SCVMA Senior Representatives

The Students of the CVMA (SCVMA) Committee is an integral part of the CVMA that delivers various SCVMA-led initiatives throughout the school year. The SCVMA-led initiatives are designed to engage and inform students to help foster relationships and bridge the gap between the CVMA, CVMA Council and their respective college.

The SCVMA Committee is comprised of one elected Senior Representative from each Canadian veterinary college and is supported by an elected Junior Representative and a faculty member who is a member of the Student Liaison Advisory Group.

All representatives begin their one-year term following the annual CVMA convention. The Junior Representative will automatically become the Senior Representative the following year.

Get to Know the Incoming Senior Representatives

Shelby Jennings is a third-year student at the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UCVM). She grew up on a family farm outside of Sundre, Alberta and was fortunate to have parents who supported her love of animals and allowed her to have a "critter pen" full of goats, sheep, potbelly pigs, and mini donkeys. Alongside this miniature petting zoo, Shelby also helped take care of the horses, cattle, dogs, and cats on the farm.

Shelby was a member of the Bergen 4-H Multi Club for 10 years and participated in light horse, young horse, beef, canine, reindeer, and racing pigeon projects over her tenure. She served as the secretary of the club for 4 years and still tries to volunteer as an alumni member when she can. She was also a rider in the Sundre Go Wild Go West Drill Team for 5 years, representing the Sundre Pro Rodeo.

Shelby attended the University of Alberta for her undergraduate degree and completed a BSc of Animal Health with Distinction in 2020. She then went on to spend three years with the Government of Alberta in wildlife disease testing, working in a post-mortem laboratory on CWD testing and monitoring the disease status of feral boars. She also spent a few months with the CFIA as a Meat Hygiene Inspector before applying to vet school.

Shelby decided run for the position of Junior SCVMA representative because she wanted to become more involved with the UCVM community and broaden her understanding of the veterinary profession. Shelby is looking forward to her upcoming year as Senior representative, where she is excited to share some fun and unique learning opportunities with her peers and collaborate with her fellow SCVMA members from across Canada.

Throughout her time in vet school, Shelby has discovered a love of emergency medicine and is excited to pursue this career path after she graduates. She also has a love for large animals and hasn't ruled out switching to mixed practice later in her career, as she intends to return to rural Alberta in the future. In her spare time, Shelby enjoys camping and riding in the mountains with her horse Ghost.

Kasey Keohane is a third-year DVM student at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM). She was raised in Roundhill, Alberta, a close-knit rural community where she first discovered her interest in veterinary medicine by volunteering at a local equine practice and developing a deep appreciation for the human-animal bond.

Kasey moved to Saskatchewan to complete a Bachelor of Science at the University of Saskatchewan. After graduating, she worked in private practice for a year, during which she questioned whether veterinary medicine was truly the right path. She went on to enroll in nursing school and began working at the Veterinary Medical Centre at WCVM, where her passion for veterinary medicine—particularly emergency medicine—was reignited. She was accepted into the DVM program following her third year of nursing school.

Since starting vet school, Kasey has been an active member of the WCVM community. She serves on the executive teams of several clubs, including the Equine and Emergency & Critical Care clubs, and is involved with her class’s social and fundraising committees. She also plays intramural sports and volunteers with local outreach organizations focused on supporting individuals facing or at risk of homelessness, helping bring veterinary services to Saskatoon’s core neighborhoods.

In her free time, Kasey enjoys spending time with her dog, Mac, her cat, Dot, and her two horses, Bodo and Slade. Outside of her animal-related hobbies, she loves camping, especially near water—going to the gym, and gardening.

Kasey is honoured to serve as SCVMA President this year and looks forward to working alongside veterinary students across the country to foster a sense of community, collaboration, and support within the profession.

Sara Kathryn Puligandla is a fourth-year veterinary student at the Faculté de médecine vétérinaire (FMV) at the Université de Montréal. Growing up in this wonderful cosmopolitan city, Sara always surrounded herself with animals. Whether it was volunteering her time in veterinary clinics or attending horse riding camp, her love for animals was undeniable.

Before beginning vet school, Sara followed the Royal Academy of Dance courses for 6 years and performed lead roles in several theatrical productions. In her free time, she enjoys playing tennis, playing video games and baking. Her other hobbies include artistic pursuits such as drawing, painting, and playing the piano.

Sara decided to become involved with the SCVMA because she wanted to be more engaged in student life, all while collaborating with veterinary students around the country. She is very excited to represent the SCVMA as a senior representative!

Katelyn Visser is a third-year DVM student at the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC). Raised on a potato farm in Prince Edward Island, she developed a deep appreciation for agriculture and a strong desire to work alongside farmers. Her early involvement in 4-H, showing horses and sheep, and her family’s variety of household and barnyard pets sparked her interest in animal care.

She attended Dordt University in Sioux Center, Iowa, where she played varsity soccer and completed a BSc in Biology. Her love of science, interest in animals, and passion for agriculture led her to pursue a degree in veterinary medicine.

In her free time, Katelyn enjoys running, hiking, playing soccer, and doing almost any outdoor activity with her husband, Levi. She is especially interested in large animal medicine but is open to exploring other aspects of veterinary medicine in the future.

Katelyn is excited to represent the AVC and SCVMA as a senior representative and to work with other SCVMA representatives from across the country. She is also looking forward to organizing the Student Leadership Workshop at AVC this fall.

University of Guelph, Ontario Veterinary College (OVC)

No representative at present.

Meet your 2025-2026 SCVMA Junior Representatives: