Meet the Veterinarians & Team of Centre Animal Hospital in Cold Lake! We are pleased to provide exceptional veterinary care for your pets!
Please call us at 780-594-1255 to speak to one of our caring staff members!
Dr. Benoit graduated as valedictorian of his class, from St. Georges University, Grenada, in 2005. He grew up in the Lakeland region and comes from a veterinary and farming background complete with a love for animals. Greg spent significant time in his younger years playing hockey and showing jumping horses competitively.
In 2003, Dr. Benoit spent the summer in Wetaskawin, AB at the Bell Veterinary Services clinic where he developed an interest in equine reproduction; He then accepted an externship in 2004 and an internship from July 2005 – June 2006 at Moore & Co. in Calgary where he was responsible for all facets of equine medicine including minor surgeries, lameness exams, reproduction and medical workups. Following his internship Dr. Benoit worked at the Equine Medical Centre in North Chatham, New York, where he continued specializing in equine medicine and reproduction.
Dr. Benoit worked with Dr. Bill Prybysh at the Bonnyville Veterinary Clinic in 2007. In March of 2008, Dr. Benoit purchased the Bonnyville Veterinary Clinic where he continues to offer small and large animal services to the Lakeland area.
Dr. Benoit also worked with his father and brother at Centre Animal Hospital, where he was responsible for all facets of small animal medicine including minor and major surgeries, medical workups and routine examinations. In 2014, he purchased the clinic and took over full management in 2016.
In February 2009, Greg married his long-time friend, Allison Reid, who is also a partner in the business. They have 3 children together, Norah, Owen and Easton. They also have a 3 legged Collie mix named Baita, a Chocolate Lab named Loka, and a Boston Terrier named Belle.
Dr. Shipclark moved to the Cold Lake area when she was 13 years old. She lived at CFB Cold Lake for a year before her family moved to an acreage near Ardmore. After attending high school in Bonnyville, she completed a degree in Biology with distinction at the University of Alberta. She began a career in medical research with the CanadaWest Biosciences and the University of Alberta. She later took a position as a teaching technician at the University of Calgary’s faculty of Veterinary Medicine, and was then admitted to the University of Calgary’s Veterinary Medicine program. Since graduation in May 2016, she has been working in small animal practice. Her interests include dentistry and pocket pets.
Dr. Shipclark married her high school sweetheart, Conrad. They have 2 children together, Everett, and Bennett. They also have a sweet, adopted shelter cat named Shelby and a rescue cat named Carrera.
Dr. Hope grew up on an acreage just outside of Cold Lake, AB. She graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon, class of 2024. She is looking forward to practicing close to home.
Hope lives with four horses; Thor, Ragnar, Leaf and Denver, two dogs; Luce and Bailey, and three cats she adopted from the Local Lakeland Humane Society; Pancake, Waffles and Flapjack. She loves trail riding, paddle boarding with her dog Luce and is looking forward to getting back in to dog sports like agility and nose work.
Hope is mostly looking forward to continuing her relationship with the LHS and experiencing the diversity of cases seen in rural Alberta. Hope will be working at both of our clinics; Bonnyville Veterinary Clinic and Centre Animal Hospital.
Dr. Melanie Koetke grew up on a cattle and grain farm outside of Camrose, Alberta. She completed two years at the University of Alberta before attending the Western College of Veterinary Medicine to complete her Veterinary degree. Dr. Koetke graduated from the WCVM in 2017, and joined the Bonnyville Veterinary Clinic team shortly after.
Growing up on a beef farm, Dr. Koetke developed a strong interest in herd medicine and reproductive technologies such as artificial insemination and embryo transfer. Working at other Veterinary clinics in the past, Dr. Koetke also came to enjoy small animal wellness and behaviour. Although she doesn’t have any pets of her own, she especially loves the cats and kittens that come to the clinic as they are her own.
In her spare time, Dr. Koetke enjoys playing sports, reading, and helping out on the family farm.
Melissa joined our team in April of 2017, bringing with her more than 6 years of administrative experience. Her sunny personality makes her the perfect fit at reception, welcoming our clients and keeping our day organized.
Melissa is the first and the last face most people see when they visit our hospital. She always has a smile and genuine, kind words to share. Having been in the area for her whole life, Melissa knows many people and prides herself on remembering clients and patients alike.
Melissa has 5 Chihuahua’s; Rico, Bear, Ozzy, Stuart & Gordon.
Alyssa began her career with us at the Bonnyville Vet Clinic after graduating from the Animal Health Technology program at Lakeland College in June 2021. She grew up in Peterborough, Ontario, moved to Cold Lake with her parents when she was 13 and has stayed in the area because of all of the great people she has met since she moved here. The Lakeland Area has always felt like home to her.
Continually having a pet or two (or three) while growing up, Alyssa was always around animals. From a young age, she had a fascination with them and was always learning more about them. Heading into the veterinary field just made sense.
Getting to know and care for each patient that walks through the door on a personal level is her favorite part of veterinary clinic life, whether it be for a single wellness appointment or supporting them when they are not feeling their best.
Alyssa has two cats, Gracie and Jules and a dog named Charlie.
Danielle grew up in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Danielle has always had a love for all animals, and was her drive to become a Veterinary Technician! Danielle graduated from Maritime Business College in 2014. She came to the Lakeland area in 2020 and joined our team in 2021.
Danielle’s favourite part of the job is getting to see the sick patients leave the clinic feeling better.
Outside of work Danielle enjoys camping, quadding, and playing ball with her dog Balloo.
Alanna joined our team in January 2023 after moving to the area to be with her fiancé Nathan. Alanna graduated from the Robertson VMA program with honors in July 2022, and plans to become an RVT one day through NAIT or Lakeland College. Alanna loves all aspects of the clinic but she especially enjoys dentistry and lacerations, increasing her drive to become an RVT so she can become more hands on and further expand her knowledge.
In her free time she loves cooking, being outdoors, helping on the family farm and spending time with her boy Harrold; their Saint Bernard who she refers to as their “house horse” due to his size, big heart and big endless cuddles.
Alanna works between Centre Animal Hospital and our sister clinic Bonnyville Vet Clinic.
