gigian, RVT- Director of Operations
Originally from Manitoba, Nicole moved to Alberta several years ago. She grew up loving all animals but had a special passion for horses. Following her passion, she received her diploma in the Animal Health Technology program in 2008. As a new RVT, she worked in a variety of different areas in the veterinary world including small animal, equine, emergency care, and bovine embryo transfer. Working in these different areas allowed her to gain vast knowledge and experience.
After moving to Alberta, she was hired on with Dand Veterinary Clinics as an RVT and helped Dr. Dand bring Springbank Pet Hospital from the ground up. Over the years she has helped with the opening of several of Dr. Dand's clinics including a few on Vancouver Island and soon realized her passion for management as well as the business side of Veterinary clinics. She now oversees the operations of all 6 Dand vet clinics in Alberta and BC is enjoying every moment of it.
She currently has three pets, Nim a little black cat, Phoebe a rescue white shepherd mix and Lainey a Border Terrier.
After moving to Alberta, she was hired on with Dand Veterinary Clinics as an RVT and helped Dr. Dand bring Springbank Pet Hospital from the ground up. Over the years she has helped with the opening of several of Dr. Dand's clinics including a few on Vancouver Island and soon realized her passion for management as well as the business side of Veterinary clinics. She now oversees the operations of all 6 Dand vet clinics in Alberta and BC is enjoying every moment of it.
She currently has three pets, Nim a little black cat, Phoebe a rescue white shepherd mix and Lainey a Border Terrier.
Holly Robinson - Accounting Manager
Holly was born and raised in Calgary, and grew up surrounded by animals, having everything from cats and dogs, to frogs, turtles, hamsters and bearded dragons. She has always had a love for all creatures, furry, slimy or scaly, and decided to pursue a career in the veterinary field, graduating from Bow Valley College's Veterinary assistant program in 2012. Holly started with the Airdrie Animal Clinic in March 2012 as a client care specialist, and spent a number of years leading the reception team. Holly decided to further her education, and in 2021 graduated with honors from the Business Administration program at SAIT. Upon graduation Holly began assisting with the bookkeeping, as well as managing the Airdrie team. She has now turned her focus back to the financial operations of the business, and manages the accounting for all 6 Dand clinics. Holly resides in Airdrie with her husband, a ginger kitty named Simba and a golden retriever named Griswold.
Registered Veterinary Technologists
Lisa
Lisa grew up in Sherwood Park, AB and with never having had her own pet, was known as the neighbourhood petsitter! She got her first pet at the age of 19! After starting a job as an animal care attendant for the Edmonton Humane Society, she knew she wanted to pursue a career in the animal health industry. Lisa graduated from the Animal Health Technology program at NAIT in 2006. She worked at a small animal practice in Edmonton for 17 years (15 years as an RVT) before moving to Calgary to be closer to family. She has an interest in integrative medicine and looks forward to expanding her knowledge!
In her spare time, Lisa enjoys reading, working out, spending time with her family and visiting the cat cafe’s!
In her spare time, Lisa enjoys reading, working out, spending time with her family and visiting the cat cafe’s!
Taylor
Taylor is originally from Alberta, but spent most of her life living in British Columbia, until recently moving to Calgary. She always knew that she wanted to do something in the sciences, and eventually found that becoming a vet tech was the perfect combination of working with and caring for animals and technical skills and sciences. She graduated from Douglas College in 2021 and worked at a busy general practice clinic in BC before making the move to Alberta.
Outside of work you can find Taylor curled up reading a book with her newly adopted kittens Miz and Ter, or exploring Calgary with her husband and senior dog, Grace.
Outside of work you can find Taylor curled up reading a book with her newly adopted kittens Miz and Ter, or exploring Calgary with her husband and senior dog, Grace.
Technician Assistants and Client Care Specialists
Matthew
Matthew was born in Victoria BC and raised in Calgary after moving here as a young child. Matt grew up with a family dog,, and recalls some of his fondest memories helping out with his uncles horse. Matt now has two cats of his own, Zadie and Mustachio and is currently working towards attaining his RVT license.
