Momentum Equine has a brand new hospital facility with board certified surgeons specializing in equine sports medicine. The new facility is equipped with standing surgery stocks, in-house laboratory and 4 stall hospitalization.
VETERINARIANS
Dr. Conrad Wilgenbusch
DVM, DACVS-LA
Conrad grew up on a ranch in southeast Saskatchewan. While being surrounded by the cattle business, Conrad continued to have an affinity for the horses daily used in the operation. A desire for improved horsemanship led to employment as an assistant trainer for Dale Clearwater at Justabouta Ranch training reined cow horses and cutting horses.
In 2010, Conrad graduated from University of Saskatchewan’s Western College of Veterinary Medicine. Conrad and his wife Erica departed for Texas the day following graduation for a 1 year internship at Equine Sports Medicine and Surgery in Weatherford. The practice was one of the 5 largest equine practices in North America. During his internship, Conrad was accepted for an Equine Surgery Residency at Iowa State University. Iowa State University offered a significant sports medicine and surgery caseload and is one of few programs offering an equine exclusive program. In 2015, Conrad became a Board Certified Equine Surgeon and has been practicing in northern Alberta since.
Conrad’s primary interest and focus following graduation from Saskatoon has been sports medicine and care for the equine athlete. Working at high caseload practices, with a focus on equine athlete care, have enabled Conrad to become a board certified specialist in equine and surgery and lameness. Joining Momentum Equine in 2018, Conrad is able to offer sports medicine (digital radiography, ultrasound, video endoscopy, IRAP, PRP and stem cell therapy) and surgical services including laparoscopy and standing surgical procedures at this time.
Outside of veterinary medicine, Conrad can be found chasing one of his 3 children Rhea, Turner, and Cade alongside his wife Erica.
DR. Tara SHearer
DVM, DACVS-LA
Tara grew up on an acreage in Saskatchewan and graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 2012. Following graduation, Tara headed down south to the University of Georgia where she completed a rotating internship in large animal surgery, medicine and emergency and critical care. Having acquired an interest in surgery and lameness, Tara then went on to complete a second internship at the University of Florida, this time specializing in equine surgery and sports medicine. In 2014, Tara began her surgical training at Michigan State University. She completed the surgical residency and obtained board certification in 2018. Her primary interests include sports medicine and care of the equine athlete. Joining Momentum Equine in 2018, Tara is able to offer sports medicine (digital radiography, ultrasound, video endoscopy, IRAP, PRP and stem cell therapy) and surgical services including elective procedures, laparoscopy and standing surgical procedures.
DR. Danica Wolkowski
DVM
Danica was born to a farming family from eastern Saskatchewan, but her family moved to British Columbia, and she grew up calling the Fraser Valley home. She was always drawn to animals, and it was (and still is) hard to find her without a horse, dog, cat, cow, or even a pig nearby. Danica started riding horses at a young age and was involved in 4-H, Jumpers, and 3 Day Eventing with her thoroughbred gelding. She never looked back, and has wanted to be an equine veterinarian ever since.
Danica moved to Saskatchewan for her undergraduate education and earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture with a major in Animal Science in 2011. She continued on to the Western College of Veterinarian Medicine in Saskatoon and graduated in 2018 with recognition for exceptional equine care. Following graduation, Danica headed south to Salinas, California where she completed a 1 year internship focusing on all aspects of equine practice at Steinbeck Peninsula Equine Clinic. She had a strong interest in surgery, so she remained at SPEC where she completed a 3 year Equine Surgical Residency in 2022.
Danica and her family moved home to Canada, and she is looking forward to continuing her career as an equine veterinarian and surgeon. She enjoys working on all types of horses and her interests include surgery, emergency/critical care, and sports medicine. In her spare time, Danica can be found going on adventures with her husband, daughter, and two dogs. She also enjoys anything outdoors, traveling, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.
Technicians
Robin Schade
RVT, manager
Raised in rural north east Alberta, Robin’s interest in animals started early. She graduated from the Animal Health Technology program at N.A.I.T. in spring of 2007. Robin received the Alberta Association of Animal Health Technologists Graduating AHT of the Year that following fall. Her work as an AHT has led her to be employed with the SPCA, an equine veterinary clinic and a mixed animal clinic before starting with Maverick in 2012. These days Robin divides her time managing Maverick, Uncas Veterinary Clinic and Momentum Equine. Outside of work she would spend all summer riding, camping and fishing. Robin likes to take at least one destination off her travel bucket list a year as well as taking time off to do some community volunteer work. She currently has two dogs, Quinn and Piper, and a bunch of horses.
kirsten Kampjes
RVT
Kirsten is an RVT who graduated from NAIT’s Animal Health Technology program in 2013 and she has been working in equine medicine ever since. Kirsten lives on a farm north of Edmonton with her husband Tyler their son, Hayden and their 4 horses. Her favorite aspect of equine practice is anesthesia.
Kaelynn PAVICH
RVT
Kaelynn has loved animals from a young age, growing up with a family that included cats, dogs, rabbits and hamsters encouraged her passion for animal welfare. At age 15 her family moved to an acreage east of Sherwood Park and she fulfilled her dream of riding and jumping horses. After high school Kaelynn started working at the Humane Society. She started as a kennel attendant, then worked in the behavior department and finally moved into the medical department as an Assistant. After realizing that she wanted a career in the animal medical field, Kaelynn graduated in 2009 from the Animal Health Technology program at NAIT with an award from the AVMA for her practical skills. Since graduating she has worked as a Veterinary Technician on both the Standardbred and Thoroughbred racetracks until joining the Momentum team in 2020. Kaelynn owns a beautiful but opinionated OTTB named Bella and together they have dabbled in show jumping, dressage, eventing and the occasional cattle drive. In her spare time you can find Kaelynn with her husband and 2 daughters spending time with their menagerie of animals, riding, camping or just enjoying the outdoors.
Shelby Christopher
RVT
Growing up in rural Alberta, Shelby always had a passion for horses, and after completing the Equine Science program at Olds College she realized she wanted to work in equine veterinary medicine. She graduated from Lakeland College’s Animal Health Technology program in 2019 and joined the Momentum team in 2021.
Outside of work Shelby likes to travel Alberta and different areas of Canada every summer with her partner, Keegan, and their son, Axel. And most weekends can be found at the barn riding her Appaloosa, Coal.
Office Staff
Sam Whilhelmson
Client Care Specialist
More coming soon.