• Red Tree Animal Clinic Veterinary Services

Meet The Team

Dr. Tara Risling

Dr. Tara Risling

BSc, MSc, DVM

Red Tree Animal Clinic is owned and operated by Dr. Tara Risling. A 2013 graduate of the University of Calgary Faculty of veterinary Medicine, Tara has been in practice for over 10 years and is excited to bring past ownership experience into this new venture. Tara enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine but has particular interest in surgery, dentistry, anesthesia, and ultrasound. She is always looking for ways to grow in her ability to deliver optimal care to her patients and believes strongly in open, straightforward communication with her clients. When not in the clinic, Tara spends much of her time trail running, mountain biking, and skiing with her family and animals.

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Dr. Laura Armstrong

Dr. Laura Armstrong

BSc, DVM

A born and raised Calgarian, Laura has known she wanted to be a veterinarian her entire life. She graduated from the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Veterinary medicine in 2018 and has been living her dream ever since. Laura really enjoys getting to know her clients and the unique bond they share with their animal companions. Laura believes strongly in providing a spectrum of personalized care to her patients and works hard to help every animal she sees. Many aspects of veterinary medicine interest Laura, though she is most excited help with behavior cases (particularly reactive canines and stressed felines), dentistry, soft tissue surgery, and preventative care. When not at work Laura enjoys reading, skiing, and spending time with her own pets, a large dog and two cats, as well as her husband and daughter.

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Dr. Anneliese Heinrich

Dr. Anneliese Heinrich

MSC, DVM, DACVB

Rockyview Veterinary Behavior Consulting

Dr. Heinrich grew up in Ontario working on horse farms as a stable hand and trainer as well as milking cows. She obtained a BSc in Animal Biology and an MSc in Animal Behaviour and Welfare from The University of Guelph before attending the Ontario Veterinary College and graduating in 2012. She moved to Alberta in 2016 with a brief hiatus away working with marine mammals and wildlife. She is currently the only Veterinary Behaviour Specialist in Alberta as a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists.

Dr. Heinrich lives in Cochrane with her husband, two children, two Standard Poodles and a lovely grey cat. She also has a Paint mare she has started and trained from a weanling. She has a special passion for starting young horses using positive reinforcement.

Dr. Heinrich will be taking consult appointments out of Red Tree Animal Clinic.

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Sarah Richards

Sarah Richards

RVT

Sarah was raised on an acreage outside Cochrane and was actively involved in Pony Club, rodeo and 4H. Growing up she was always bringing home stray animals and has a long list of “foster fails”. Sarah graduated with honors from the Olds College Registered Veterinary Technologist program in 2019 and has spent most of her career working alongside Dr. Tara Risling. She has a special interest in anesthesia, soft tissue surgery and feline medicine. There isn’t a spicy cat that Sarah can’t handle!

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Laura Beaucage

Laura Beaucage

BSc, RVT

Laura was born in the Netherlands but was raised most of her childhood in Calgary. Growing up she was surrounded by all kinds of animals. She spent a lot of time with horses and competed on the show jumping circuit. After high school Laura attended Olds College where she obtained her Animal Health Technologies diploma. After college she went and graduated from the University of Lethbridge with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. Laura started her career at an equine practice then transitioned to a small animal clinic. She eventually found her place at mixed animal practices. She enjoys diagnostics and assisting with medical cases.

Laura spends her free time on her funny farm north of Cochrane. She and her husband have a variety of creatures! A herd of dogs and cats as well as sheep, chickens, ducks, quails, and horses.

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Kelsey Sharifzadeh-Najafi

Kelsey Sharifzadeh-Najafi

BSc, RVT

Kelsey entered the vet industry as a veterinary assistant in 2006 while finishing her Bachelor of Science at the University of Calgary. While working in practice she discovered her passion was in the hands-on aspect of veterinary technology. In 2011, she graduated from Cedar Valley College in Texas with an associate degree in Veterinary Technology. She has been working as a technologist ever since. Kelsey currently works full time as a tele triage operator but still enjoys the hands-on aspect of primary practice so joins the Red Tree team weekly.

When not working you can find Kelsey busy with her three young boys and a house full of cats, dogs, and fish.

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Mel Magill

Mel Magill

Receptionist

Mel and her husband moved to Canada from the United Kingdom 13 years ago with their 3 huskies. Mel decided to pursue a career in the veterinary industry after being blown away by the care and compassion offered by the veterinary team when her oldest boy had to cross the rainbow bridge. Mel takes pride in ensuring each patient and owner is treated with the highest care and respect and looks forward to building long term relationships with all the furry families.

In her spare time, Mel can be found adventuring with her hubby and their three fur children: Storm, Ghost and Tua, otherwise known as “The Husketeers”. All three huskies are currently learning to enjoy life on the lake in their sailboat, aptly named the Husketeer. When not sailing, Mel can be found cheering on the Miami Dolphins, or crying at the New York Giants. Mel, her husband and the Husketeers are all avid NFL fans!

Mel loves Ricky Martin and anything “glitter”, and her goal in life is to provide a little sparkle to all that she meets.

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Kalina Gochee

Kalina Gochee

Receptionist & RVT

Kalina was raised in Calgary but spent most of her childhood time on her grandparents’ hobby farm in northern Alberta, where she was exposed to all different kinds of animals.

She knew early on that she wanted to make a career out of it. She graduated from the Animal Health Technician program at Lakeland College in 2015. However, after a few months working as an RVT Kalina found her true passion was in reception. She has been working as a receptionist in the vet industry ever since.

When she isn’t at work, Kalina is likely listening to Taylor Swift while cuddling her dog McFly!

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Tami Lambert

Tami Lambert

Technician’s Assistant

Tami was born and raised in Calgary. Before deciding to follow her passion for animals and medicine she was in banking but is so glad she took the leap to change careers. She loves to help with patient monitoring, assisting with surgeries, euthanasia aftercare, patient recovery, post surgery monitoring, and radiographs. She has her certificate in Fear Free Handling. She adores all animals, but her heart holds a huge place for cats (including the spicy ones!) and horses.
In her spare time, she loves to cook, add to her houseplant collection, and watch football and hockey (Go Niners and Flames!) You can also find her spending time with her adult daughter Taylor and her three cats - Belle, Zazzles and Panda… though Belle holds a special place in her heart as her 20-year-old soul mate!

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