Meet The Team
Candace Woods
Clinic Manager
Candace has worked in a variety of animal-focused industries during her career. She came to us from Bow Valley Genetics in Bassano, where she spent 4.5 years as manager of the Semen Preparation Lab for use in Bovine artificial insemination, flushing, and IVF.
She graduated with a bachelors degree in Biology from TRU in Kamloops, and has worked in many industries ranging from wildlife conservation using DNA analysis at Wildlife Genetics in Nelson, BC to agriculture research at the Centre for Crop Diversification in Brooks, AB.
Candace moved to Brooks in 2014 with her husband (Brad), 2 kids, 2 cats and 1 dog. Her family is very involved in the community with her kids in Brooks Minor Hockey and In Sequins Dance Studio. In her ‘spare’ time she enjoys being outside, camping and hiking in the mountains, and always prefers to be near the water!
Jasmine Grewal, DVM
Veterinarian
We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Jasmine Grewal to our Newell team! Dr. Jasmine moved to India to achieve her Bachelors of Veterinary Science and passed her clinical proficiency exam at The Western College of
Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon. The love and care from her family has brought her back to Brooks where she can utilize her expertise in Veterinary Surgery as well as Preventative & Alternative Medicine.
Dr. Jasmine is passionate about providing the best possible care for your pets. Outside of Work Dr. Jasmine enjoys cooking and travelling.
Connie Mckenzie
Veterinary Medical Receptionist
Connie’s warm smile, compassionate nature, sparkling personality & love for animals combined with her formal education at Olds College, have made her a trusted & accomplished member of our team since 2017. In addition, Connie is also an Elite Fear Free Certified Professional and is certified by the Human Animal Bond research Institute HABRI.
She has an extensive background in agriculture & was active in breeding, raising & showing both commercial and dairy goats as well as poultry & horses. Connie has spent approximately seven years in the retail agricultural sector earning a solid reputation for excellent service and client care. She is also a former 4H Horse Leader & level 3 CHA Coach so it’s safe to say she is keenly aware of the multi-faceted roles animals play in all our lives. In her spare time, Connie loves to Zentangle & enjoys teaching her Chihuahua Zee new tricks. She is also involved in the exciting sport of Cowboy mounted Shooting with her mare Phlye.
Connie believes in a team approach & is dedicated to doing her part to help you and your pet feel like part of our family’s canvas right from the very first hello.
Shirley Gostola
Registered Veterinary Technologist
Shirley graduated with her Animal Health Technologist Diploma from SIAST in Saskatoon in1982. We are very proud to say Shirley won the Alberta Vet Tech of the Year for 2017 & has recently became a Fear Free Certified Professional in 2020. She often spends long hours at the clinic, working tirelessly to ensure our patients are well taken care of. Shirley’s extensive RVT experience has made her a much-loved mentor & valued resource for our team.
Shirley has been working at Newell Veterinary Services Ltd. for 16 years and currently lives with her husband (Dan) and their dog (Charlee) in Duchess. Shirley grew up on a mixed farm close to Balcarres, Sask. with a small herd of purebred Angus cattle, a few dairy cows, pigs, chickens, and horses. She has previously worked at the Vet College in Saskatoon, at a surgery referral animal vet hospital in Vancouver, a small animal practice in Port Coquitlam, then returned to Saskatoon and ran a daycare for 8 years while her 4 children were small.
Shirley enjoys hiking, reading, gardening, and swimming and going to visit their grown children or having them visit at home.
Samantha Hilyer
Veterinary Medical Receptionist
Samantha has been working in the pet care industry for nearly 10 years now at Pet Valu, BAPS (the local no-kill animal shelter), and the Bow Valley Vet clinic. She knows, what seems like, all the dogs in Brooks – and their owners too. Samantha is looking forward to getting married this upcoming fall! She classifies herself as a bit of a homebody and has an 80-year-old home that she enjoys working on. She has three big dogs, a rambunctious tabby cat, a 10-year-old girl, and a fiance in her house, so there’s rarely a dull moment for her! When Samantha does have some spare time she enjoys painting, crafting, and hanging out with friends and family.
Karmen Tateson
Veterinary Medical Receptionist (VMR)
Ready to make an appointment?
It can be done online by clicking the button below and completing our appointment request form.
You can also call us at 403-362-3273.