Dr. Kari Hilsen was born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan. Kari graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 2014 and started her career working with small/companion animals in Alberta.

Dr. Hilsen's love of the outdoors had her moving west to lay down roots on Vancouver Island. Since making the big move to the Island in 2017 she has practiced in Nanaimo and the Cowichan Valley. In 2024 Dr. Hilsen joined our experienced veterinary team at the Westshore Pet Clinic.

Dr. Hilsen's professional interests include preventative medicine, soft tissue surgery, and dentistry.

When not working, Dr. Hilsen is an avid outdoor enthusiast and can often be found somewhere on a trail with her partner Kent and her dogs (Izzy, Daisy, and Juniper - all Golden Retrievers), working in her yard or exploring local hidden gems. Along with her doggy Golden girls, she is the proud mom of a cat name Rockstar and four plant destroying chickens that keep life very exciting and full of laughs.