Dr. Dagmar Schouten graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2000. She practiced as a small animal veterinarian for two years in Barrie, Ontario, and then moved to the U.S. in order for her husband, Dr. Graham Keys, to pursue a surgery residency. After four years of working in North Carolina and Virginia, they returned to Canada and have made Red Deer, AB, their home. Dagmar has been a veterinarian at Cedarwood since 2007 and purchased the practice with her co-worker Ronnel Palmer, RVT, from Dr. Hubbard in July 2016.
Dr. Schouten’s medical interests include soft tissue surgery, emergency medicine, canine rehabilitation, dog behavior, reproduction, and challenging medical cases. The clinic is part of the distributed learning community for the University of Calgary Veterinary Medicine School (UCVM) which keeps Dagmar busy with overseeing the mentorship of 4th-year UCVM veterinary students at the practice and she also finds time to be involved with the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association, sitting on one of the committees for the past several years.
She currently has one beloved Australian kelpie, a Border Collie from England, a bantam bulldogge, two Australian Koolies, and a Great Pyrenees but previously owned and trained boxers for over 20 years. She enjoys spending her free time competing in agility, spinning, working out at the gym, hiking, camping, and skiing with her husband and two children, and puttering around on their farm with the horses, dogs, and cats.
Ronnel is from Craik, SK, and she graduated from the Kelsey Veterinary Technology program in Saskatoon, SK, in 2002. Since this time, She has worked at various practices and in 2007 she joined the Cedarwood Team as a Registered Veterinary Technologist. During her time with our hospital, she has enjoyed helping and watching the practice grow. Ronnel became a part of the Animal Emergency Hospital team when it opened in 2009. In the summer of 2016, Ronnel along with Dr. Dagmar Schouten purchased both Cedarwood Veterinary Hospital and Animal Emergency Hospital from Dr. Ken Hubbard and they will continue to strive for excellence in Veterinary Medicine.
Ronnel took over the reproduction technician role in 2011 and has developed a passion for this area. If you have any reproduction questions or wish to use our services, please contact Ronnel.
In her spare time, Ronnel loves to play sports, work out at the gym, train her dogs for search and rescue, camping, skiing, reading, or she can be found enjoying time with her family. She currently resides in Red Deer with her family which consists of her husband, 2 daughters, son, her 3 dogs and 2 cats.
Dr. Tara Dixon graduated with a degree in Zoology from the U of A in 1989 with honours and subsequently graduated from WCVM in 1997. She worked as a mixed animal practitioner in Fort Saskatchewan for 2 years before coming to Red Deer in 1999. Tara works at both the Cedarwood Veterinary Hospital and at the Animal Emergency Hospital locations. She has a special interest in dermatology, surgery, and feline behavior.
Tara was raised on a farm near Thorhild, Alberta. She currently resides in Lacombe with her 2 children, Reed and Drew, along with her cat, Scratchy. When she is not dedicated to her practice or spending valuable time with her children, she is out training for triathlons, cycling, or running. She also pursues sports and activities like fishing, canoeing, camping, rafting, tennis, and white water kayaking.
Dr. Monica Bruce was born and raised in Calgary. She graduated from veterinary school at St. George’s University and spent time training at the Oregon State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. She has now returned to her native Alberta and is proud to have joined the team at Cedarwood. Her medical interests include surgery, reproduction, as well as shelter, and emergency medicine.
In her free time, Dr. Bruce enjoys playing video and board games, skiing, playing softball, horseback riding, and spending time with her husband Matt, and their cats, Frankenstein, Harley Quinn and Valkyrie, and their dachshund Sir Didi.
Dr. Leah Sparrow earned her DVM degree at the University of Calgary after completing a Master’s degree in comparative biology and experimental medicine also at the University of Calgary. What she loves most about veterinary medicine is the opportunity to work with different species and their different physiologies and anatomy, and parasites.
When she is not working, she enjoys exploring the backcountry, traveling to cold countries, playing board games, and working with her dog at a variety of dog sports.
She shares her home with a cat named Tiberius, a GSD named Kygo, and her partner in life Jerry.
Dr. Kaitlin Marasco earned her DVM from the University of Calgary. She has always had a passion for animal care and welfare, and spent many years working as a veterinary assistant and volunteering for various animal rescue organizations. Before attending veterinary school, she received her BSc in Zoology and MSc in Physiology, also from the University of Calgary. Dr. Marasco has a special interest in emergency medicine, ultrasonography, and ophthalmology.
