Marlene Smith-Schalkwijk D.V.M.
The Tree of Life Veterinary Care was the brain child and creation of Dr. Marlene Smith-Schalkwijk. It was the result of a passionate dream she had about integrating modern western medicine with oriental medicine, chiropractics, homeopathy and botanical medicine (herbal medicine).

Graduating in 1976 from the State University, Utrecht, Holland, she continued her education with a certification course in veterinary acupuncture, which she successfully completed with IVAS (International Veterinary Acupuncture Society) in 1988. She then added Chinese Herbal medicine, homeopathy, homotoxicology and finally veterinary chiropractics. Combining all the above modalities resulted into the integrative veterinary services the Tree of Life Veterinary Care now offers!

With retirement age approaching Marlene started to dream of a veterinarian with whom she could share her dream!

Dr Erika Raines was attracted to Tree of Life Veterinary Care because she just had that same dream!

Trusting that Dr Erika will continue building on their joined dream, Dr Marlene can now enjoy her retirement and continue her teaching in veterinary acupuncture to professional veterinarians in Canada, and elsewhere in the world!. She will also continue her research in Canine Malignant Histiocytosis.

You may see her on occasions while replacing Dr Heather or Dr Erika at the clinic.

Dr Smith congratulates Dr Erika Raines with her new business and to carry the Tree of Life Veterinary Care into the future.