Meet the Arrowhead Veterinary Centre Veterinarians

Dr. Libby Fulton

Veterinarian

I graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in 1990.

I opened Arrowhead Veterinary Centre in 2008 as a “state of the art” Veterinary Hospital.

“Arrowhead” as it is affectionately known…. is an integrated, comprehensive and caring small animal veterinary hospital that continues to bring something new and fresh to the Cochrane area. The hospital is fortunate to have an experienced and dedicated team of veterinarians, nurses, and support staff. Since our doors opened in 2008, we have grown, but we continue to be blessed to care for and care about each of our patients and their families every day. Thank you!

In my free time I enjoy running, camping, skiing and spending time with my husband Glenn, our daughter Brie and my misunderstood rescue Labrador Logan.

Dr. Michaela Bartolini

Veterinarian

I’ve been a practicing vet for over 10 years now. After attending school at Ontario Veterinary College, I find myself landing at Arrowhead Veterinary Centre to continue helping my favorite furry companions.

In my practice, I pride myself on providing thorough and efficient service to clients, providing high-end and timely care to patients and clients. I love being in the surgery and dental suite! I also enjoy building long-term trusting relationships with clients and patients.

When I’m not at the practice, I love anything and everything outdoors. I’m very active (skiing, hiking, mountain biking) and spend a lot of time with my young family. I also love traveling (but it was definitely easier before kids!)

Dr. Rod Niwa

Veterinarian

I grew up on a family farm in southeastern Alberta with five brothers. I was a typical farm boy who milked the cows and slopped the pigs before catching the school bus each morning. I participated in 4H and was always interested in animals. In Grade One, my teacher asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, and I said “an Animal Doctor”.

I started my pre-veterinary courses at U of C and then got accepted into WCVM at the University of Saskatchewan. Following graduation, I did an internship and residency at Texas A&M University, where I also completed a Master’s Degree. Following my residency, I spent a year back at WCVM in a teaching position when I was asked to join a mixed animal practice here in Cochrane.

I was quite involved with the Cochrane Pony Club for many years and also acted as a judge for competitive trail riding in Canada and the USA. I moved here in 1982 and have lived in Cochrane ever since.

I love living in this area as it is close to the mountains and offers a small town environment. I have worked as a mixed animal veterinarian for various veterinary practices for the last few decades. I started working for Dr. Libby, who was a previous employee of mine for almost 10 years, and now work part time at Arrowhead. I enjoy working at Arrowhead and am happy to continue to provide care and compassion to our owners and their pets.

Dr. Silvia Dimigen

Veterinarian

I grew up in Bavaria, Germany. I always wanted to be a veterinarian and graduated from the Veterinary Faculty in Munich in 1993. After two years of post-graduate studies, I earned my doctorate in veterinary medicine and started to work in a rural mixed animal practice in Bavaria.

Having fallen in love with Alberta as an undergraduate during an internship at a veterinary clinic in Rocky Mountain House, my husband Jochen, our two pet rabbits, and I moved to Cochrane in 2001, where I continued to work in a mixed animal practice. I obtained my Canadian license and, in 2005, made the switch to work in small animal medicine, first in Calgary and now back in Cochrane. I can honestly say I love going to work every day!

Over the years, our family has grown, and though we sadly had to say goodbye to our beloved rabbits, we have added two wonderful daughters—all of us being proudly owned by two cats named Minou and Toulouse.

When I am not busy at work or equally busy at home, I like to make the most of the incredible place we live in and go hiking, horseback riding, canoeing, and skiing.

Dr. Tracie Unrau

Veterinarian

I grew up in North Battleford, Saskatchewan continuously surrounded by pets and farm animals. I went to university at the University of Saskatchewan and graduated from Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 2005.

My veterinary interests include internal medicine, wellness care, and improving the quality of life for my geriatric and palliative patients. And, of course, I can’t resist a good puppy or kitten consultation! My favorite part of my job is forming cooperative, long-term relationships with clients and their pets. I have been at Arrowhead Veterinary Centre since we opened in 2008, and I feel so fortunate to be a part of this wonderful team of compassionate staff and dedicated clients.

In my free time, I enjoy yoga, hiking in our beautiful mountains, and reading. In the summer, I love to go camping with my husband, our 3 kids, and two labradors. We also have a diabetic, allergic rescue cat named Chai who prefers to stay home.