Growing up on a small hobby farm in Manitoba surrounded by a menagerie of animals, Dr. Kaitlyn MacLean’s compassion for animals began early and naturally led her toward a career in veterinary medicine. After earning her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan, Kaitlyn began her career in Cold Lake, Alberta, at a mixed animal practice. What was meant to be a two-year stop to gain experience turned into seven! During that time, she developed a love for all things small animal, from routine and emergency care to surgery, while working alongside an incredible team and mentors.
While in Cold Lake, Kaitlyn also continued to pursue her passions for equestrian activities, pet training, and animal behaviour. In 2021, she moved to Ontario, where she has since worked in both general practice and emergency medicine, as well as in feline specialty practices. Now settled in Ottawa, she remains invested in animal welfare and rescue work. She volunteers with Bullies in Need, supporting dogs affected by breed-specific legislation, and was honoured to be named Ottawa’s Veterinarian of the Year in 2023. Kaitlyn was also a former nominee for Trupanion’s Veterinarian of the Year in 2024.
At home, Kaitlyn shares her life with her husband, Duncan, and their furry family — two dogs (Nova and Frankie), two cats (Harvey Specter and Young Sheldon), and her lifelong equine companion, Nick, a 23-year-old horse she’s had since birth. When she’s not in the clinic, Kaitlyn enjoys trick training and agility with her dogs, spending time at the barn, traveling, playing board games, and seeking out her next great roller coaster adventure.