About Us
Finding Inspiration in Every Patient Visit
Pictures speak a thousand words, and these pictures exemplify who we are. Our team of dedicated veterinary professionals pour their hearts and souls into caring for your pets. We challenge ourselves to be the best we can be by upholding accreditation on more than 900 standards of veterinary excellence. Why? Because your pet deserves nothing less.
Our Story
Healthy Paws Forward Veterinary Hospital was born on the belief of providing current diagnostic tools, reliable treatments, and enrichment options; while creating a genuinely caring environment with an individual client and patient focus. Trust in your veterinary professional is imperative. Our goal is to earn and keep your trust by working with you through a collaborative approach for your pet's care. Together, as a team, we will provide the best possible solutions to help ensure your pet lives a happy and healthy life.
We strongly believe that prevention is the best medicine and offer everyday vet care for your dog, cat, ferret, and exotic pets. We also understand that accidents happen and offer emergency vet care for all pets with a special focus on ferret medicine and surgery.
People often wonder if we are also pet owners, and the answer is simple - of course we are! As pet lovers, we strive to offer every available option when it comes to your pet's care. Every recommendation is made with the utmost concern for you and your pet.
Are you struggling to find a reliable vet that is right for you and your pet? Schedule a visit or stop by to say hi. We welcome and even encourage clients and their pets to visit our hospital before scheduled exams to help the animals become familiar with the environment.
Meet the Team
Dr. Shelby Kimura, BSc, BVSc, MRCVS, MS (Veterinary Forensic Science)
Veterinarian
Dr. Shelby Kimura graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Science, with a major in Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology and a minor in Psychology. After graduating with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science from the University of Melbourne, Dr. Shelby Kimura, a native Calgarian, returned to Calgary to practice as a veterinarian at a 24-hour small animal practice; she owned and worked at a busy 24-hour primary care and emergency practice until late 2018. Dr. Kimura completed her RECOVER CPR Rescuer and Instructor certification in 2019 and obtained Cat-Friendly Veterinarian and Human-Animal Bond certificates in 2020. Dr. Kimura co-founded and was actively involved on the Board of Directors for the local ferret rescue for over ten years and owned ferrets for over 20 years. As a result, she has a strong interest and skillset in ferret medicine and surgery. Over the years, Dr. Kimura has taught ferret handling and medicine for the Old’s College RVT program and UCVM vet students. She recently completed her Master of Science in Veterinary Forensics (University of Florida) and has been a teaching assistant for the veterinary forensic program since last year. She is currently the Calgary Academy of Veterinary Medicine President and has been on the CAVM Board of Directors for 14 years. She also volunteers as a CVMA Veterinary Reservist, on the Women For Humane Canada, and as a Calgary Flames Ambassador. Dr. Kimura loves learning and is currently working on more educational endeavours. In her spare time, she loves travelling, attending Calgary Flames games, yoga, and spending time with her crew of cats and dogs.
Dr. Jan Hen-Boisen, BSc, BVSc
Veterinarian
Dr. Jan began her career teaching high school Biology and Math. She spent her afternoons assisting the State Veterinarian and discovered her love for animals and veterinary medicine. Dr. Jan pursued her newfound passion in South Africa at the University of Pretoria, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, and graduated in 1993. While raising her son Thomas, Dr. Jan ran a veterinary house call practice serving the Canmore, Banff, and Calgary area.
She is now a full-time member of the Healthy Paws Forward Veterinary Hospital team and shares her life with a hairless Chihuahua named Elsie whom she adopted from the Calgary Humane Society. She has a special interest in therapeutic laser therapy, which is a treatment option focused on relieving pain and stimulating healing by applying a laser to the body's surface. Dr. Jan is a firm believer that most behavior problems can be corrected by using exercise, discipline, and affection, and delights in being able to assist owners with the fears and phobias of their pets.
Hope S, BBA
Hospital Manager
Since she was a child, Hope has had a love for animals. She graduated from Mount Royal University with a business degree in 2018 and shortly after welcomed her new puppy, Hank, into her home and they became inseparable. She realized that if she can have such a strong connection with one dog, why not share that with other people’s pets as well. She began dog walking and pet sitting full-time, but knew she could do more to continue her love and passion to work with animals. Hope went on to complete the Veterinary Office and Technical Assisting program and immediately jumped in to work in the veterinary industry. In her free time she loves to adventure with Hank, garden, and explore the many attractions that Calgary has to offer.
Kamila Z, RVT
Registered Veterinary Technician
Kam's interest in animals began at an early age when she started volunteering at a veterinary clinic while she was in high school. After high school, she attended Olds College and graduated as an Animal Health Technologist. She worked at two privately owned practices where she gained experience as well as worked with various types of wildlife from the Rocky View Wildlife Centre. Her love and passion for animals grew even stronger through her education on the human-animal bond and the vital role animals play in their owners' health and well-being. She currently lives with her daughter, her retired running partner, a chocolate lab, a rescued senior cat, and a recently rescued guinea pig. On her days off she spends time with her daughter, she enjoys hiking, doing yoga, running, and reading.
