Business Details
47 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Partner for Veterinary Care in Saskatoon
River Heights Animal Hospital has been a trusted provider of veterinary care in Saskatoon since 1979. As a locally owned and operated clinic, we prioritize personalized, compassionate treatment for cats and dogs, combining decades of experience with modern medical technology. Our team of licensed veterinarians each brings over 10 years of hands-on expertise, supported by ongoing professional development to ensure the highest standards of care. We specialize in fear-free handling, preventive wellness programs, and comprehensive diagnostic services, including in-house lab testing and advanced imaging.Our state-of-the-art facility features surgical suites, digital radiography, and dental care capabilities, all designed to provide efficient, accurate treatment. We emphasize transparent communication, tailored health plans, and continuity of care, treating every pet as part of our extended family. With deep roots in the Saskatoon community, we are committed to education, animal welfare partnerships, and maintaining a welcoming environment for both pets and owners.
Services
Wellness Exams
Vaccinations
Dental Care
Surgical Procedures
Diagnostic Imaging
Emergency Referrals
Senior Pet Care
House Call Services
Nutrition Counseling
Parasite Control
Details
- Year established: 1979
Highlights and features
- We offer fear-free handling and gentle treatment for stressed or anxious pets.
- Our veterinarians each have over a decade of hands-on clinical experience.
- We provide tailored health plans designed for your pet's unique needs.
- Our clinic features advanced diagnostic tools and in-house lab capabilities.
- We treat every pet with the same care and respect as our own family.
What people say
Compassionate care
Experienced vets
Gentle handling
Trusted team
Personalized service
Services
Wellness Exams
Our comprehensive wellness exams focus on early disease detection and health maintenance. We conduct thorough physical assessments, lifestyle evaluations, and age-specific screenings to ensure your pet's long-term health. Our 30-minute appointments allow time for detailed discussions about nutrition, behavior, and preventive measures tailored to your pet's unique needs.
Dental Care
We provide complete dental services including cleanings, extractions, and digital radiography. Our team addresses periodontal disease, tooth fractures, and oral infections while emphasizing preventive care through home care guidance and regular check-ups to maintain optimal oral health.
Surgical Procedures
Our surgical suite handles spay/neuter operations, soft tissue surgeries, and orthopedic procedures. Patients receive continuous monitoring under anesthesia, with pre-operative bloodwork and post-operative pain management to ensure safe, comfortable recovery from routine to complex procedures.
Diagnostic Imaging
We utilize digital radiography and abdominal ultrasound for accurate internal diagnostics. These tools help assess organ health, detect abnormalities, and guide treatment decisions with minimal stress to patients through quick, non-invasive procedures.
Emergency Referrals
For after-hours emergencies, we coordinate care with the Veterinary Medical Centre. Our referral system ensures continuity of care while providing immediate access to critical services through our trusted network of specialists and emergency facilities.
People
Jim Veikle
Veterinarian
Dr. Jim Veikle brings decades of experience in small animal care, focusing on preventive medicine and geriatric pet health. He emphasizes compassionate communication and tailored treatment plans for each patient.
Ashley Begg
Veterinarian
Dr. Ashley Begg specializes in feline medicine and behavioral consultations, combining gentle handling techniques with evidence-based treatments to create stress-free veterinary experiences for cats and owners.
Dolores Penner
Registered Veterinary Technician
As Office Manager, Dolores oversees daily operations while providing skilled technical support. Her 25+ years in veterinary nursing focus on patient comfort and client education during medical procedures.
Laura Veikle
Registered Veterinary Technician
Laura specializes in dental care and surgical assistance, ensuring precise diagnostics and attentive post-operative monitoring. She helps pet owners understand treatment plans and home care requirements.
Kayla Bergen
Receptionist
Kayla coordinates appointments and client communications, offering compassionate support to pet owners. She ensures smooth clinic operations while maintaining the welcoming atmosphere central to our practice philosophy.
Questions
What services do you offer for senior pets?
We provide specialized geriatric care including mobility assessments, chronic disease management, and quality-of-life consultations to support aging pets and their owners.
Do you handle emergency situations?
For after-hours emergencies, we partner with the Veterinary Medical Centre. Our team coordinates urgent care referrals while maintaining treatment continuity.
What types of pets do you treat?
We primarily care for cats and dogs, with limited services available for small pocket pets through scheduled appointments.
How do you accommodate anxious pets?
Our fear-free certified staff uses gentle handling techniques, calming environments, and optional sedation to ensure stress-free visits for nervous animals.
Can I request a specific veterinarian?
Yes, we encourage continuity of care and allow clients to schedule appointments with their preferred veterinarian when available.
Do you offer house call services?
We provide house call euthanasia and select home visits for mobility-impaired pets, ensuring compassionate care in familiar environments.
Reviews (7)
Lee-Ann Lau
Oct 31, 2023
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Dr. Begg is my primary and I couldn't be more pleased. She is exceptionally caring and empathetic, yet professionally knowledge and informative. And my dog adores her. Brought in my senior cat the other day and was cared for by another vet, with Dr. Begg not available, who was gentle and his experienced hands made the process quick and stress free. Reception staff are always courteous and efficient. Highly recommend this clinic.
Asia Odne
Oct 28, 2023
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Been bringing my dog here for over 13 years! Awesome staff, awesome vets. Just got a new kitten and theyve been loving him here! Theyve always treated my animals with kindness.
Heather Pearson
Sep 23, 2023
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We had SUCH a hard and yet wonderful experience at River Heights Clinic! The whole staff helped us for weeks on end as we tried to navigate if our beloved dog Frankie would recover from a couple issues! They were so helpful and open to supporting him, us and our timeline of how long we wanted to wait and see if hed recover In the end when it was time the staff was incredibly tender and supportive of ALL our needs and feelings! Such a hard time but handled with great genuine care and love. Thank you!
Yvonne Fin
Aug 07, 2023
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My family and I had to make a very difficult decision to euthanize our family dog due to years of ongoing behavioural issues. It was one of the most difficult decisions and outcomes we ever had to get to with our boy. River heights veterinarians guided us with empathy, kindness, and they treated milo with the best care. Dr. Veikle walked us step by step what was happening, and allowed us to be there for our dog in his last moments. He also took the time to reassure us it was the most compassionate choice for our pet given what he was going through. Thank you to river heights vet hospital and the staff for helping us through.
Nadine Oochoo
Jan 09, 2022
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We had a very good experience the vet was gentle with my unsociable puppy. Awesome will go back if need to.
Ball Sack
Oct 28, 2021
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Wonderful vet clinic! The office may be small but the river heights animal hospital staff is incredibly knowledgeable, compassionate, and understanding. They have provided me and my beloved cat with amazing advice during every visit. They go above and beyond for their clients always! - , Kandi the cat
Paul Trimble
Sep 02, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Value
We've been using River Heights Animal Hospital for 17 years and have always been happy. We feel as well cared for as our dogs. Great team!
We've been using River Heights Animal Hospital for 17 years and have always been happy. We feel as well cared for as our dogs. Great team!
