Dr. Kinga Gortel, D.V.M., MS Diplomate, ACVD
Dermatology Specialist

Dr. Kinga Gortel has been in private dermatology practice since completing her dermatology residency in 1999. She practiced for 7 years in California then relocated to Canada in 2006.
A native of Edmonton, she graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 1995 and completed an internship, dermatology residency, and masters degree program at the University of Illinois. She became board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Dermatology in 1999. In addition to clinical practice, Dr. Gortel lectures in both the United States and Canada, and teaches veterinary students and interns.
Her most recent publications include chapters in the Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine and the Veterinary Clinics of North America. Dr. Gortel sees dermatology referrals at our clinic several days a month.

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Dr. Charlotte Keller, D.V.M, 
Opthalmology Specialist

Charlotte Keller is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (1990) as well as the European College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (1998). Dr. Keller spent 14 years as a faculty ophthalmologist at The Ontario Veterinary College in Guelph. Dr. Keller has been serving the West Coast/Lower Mainland area as a Board Certified Veterinary Opthalmologist since 2002. 
She has been making visits to the Interior of British Columbia on a regular re-occuring basis for the past few years and will continue to be available for consultations at our clinic every few weeks. 

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Dr. Jitender Bhandal, BVSc & AH, Diplomate ACVS-SA
Surgical Specialist

​Dr Bhandal is an ACVS Board Certified Surgeon whose clinical practice is dedicated to surgery. He completed his ACVS approved residency in Small Animal Surgery at Michigan Veterinary Specialists, Auburn Hills and Southfield, MI. He also completed an Orthopedic Research Fellowship at UC Davis in California, and surgical internships in Vancouver and Saskatoon.
Dr Bhandal brings advanced surgical skills to our practice, allowing us to offer procedures which formerly had to be referred to specialist centres. Among the surgeries we are now able to offer are complex orthopedic procedures such as TPLO (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy) for Cranial Cruciate Repair, Brachiocephalic Airway syndrome surgery for brachiocephalic dogs (English Bulldog, Pug, Peke etc) and spinal decompressive surgery, to name a few.

Full biography and credentials available HERE.
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He is available for surgical consultations and specialty surgery by referral at Westbank Animal Care Hospital.

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Pat Lavender, Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist, BSc, P.T.

Pat graduated from the University of Alberta in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy.  Since graduation she has completed several post graduate courses in neurological and orthopedic treatment techniques for humans and that knowledge is used to help treat her canine patients.  She has completed courses and an internship in order to become a Certified Canine Rehab Therapist through  the Canine Rehab Institute, one of two specialized programs in North America (which trains Veterinarians and Physiotherapists to become specialists in Canine Rehab).  She has completed numerous post certification courses in bracing, mobilization of the dog's spine and geriatric management.  She is a member of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association's Animal Rehab Division and pursues agility with her two dogs.
She is available for physiotherapy consultations by referral at Westbank Animal Care Hospital.
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Dr Hans Gelens, DVM, MSc, Diplomate ACVIM, Past Diplomate ECVIM, Adjunct Professor AVC
Small Animal Internal Medicine Specialist

Dr Hans Gelens is board certified in Small Animal Medicine by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine as well as the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
After years of teaching at the Atlantic Veterinary College (University of Prince Edward Island),  as well as working in various specialty practices in BC and Ontario, Dr Gelens has settled in the Okanagan.
Dr Gelens is available for internal medicine consults by referral at Westbank Animal Care Hospital.

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