Welcome to Uptown Animal Hospital!

We are proud to provide veterinary services to cats and dogs in Salmon Arm and the surrounding area. Our clinic was started by Dr.Taryn Cass and Dr.Kirsten Riphagen, and we aim to create a low stress experience for pets and their people.

Our Mission Statement

Our mission is to provide extraordinary care to your four-legged family members in a knowledgeable, low stress and creative way. Our empathetic team is here to guide and support the connection between you and your pet.

We strive to treat each pet as if they are a member of our own family.

Our Caring & Compassionate Veterinary Team!

Meet the Veterinarians & Team of Uptown Animal Hospital in Salmon Arm! We’re pleased to provide exceptional vet care for your pets!

Please call us at (250) 833-5364 to speak to one of our caring veterinary staff members!

Dr. Kirsten Riphagen

Veterinarian

Dr Kirsten Riphagen grew up on a farm in southern Alberta, and graduated from the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in 2014. She has lived in BC since then, first in Kelowna, and now in Vernon. For the first few years in practice she worked in a busy emergency practice. More recently she has focused on working in general practice for numerous small animal clinics between Vernon and Westbank. Dr. Riphagen has worked with several volunteer veterinary projects and groups to provide veterinary care to underserved communities in Canada and internationally and has worked very hard to become Level 2 Fear Free certified!

Dr. Taryn Cass

Veterinarian

Dr. Taryn Cass graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. Since that time she has worked in many areas including a mixed animal practice in Fort St.John, a small animal specialty practice and emergency medicine. Dr. Cass now lives just outside Salmon Arm on a farm where she spends time with her 5 children, loving husband and menagerie of farm animals. Dr. Cass prides herself on quality medicine and a fear free approach.

Dr Jitender Bhandal

Veterinarian

Dr. Bhandal is a Board-Certified Small Animal Surgeon and a member of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. He brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in all aspects of Veterinary Surgery to the Uptown Team!

Jacquie

Registered Veterinary Technician
Jacquie was born and raised in Germany and moved to Canada in 2003.  She has always had an interest in the veterinary industry and when she was still in Germany she did a practicum at a veterinary clinic and decided that one day she would be in the veterinary field for good.
After moving to Canada and working at a variety of different jobs, Jacquie volunteered at a shelter for a few years further supporting her decision to pursue her dream career in veterinary medicine. She first took a veterinary assistant course and then after several years, moved forward with her education to secure a diploma as a veterinary nurse (RVT). Jacquie graduated from the distance veterinary technician course through Thompson Rivers University at the end of 2019.
During her time away from work Jacquie enjoys riding motorcycles with her partner and snuggling with her 2 cats and 2 dogs.
When asked why Jacquie chose veterinary nursing as a profession she replies, “I have always had a passion for animals and always felt that I wanted to be a voice for them.  Providing a voice for my patients, quality care and a positive experience for all animals that walk through our door is my goal.

Brett

Registered Veterinary Technician

Coming soon

Ashley

Registered Veterinary Technician Student
Originally from Revelstoke BC, Ashley has lived in Salmon arm for 14 years. She has recently entered the field of Veterinary medicine after a successful career in Wealth Management. Ashley is currently studying to become a Registered Veterinary Technician.
In her free time, Ashley enjoys gardening, beekeeping, hiking, camping, and snowboarding. She is joined on her little hobby farm by her husband, two kids, two cats, a dog, a rabbit, many chickens and honeybees.

Michelle

Registered Veterinary Technician Student
Michelle graduated from Thompson Rivers University in 2005, completing the Veterinary Technician program.  Even with a passion for veterinary medicine, Michelle has always been up for an adventure, including enjoying her time as a wildland volunteer firefighter in 2003 and traveling to Louisiana for relief work after Hurricane Katrina.
Her love for travel as well as work has provided many Michelle a variety of travel opportunities, allowing her to work in Jasper, Grand Forks and even Newfoundland!
While a large focus of her career was spent in emergency medicine (where she met Dr Cass and Dr Riphagen), Michelle found she wanted to make her career more client focused and this is what brought her to the fabulous Uptown Animal Hospital team! Michelle is an integral part of our in-clinic Veterinary Technician support team as well as our remote support team.

Kerri

Assistant

Kerri has joined the Uptown team with over 10 years experience as a certified veterinary assistant. She recently moved to the Shuswap and is having fun getting to know the area with her husband and two dogs. In her free time Kerri likes to hike, garden, snowshoe, and go fishing.

Makayla

Assistant
Makayla grew up in Kamloops but spent her summers here at the shuswap with her grandparents and has been enjoying the Salmon Arm lifestyle with her husband for the past 5 years. She grew up as a competitive dancer and has been a dance instructor for 10 years. Working at a variety of different jobs over the years, from day care attendant to sawmill worker, she has always been most happy working with animals. Makayla has a diploma in dog obedience training and used to take dogs on adventure hikes. Makayla was a ranch manager mainly working with horses for 3 years. She has always had an interest in veterinary medcine and helping animals in need and was happy to have the opportunity to come aboard the team at Uptown. In her free time, Makayla enjoys horseback riding, hiking with her husband and 3 dogs, kayaking, and cross country skiing.

Breanna

Assistant
Coming Soon

Cathy

Customer Service

Cathy grew up in Alberta, but Salmon Arm has been her home for over 12 years. After graduating with a Science degree many years ago, she stepped into the Veterinary field, fell in love with it and has never left!  Cathy’s family crew includes two cats, a dog, two horses, a bearded dragon and two teenagers! She cherishes outside time with her family, kayaking, hiking and exploring the fabulous lakes of the Shuswap. That “wet dog” smell gives her joy! Cathy is excited to be part of the Uptown team, serving the furry family members of this great community.

Robyn

Customer Service

Robyn started her dream career all the way back 1999. Starting out as a kennel assistant, Robyn has been fortunate to experience and work in many areas of the veterinary hospital setting. After a move to the Shuswap, from the lower mainland, she finds so much enjoyment being outside and exploring the lakes and trails of the North Shuswap and surrounding areas.

Angela

Customer Service
Born and raised in Salmon Arm, Angela is proud to call the Shuswap her home. Angela’s crew consists of a dog named Harvey, 2 cats – Cardi and Mason and 2 wild children. When not at the office, you can find her either out in the garden, walking her dog on the many trails around Salmon Arm, or painting under the watchful eye of her cat Mason.

Taylor

Customer Service
Taylor grew up in Kelowna and has recently moved to Salmon Arm. She is very excited to explore her new city. She has a love for all animals of any shape, size, and breed. She comes from many years in a health care background but has decided to pursue a career working with animals as well as their owners. In her free time she is often out hiking, camping, snowshoeing, and enjoying the outdoors with her little family and her dog, Ruger.