Dr. Calli Freedman grew up in Nepean, Ontario, which is now part of the nation’s capital city. Raised by healthcare providers, her parents instilled in her a passion for science and medicine. A total bookworm and nature enthusiast, she has always been studious with an eagerness to learn. She has an impressive collection of National Geographic magazines and fangirls over nature documentaries, so it was no surprise to her friends and family when she chose to major in Zoology at university.
After completing her Bachelor of Science program at the University of Guelph, she went on to earn her Master of Science in Biology, with a research focus in Comparative Animal Physiology. She then attended the Ontario Veterinary College and earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. After a decade of studies, it was finally time to leave the University of Guelph.
Having spent her winters with skis or a snowboard strapped to her feet since she could walk, the mountains were calling her name. She moved to Kamloops with her partner to join the Neighbourhood Veterinary Hospital team and couldn’t be more thrilled to be working with such brilliant and likeminded individuals who share her sincere passion for providing high-quality healthcare to all species. She is looking forward to meeting all of NVH’s wonderful clients and their furry, feathered, and scaled companions over the coming months.
Although she is excited about all aspects of veterinary medicine, she has a special interest in;
- Avian and Exotic Animal Medicine and Surgery
With her background in Zoology, it is no surprise she is particularly keen to work with avian and exotic species. She was fortunate to gain diverse clinical experience, including spending time in zoological medicine, wildlife medicine, and companion avian/exotic medicine. She even spent time in a turtle hospital, contributing towards the conservation of a particularly at-risk group in Ontario. With avian and exotic species making up an ever-increasing percentage of companion animals and an overall lack of veterinary professionals with the ability to provide healthcare to them, Dr. Freedman is so thankful to be working at a practice that is able to offer the same high standard of medicine to non-dog/cat companions.
But don’t worry, she is still just as excited to work with your more “traditional” pet species.
- Clinical Pathology
Dr. Freedman loves looking through the microscope lens and seeing what the tiniest cells can tell us about the big picture of health. As a student, she worked nights and weekends in a diagnostic laboratory and would often find herself alone, in the dead of night, mesmerized by blood cells. Perhaps it was the lack of sleep.
- Cardiology
Dr. Freedman’s graduate research area was cardiorespiratory physiology which allowed her to gain a deeper appreciation for, and understanding of, the cardiovascular system. She was able to complete a Cardiology rotation in her clinical year of veterinary school and really took it to heart.
- Neurology
Dr. Freedman’s graduate research also focused on neuroendocrinology, which is a fancy word that references the interaction between the body’s nervous and endocrine systems. There is something just mind-blowing about the brain, and having always been brainy herself, she even considered specializing in this field of medicine.
- Internal Medicine
Internal medicine often involves complex cases and disease processes that affect multiple body systems. The challenging and enigmatic nature of these cases is what draws Dr. Freedman, who loves puzzles and brainteasers. Her background in research helped her to build the critical thinking and problem-solving skills that allow her to effectively work through these cases.
Dr. Freedman is also passionate about wildlife conservation and “One Health”, which describes the interaction between human, animal, and environmental health. A strong advocate for climate and social justice, she was even recognized by the World Wildlife Fund as a “Living Planet Leader” for her contributions towards sustainability and outreach on the University of Guelph campus. She is always looking for new ways incorporate sustainable practices in veterinary medicine as well as in her personal life, and you may catch her riding to the clinic on her bike.
In her free time, Dr. Freedman prefers to be outdoors appreciating the astounding beauty of the natural world! She enjoys biking, hiking, birdwatching, watersports, skiing, and snowboarding. She is a huge fan of Classic Rock, has a carefully curated vinyl collection, and is a drummer herself. She also loves cozying up with a cup of tea and a good book. She recently adopted a kitten companion, Theodore, and spends an embarrassing amount of time fawning over how adorable he is.