Randie D, RVT
Registered Veterinary Technician
Randie grew up in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and moved to Alberta in 2009. She graduated from Olds College in 2014, where she attained her Diploma as a Registered Veterinary Technologist. Starting her career in general practice, Randie transitioned to emergency medicine for four years and then returned to general practice in 2019. In her not-so-spare time, Randie enjoys working on her small business making pet collars and leashes. She loves spending time with her partner and daughter, as well as her Blue Heeler, Zuri, and two cats. Randie enjoys snowboarding, hiking, camping, and practicing yoga.
Katie H, RVT
Registered Veterinary Technician
Coming soon!
Emilia R.
Client Care Representative
Emilia is an adventure-loving, dog and cat mom who is thrilled to be a part of the Healthy Paws team. Emilia went to school to be a Nutrition Counsellor and loves it. She has also been in the animal care industry for over 6 years now and is happy to be continuing this journey at Healthy Paws Forward. Born and raised in Ontario, Emilia made the big move to Alberta to enjoy the gorgeous Canadian Rocky Mountains, to be able to hike and explore whenever she can. When she’s not hiking mountains, she is enrolling in dog sports, or cuddling up with her 4 furry babies.
Sabina P, BSc
Client & Patient Care Lead
Sabina knew her future would comprise of two things: animals and medicine. When she was younger, Sabina aspired to be a human doctor but quickly learned that animals are her passion. During high school, she volunteered at a local SPCA and offered her services as a dog walker and pet sitter in her community. Soon after, she engaged in dog training and volunteering at a wildlife rehabilitation center. Sabina earned her university degree in Animal Sciences with a particular interest in behaviour and conservation. While at university, she did a co-op work term at a busy emergency veterinary hospital, and it was there that she fell in love with animal medicine. Today she enjoys volunteering with many rescues, working with various universities on wildlife conservation projects, and educating the public on responsible pet ownership and stewardship. She is passionate about improving the lives of all animals, big and small, wild and companion.
Ashley W.
Client & Patient Care Lead
Ashley is drawn to the carefree nature of animals. Throughout her life, you could always find her trying to herd kittens from under a barn or introducing herself to any animal she could. Big or small, she felt connected with them all. Her career working with animals began by volunteering at a shelter, leaving a lasting impact on her. This opportunity led Ashley to spread animal welfare awareness by volunteering, fostering, or donating. Her journey continued as she became a cat shelter assistant. Her energy and passion grew stronger allowing her to realize her dream of helping animals by working in an emergency veterinary hospital. You can always count on Ashley to be an advocate for our furry friends. You will always find Ashley with her tiny rescue dog, Apple, by her side. Apple enjoys sitting in reception and visiting with all the clients who come in. Ashley also owns two rescue cats and a hamster and occasionally fosters other animals! Her home and heart never feel empty being filled with so much love from her animals.
Vitaliy F.
Veterinary Assistant
Vitaliy has always had a passion for animals and did not hesitate to choose a profession caring for them. In 2003, he graduated from the Lugansk National Agrarian University of Ukraine as a doctor of veterinary medicine. He spent his time working in veterinary clinics in Ukraine and Russia with an interest in ultrasound, endoscopic surgery, and zoopsychology. Fleeing Ukraine, Vitaliy seeked refuge in Calgary and joined the Healthy Paws Forward Veterinary Hospital team as a veterinary assistant. He is currently working on his English skills and preparing for exams to assist him in joining the veterinary doctor's team.
Amal B.
Veterinary Assistant
Being surrounded by animals for her entire life, Amal discovered her passion for animal medicine from volunteering at animal shelters, zoos, and her connection with her own pets at home. She has become invested in animal welfare and conservation, and now hopes to expand her knowledge in animal health as she has a strong interest in small animal medicine. Amal is currently pursuing a degree in Zoology and is hoping to follow her dreams by applying to the veterinary program at the University of Calgary. In her free time, Amal finds herself spending time with her parrot, Loki, while playing video games or drawing, and treating her two spoiled cats, Dante and Zuko, like royalty.
Stacy S
Veterinary Assistant
Coming soon!
Caitlin K.
Veterinary Student
Ever since she was a kid, Caitlin has felt at home around animals. Starting at the age of eight, she discovered her love for animals while assisting her mom with her work at the MEOW Foundation. Not soon after, Caitlin adopted her first cat, Loki, and is on her way to becoming a foster fail by adopting her foster dog, Karen. Caitlin is an advocate for animal rights and supports anti-breed specific legislation or BSL.
Caitlin started as a volunteer at Healthy Paws Forward Veterinary Hospital and was ecstatic to join the team soon after. She is currently enrolled in the veterinary program at the University of Calgary.
Caitlin enjoys spending her free time volunteering at Megan’s Rescue Efforts Society and going for walks with her foster dog. She also loves to spend hours in the gym, reading, playing guitar, and trying to keep her many plants alive.
Kiran A.
Veterinary Assistant
Kiran discovered her passion for animals as a young child growing up in Calgary, where she'd often come across injured wildlife near her home. Summers mainly consisted of rescuing these animals and assisting in rehabilitation. When she isn't at the clinic or volunteering she can be found spending time with her eight-year-old Siberian Husky or curling up with a great book.
Her love and dedication to animal welfare drove her to pursue a degree in Zoology at the University of Calgary. Her passion for helping animals and meeting new people made the veterinary industry a perfect match. Kiran has been a part of the Healthy Paws Forward Vet team since its inception and helps make our hospital a warm and welcoming place.