Dr. Karen van Haaften, DVM
Emergency & Critical Care Services
Contact Information
kvanhaaften@avah.on.ca
Phone number: 613 731 6851
Personal Bio
Ontario Veterinary College, Class of 2009 Associate Emergency and General Practice Veterinarian
Karen has always been interested in working with animals. When she began to take science classes in high school, her two interests clicked and she began the long process to becoming a veterinarian. She was thrilled to join the team at Alta Vista Animal Hospital in 2009, where she is able to explore her interests in Emergency/Critical Care and General Practice Veterinary Medicine in a high-quality care facility. She has particular interests in feline medicine, soft-tissue surgery, behaviour counselling, and emergency/critical care. The greatest part of her job is watching uncomfortable or ill animals start to feel better and go home. She is honoured by the responsibility of protecting the bond between pet and owner.
Dr. van Haaften completed two years at the University of Guelph in the Arts and Science program, where she was able to complete her prerequisites for veterinary school, while also perusing interests in music and philosophy. She was then accepted to the Ontario Veterinary College and spent the next 4 years completing her veterinary studies. She graduated in the spring of 2009, and began work at Alta Vista Animal Hospital as an emergency and general practice associate in August of 2009.
Dr. van Haaften has many interests in the veterinary field. In her second year of vet school, she participated in the OVC Global Vets program, and travelled to Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania to volunteer in veterinary projects in developing countries. She continues to be interested in international development, and the role of veterinary medicine in the field. A long-time cat admirer, Karen has a special interest in feline medicine (although she loves dogs too!). She also likes working on behavioural cases, from separation anxiety to house soiling. She has always enjoyed emergency medicine, critical care, and soft-tissue surgery as well.
Dr. van Haaften is a member of the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society and the American Association of Feline Practitioners. She is excited to see where her career takes her in the wide world of veterinary medicine!
