Cedarwood Veterinary & Animal Emergency Hospital

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Red Deer, AB
Cedarwood Veterinary & Animal Emergency Hospital

Cedarwood Veterinary & Animal Emergency Hospital is a 24 hour Emergency Hospital as well as a General Practice.
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Privately owned and AAHA Certified Veterinary and Animal Emergency Hospital offering a wide range of services including medicine, surgery, reproduction, rehabilitation and emergency medicine. If your pet has an emergency, please don't hesitate to call our number 403-347-2676, or 403-347-3277. We do work on a triage based system, meaning that more critical patients are seen first.

06/05/2026

🎉 Reminder: Cedarwood's 10-Year Celebration is Almost Here! 🎉

We’re just a day away from celebrating 10 amazing years of compassionate, privately owned veterinary care under the leadership of Dr. Dagmar Schouten and Ronnel Palmer, RVT!

📅 Saturday, June 6
⏰ 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 7644 Gaetz Avenue, Red Deer, AB

Join us for a fun-filled day with:

BBQ (by donation)
Raffles, prizes & giveaways
Custom sugar cookies
Treats for dogs and cats
Family-friendly activities, contests, trivia, coloring pages, stuffed animal bandaging, slideshows, and more!

This celebration is our way of saying thank you to the incredible pets, families, and community who have supported Cedarwood over the past decade. We are honored to be part of your pets' lives and look forward to celebrating with you!

All donations and proceeds from the event will support the Central Alberta Humane Society.

We can't wait to see you there! Bring your family, bring your friends, and help us celebrate 10 years of caring for Central Alberta's pets.

06/04/2026

🎉 Celebrating 10 Years: Meet RVT, Ronnel Palmer! 🎉
As part of our 10-Year Celebration, we're shining a spotlight on the owners behind Cedarwood Veterinary & Animal Emergency Hospital—and today, we're excited to introduce one of the owners, Ronnel Palmer!

Hello, I am Ronnel Palmer, a Registered Veterinary Technician from Craik SK and I
graduated from SIAST Kelsey Campus in 2002. After school I moved to Alberta and worked in a few practices before settling in Red Deer, Alberta at Cedarwood Veterinary Hospital in 2007. I met my business partner Dr. Dagmar Schouten that year as we both started our employment at Cedarwood under Dr. Ken Hubbard around the same time. When Dr. Hubbard retired in 2016, Dagmar and I purchased both Cedarwood Veterinary Hospital and Animal Emergency Hospital and amalgamated the practices around 2022 where it was renamed as Cedarwood Veterinary & Animal Emergency Hospital (CWAEH). When I joined the Cedarwood team in 2007 I never would have imagined where the clinic and I would be at.
I am married to Chris Palmer, a Journeyman Carpenter who now works for the City of Red Deer and together we have three kids; 16 year old Kassandra, 14 year old
Adrianna and 12 year old Samuel. We also have 3, 4 legged animals, Stanley-a 9 year old Golden Retrieve, Kooper- a 6 year old Labrador Retriever and Milo a 5 year old Domestic Medium Hair who thinks he is a dog. I joined Search and Rescue with my Labrador who loves to use his nose, but after a knee injury had to step away and am now trying to find the time to make it back. Work keeps me busy and when I am not at the clinic I enjoy time with my family, running kids from one event to the next, take my dogs out for runs where I can enjoy nature.

I am happy with making the decision to join veterinary medicine in the capacity of an RVT, being able to watch and be apart of how the profession has changed and evolved over the years has been rewarding. Dr. Hubbard gave me a gentle push into the reproduction side of the practice in 2010 and since being apart of this department I have found a passion in this area and enjoy the relationships I have developed with the clients. Over the past 24 years I have continued to learn and develop my skills including in reproduction, anesthesia, and I am currently working on my Rehabilitation course. Dagmar and I have grown the practice over the past 10 years 35 people to 113 today staff and have continued to develop and grow during this time. We have faced many challenges including COVID an ever changing economy and we continue to navigate and work together during these times. We believe in our practice, what we have to offer and the amazing staff who work with us everyday. We want every client to feel valued and every patient to have the best possible care.
I have enjoyed the last 10 years of ownership and can’t wait to see what the next 10 years bring!

