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Team

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Our caring and compassionate veterinary care team!

Meet the Veterinarians & Team of North Star Vet Clinic in Kimberley! We’re pleased to provide exceptional vet care for your pets!

We work closely with a physiotherapist in the Kootenay region who has completed further studies in providing therapy for animals. She is a member of the Animal Rehab Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association. Physical rehabilitation is very useful in assisting animals recover or manage musculoskeletal and spinal injuries or disease.

K9 Rehab facebook page

ACVS website on CCL injuries

Please call the clinic to make an appointment with us. We’d love to discuss how we can help your furry friend with any of these additional services.

Please call us at 778-481-5288 to speak to one of our caring veterinary staff members!

Dr. Uli Helvoigt

Veterinarian/Owner

Uli is originally from southern Germany and moved to the interior of British Columbia in 1989. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Analytical Chemistry from UBC/UCC, and then continued on to get her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Uli launched Tanglefoot Veterinary Services in the spring of 2009, and has watched it grow ever since. She has done advanced training in both equine and small animal dentistry and has completed a vererinary chiropractic course. She has also been involved in all kinds of activities from endurance and competitive trail riding, natural horsemanship, jumping and dressage to dog agility, flyball and obedience training, to marathon running and mountain biking. In her free time Uli spends as much time as possible with her family – husband Nathan and children Oliver and Miranda. She also has a house full with her two dogs, two cats, horses, and chickens.

Dr. Steven Chapman

Veterinarian

Dr. Steven Chapman was born and raised in Fort St. John, B.C. Here, he got his first job at the local vet clinic. In pursuit of becoming a veterinarian, he then went to UBC Okanagan and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He then continued to get his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2017 at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation Steven returned to Fort St. John to work as a mixed animal veterinarian for four years, prior to starting at Tanglefoot Veterinary Services. At work Steven enjoys all aspects of mixed animal practice with a passion for herd health, and surgery. Outside of work he enjoys outdoor recreation with a preference for hiking and fishing. Steven and his partner Jaimie are new parents, with their beautiful baby girl born in 2022. They also have two dogs, Goose and Odin, and are excited for their family to be a part of the East Kootenay community.

Dr. Christine Cater,

Veterinarian

Dr. Cater grew up in a small village in Germany. She always knew I wanted to be a veterinarian, even though her family wasn’t into animals at all! After graduating from the Veterinary program in Germany, she moved to Canada and obtained her license to practice. Dr. Cater's first job was at a mixed animal practice in Lethbridge, where she spent three years building up their small animal portion, as well as doing cattle (feedlot) work. Her dream of living in the mountains took her to the Crowsnest Pass, where Dr. Cater opened Bellevue Veterinary Clinic, a small animal practice. After 21 years as the main veterinarian for the community, it was time for a change and to slow down the pace. She and her husband had been spending quite a bit of time in the East Kootenays - camping at Surveyors Lake, bringing their horses for riding adventures, and more. She sold her practice in spring 2022 and finally got to move to the East Kootenay in September. Dr. Cater brings with her years of experience with cats and dogs, dealing with medical conditions, surgeries and dentistry. She is excited to be part of the team at North Star Veterinary Clinic!

Dr. Holly Munroe

Veterinarian

Dr. Holly Munroe joined our practice in July of 2015. Originally born and raised in Nova Scotia, Dr. Munroe spent much of her time in 4-H Light Horse and also playing soccer and basketball. She went to school in Charlottetown, PEI and graduated from the Atlantic Veterinary College in 2011. Prior to starting at Tanglefoot Veteerinary Services she had been working as a mixed animal practitioner in Peace River, Alberta. Her areas of interest include reproduction, dentistry and surgery. When not working at the clinic, there’s and good chance you’d find Dr. Munroe out on a river fly fishing – she is very excited about living in the Kootenays.

Missy Leeson

Head Veterinary Receptionist

Missy is Kimberley born and raised. She’s been in this area her whole life and now shares 5 acres with her husband, 2 horses, 3 dogs, and 3 cats. Many of you may recognize her smiling face from other clinics in the area. Missy brings 7 years of veterinary reception experience to her position at North Star Veterinary Clinic. You will love her warm, welcoming presence. She will make you feel at ease, and be happy to answer any of your questions. We are very excited to have Missy in our clinic. Come by and say hello!

Drew Prinn, RVT

Registered Veterinary Technician

Drew lives in the country with her dog, two cats and some fish. She has been a technician in the area since 2014. Her clinical interests include cytology and dental. When she's not in the clinic, you can find her playing music or taking part in some sort of outdoor shenanigans.

Nikita Dalke

Reception/Vet Assistant

Niki was born and raised in Kimberley and resides on a small hobby farm with her husband and 2 kids. Together they have 2 horses, chickens, 9 dogs, 2 snakes and a ferret. She started with North Star in November 2020 and before that she was a dog groomer. On her days off she can be found riding her horses, working their hounds or out in the bush, hunting, fishing and hiking

Anne Cunningham

Assistant Veterinary Technician

Anne moved to Kimberley in 2016 from Ontario, where she brings over 10 years of veterinary clinic experience.
"It was time for a change and the mountains were calling!"
Anne has a special interest in animal behavior and nutrition. She loves talking to people about ways to help improve the overall health and lifestyle of their pets. You may recognize her from caring for your pets at the local kennels or pet store.
When not at the clinic, Anne can be found doing anything outdoors with her friends and family, including her dog, Ripley.

Charlotte

Animal Health Assistant

Charlotte has been working as a animal health assistant at Tanglefoot Veterinary Services since September 2017. She came on board to help the assist the technicians whenever possible. She started her career back in 2008 in Nelson B.C and has since managed to gain quite a lot of experience with animal health assistant work. Seeing as she has been horse back riding since she was just four years old, she is really excited to be working in a mixed animal practice. Charlotte hopes to bring her horse who currently lives in Nelson to Cranbrook so she can enjoy riding with other people, and finally have more time to actually ride. In her free time she likes to go x-country skiing in winter, and during summer she loves to run. She is so excited to go exploring in Kimberley and Cranbrook, both for running and mountain biking.