About Us
Our Mission
Mahogany Veterinary Clinic is an independently run vet clinic that believes in quality pet care with options for your furry family members. At Mahogany Vet, we understand that not all treatment plans may fit with your personal vision for pet health care. We will work closely with you to come up with a plan for your pet’s health care that suits you, works for your family and stays within your budget. Mahogany Veterinary Clinic employs an amazing group of people that are dedicated to keeping pets healthy and happy. We are excited to be able to offer top quality diagnostic and treatment options as well as to provide advice and support needed to our pet families.
Kristin South
A graduate of the University of Calgary with a combined BA/BSc, Kristin has been working in customer service and management since 2001. In 2009, she joined the veterinary community in an customer service role for a busy 24 hour emergency and referral practice in Calgary, and over that time has worked in a variety of managerial positions: allowing her to learn the ins and outs of the veterinary field, as well as develop an extensive network of veterinary contacts across North America. A consistent comment that is made of her is that she constantly goes over and above to make sure that clients and patients are treated with the utmost care and compassion, whether the family friend is coming in for a nail trim, a spay, or for something unexpected. She is a full time mom to two amazing tiny humans as well as “fur-mom” to three rescue cats named Crush, Loki, and Stetson, as well as one Labrador cross named Rogue. Kristin is looking forward to bringing her commitment, passion, and love of animals to families even more directly as she begins her work with the Mahogany Veterinary Clinic.
Dr. Rayne Dack BSc. DVM
Dr. Hailey Basler BSc. DVM
Dr. Basler was born in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan and moved to Calgary, AB while in elementary school. She attended the University of Calgary where she completed her Bachelors degree in Zoology. Shortly thereafter, she attended the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan where she completed her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation Dr. Basler jumped right into work and joined the Mahogany Veterinary team. She has a passion for small animal oral health, surgical procedures and promoting preventive health in your furry family members. Outside of work Dr. Basler likes to spend her free time mountain biking, hiking, snowboarding and relaxing with her husband and goldendoodle Finnley.
Managing Veterinarian - Dr. Leah Beckstead BSc.DVM
Dr. Beckstead was born in Airdrie, AB, and obtained her Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Alberta. Immediately following, she completed her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Calgary. Wanting to advance her training, she completed a small animal internship with rotations focused on Emergency Medicine and Critical Care, Internal Medicine, Dermatology, Oncology, Surgery, Anesthesia, Dentistry, and Neurology. She continued to work in specialty care as part of their Emergency team prior to transitioning into primary care. Her main interests are Dentistry, Anesthesia, and Internal Medicine. She welcomes complex cases and loves developing a special bond with her patients. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her family and two young girls, as well as their two dogs, Tate and Luna.
Dr. Holly Lowther DVM
Dr. Lowther was born in the small town of Crossfield, Alberta where she grew up in a house full of animals before moving to Edmonton to pursue her Bachelor of Science in Animal Health at the University of Alberta. In 2018 she was accepted into the University of Calgary's Veterinary Medicine program where she completed her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2022. She is a new addition to Mahogany Veterinary Clinic's team and is passionate about building long-term relationships with clients and their pets. She enjoys preventative medicine, surgery, and is looking forward to expanding her knowledge in diagnostic imaging. In her free time she enjoys hiking, camping, reading, and hanging out with her old-man kitty Mickey.
April Russell
After spending ten years working for agencies that supported individuals with disabilities, April decided on a career change which led her into the field of veterinary medicine. She joined the team at a busy 24 hour emergency and referral hospital in Calgary as a Client Care Coordinator where she was taught the ins and outs of the veterinary field. She remained there for two years at which time she moved to a primary care practice in Okotoks. April accepted a position with Mahogany Vet Clinic in 2018 as a Client Care Specialist. She shares her home with a Biewer Terrier named Chloe and a poly dactyl cat named Digit. April is compassionate, professional and customer care is extremely important to her as she strives to provide exceptional service to all of our clients and pets alike that come through the doors of Mahogany Vet Clinic.
Melissa Aspenlieder RVT
Melissa hails from Saskatchewan and joined the staff at Mahogany Veterinary Clinic for its grand opening in June of 2017. An accomplished veterinary technician, Melissa graduated from the University of Alberta in 2008 with a Bachelors of Biological Science with a specialization in Animal Biology. Subsequently, in 2011, she graduated from NAIT with Honours from their Animal Health Technician Program.
Melissa has a natural affinity for emergency veterinary care and she perfected her skills while working as a Triage and ICU technician at the CARE Centre in Calgary for two years before joining the team at Signal Hill Animal Clinic where she remained for 3 years.
Despite her calm and professional manner in any veterinary emergency situation, Melissa is also known for her wonderful sense of humor and her infectious laugh brightens every working day.
Kaylee Dales RVT
Kaylee is a born and raised Calgarian with a love for dogs, especially golden retrievers. Kaylee graduated from the Olds College Veterinary Technician program in 2010 and quickly fell in love with Emergency Medicine. After years of working mainly overnights in a fast paced ER practice she decided to slow things down and make the switch to general practice, all while starting a family. Shortly after returning from maternity leave Kaylee joined the Mahogany Veterinary Clinic and couldn't be more thrilled to reunite with the people she most enjoyed working with in emergency medicine years ago. Kaylee is well known as the clinic's "Golden Retriever lover" and is often found swooning over and giving belly rubs to any Golden that walks through the door. Kaylee and her family are proud to call the community of Mahogany home and when she isn't working or spending time with family, Kaylee can often be found running around the wetlands or swimming at the lake. Kaylee is an avid runner/triathlete and has completed multiple Ironman triathlons and marathons and is currently working towards qualifying for the Boston Marathon. Kaylee is owned and loved by a beautiful golden retriever named Taia and two rescue kitties named Tigs & Tito.