06/03/2026

🎉 Celebrating 10 Years: Meet Dr. Dagmar Schouten! 🎉

As part of our 10-Year Celebration, we're shining a spotlight on the owners behind Cedarwood Veterinary & Animal Emergency Hospital—and today, we're excited to introduce one of the owners, Dr. Dagmar Schouten!

"Hello, I am Dr. Dagmar Schouten, a small animal veterinarian born in the Netherlands and who graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2000. I moved around some (North Carolina, Virginia and then Calgary) before settling in Red Deer, Alberta at Cedarwood Veterinary Hospital in 2007. I met my business partner Ronnel Palmer, RVT that year as we both started our employment at Cedarwood under Dr. Ken Hubbard around the same time. When Dr. Hubbard retired in 2016, Ronnel and I purchased the clinic, which was by then known as Cedarwood Veterinary & Animal Emergency Hospital(CWAEH). I can't believe 10 years have flown by, or that I have been at this wonderful practice for 19 years!

CWAEH is a huge part of who I am, I absolutely love my job and love this practice. I am married to Dr. Graham Keys, a double board certified surgeon who works with me at CWAEH, and we have two kids; 20 year old Femke and 17 year old Karsten. My mom, Beatrix, has lived with us for the past 19 years helping raise Femke and Karsten, allowing me to be a mom while also dedicating a lot of my life to my career as a veterinarian. We currently have 8 dogs (well with another pup this month...9 dogs) with 5 Border Collies, a Kelpie, a Bantam Bulldog and a resident Sheltie in our household. Outside of the clinic, I am a passionate dog agility addict and this game has allowed me to travel to many places with our dogs as part of Team Canada. Most of my days are filled with days at the clinic, soccer with Karsten and dog agility, and more dog agility.... and maybe a peloton:). I am so thankful for this career that I love, I often say I am a dog trapped in a human body, and I couldn't imagine doing anything else. I love seeing my regular clients with their dogs and kitties, while I also just love too many things in my career: emergency medicine, surgery, lameness, reproduction etc. etc... except dermatology...the one thing I don't enjoy trying to figure out... so I am ever so lucky to have spent the last 19 years also working with Dr. Tara Dixon, who is a very skilled veterinarian in that area!!

I have just loved the last 10 years on this journey (as Ken Hubbard would say... :) ) with Ronnel. Ownership is challenging but also rewarding. We have an amazing team that has grown from 35 people in 2016 to over 100 in our current team. I love the supportive nature of our team, helping each other day in and day out to do the best we can for the pets and clients that come through our doors. I wrote this bio without my assistant Crystal's help... there are not many things I do at work without her input :). Thank you for trusting us to care for your pets, we really love our work so much!!"

06/01/2026

What does a typical day look like for a general practice veterinarian?

The answer: there really isn't one!

Our general practice veterinarians have one of the broadest roles in pet healthcare. On any given day, they may move between surgery, dentistry, preventive care, diagnostics, and managing chronic medical conditions—sometimes within the same hour.

It's easy to think of a wellness visit as "just vaccines," but those appointments are often where some of the most important conversations happen. A subtle change you've noticed at home, a new lump found during a belly rub, a change in appetite, or a concern about mobility can be the first clue that something isn't quite right.

One of the things we value most at our hospital is collaboration—not just between our doctors, but with you! You know your pet better than anyone. The information you share, the questions you ask, and the changes you notice at home all play an important role in helping us provide the best possible care.

Our doctors regularly work together, discussing cases, reviewing diagnostics, and drawing on each other's experience. Combined with the insights that pet owners bring to every appointment, it creates a team approach focused on what matters most: your pet's health and well-being.