Outside of work Matt love's to travel, you can find him hiking, running, horseback riding, socializing with friends or just relaxing hat home with his cats.
Outside of work Matt love's to travel, you can find him hiking, running, horseback riding, socializing with friends or just relaxing hat home with his cats.
Jill
Jill started her career as a Veterinary Office Assistant in 2006 after she left her Nursing career and raised her daughters along with about 250 more children in her day home. Her love for small creatures and animals started as a little girl in her moms garden. That love blossomed into the love for baby animals especially at Springtime, so as the years went by she gathered her Spring babies. Starting with her daughters both born in the spring, she moved on to her pets. As years went by, she raised a Spring pot bellied pig name Winston, started breeding love birds, budgies, guinea pigs, along with care for snakes, lizards, frogs (along with the fruit flies) and now she owns Downton Tabby Bengals raising her beautiful Bengal babies.
This year is Jill’s 17th year working as a VOA and getting to know and help care the amazing families and their pets is her passion.
Jill spends her days off trying to keep house for her Husband,11 Bengal cats,2 dogs, and a handful of skinny and guinea pigs. She enjoys sewing, knitting, crochet, crafting and spending time with her 4 grandsons when she has a spare minute.
This year is Jill’s 17th year working as a VOA and getting to know and help care the amazing families and their pets is her passion.
Jill spends her days off trying to keep house for her Husband,11 Bengal cats,2 dogs, and a handful of skinny and guinea pigs. She enjoys sewing, knitting, crochet, crafting and spending time with her 4 grandsons when she has a spare minute.
Owen
Owen was born and raised in Alberta, and is currently completing his undergraduate degree in Chemistry at the University of Calgary, with aspirations to attend the Veterinary Medicine program at U of C in the near future.
Owen comes to us with a plethora of experience outside of this, having completed his Veterinary Technician Assistant Diploma with Olds College prior to completing highschool, and has volunteered both at our Springbank location and AARCs.
Outside of work and school, Owen spends his time with his furry companions Bentley, a Labradoodle who is almost 3, and Ruby a black Ragamuffin cat who is 8. He enjoys working out, playing his Les Paul, backpacking and hiking in the mountains, and hanging out with friends.
Owen comes to us with a plethora of experience outside of this, having completed his Veterinary Technician Assistant Diploma with Olds College prior to completing highschool, and has volunteered both at our Springbank location and AARCs.
Outside of work and school, Owen spends his time with his furry companions Bentley, a Labradoodle who is almost 3, and Ruby a black Ragamuffin cat who is 8. He enjoys working out, playing his Les Paul, backpacking and hiking in the mountains, and hanging out with friends.
Joshua
Josh was born in British Columbia and has lived all over North America from Winnipeg, Manitoba to Modesto, California. Growing up, he had a wide array of pets including dogs, cats, newts, and birds. He loves all animals (yes, even spiders!) but mostly his two cats, Circe and Jimi. In his spare time, Josh enjoys reading and hiking outdoors. Josh joined our team in 2022 as a client care specialist, and we just couldn't let him go!
Meagan
Meagan, born and raised a Calgarian, grew up with a special love for animals and always knew from a young age that she wanted to work with them. She recently graduated from Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, BC, with a Bachelor of Science, major in Biology and minor in Criminology, as well as a Certificate in Forensic Studies. Next, she is hoping to pursue veterinary medicine. Her passion for animal welfare has led her to volunteer with various animal rescue organizations in Calgary and BC, including humane societies and a farm sanctuary. Beyond her volunteer roles, Meagan worked in a small practice in Maple Ridge, BC, where she was able to get involved in all areas of the practice and loved every minute of it! In her free time, Meagan enjoys cooking/baking, painting, being out in the mountains, and curling up on the couch watching Netflix.