I grew up on a cattle and grain farm just outside of Avonlea, an hour south of Regina, Saskatchewan. Growing up on a mixed farm started me on the path to becoming a veterinarian early. I’ve always had many pets from cows to horses, chickens to cats, frogs and salamanders to rabbits. My whole life I’ve strove to understand how animals think and feel. Even now, I try to make my visits with my patients as stress free as possible. 

I received a degree in Animal Science from the University of Saskatchewan before completing my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation, I worked in rural mixed and large animal practice for several years in Saskatchewan, and opened a companion animal practice in Swift Current, Saskatchewan with my wife, Dr. Lynn Smart-Ridgway.  Cascade Veterinary Clinic is our second venture into practice ownership, and enjoy the opportunities and daily challenges and getting to know this beautiful area of B.C.

When I’m not working as a veterinarian, I enjoy blacksmithing, welding, fly fishing and playing my guitar and bodhran. I also enjoy training and working with horses when I get the time. Lynn and I are very proud parents of a smart, caring, and adorable daughter. We are also pet parents to a dog, a cat, a pigeon, a flock of chickens, and three horses.

Along with Lynn, I write many articles on animal health care, blacksmithing and general farming for magazines and newspapers across North America.

I believe that by taking care of people’s pets in as stress free of manner as possible, I can play an important role in human medicine as well by reducing the stress on the owners. I also feel that preventative medicine is best medicine for large and small animal patients alike. I take a special interest in equine medicine and dentistry, animal behavioural issues, and endocrinology. I look forward to getting to know you and your animals, and helping them live long, healthy lives.