She was born and raised in Calgary, but recently moved to Red Deer with her husband Tim, dog Ollie, cat Loki and corn snake Amadeus. When she isn’t working she enjoys painting, board games, and going for brunch. She looks forward to meeting you and your animals!
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons – Large Animal
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons – Small Animal
Dr. Graham Keys is a specialist in veterinary surgery. An Albertan and a University of Calgary alumnus, he attended veterinary school in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Following an internship in large animal medicine and surgery at North Carolina State University, he attended the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine where he completed a master’s degree in veterinary science and residency in large animal surgery.
While enjoying a career in large animal surgery, Dr. Keys continued his academic pursuits and studied small animal surgery at the University Of Calgary, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Keys holds the unique distinction of being the first veterinary surgeon in Canada to be dual certified by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in both large and small animal surgery – to date one of only 6 in the world.
Although his focus is lameness, orthopedic injuries, and arthroscopy, he provides a broad range of skills in gastrointestinal, respiratory, urinary tract, and other soft tissue surgeries. Minimally-invasive imaging and therapies are his passion. His goal is to achieve excellence in veterinary surgery – delivering care and compassion while minimizing pain and stress to all animals.
Dr. Tanya M. Dobrzanski is a Doctor of Chiropractic who has been in human practice since 2007. After completing her schooling at Palmer College of Chiropractic West in San Jose, California, Dr. Dobrzanski returned to Calgary where she began her chiropractic practice. In her private human practice she works with many high performance and professional athletes from a variety of different sports. This work has given her hands-on experience dealing with complicated injuries, as well as the development of maintenance programs to keep these athletes at the top of their game. Her experience working with human athletes has given a unique skill set to help patients from all walks of life.
After many years working with human athletes, Dr. Dobrzanski returned to school to complete her Animal Chiropractic training at Veterinary Chiropractic Learning Center in Branford, Ontario in 2017. Upon completing her certification, Dr. Dobrzanski incorporated Animal Chiropractic Care into her Calgary based private practice, as well as offering care at Cedarwood Veterinary and Animal Emergency Hospital in Red Deer, AB. Dr. Dobrzanski has combined her years of experience in human practice, with her love of animals to provide Animal Chiropractic Care tailored to your family pets, animal athletes and working animals of all levels.
When she’s not working, Dr. Dobrzanski will always be found doing something with her own animals. She actively trains and competes in a variety of dog sports. She also works to train her cat, who has appeared in a television series, and film and print commercials.
Dr. Daniela Ramirez, originally from Mexico City, graduated from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México in 2019 and received training at the Hospital Veterinario de Especialidades UNAM. Her medical interests include emergency care, surgery, and ophthalmology.
In 2023, Dr. Ramirez moved to Red Deer with her husband, Luis. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her cats, Musgo and Moruzna, as well as hiking, biking, reading, and building Lego creations
Dr. Patricia grew up in a beach town in Mexico and graduated as a veterinarian from the National Autonomous University of Mexico in 2016. She pursued advanced studies in honey bee medicine and used her training to provide environmental education and veterinary services to rural villages. Dr. Patricia is interested in small animal medicine, honey bee management and native bees conservation. She is excited to help your pets get the treatment and care they need to live their best life! When not at work, Dr. Patricia loves to spend time enjoying all the outdoors that Alberta has to offer. She loves all creatures and has two cats, a dog, honey bees, frogs and even pet ants! Dr. Patricia is also fluent in Spanish, Italian and French.
My name is Luis Rico, and I am a veterinarian with a degree in Mixed Animal Medicine from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), where I graduated in 2021. I also hold an expertise degree in Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy for Small Animals from the Universidad del Valle de México, completed in 2022.
Before joining Cedarwood Veterinary, I spent nine years working with the Mexican Kennel Federation in a variety of roles, dedicated to supporting and promoting the health and well-being of Mexican dogs. This experience deepened my passion for providing compassionate, high-quality care to every animal I meet.
My professional mission is simple: to help animals live healthier, happier lives through dedicated care, rehabilitation, and a commitment to lifelong learning.
When I’m not at work, I love spending time with my wife, Daniela, and our two cats, Moruzna and Musgo. I enjoy reading comics, playing video games, and spending time outdoors hiking and practicing yoga.
I am excited to be part of the Cedarwood Veterinary team and look forward to caring for your pets as if they were my own.