Every patient is different. Every family is different. And every pet's story is unique.

What's the best piece of advice you've ever received from your veterinary team? We'd love to hear it!

05/28/2026

Itchy pet season is officially here — and we’re seeing a lot of allergies walk through our doors lately!

If your dog or cat has been licking their paws nonstop, scratching their ears, rubbing their face on the carpet, or waking you up in the middle of the night with the sound of chewing… you are definitely not alone this time of year.

At Cedarwood Veterinary & Animal Emergency Hospital, we see everything from mild seasonal allergies to more severe allergic reactions requiring urgent care. Allergies can show up in many different ways, and often pets become itchy long before owners realize just how uncomfortable they are.

Some common signs we watch for include:
Paw licking and chewing
Recurring ear infections
Red or irritated skin
Hair loss or hot spots
Scooting or overgrooming
Facial swelling or hives
Vomiting or diarrhea after exposures

One of our veterinarians, Dr. Tara Dixon, has a strong interest in dermatology and helping pets struggling with chronic skin and allergy issues. Allergies can be frustrating for both pets and owners, especially when symptoms keep coming back, so having a plan tailored to your pet can make a huge difference.

Our hospital offers a wide range of services that can help support allergy patients, including dermatology consultations, diagnostics, in-house laboratory testing, medical management, support for chronic discomfort, and 24/7 emergency care if reactions become more severe.

You could say some pets are really itching to get outside this time of year… unfortunately, their allergies sometimes come with them.

If your pet seems uncomfortable, itchy, or just not like themselves lately, don’t wait too long to have them checked. Allergies often worsen over time if left untreated, and early management can help keep pets much more comfortable heading into the warmer months.

05/25/2026

Comprehensive Care, All Under One Roof!

Luna recently underwent a bilateral Tibial Tuberosity Transposition (TTT) surgery at Cedarwood Veterinary & Animal Emergency Hospital, and her recovery journey has been nothing short of inspiring — and adorable.

From advanced orthopedic surgery to personalized rehabilitation therapy, Luna’s case highlights how multiple departments within our hospital work together to support our patients every step of the way.

Our surgical team performed Luna’s procedure with the goal of improving her comfort and mobility, while our rehabilitation team has been helping her rebuild strength and confidence through underwater treadmill therapy, targeted exercises, and laser therapy.

And honestly… she may just be the cutest rehab patient ever. Luna has been stealing hearts throughout every session!

Recoveries like Luna’s are a reminder that healing doesn’t stop after surgery. Continued rehabilitation, monitoring, and dedicated follow-up care all play an important role in helping pets return to a happy, comfortable life.

At Cedarwood, our surgery, rehabilitation, and patient care teams work together to provide seamless care throughout every stage of recovery — all under one roof.

We are so proud of you, Luna!

05/22/2026

It’s Veterinary Assistant Appreciation Week, and we truly could not let it pass without recognizing the incredible Technician Assistants at Cedarwood Veterinary and Animal Emergency Hospital.

They are the comforting voice for nervous clients, the extra hands during emergencies, the ones cleaning kennels late at night, helping monitor recovering patients, restocking treatment areas, supporting our RVTs and veterinarians, and making sure every pet in our hospital feels safe, cared for, and loved.

Some of the hardest work in veterinary medicine happens quietly behind the scenes — and our Technician Assistants show up for it every single day with compassion, patience, and heart.

Whether it’s comforting a hospitalized patient, helping during a critical emergency, or simply making someone smile during a stressful day, their impact on this hospital is bigger than words can fully capture.

To our TA team: thank you for the care you give, the long hours you work, the emotional weight you carry, and the kindness you bring into the hospital every day. We appreciate you more than you know.

05/21/2026

Celebrating 10 Years of Compassionate, Privately Owned Veterinary Care!

