About Us
How can PetDerm help?
Welcome to PetDerm, one of Calgary’s first independently owned and operated specialty veterinary clinics. Founded by Dr. Becky Valentine DVM, DACVD© , our clinic is renowned for its Dermatology expertise and proudly offers comprehensive Internal Medicine services. PetDerm aims to understand, diagnose, treat, and improve the health of pets and the lives of their owners. Many of our patients can suffer chronically, and Dr. Valentine has created a centre of expertise and compassion with the goal to alleviate their suffering and improve their quality of life.
PetDerm wants to be part of your pet’s path to stable health.
Our board certified Veterinarians are specialists within their respective fields.
Dr. Becky Valentine, DVM, DACVD©
Board-Certified Veterinary Dermatologist
Dr. Valentine was born and raised in Calgary and completed her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 2001. After completing a rotating small animal internship at Ontario Veterinary College in 2002, Becky spent several years as an emergency veterinarian before returning to school to complete a residency in dermatology at the OVC. It was during her residency that she came to understand the profound impact that skin diseases and allergies can have on a pet and their family. She became board-certified in Veterinary Dermatology in 2015, and has made a huge difference in the lives of pets and their owners ever since.
Becky’s interests include the treatment of antibiotic-resistant skin infections and the diagnosis and management of allergic dermatitis in small animals and horses.
Dr. Chantal McMillan, DVM, MVSc, DACVIM
Board-Certified Small Animal Internal Medicine
Dr. Chantal McMillan is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM). She completed her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) in 2000. Upon graduating, she worked in small animal practice before pursuing her specialty designation. She completed her internship at the University of Illinois in 2002 and became board-certified by the ACVIM in 2006 after completing her residency.
Since then, Dr. McMillan joined the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in 2007 as an associate professor of teaching. She has enjoyed educating future veterinarians in the classroom, lab, and clinics.
She values the important relationship between pets and their families. She aims to develop individualized approaches to cases with clients and their primary veterinarians. Ultimately, she aims to improve your pet’s quality of life while considering goals, concurrent conditions, and other factors that may influence the decision-making process.
Dr. Nessa Forde, BVM&S, MRCVS
Small Animal Internal Medicine
Dr. Nessa Forde earned her Veterinary of Medicine from the University of Edinburgh in 2012. After returning home to Calgary, she became the first small animal intern at Western Veterinary Specialist and Emergency Centre, and went on to work in rural general practice, emergency medicine, and as a clinical associate supporting a variety of veterinary services. These experiences gave her a broad perspective and shaped her compassionate approach to complex patient care.
Nessa’s interests include managing gastrointestinal, liver, immune-mediated, urinary tract, and infectious diseases, along with performing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for gastrointestinal and urinary tract disorders. Her approach is based on collaboration – working closely with your pet’s primary care veterinarians to help manage complex medical needs. Outside of work, she loves spending time in the mountains with her family, skiing, biking, and hiking, and at home she is kept company by her Siberian Forest cat, Minnow. She also volunteers with the Canadian Animal Task Force, providing care in underserved communities across Alberta and Nunavut.
Dr. Paige Coutu, DVM, MSc, DACVR
Board-Certified Veterinary Radiologist
Dr. Paige Coutu grew up in Calgary and earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Calgary in 2013. After working in emergency practice in the Okanagan Valley and completing a private practice internship in Calgary, she pursued a residency at Washington State University. In 2018, she received her Master of Science and achieved board certification through the American College of Veterinary Radiology (ACVR).
Paige works closely with other specialty veterinarians to deliver comprehensive care and has experience in both private practice and teleradiology, collaborating with radiologists across North America and Europe. She also enjoys teaching veterinary students and residents, sharing her expertise with the next generation. Her professional interests include diagnostic imaging, particularly ultrasound, and she values the opportunity to improve patient outcomes through teamwork. Known for her calm and gentle approach, Paige enjoys spending time with pets in hospital settings, helping them feel at ease during their visits.
Dr. Jennifer Ho, DVM
Dermatology Resident
Dr. Jennifer Ho graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2020 with her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and began her career with a rotating internship at the Calgary Animal Referral & Emergency Centre, where she demonstrated a strong commitment to high-quality patient care. She then returned to Toronto to practice emergency medicine at a large referral hospital, supporting critically ill pets and their families through complex and emotional decisions.
While she found emergency medicine deeply rewarding, Dr. Ho’s true passion lies in dermatology. She is drawn to the field’s blend of investigative work and long-term management strategies, and the opportunity to significantly improve a pet’s comfort and quality of life. In 2025, she returned to Calgary to pursue a dermatology residency under the mentorship of Dr. Valentine at the Calgary Pet Dermatology Centre. As part of the PetDerm team, Dr. Ho is excited to contribute to specialized dermatologic care and help pets live healthier, itch-free lives.
The value in visiting a board-certified veterinarian
A board-certified veterinarian completes an additional 4 years of dermatology or internal medicine residency before they become board-certified. The residency program involves extensive training in anatomy, physiology, pathology, clinical diagnosis, research, and more. A board-certified veterinarian dedicates at least 10 years to education and residency, similar to a doctor in human medicine.
After completing the required residency, certification involves completing and presenting original research, and demonstrating exceptional case management. The final step is passing a comprehensive multi-day exam administered by the American College of Veterinary Dermatology or the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. Only veterinarians with diplomate status are recognized as experts by the medical community.
A board-certified Veterinary Dermatologist is
trained in diagnosing and treating various skin, ear, hair, nail, hoof, and mouth disease in animals. They possess extensive training and experience in managing allergic and infectious skin diseases (bacterial, fungal, viral), parasitic conditions, alopecia, congenital and autoimmune skin disorders, benign/malignant skin cancer, hormonal-related skin problems, and internal causes of skin abnormalities. They also treat chronic ear disorders often associated with skin conditions.
A board-certified Veterinary Internist is
trained in diagnosing and treating a broad spectrum of internal health issues in animals. They are highly trained and experienced in managing gastroenterology, endocrinology, infectious disease, urology, nephrology, respiratory medicine and hematology & immunology. It is common for a patient’s disease to impact multiple organs, requiring a detailed understanding on how to balance multiple issues for the best quality of life.
A board-certified Veteinary Radiologist is
trained in advanced diagnostic imaging techniques to help identify and monitor a wide range of health conditions in our pets. They possess extensive expertise in interpreting medical images such as ultrasound, X-rays, CT scans, and MRI. Veterinary radiologists play a key role in diagnosing internal organ diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, chest and abdominal conditions, and guiding minimally invasive procedures like ultrasound-guided biopsies or fine needle aspirates. Their specialized training allows them to collaborate with other veterinary specialists to provide accurate diagnoses and support tailored treatment plans for pets.
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