Dr. Gabby Smuts is originally from South Africa and completed her Bachelor of Science in Zoology at Colorado State University in 2020, before moving to Scotland to complete her degree in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in 2024. Dr. Smuts has a keen interest in both large and small animals, specifically cats, exotics, wildlife, and sheep! On her free time, she loves cuddling with her cat Benito, camping, and travelling around the globe. She is excited to join the Cedarwood team in both general practice and emergency!
Dr. Wei grew up in Chengdu, China, and spent six years in the United States before moving to Canada to pursue her veterinary studies. She graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon in 2025 and enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine, from welcoming new puppies and kittens to supporting senior pets and providing care in emergency situations.
At home, Dr. Wei shares her life with her cocker spaniel mix, Pudding, and her cat, Didi. In her free time, she enjoys spicy food, yoga, gaming, and relaxing with a good drama series.
Dr. Fiona Moser grew up in Canmore, Alberta. In 2013 she moved to Saskatoon and completed her Bachelor’s degree in animal bioscience before earning her veterinary degree from the WCVM.
In 2023, she moved back to Alberta with her partner, their 2 dogs and 3 cats.
Her medical interests include dentistry, surgery, and emergency medicine.
In her free time she enjoys yoga, hiking and snowboarding.
She is excited to expand her practice at Cedarwood and continue to provide care to the pets of Red Deer!
Holly joined the Cedarwood administration team in 2008. She was an integral role in the hospital and is always taking on new tasks and responsibilities.
She lives in Red Deer with her husband and enjoys traveling and photography.
I graduated from Olds College with honours in February of 2019 and have worked at Cedarwood ever since. I am originally from Quebec but have made Red Deer my home for the past 11 years. When I’m not working, I love to spend my time hiking, camping, swimming, hanging out with my family, and running with all my giant dogs!
Emily graduated from Olds College with her diploma in Animal Health Technology in 2016. She started her career in Large Animal and specificaly feedlot health, before transitioning to Small Animal General Practice. Needing a new challenge for her skills she made the leap to our team in October 2020. She is now a floor manager for our team, and continues to push herself, and her teammates and gain new skills and knowledge daily. She is always smiling and making jokes in her funny voices. The patients and her get along so well because they are the same energy level.
Emily currently lives in Lacombe with her husband, Owen. They have a Black Labrador X Border Collie, named Splash, who is 14. In the summer you can find Emily playing fastball, camping, hiking, and basically anything outdoors! Winter months brings her back to the mountains again with skis in tow. Anywhere Emily and Owen go so does Splash! He makes the perfect adventure buddy and is always down to go!
Vicki has worked for Cedarwood Veterinary Hospital since December 4, 2004, as a Client Care Specialist. She graduated from Academy of Learning College with a Veterinary Medical Office Administrative certificate.
Vicki currently lives in the Red Deer area with her spouse, Dave, and her extended furry family which consists of 3 dogs and 7 cats.
Crystal joined the team at Cedarwood in May 2018 as a Technician Assistant. Since then she has transitioned into the role of Dr. Schouten’s assistant and is currently in college perusing a diploma in Veterinary Technology. She was born and raised on a farm and caring for animals has always been her passion. She lives outside of Lacombe with her husband, 2 kids, 3 dogs, 2 cats, and horse.
Jamie joined our team in August of 2020 as a Client & Animal Care Specialist. As a member of the Management team, Jamie enjoys training new staff in their client care & tech assistant role. She also loves assisting clients in person or over the phone & working as a team with the staff to care for all of our patients.
Jamie lives in Red Deer County with her husband Nick & their 2 dogs: a Saint Bernard named Hank & a Labrador Retriever named Stitch. She enjoys coffee, cooking, the outdoors, & having fun with friends & family.
Sarah started at Animal Emergency Hospital in 2013 as a kennel attendant and shortly after moved into the client care role and joined our management team in 2019. She lives in Red Deer with her husband Jeff, 3 rambunctious Yorkies – Oakley, Theodore, and Benjamin and 3 cats – Monroe, Winnie & Ronald. In her free time, Sarah enjoys traveling, going to concerts and spending time with her family.
Carmen completed her training at Olds College in the Veterinary Medical Receptionist program in 2011 before moving to Red Deer and joining our Client Care Specialist team in October 2012. She currently lives in Blackfalds with her fiancé, Mike. Together they have 3 dogs- Daisy, Pippin, and Willow, 2 cats- Chino and Phoebe, and 3 horses- Chief, Lincoln, and Texas.”