Join us as we celebrate an incredible milestone for Cedarwood Veterinary & Animal Emergency Hospital — 10 wonderful years of ownership under Dr. Dagmar Schouten and Ronnel Palmer, RVT!

📍 Saturday, June 6th
⏰ 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 7644 Gaetz Avenue, Red Deer, AB

As a proudly privately owned and AAHA Accredited hospital, this celebration means so much to our entire team. Over the last decade, Cedarwood has continued to grow into a full-service veterinary and emergency hospital offering advanced care in medicine, surgery, rehabilitation, reproduction, and 24/7 emergency services — all while staying deeply connected to the pets, people, and community we serve.

Behind the scenes, our team has been working incredibly hard to make this event special. From organizing activities and preparing treats to planning ways to connect with our community, there has been so much excitement throughout the hospital leading up to this celebration. We truly want this to be a fun, welcoming, and memorable day for everyone who joins us.

✨ Event Highlights Include:
• BBQ
• Raffles, prizes & giveaways
• Custom sugar cookies plus treats for dogs and cats
• Family-friendly activities including colouring pages, stuffed animal bandaging, trivia, contests, slideshows, and more!

Most importantly, this event is our chance to say thank you.

We are incredibly grateful for the trust our clients place in us every single day. Whether your pet has visited us for a routine appointment, rehabilitation therapy, surgery, or an emergency in the middle of the night — thank you for allowing us to be part of your pets’ lives. Serving this community is something we never take for granted, and we feel incredibly lucky to care for the animals and families of Central Alberta.

All proceeds from the event will be going toward the Central Alberta Humane Society!

Stay tuned — over the next little while, we’ll also be sharing more about the incredible owners behind Cedarwood and the vision, compassion, and dedication that helped shape our hospital into what it is today.

We cannot wait to celebrate with all of you!

https://facebook.com/events/s/cedarwood-veterinary-animal-em/1711480273626225/

05/18/2026

Understanding Our Approach to Exotic Pet Care

Exotic pets require highly specialized veterinary care due to their unique anatomy, physiology, behavior, dietary requirements, and medical needs. Species such as rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, reptiles, ferrets, hedgehogs, and other small mammals can be especially delicate patients, and many instinctively hide signs of illness until they are critically unwell. Because of this, diagnosing and treating exotic pets can be very difficult.

At our hospital, some of our veterinarians may be comfortable assessing and treating certain exotic species or medical concerns depending on their individual experience, training, and comfort level. However, our doctors are not board-certified exotic animal specialists, and not every veterinarian in our team is experienced with exotic patients.

We believe it is important to be transparent about these limitations so your pet can receive the safest and most appropriate care possible. In veterinary medicine, recognizing when a case would benefit from additional expertise is an important part of responsible and compassionate patient care.

Exotic species often require specialized handling techniques, anesthesia protocols, diagnostic interpretation, surgical approaches, hospitalization needs, and long-term management that differ significantly from traditional companion animals. In some cases, we may recommend referral to a veterinarian or hospital with advanced training and equipment dedicated specifically to exotic animal medicine.

In emergency situations, our team will do our best to assess and stabilize exotic patients when appropriate. Depending on the species, medical concern, severity of illness, and doctor availability, we may recommend transfer or follow-up with an exotic-focused veterinary clinic for ongoing or advanced care.

Our goal is always to prioritize your pet’s wellbeing while providing honest recommendations, compassionate guidance, and clear communication. If you have questions about whether we are able to see your exotic pet, we encourage you to contact our team in advance so we can help determine the most appropriate care options for your companion.

05/14/2026

If you think punishing or ignoring your pet is the solution to their separation anxiety, think again! Separation anxiety is a serious condition that requires patience, love, and understanding to overcome. Punishment can only make things worse and cause further anxiety. Instead, seek veterinary intervention and try to identify the root cause of your pet's anxiety.

Address

7644 Gaetz Avenue
Red Deer, AB
T4P2A8

Telephone

+14033472676

Website

http://www.cedarwoodvet.ca/

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