Meet Ilana Smolkin

Dr Ilana Smolkin graduated with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, OVC 2003. She currently works as a Veterinarian/Owner, at Guelph Animal Hospital.

Ilana, Graduated with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from OVC in 2003, she has dedicated her career to caring for animals and advancing veterinary medicine.

Outside of her professional responsibilities, Ilana finds joy in various hobbies, including hikes with her dogs, solving cryptic crosswords, reading, practicing yoga, and indulging in the occasional game of curling.

A fun fact about Ilana is her multifaceted approach to veterinary care. In addition to traditional veterinary practices such as surgery and medicine, she incorporates alternative therapies like acupuncture, spinal manipulation, and herbal treatments into her practice. Furthermore, as a business owner, she has honed her skills in managing various aspects of the clinic, from finances to human resources, alongside her amazing business partner and Practice Administrator.

When did your love of STEM begin?

I declared my desire to be a veterinarian at 6 years old. I always loved math, logic problems and learning about all things science right in elementary school. I remember my grade 5 teacher letting me work on extra math problems in the library and I felt so lucky!

What is the best part about working in the field of STEM?

I love STEM because I never stop learning. Medicine is always evolving and there are new discoveries, theories and treatments. I get to problem solve every day because no two cases are exactly alike.

What advice would you give young women interested in a career in STEM?

If you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work, so take the time to discover what you love! There is no subject you can’t master when you want to keep trying and keep learning.