Dr. Cristin McCarty-Van Straaten is an accomplished veterinarian, equestrian, and former elite rower who has dedicated her life to animal health and sports. Raised in Saskatchewan, Dr. Cristin grew up training and competing her dogs in obedience and agility, and her horses in hunter and jumper events across Western Canada. Her dedication to excellence saw her achieve the HA level in the Canadian Pony Club, marking an early milestone in her journey.

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Dr. Cristin pursued her undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan on a rowing scholarship, where she earned a Bachelor of Science and a Masters of Public Health. After her collegiate years, she competed internationally with the Canadian National Women’s Rowing Team, representing her country from 2006 to 2010. Her athletic achievements included winning Gold and Silver at the 2007 Pan American Games, a proud accomplishment for both herself and Canada.

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Driven by a keen interest in animal health and biomechanics, Dr. Cristin continued her studies with a PhD in Injury Biomechanics from the University of Guelph, focusing on lameness and joint disease in racehorses. After completing her PhD in 2013, she applied her expertise in biomechanics as a forensic engineer for three years, developing a foundation in injury analysis.

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Her true calling, however, lay in veterinary medicine. In 2020, she graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College, fulfilling her lifelong dream. She initially worked in large animal practice, focusing on dairy cows, small ruminants, and horses, but eventually transitioned to small animal emergency medicine in 2022.

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Dr. Cristin worked at the Emergency Veterinary Clinic of Waterloo Region from 2022-2024. She founded MVS Equine Veterinary Services in 2022, where she continues to work part-time specializing in equine lameness. She is certified in veterinary spinal manipulative therapy, with a strong focus on preventative medicine and musculoskeletal health and surgery.

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Dr. Cristin resides in Guelph, Ontario, with her husband, two sons, and her beloved 15-year-old cat. Together with her husband, she operates a cash crop farm near Mitchell, ON. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys swimming, gardening, and spending quality time with her family